Complaint Review: Green Tag Construction LLC

Green Tag signed a contract with me on October 11, 2019 (yes - over a year ago) to build a two-car garage with a ground-floor apartment and a second floor open space, a simple structure.   The first deposit of 30% ($58,113) was handed to them in person on December 9, 2019.

The contract specified required the project to be completed in 90 days.  Ryan Finan bragged that completion would be reached in even less time than 90 days.  They bragged about their contacts in the area, their warm relationships with city employees who perfom constuction inspections and dispense permits, their constuction crew, and access to necessary building materials being ready-to-go.

The delay in commencement of construction resulted from both Jim Jackson and Ryan Finan lying on a daily basis, crafting every imaginable excuse to explain the delays.   Dozens of statements "I'll stop by the site tomorrow" did not happen.   

Construction started early January 2020.  In February, enough work appeared to have been done that we agreed to the second 30% payment ($58,113).

The endless lying and incompetence (one example:  they purchased a new electrical metering unit, EVEN THOUGH the city only allows one unit per property) was a difficulty.

In order to expain the delays (for example, after 12 days passed with no activity, Jim Jackson (I have been bold-face lied to so many times by an individual or experienced such incompetence from an individual) explained the delay saying "We weren't sure how to frame the dormer window".  So, rather than ask us or the architect, they stopped the entire project until we asked them why they have stopped. 

Long delays and juvenile explainations continued, until it was clear they had passed the 90 day completion requirement.  Delays due to weather added perhaps as much as 12 days.  And all of this happened before any possible COVID interference.  We repeatedly pointed out the long delay and how late they were on the contracted schedule.   Other examples of excuses wherein they put their (alleged) problems onto their own client:

"My mother, who lives out of state is ill." (used this excuse several times)

"I was on vacation in Montana for 2 weeks and there was no cell reception"

We asked for a new completion schdule, which Green Tag provided on May 1st, indicating total completion of project by June 1st.  Green Tag again breeched their own schedule.

We again demanded Green Tag provide a true completion schedule, which Green Tag did on June 26th.  Green Tag again breeched their own schedule.

After the exterior shell of the structure was completed, with assurances Green Tag was  60% complete, we paid Green Tag a third 30% installment.  Work slowed to almost nothing.

We had a successful second-generation residential builder in this area visit the progress, and estimate a percent complete.  He said 50 - 55%.  

Now they had been paid 90% of the project, they had essentially stopped work, stopped returning our calls / texts / emails.   Green Tag had breeched a valid contract, and breeched two additional project schedules provided and prepared by Green Tag, but had completed only 50 - 55% of the project. 

250 days to complete 50-55% when they agreed to 100% complete in 90 days.

Lies.  Incompetence.  We asked for Green Tag to return the third payment.   They went silent.   We sent a formal letter asking for a return of the third payment of $58,113.  Silence.

Final note:  Green Tag also did not pay many of the subcontractors!