Southern Elite Contracting Inc.

It’s still ongoing after a year since the contract started. Scammers. Trying to figure out a way to extract money for services and labor that has already been paid for. I highly recommend choosing another company because they don’t have integrity.

We can't comment on any work as we never got that far in the process. They were very eager to come out and get us to sign a contract and pay for the work. They wanted 100% upfront but would take 50% if we would sign the contract. They couldn't give us a start or finish date or even tell us who was going to do the work as they evidently sub everything out. We had checked reviews and had some questions for the company representative, particularly after we looked at the terms of the contract. One highlight of the contract states they are not responsible if the work isn't completed due to "labor controversies" and if you look at the negative reviews, you will notice failure to complete jobs or dropped work is a common complaint. Additionally, a separate form called a checklist but is signed, stated SEC does not guarantee that works will show, that work will be completed as agreed or in a timely manner. They say "we'll get it done as fast as we can" but if not oh well, it's not our problem. After the initial meeting where we told them we needed to review everything and pick paint fixtures etc, we followed up with their rep who told us he was trying to find a contractor for the job and would follow up later. Two emails, two phone calls to the rep. and one email to the main office had ZERO response. There is more but that could be a good indicator to beware of this contractor, they seem to be hit or miss on their work.

Scam Alert! I don't understand how these people are in business. They have more bad reviews than good so why does Serclean recommend them? Check out Yelp and Better Business Bureau or whoever you trust. Serclean recommended them to us. They came out and had us sign a contract and then submitted a claim to our insurance co. All money had to be paid before anything could start. They wanted to pick up the insurance check on the day it was received. After reading all of the bad reviews we cancelled the contract. No work was started. We can cancel if we give them almost 12k and agree not to leave any reviews or file any complaints. They need to go before a judge.

We had renovation done after water damage. It took a year to do what, even with the impact of COVID, should have taken no more than 2 to 3 months (flooring, drywalling, painting, resetting fixtures on one floor). All of our fixtures and raw materials were pretty easy to come by (or subs available). So, in our case, we could not blame things on supply chain issues. Our issues were as follows: 1. Communication. It either was non existent (even radio silent) or no follow through. We had to keep after them. 2. Inconsistencies in the quality of their crews. You might get one subcontractor for a job, and a completely different team to finish it up. That's fine, if the work is consistent, which it wasn't. 3. Fit and finish.in reference to #2, this part, by extension was also pretty inconsistent (paint on fixtures and baseboards that should not be there, unevenness in paint as well as drywall work, door casing and quarter round poorly installed, hollow pockets under LVP flooring,etc. I ended up installing the dishwasher myself.). Their response was on some of these things that this was the best that could be done and, even their contact states that they are there to repair to make things as they were. They get a 2 instead of a 1 or less because Corey made things right on s couple of HUGE mess-ups, one (relating to #2) that could have cost us thousands of dollars and possible court time had I not caught the problem.

Sequence of Events: 12/01/2021: Date of incident – Water damage in the kitchen and basement 12/06/2021: SerClean completed the cleaning and drying and referred Southern Elite Contracting for the repair works (cabinet, hardwood floor and basement ceiling). 12/27/21: Tanner [Last Name Removed] (Sales Rep from Southern Elite Contracting) visited my home to assess the work and signed construction agreement. 01/05/2022: I issued the check for the deductible in the amount of $1000 to Southern Elite Contracting and it was picked up with the hardwood sample. Note: There was 2 months of silence, and the SEC Rep did not respond to status or ETA request. 03/10/2022: Tanner [Last Name Removed] called to inform me that he is no longer available for my project and handed over to Bruce (Another SEC Rep). 03/11/2022: Bruce visited my home to pick up the first insurance check and sample of the hardwood so the work can commence. I issued the first insurance check in amount $15,111.89 to Southern Elite Contracting 03/17/2022: I picked out my choice from cabinet samples provided. Note: Another month of silence, and the SEC Rep did not respond to status or ETA. 04/18/2022: Bruce reached out that he is no longer available to manage my project and he is handing over to Ricky [Last Name Removed] (Another SEC Rep) 04/28/2022: With increasing frustration, I sent a text that I’ve waited long enough and I’m willing to find another contractor since my project was not getting the deserved attention. 05/02/2022: Ricky Glenn of SEC and the hardwood floor contractor visited my home. The contractor indicated that the existing floor is solid hardwood, but Southern Elite Contracting’s estimate was based on replacing with engineering floor even though the insurance adjuster’s estimate was to sand and finish. I’m not sure how that was missed even though the hardwood sample was provided twice to SEC Reps. Considering that I have provided the hardwood sample twice, it was evident that my project was not getting the deserved attention. I concluded that Southern Elite Contracting was just buying time, exploiting my project at my expense by submitting unnecessary supplements to insurance and subsequently dragging on the project. The SEC Rep would not commit to an ETA and at a point even expressed that my project could take a year to complete so I should manage my expectations. As a result, I issued the Rep with an ultimatum that if they don’t give me a firm date by May 31st, 2022, when the repairs will commence, they should refund me so I can engage another contractor that will take my project serious. Keep in mind that at this point, there have been 3 successive Sales Reps assigned to the project. 06/02/2022: After given several ultimatums to cancel the construction agreement and request for refund, they sent a Demolition team to our home on Thursday, 06/02/2022 without prior notice to demolish the existing kitchen cabinets in readiness for the new cabinet install. During the demolition, they damaged the existing granite countertop and sink and left the damaged materials and debris from the demolition in my kitchen. 06/04/2022: They managed to install the cabinet without knobs and handles. The countertops have been damaged and detached, kitchen sink and microwave have been removed and there is no end in sight for restore. We have no functioning kitchen for over 3weeks (See attached pictures). In addition, the SEC Sales Rep stated that they will not move forward until they have been fully paid. I ask why would I commit to that demand given their poor track record on the project? The SEC Sales Reps also told me to go knock my myself out. 06/23/2022: After waiting for almost 4 weeks without a functioning kitchen and there was no end in sight, I terminated that the construction agreement immediately and engaged another contractor that was ready to do the work satisfactorily before getting paid. It was evident that SEC was buying time at my expense and using the $16,111.89 paid upfront as a leverage to threaten me that all kinds of fees including termination fees will be deducted from money in their possession if I terminate their contract. 07/20/2022: After having a couple of unproductive phone conversations with SEC’s CEO (Mr. Devin Smith), I sent a formal request letter asking for refund. In the request, I stated that based on the insurance estimate, the total cost for installing the new kitchen cabinet (Demolition, Material, Labor etc.) is $6,330.11. Since Southern Elite Contracting only worked on the kitchen cabinet installation and there are still works to be done, the amount due to be refunded from the payment made thus far is $16,111.89 - $6,330.11= $9,781.78. Moreso, this amount does NOT include cost of replacing the damaged granite countertops and removal of the debris (See attached pictures) left in my home that is yet to be paid by the insurance. I have engaged BBB as my last-ditch effort of getting a resolution. I’m hoping SEC will do the right thing by refunding the $9,781.78. However, I will have no choice but to file against SEC if we cannot reach a satisfactorily resolution.

