Quality Buildings Unlimited review: Poor conduct and wrongdoing 1

I worked for a few weeks on a 1099 basis building storage sheds for this company. The last two sheds I built approximately 6/6/10 and 6/12/10 - at homeowners locations in High Point and in Raleigh - well, I was finally paid some money two months later. Unfortunately, the money I received was for approximately half of what was due me. I had called this company repeatedly and received nothing but a run around from everyone
that I have spoke with. It truly is utterly amazing how poorly I have been treated by these people- Matt Capezio (owner), Ashley Capezio, Allen (not sure of last name, but is local representative/manager in NC).

My main concern was what should I do? Due to being unemployed for so many months, I simply didn’t have any money to pay my bills, or particularly any money to pay for legal representation (and everyone I spoke with at this company was abundantly aware of my situation). In all honesty, I still don’t have enough to pay for the essentials in life such a food, housing, etc. It simply isn’t fair if there is no other legal remedy afforded me other than having to pay the court system for help. Because I am struggling mightily and needed to find work, which I found some, then was taken advantage of, doesn't sound like something that should be allowed. If I were working as an employee of this company, I would have legal remedies afforded me that wouldn't cost me. Now it seems I have no other recourse than to chalk it up to just another life experience in how people are during difficult times as we are currently living in. It is difficult to believe there really and truly no other options left for me at this point.

Furthermore (and as equally important to anyone reading this), I guess I should have gathered a clue as to this company's modus operandi when I discovered the first day on the job that they were using regular gun nails (nails for pneumatic air guns) to fasten all pressure treated lumber, as well as all components in need of being fastened to said pressure treated lumber. I can not say if this is common with all the jobs they produce, but it was so with every job that I saw being loaded out of the shop. This is apparently done in order to save money in producing these jobs given the fact the proper gun nails rated for use in PT lumber (AQC or CA rated fasteners and/or hardware to be used with ALL pressure treated lumber) are almost double and up to three times the price of regular gun nails.

I can understand the reluctance by someone who doesn’t know better to use the more expensive fasteners; however, it is of the utmost importance in using the proper fasteners concerning use in pressure treated wood, as anything other than what has been mandated by our current construction codes across this great nation will most definitely result in subsequent failure given enough time. It is not a matter of if, but when. The regular nails, fasteners, and hardware will corrode due to a chemical reaction between the metal fasteners/nails/hardware, and the high levels of copper (and other chemicals) in the pressure treated wood. All sheds that I had built, as well as all that I saw being built, were produced using the regular (cheaper) gun nails in all pressure treated wood. It may take a few months or a few years time, but the improper fasteners used on any and all PT wood will corrode and eventually fail.

Moreover, we (professionals or DIY'ers) are not supposed to even use the old fasteners that were allowed for us to use on the old pressure treated lumber formula, which contains chromium copper arsenic. As I’ve already eluded to, all new PT wood must be fastened with fasteners and hardware that is approved for use with these materials and are listed as AQC and/or CA rated. When I asked about this to the local representative for the company, he really didn't have an answer for me. Perhaps this is why I experienced the difficulties in getting paid, I don't honestly know. But it does seem rather odd to me.

But all purchasers of sheds from this company, as well as all potential purchasers, should be aware of this issue. But this type of complaint is something the BBB does not handle, or even knows where to direct me to in the filing of such. So I didn’t know whom exactly such a complaint should be filed to, ergo my listing this here.

The aforementioned company knows better (at least I made the local representative aware), yet still chooses to cut corners in an effort to save a few bucks. It has been my experience companies that do such are simply in it to take advantage of others then whenever they are able to do so, then just abandon ship so to speak or go bust, and in many instances only to to subsequently turn up listed under another business name. And in their wake leaving many (if not everyone) who are associated with them in unfortunate and desperate situations. Needless to say, it is companies that do business as such who give all true building professionals a black eye.