Response from AQUA PRO CLEANING SOLUTIONS
[member name removed] contracted me to power wash and re-stain their deck in June of 2009 (not 2010 as noted) for $975 (not $800). The work was to be completed while they were away on vacation. I received a CC payment of half up front and was authorized by them to bill the remaining portion once I completed the work, which I did. [member name removed] and [member name removed] called me upon their return and brought to my attention a few concerns they had with the finished job. Specifically that there were areas of the deck that were "spotty". Other areas had some drips and streaks and a few places that were missed. I came out the very same day they called to address these concerns. I walked the deck out with them and pointed out that the areas that had drips, runs and spots were in fact residue from the previous job that would not come off during the power washing. I explained to them we follow a 90-10 rule and 100% stain removal is very rarely, if ever achieved. I also pointed out the fact that it was clear that those particular areas were not even the same color stain that we were using. They picked out a semi-transparent and some of what they were scrutinizing was in fact natural variations in the wood grain itself along with the previous contractor's stain. My wife was witness to this. After some deliberation [member name removed] conceded that this was the case. As to their other concern, that of areas being missed, I admit that there were some spots that needed touching up. We stained the deck on a 100+ degree day and the stain we were using at that time did not penetrate in all the areas. These areas were not noticeable on the day we completed the work but once dry had become visible. I agreed with [member name removed] that the areas that looked light were indeed something we were responsible for. There are two very important factors I would like to point out in respect to this project. 1) I offered to fix the areas of the deck that were light in color by lightly sanding and reapplying stain where appropriate or give them a portion of their money back that we both agreed would be reasonable.I specifically offered to refund them $100. [member name removed] stated that he wanted to discuss it with his wife first. They eventually did get back to me....a month and a half later. By the time they did contact me it was A) too late to fix the problem as the stain was already settled and would not blend well and B) This is when THEY deemed that half the amount of the total project is what was owed them. The missed areas would have been roughly an hour worth of work and approximately a half quart of stain. Certainly not $487.50 worth of work. 1) This is when [member name removed] initiated a chargeback on their credit card. The funds were added back to their card and an investigation ensued. Both parties had to submit documents detailing their versions. The result of that investigation concluded that [member name removed] and [member name removed] were in fact liable for the remainder of the balance and my account was credited the $487.50. In respect to stain on the driveway, this is completely fabricated. That was never brought up in their original complaint. Their current review on Angie's list is the first I've heard about stain on the driveway. Nowhere in their original complaint to me or the Credit Card's issuing bank makes any reference to stain on the driveway. Furthermore, [member name removed] had two other deck restoration companies come out to their residence to provide quotes. These quotes were submitted to the Credit Card's issuer as proof of "how much it would cost" to fix their deck. I actually contacted one of the owners on this and they stated that the quote submitted was to do a complete restore from A to B. They had no idea that their quote was going to be used deceitfully. They actually wrote a letter to clarify and explain that their quote was taken out of context and further stated that they had never actually spoken to the wolf family. This deceitful practice on behalf of the [member name removed] family is in part what caused the charges to be reversed in my favor. In summary 1) Most of the areas in question were not a result of our work 2) We did the work 100% as stated in the contract. 3) I took responsibility for those areas that were a result of our work and made an attempt to correct them from the very first day I found out. I maintain that the [member name removed] were out to get something for nothing by trying to blame a previous contractor's work on me, refusing to work with me by allowing me to correct the portions of their deck that I did take responsibility for, purposely waited until a point in time that I no longer could of easily fixed said issues and then fabricated and submitted untrue and erroneous information to their Credit Card company in an attempt to reduce their cost of this project.