Response from Decks Unlimited
Frustrating ?!?!?! Yes, it is frustrating when someone can anonymously blog slanderous posts on a public internet forum wtithout being accountable for the content. I am not a politician or public figure-. this person is attacking my livelihood. Yes, it is frustrating when my only recourse is to write a rebuttal and hope that fair-minded people are reading it. Yes,It is extremely frustrating when I never once received a phone call indicating any level of dissatisfaction from the homeowner. Then, a year later, I read this. Sticking to the facts: A. This is a Do-It -Yourself project. Homeowner filed for and received the building permit. Homeowner was the builder of record and was responsible for all inspections and code compliances. B. Homeowner contracted with Dek-With-Us (DWU) to provide all material for the deck to be built at the rear of the homeowner's house. ALL materal necessary to build the deck was delivered. In fact, extra hardware and decking material was included just to make sure the homeowner wouldn't come up short. Homeowner was to return this extra material, but they never called. C. Homeowner contracted with DWU to install the framing and support posts per deck plans included in the work agreement and submitted with the building permit application. When the inspector required extra posts under the deck, it constituted a change order to the work agreement and hence a surcharge to the contract total. Standard DWU work agreements have a clause that provides for an hourly labor rate to be used in such instances. In an attempt to appease the homeowner, DWU agreed to install the extra posts at no additional labor charge. This saved the homeowner $ 400.00. The framing and support posts were subsequently inspected by the township inspector and passed. C. Homeowner contracted with DWU to install the steps and the handrail on it. This work was completed and passed inspection by the township building inspector. Frustrating ?!?!? Yes, it is frustrating when any and all attempts were made to satisfy this person. Throughout the project the line of communication was always open. When they called either the phone was answered or a return call was made. DWU made 2 (two) on-site visits FREE OF CHARGE to help the homeowner with some questions. The last time I spoke with him, he had everything under control. I find it incredulous he would feel compelled to write here on Angies List without ever calling me with any concerns. Frustrating ?!?!? Apparently the homeowner took on a project that was a bit overwhelming for his carpentry aptitude or skill set and it frustrated him. His last phone call to me was several months AFTER HE PAID DWU IN FULL FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES RENDERED. That is the risk you take when you take on a project of this nature. The option was always there to just have DWU install the deck project in a turn-key manner. Homeowner opted to save some money. DWU has been in business since 1989. DWU installs 60-75 deck projects per year. To say that a few of our clients don't get there feathers ruffled along the way would disingenious of me. 99% of the time it involves being late to start the job. It is NEVER about quality or providing the project as contracted for. In these instances DWU is ALWAYS willing to do something as a sweetener to the project, whether it is a cash discount, a free bench, a gate, staining of the deck, etc... In the court of pubic opinion, contractors aren't held in high esteem, and are often found guilty until proven innocent. If a client is ignored or disrespected that is one thing, but when they are difficult to appease or simply refuse to let you satisfy them, it can be just as frustrating from the contractor's point of view. Pittsburgh is too small of a metro area to go around beating people and not honoring your contractual agreements. I hope that whoever is reading this post is fair minded enough to take not only that but also the body of work at DWU into account when weighing the comments posted by this person.