Beautiful Homes Construction, Inc

My first encounter with Darin was impressive. After briefly explaining my project ideas he quickly sketched a plan for my project. An estimate was made which included all materials, labor and permits. He honored his estimate even after the township informed him that footings were needed which required digging 3 foot trenches and filling with cement. The finished project is absolutely beautiful. I could not be more happy.

The deck is very nice and we are very happy with that. The door wall install on the other hand did not go well and the timeline to get the work done was longer than expected and response from inquiries to the provider were hit and miss. The door wall was shattered on install, he did however replace it at his expense. It appeared that they were not as adept at this type of work as they were with deck installation. I was quite irritated by some simple requests that got no response. The recyle container we let them use to remove the shatter glass in our bedroom was never returned and a simple request for a receipt for final payment was also never mailed or provided after we agreed to leave the final payment in the door for him. Poor customer service for sure.

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The owner, Darin Kriebel, created a deck plan to our specifications, while working within the existing footprint. The arrangement was 1/3 payment ($6000) at the start, 1/3 ($6000) in the middle, and balance ($6000) upon completion of work, including approved inspection by township inspector. Work started the day before Thanksgiving 2013. The deck was demolished and the foundation removed. The work continued up until Christmas. The two workers (Eric and Manny) were here on time daily, other than inclement weather. Even when there was snow on the ground they were here, unless it started to rain/snow. They were hard working and professional. The owner, Darin, showed up only to dig holes, when the inspector was here, and to collect money. ALL the work was done by Eric and Manny. Christmas rolled around and the weather was bad so the work stopped JUST SHORT of completion; one stair railing needed finishing, dirt for the flower beds around the deck needed to be brought in and placed, and minor staining needed to be done (majority of staining work was done in the garage due to the bad weather). SO...work not completed, and it's Christmas, and we've already paid $12,000, Darin asks us if he could have 1/2 of the last 1/3 to pay his guys, since it's taking longer than expected. We gave him $3000 thinking yes it's taking longer and when the Christmas break is over they'd finish the railing since that's all that really needed to be done for the final inspection. WRONG!! Darin Kriebel decided to FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY! We had NO CLUE until we received paperwork from Lumberjack that we now had a lien on our property because the contractor DID NOT PAY HIS BILL of $7062 even though we paid him $15,000! Well needless to say the work never was completed, by Beautiful Home. I had to order the railing brackets that were needed to complete the railing. I was then able to call the inspector for final inspection, which passed. We had to hire someone else to bring in the dirt to finish the flower beds that were demolished during construction. So to this date we still have a lien on our property. We have been to the creditor's meeting at the Detroit Bankruptcy court, but nothing yet. I believe we'll be stuck with this lien unless we can get retribution through the state of Michigan. OH, and I noticed that Darin Kriebel has renewed his builders license through 2017!! So buyer beward, DO NOT HIRE DARIN KRIEBEL, or you too will have issues with his money problems and his current bankruptcy request.

The owner, Darin Kriebel, provided an estimate that we agreed to. The work started the day before Thanksgiving and continued, whether permitting, through Christmas. Darin did not do any of the actual deck building, but did operate the equipment to dig holes and remove old decking. There were two workers who did all the building work, painting, and any electrical that needed moving to accommodate the new deck. These two guys worked their buns off! They did a FABULOUS job! I have no complaints about any of the construction. They were here on time and professional. The work is 95% complete. There is one railing that needs to be installed, minor painting, and dirt needs to be brought in to fill the flower beds around the deck that were demolished during construction. Due to the weather in Michigan, they were not able to finish. NOW, for the problems! Our contract called for 1/3 payment ($6,000) at start of job to purchase materials and pay workers. In the middle of the job the another 1/3 payment ($6,000) and upon completion and inspection the final 1/3 payment ($6,000). Just before Christmas Darin asked if he could have 1/2 of the third payment ($3,000) to pay his workers. Given that the work was taking longer than expected due to the weather, we gave him the payment. THEN in the middle of Feb 2014 we get a notice from Lumberjack that if the contractor 'Beautiful Homes' does not pay the lumber bill of $7,062 they would have no choice but to put a lien on our property. WHAT? Then a week or two later we get certified mail that they had in fact filed a lien, in accordance with Michigan law, on our property. So we have paid $15,000 for work but the lumber bill of $7,062 has not been paid. So now we get to go to a 'creditors meeting' in Bankruptcy court in Detroit to say why we feel Darin Kriebel should not be allowed to wash his hands of this debt. Why should WE have a lien on our property because he can't manage his money? I'm not so sure that we're not going to be screwed!

I thought this was a quality contractor. Until I paid him in full. Darin Kriebel of Oxford accepted final payment with the promise he would return to install the deck handrail. He did not. He promptly filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and then refused to return to the job site because he said his attorney advised him not to. I was recently notified that Lumberjack Building Center in Algonac has placed a lien on my home because, they claim, Darin Kriebel did not pay his bill to them. I have never heard of Lumberjack before, I don't know if they supplied the materials or if this is a scam. Lumberjack claims Darin owes them for 10 other jobs and they are suing all of the homeowners for payment since Darin is now protected under Chapter 7. When I went to the Northville Township Building Department to request a final inspection of the deck, they informed me Darin Kriebel is back doing business in the township under another business name.

They did an awesome job. He was quick, did exactly what he was going to do. He kept me informed about everything. He was really quick.