Ernie Greene did excellent work and I would 10/10 refer him any chance possible- everything from his professional mannerism and work ethic to his sense of humor and charm is hands down what you need and want when it comes to having work done and done right!

Today I had the following text exchange with the contractor: Me: "are you saying you expect to be paid in full up front?" Them: "Yes. For insurance work we require it. It's in the contract. " Me: "Then we're done. We'll be looking elsewhere for a contractor." Them: "I've explained all of this to you in person when we first met. There is a $1500 cancelation fee. " I can't find in their contract where it says they are paid in full up front. And had I heard those words from the rep I would have thrown him out. Also, keep in mind they have done no work whatsoever. They have not even come by with floor samples for my invalid wife to review. I include this text exchange so others can learn from my stupidity.

Southern Elite Contracting (SEC) is the absolute worst project manager / GC that I've ever experienced. I can't stress how terrible of a job this group did on a bathroom remodel. Project start date pushed a month. During the sales process we were told it would take 3-4 weeks. Project still isn't complete 4+ months later. See quality of work in pictures below (This is after 4 months and their painter over for 3 days). Twice I called owner Devin Smith to update him on the situation thinking he cares about his customers as a business owner, and he never once came out to see the job for himself. I have since fired SEC as I want my project finished and was tired of being strung along by SEC. I'll update this thread to the cost and extent of repairs to fix the botched job that SEC provided

I had Southern Elite Contracting work on my home on 01/26/2017. I dealt directly with the owner, Devin Smith. The agreement was to repair 2 trusses above my garage, which had pulled out from the plates. At the time the work was completed, I was at the office, therefore I had my wife leave a check for them. After I came home and inspected the work, I noticed this company damaged my rafters/ceiling below the 2 trusses that were repaired. The ceiling is drooping/sagging a good 4-6 inches now below the two trusses that were "repaired". The drywall on the ceiling is also now cracked, which should tell you how bad the damage they caused is. On top of that, the truss work that this company did is sub par at best. There is a half inch gap where the truss support meets the rafter, which doesn't look safe to me. The owner, Devin, has not made a single attempt to come look at the damage his workers have caused. We have even tried to move our schedule around for him. He has made every excuse in the book. I have even sent the owner pictures of the damage, and he refuses to even address the pictures. He continues to play the stupid card by stating that they did not touch the ceiling/rafters and no damage done by his guys. I'm curious as to how someone could come to the conclusion that "no damage was done" without coming out to assess the damage?

They assessed my roof and found wind damage. They met with the insurance adjuster who agreed. They were out within two weeks ( I needed time to get approval from my HOA). Everything was done in one day. Clean up was great. Everyone was professional. They took the dumpster the same day as the work done. I have heard others complain about dumpsters being left for up to a week with other companies. We need our driveway for multiple cars. Could not be happier. The roof looks amazing.

I had issues getting my roof replaced. Southern Elite Contracting said that they would work with my Insurance Company to get it approved. I was skeptical but gave them a shot. Justin came out with the adjustor and walked the roof and 3 days later I had my approval from my Insurance Company. On the scheduled day of the replacement, the crew was very prompt and Donnie, the supervisor, walked me through the process. I am very pleased with outcome. And even the cleanup was great!