Dave C. on Citysearch 10 years ago
05/22/2012, 01:33 AM
Sterling Group DKI Tacoma - Not Good For Business – I was in need of water damage repair and The Hartford Insurance Company stated they could not recommend anyone for the repair work but that Crawford Contractor Connection has a vetting process for contractors which should make them very familiar with working through insurance repairs and offer extended warranties. I was put into contact with The Sterling Group DKI, Tacoma, WA. as an approved contractor in my area. Unfortunately, DKI’s lack of communication, professionalism and ethical behavior was stunning. My expectation that they would perform the work they had agreed to for the amount of money they had agreed to was proven wrong in a hurry. The following is a summary of my experience:
1. The scope of repair was defined and written.
2. DKI provided a written bid to complete the defined work and offered verbal assurances that everything would be taken care of if I chose them to do the work.
3. Contracts were signed based upon that information.
4. Shortly after work began the DKI project manager demanded more money with no explanation, just repeating the statement “It is what it is”.
5. During this time I repeatedly pointed out that DKI had missed flooring insulation damage and countertop tile damage in the project scope. They refused to come out and address the matter.
6. When I did not pay more and insisted on an explanation the project manager then tried to change the scope of the contract.
7. Now I’m very concerned so I left a voicemail for the project manager stating that work should not continue until he answered three questions:
a. Clearly explain why more money was necessary.
b. Clearly explain why changing the scope of the contract was in my best interest.
c. Clearly explain why DKI refused to address my concerns regarding the insulation and countertop tile.
8. After that, DKI ceased all work at my house and there was no response or communication of any kind from them.
9. I then wrote a letter to a DKI manager outlining my concerns.
10. The response I received in essence stated that the contract was meaningless, that I should pay them full rate for what work had been done and that the rest of the job was my problem.
11. My response was that I deal with contracts on a regular basis and that they are legally binding agreements.
Not once did anyone come by and discuss any issues such as why the bid may have been wrong or that something unexpected developed or what can we do to get things back on track. This sure felt like a shakedown, say anything to get the bid, demand more money after the job was started and when the money did not materialize they just walked away.
When viewed in context, the fact that they are only seeking payment for completed work simply reinforces their total disregard for contractual obligations. I am certain this is not acceptable behavior and have filed a complaint with Crawford Contractor Connection and the BBB. I’ve been a plant manager for over 16 years and my experience suggests that behavior this bad does not typically just happen, it generally develops over time.