ComplaintsforGP Wright Construction Company, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  08/05/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I contracted GP Wright Construction to put in a new 750 road on my property in ****, ** June 27, 2022. The quote provided was for $8,390, I put down 25% at $2,097. I attempted to pay Wright $2,000 (25%)for the work completed thus far on July 8, but Wright said it wasnt what I owed him and stormed off. On July 19, 2022 I received an invoice for $19,429. The invoice was roughly 2.5 times the contracted amount as a $500 gate was included in the quote that was not provided, effectively making the quote $7,890. The cost of road base alone was almost two thousand more than the estimate to do the whole job. At no time during the construction was a change order completed or it communicated to me that there would be additional costs. There were no unforeseen problems during the construction of the road. Once I received the invoice I contacted the company via email on July 29th and laid out why I believed the invoice was incorrect. They offered a 35% reduction in the invoiced amount on July 29, 2022 to $12,628.85, an outstanding balance of $10,531.85. I responded to that reduction August 2 stating that much of the allocated cost was related to the shortcomings of their operation and offered a total payment of $9,000, outstanding balance of $6,903. I received a scathing email from Wright Construction blaming me for their incompetence in preparing a quote and managing the job. Wright stated No more emails. End of Discussion. I tried to meet them more than in the middle and attempted on August 2 to resolve amicably offering $8,903 bringing the total paid to $11,000. No response. I hired a local company that boasts 35 years of experience. I am not willing to pay with an open check for a business that does not perform the work at the level that they advertise themselves or blames the customer for their shortcomings personally and professionally.

  Business response

  08/10/2022

  TeWright Construction      
  171 ************************************ 76692 | ************ | www.gp-wrightconstruction.com
  August 10, 2022
  
  
  
  
  ***************************
  Customer Engagement Specialist
  **********************
  **********, *****
  
  RE:  Complaint ID ********
  
  Dear ******************,
  
  Indeed, there are two sides to every story.  We appreciate you stepping in to assist in resolving this complaint, our first complaint ever.  Here at Wright Construction all we are asking for is a portion of our cost in material and labor.  So many times, ****% of the time, our jobs grow.  This project was no different.  We did so much more, spent so much more time and brought in twice as much material, than anticipated, which the client signed off on could easily happen, (please see second page of Estimate). 
  
  In the clients statement to BBB he mentions, there were no unforeseen problems during the construction of the road.  This statement is not true.  We have of course worked in sand before but never what is referred to as blow sand.  Due to this type of sand, to do the job required, twice as much material,road base (gravel), which wanted to sink in to sand and disappear had to be brought in.  Not to mention our haul trucks were getting stuck, one refusing to come back due to blow sand.  We had no way of knowing this would happen as so many times we dont know what were working with until we get on property.  Additionally, we were asked by client to dig ditches on either side of road for runoff.  For the clients entrance we installed a 10 culvert, cut the ditch line for drainage.  Also, client requested we cut a trough through a nearby hill, for drainage.  Ended up with so much sand it covered and filled approximately 2.5 acres.  These client requests were not mentioned early on.
  
  In the very first place we should have known better.  When client brought us a deposit to our equipment yard/shop office, he made the comment he didnt think the work on his place would take more than a day and we would probably not need to use as much material as originally scheduled.  And that if he had time and was here, he would have done it himself.  This line of thinking should have been a red flag and addressed right then and there.  This project took our crew two weeks because of blow sand.
  
  Client was there on-site location up until last few days.  He had every opportunity to address my husband, **** Wright, who was onsite throughout the entire project.  Instead, client waited until we were finished, to begin with his long-winded emails complaining about quality of work and price. In material alone (gravel), delivered, our cost is $11,636.37.  This price doesnt include all the hours in our D6T dozer and diesel fuel.  Not charging client for mobilization of heavy equipment.  Not charging client for hours in skid steer.
  
  Our original invoice sent to client at end of project was in the amount of $19,429.  When client began long emails, we decided to cut our losses, get out and move on; realizing client has way too much time on his hands and seems to be enjoying this banter.  We reduced invoice price by 35% removing any chance of profit.  Still not good enough here comes yet another long-winded email, after the fact.  At $12,628, which is compensation requested, we are still taking a loss.  If we can collect this amount, we will happily move forward and wish client well.  Again, we appreciate your help in this matter.
  
  Kindest regards,
  
  
  ***** Wright
  

  Customer response

  08/11/2022

  Complaint: 17676545
  I am rejecting this response because:

  This matter is not resolved. Just as I was shocked when I received an invoice for two and half times what I was quoted, I am shocked at the assertions of ***** Wright.  What Wright Construction is requesting for payment is unreasonable and her response to the BBB is inaccurate.
  I outlined the specifics via my emails and complaint to demonstrate that any additional costs incurred by Wright Construction are the direct result of their poor estimating, poor planning, poor communication, poor decisions and lack of expertise.  It was necessary to clearly delineate the basis for my objection to the invoice received. It is evident that Wright Constructions shortcomings caused the project overages, if they had not made these mistakes the overages would have been avoided and/or the quote would have accounted for these foreseeable requirements.
  There were no unforeseen problems during the construction of the road. The land did not change since **** Wright came to estimate the project. He had all the information needed to calculate material and equipment needs.  We drove every inch of the job site in my ATV. I discussed the ***** loam soil, I showed him examples of it where the cattle had dug holes and asked him if he had experience with the sand, and if he foresaw any potential issues he claimed extensive experience and was dismissive of any issues.  I inquired about utilizing a fabric to separate the sand from the road base for which **** Wright dismissed as unnecessary.  The topography of the site never changed. Again I hired a self-proclaimed expert to complete the job as opposed to trying to do the work myself.  Pattis first email response to me acknowledged all of the issues we have brought forth in this complaint Gregs lack of communication and that he seriously underestimatedthe costs of this project.  Nothing on this job site was unforeseen or should have been a surprise. **** had every opportunity to view the basic details and scope of this project and the fundamentals that would impact the project.  He also claimed to have 35 years of experience. This project took two weeks because of incompetence.  He showed up the Friday before 4th of July weekend because he thought he could do the job in one day.
  

  Business response

  08/16/2022

  Successful people build each other up. 

  They motivate, inspire and push each other.

  Unsuccessful people hate, blame and complain. 

  There is a saying, "If someone is giving us a hard time - then another party is getting a break!"  There is no doubt someone else is getting a break.  

  In an attempt to end this dreadful banter, Wright Construction would like to meet in the middle.  Our final offer is $11,814.42, which is the half way **** between last offer of both parties.  Here at Wright Construction we are way too busy with consistently happy customers who appreciate us!  We are not interested in any more back and forth dialogue.  

   

   

   

  Customer response

  08/22/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Regards,
  
  *****************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