Response from ACT General Building Construction, Inc.
RESPONSE We welcome the opportunity to respond to Member Comments and in order to best respond, we have addressed each concern individually. Member Comment Horrible. The owner came and first of all, he was extremely arrogant and rude. RESPONSE We lament your interpretation of the confidence and expediency that allows us to provide a thorough and free estimate. Member Comment He kept saying he wanted to build me exactly what I wanted and then when I told him what I wanted, he told me that I did not know what I wanted. Really? RESPONSE To clarify, we don’t ever use the word “build” to refer to remodeling work. Our assumption is that there was a misunderstanding when we informed you that what you wanted done could not be done because of code restrictions. Member Comment He constantly interrupted me and asked things like, "Do you know how much that is going to cost?" (No, I did not know and that was why I was asking contractors to bid on the job.) And then he would proceed to give me astronomical dollar cost amounts. For example, I needed my electrical updated because my house is 60+ years old. He threw out a cost of at least $65,000. Again, really? Why is it two other contractors and an electrician were all under $7500? And no, he did not really mean $6500, because that is what I thought he may have meant, so I asked him to give me the cost once again It was $65,000. RESPONSE It is our recollection that we provided a verbal range of price for the different variations in the scope of the work that you were considering. This work included a complete rewiring of your home according to code that would require opening the walls and ceiling to be able to replace the existing wire for lighting and outlets. This scope of work is more extensive than simply installing new electric wall outlets that may cost $7,500 dollars. Furthermore, because your home is a 1,785 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 2 bath structure built in 1957 that may contain hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead, it must be remediated according to EPA regulations. As a courtesy to you and other members of Angie’s list, we provide the following notice for your consideration when performing some home improvement projects. NOTICE: Older buildings may have lead paint present. Lead paint is a health hazard for both children and adults. New stricter EPA regulations are designed to ensure those contractors that disturb lead painted surfaces or targeted housing where children under 6 or pregnant women are present, due so in such a way that protects themselves and the inhabitants from lead poisoning. Certified renovators must perform any work that disturbs six square feet or more of interior lead-painted surfaces (20 square feet or more on the exterior). The new rule, which became effective in April 2010, requires only EPA certified individuals to perform this work. Contractor is a broad term that could include a number of various trades people that may work on the target pre-1978 built homes and buildings. These may include: pest control operators, plumber, electrician, handyman, renovator, mason, carpenter, painter, HVAC contractor, remodeler and others. Those contractors and trades people not following the new guidelines can face a fine of $32,500. Contractors and property owners need to know that if a residential property was built prior to 1978, there is a good chance it contains some lead paint. Before any work is performed that may disturb painted surfaces, a contractor is now required to provide this pamphlet - www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf. As of April 22, 2010, all contractors performing work on pre-1978 "target" homes and buildings must be certified by the EPA. On-Site Inspections is a Certified Renovation company and will adhere to EPA guidelines on any work contracted for. This can increase estimates for repair not included in the work authorization contract due to the nature of containment requirement for the safety of exposure to lead. If you are doing any work yourself as a do it yourself project, there is some good information on lead paint hazards at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm For your information we are Certified as an EPA Lead Renovator Initial#NAT-53123-1. Member Comment Then he quoted putting in a gasline to my kitchen so I could have a gas stove....$20,000! I don't think so. Other two contractors?....$500. RESPONSE As you may remember, we asked for specific information about the gas appliances that would be used in order to determine the BTU’s that would be required and the appropriate gas line to be installed. It is our recollection that because of the ambiguity surrounding the appliances and the relocation of the dryer, the relocation of the water heater and the work related to the gas fireplace, we informed you that the cost could range up to 20,000 depending on the specifics. The relevant codes that apply are the following. California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 5 California Building Standards Commission 1309.4 Sizing of Gas Piping Systems. Based on the 2009 Uniform Plumbing Code® Systems shall be of such size and so installed as to provide a supply of gas sufficient to meet the maximum demand without undue loss of pressure between the point of delivery and the gas utilization equipment. 1309.4.2 Maximum Gas Demand. The volume of gas to be provided (in cubic feet per hour) shall be determined directly from the manufacturer’s input ratings of the gas utilization equipment served. Where the input rating is not indicated, the gas supplier, the equipment manufacturer, or a qualified agency shall be contacted, or the rating from Table 13-1 shall be used for estimating the volume of gas to be supplied. The total connected hourly load shall be used as the basis for pipe sizing, assuming all equipment is operating at full capacity simultaneously. Member Comment He also at one point said we should discuss things with my spouse. Guess what...I am a single woman who owns her own house. I was sorry to tell him that there was no spouse and he could discuss things with me. I have to say, his comments came across as very condescending and arrogant. Maybe he did not mean it that way, but that was how I felt. RESPONSE It is our policy to address the individual who contacts our company or the individual designated to make decisions, furthermore we commend individuals who can own their own home and we applaud independent living and success. Therefore, we have no recollection of this alleged statement and we attribute the inference to a misunderstanding. Member Comment Towards the end of his visit, he then instructed me to write everything down on an email that I had told him and email it to him. Once again, really? The other two contractors came and actually took thorough notes while they talked to me. Neither asked me to type it all up for them. This man did not take down a single note. Sorry sir, I am not your secretary! RESPONSE We believe that in order to avoid miscommunication, after a verbal review it is best to have the job order from the client in writing to be able to give an accurate estimate in writing. Regarding the need for notes, every contractor has it’s own way to retain the essential information of a project based on their abilities. For example, I can assure you that in your kitchen your range hood is stainless steel and exactly 42 inch wide, your cooktop is 30 inch wide and white in color and your dishwasher is black and you planned to keep it. You mentioned that you may want to change your current double sink with one faucet to a single bowl sink to be able to bathe your pet. Moreover, you were not sure about what to do regarding the corner window behind the sink, we also spoke about the possibility of removing the existing structural wall and installing a kitchen island and painting the existing wood panel throughout the family room. The relocation of the fireplace was another tentative decision that you had not finalized. Regarding the deck, you mentioned that the architect was still working on drafting the blueprint and that consequently other contractors had not been able to give you a definite quote. These are just a few of the reasons why we ask for the job order in writing so that we can provide an accurate and responsible estimate. Member Comment His company seemed to have really good reviews on Angie's List. I have no idea why he was so crazy off with me. Perhaps he did not want the business. RESPONSE We do enjoy good reviews because we provide accurate estimates and quality work based on respectful, realistic and honest interaction with our clients. Unfortunately, we can only be responsible for our side of the interaction. Member Comment He kept telling me how his company did large jobs, not small ones. Perhaps a remodel of a kitchen, dining room, laundry room, two bathrooms and a building of a deck was not considered a large job to him. RESPONSE While our company does perform large and small jobs, we do not perform minor jobs such as only replacing the bathroom floor or only painting existing wood panels, or only repairing 3 small ceramic bricks. As a general contractor, we believe that these minor jobs are usually cosmetic and best performed by handy persons. Member Comment In the end, I would NEVER recommend this contractor to anyone, sorry to say. RESPONSE We hope that you find a suitable company that meets the scope of your home improvement needs. Here is more information regarding ACT. ACT General Building Construction, Inc. is a company Licensed “B” GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR and “C-10” ELECTRICAL by the California Contractors State License Board, ACT General Building Construction, Inc. is your authorized Generac installer in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. We are factory trained and certified to work on Generac products.