East Coast Builders

Case Description: Estimate that was provided for a two-part construction/painting job was not honored for the second part. On October 19, 2017, Phil provided an email estimate for a two-part job, totaling $1200 for building deck stairs, $1500 for staining the steps and adjacent deck and front porch, and a $200 discount on the total job based on NCState/HomeMag. On October 24, 2017, Phil provided an email estimate for the first part of the job, which was for $1200. We paid it and the work for the first part of the job started on October 25. At the time, I was concerned about the lack of discount applied to the first part of the job and Phil said not to worry, he would still honor it. Phil advised us to pick a stain color and he would put us on the schedule. I contacted him on February 9, 2018 to ask when we could be put on the schedule. He responded on Feb 13, 2018 to pick out the stain and we would be on the schedule for March, depending on the weather. On March 25, 2018, I contacted Phil to let him know we had picked a stain. Today, March 27, 2018 he provided a contract for the second part of the job, i.e. deck/stairs/porch painting/staining. It was for $1500. I inquired about the discount that was in the original quote, thinking that he just forgot about it. Instead, I got this reply: "The discount was if you did them at the same time not 6 months later." I wrote: "At the time when you finished the first part of the job, I asked and you said it would still be honored." His reply: "Not 6 months later. If you don't want us to do the staining that's fine." I inquired: "If I provide the same coupon I provided then would you honor the coupon?" His reply: "No. I think you find someone else." My reply: "It's been 5 months since the original contract and I did contact you after the holidays in February to get started which is when you said March - it has been snowing and raining since then..." His reply: "Fantastic. That offer was made in 2017. Since then the prices on labor and materials have gone up. I never give out a price that is good for more than 30 days. Good luck with everything but don't contact us again" Not only was the response from the owner extremely rude but it is clear to me now that he never intended to honor the coupon as the original contract stated. In addition, there is no part of the contracts he provided that states that the prices are only valid for 30 days. I hope that by starting this complaint others are not duped in the same way.