TRANSCAPE LLC

Transcape Review Angie's list needs an F-minus grade for contractors like Todd Golle ? President at Transcape. I've worked with building and construction subcontractors for nearly 20 years. As a former custom home builder project manager, I thought I had seen it all. Todd at Transcape takes the cake for the most unprofessional tradesman I've ever dealt with. It started off well, and I?m a pretty good character judge. I was way off on Todd. My first impression was actually favorable. He's a local Eden Prairie contractor. He owns his own equipment. Doing the rough eval at our initial meeting, I gave him a good initial grade. I made a terrible mistake by "trusting" him to honor our conversation though he only provided a vague quote. He gave me his talking points about all the pads he's built, "I know what I'm doing." etc. I didn't press the details. I really should have. I took for granted his statement of experience, noticed that he owns his dump trucks and equipment, and thought he was squared away. I should have listened to my inner voice -- never assume, always insist on the details. We discussed the details of what I wanted... an elevated, compacted, level gravel pad from class 5, 22' x 22' ? etc.. His promised quote was late - twice. Promised the same day... I got it the third day. The original quote had the wrong size listed and it was way too generic. (But, I let him get away with it because our conversation was solid. He corrected the pad size in an e-mail, so I had it in writing). Then the quote had the wrong name (reissued) Then the quote had the wrong address (re-issued) He shows up on time. Credit for that. Starts building pad. Gets to what he calls done and I check it. It's not level. It's not elevated (only the rear is elevated due to downward slope of site. The other end of the pad is at grade.) He tells me he considers "part of the pad elevated" to be an elevated pad. What!? During our detailed conversations and site inspection, I clearly discussed the need for the lowest portion of the pad to be at least 5-6 inches above grade. (I wanted positive drainage... not a hill flowing water onto my pad). Now, he says it was just a misunderstanding... let's move forward... the typical line. Now of course, since he thinks it's a "misunderstanding" that makes it OK for him to tell me it's now going to cost more. More on that later. It wasn't compacted. It was loose. His idea of compacting was to drive the Bobcat over it. I told him (from the beginning, and several reminders, I wanted it to be hard. I've laid base before for other projects. I know what class 5 gets like, I wanted that hard, flat base. He said it would be "like concrete" when he was done. We argue a bit, but not loudly or angrily. We agree that it needs more class 5 to elevate above grade. We also agree to add some additional timbers as a retaining perimeter (something not in original quote). We discuss the details and price. We settle on a revised price of $1,600 and he offers his hand. We shake on it. (Should have amended the quote on-the-spot.) Then, right after the argument is settled, and we agreed to his revised price (to correct for his underestimating), he has the "effing" balls to ask for more money. (I have him a downpayment the previous week. All he has to do is finish to get paid!) I tell Todd, you'll get paid tomorrow when it is complete. Now, just a few hours later that evening, I get the following e-mail (I'm paraphrasing): ?I just wanted to make sure were on the same page for balance owing. The total for the job is $1700. I just want to make sure there is no confussion on this. Please advise me on this. We will be there tomorrow at around 1130am. I'm glad things are working out for both of us. Sorry for the misunderstanding.? Huh? Things seem to be working out for him. He can't provide an accurate quote, he gets it wrong, argues with me for more money. We finally agree. A few hours later, it's another $100. I write back and clarify the whole discussion to get it in writing 1. I'm expecting nothing more than what we discussed and shook on today. 2. The revised total contract price is $1,600. 3. You are going to add one more course to the rear retaining wall.You are going to finish adding timbers (one course) around the perimeter (non timbered sides). 4. The finished pad size at the new timbers along the front is 22' deep per the original plan. 5. I'm expecting the finished front of the of the pad (facing the yard) will have one course of timbers, staked in place and tied into the sides.There will be an additional 4-5" of fill (you said this is 10 tons - I don't know if that's correct, I'm just expecting the 4-6" to bring the pad above grade).The pad will be level (this is not a change, just clarifying my expectation). 6. The pad will be "like concrete." (this is not a change, just clarifying my expectation). These are your exact words. So, I'm expecting that finished effect. To me, this means more than just compacting with the Bobcat. In my previous projects with driveways and paver walks, that means it is compacted with a vibrator. Only then is it truly hard, smooth, and level (like concrete). What I have out there now is somewhat loose - even after watering it tonight as you instructed.) THEN, a few minutes later.... he writes again and tries to tell me he needs to charge me more for compaction. His exact words are: "I just went to start my plate packer and the coil is out. I did not intend on renting one. The cost is $50. If you would like it compacted with that I am going to need to charge for it. Let me know what you want do." My response is a clear: "I am not responsible for your equipment problems.... I'm expecting it to be "like concrete" per your promise. He showed up with a working compactor the next day. Actually, his subcontractor showed up. Todd told me the next morning: "I'm not going to argue about any of this any more. Dustin, will be there to finish today. I have other appointments." Nice? he has other appointments. I guess my project is not important now that he is p***** about screwing it up and is not interested in fixing it. Dustin does show, but within two hours I can see he isn't going to make it. He's laying in timbers for the pad retainer. They aren't straight, they aren't even close to level, and the dang pad is only 17'2" long (not 22'). One of the timbers, the top course of a wall, is actually laid on ? and nailed to ? the timber course below. But, Dustin deglected to clean off the timber before setting it. So it is sitting on and nailed down with ¾-inch rock between the timbers. It?s all cockeyed and obvious!!! Todd comes out and starts working with him. Two hours later. Todd calls me out to look at the pad. He basically tells me. "I'm done. This is what you get." I calmly (pretty proud I stayed calm) tell him it's not acceptable. It?s not what we agreed to just yesterday evening. I can see he hasn't added the fill he promised (10 tons). I ask how much is in... he says 4 tons. I ask him why he can't add the rest. He says "I'm done. My account is overdrawn. Give me my money." That's when the stuff hit the fan. I started to explain I need it finished. It's not paid until it's finished. I actually ask him to just finish it up so we can both move on (even though I'm sick of hearing his excuses and whining). He refuses. So, I tell him I'll get someone else to finish. If it's more than his quote, I'll back charge against his quote (legal right in MN). Todd flips out and really starts yelling. Starts for his Bobcat and starts yelling that he's going to pull the whole thing out... all materials... the whole pad. I ask him again to finish and he can get paid. Or, leave the property immediately or I'm calling the police. He yells at me some more. In a minute, he calms down (just a bit). He agrees to a reduced price (reduced from our revised quote where he added in more cost for his mistaken estimate). I want him out. I end up paying the reduced amount. I still have to get someone else to finish. That?s my time to find and manage. That?s more money. That?s the price I?m paying for not listening to my gut and trying to ?trust? a guy to be honorable. The point of this long, sordid tale... do not hire this man. If you insist on hiring him, get a specific quote. Still... even with that, if he gets fed up because he obviously cannot perform (product, estimate wrong, takeoff wrong, financially strapped, whatever), he isn't above having a temper tantrum and walking off the job. That's no good for anyone... especially when you are on a schedule. Caveat emptor (look it up, Todd). I hope my experience helps someone avoid this unprofessional (generous term) contractor.