Steel Penn Contracting

Fred White, owner of Steel Penn, showed up today to do deck repair on two of our decks. We waited over 4 months from date of signed contract.

The estimate was over $4000.00 for the work. Since it was a while Fred had to review and become familiar with the job again this morning. I was reminding him of our original conversation about the job. That seemed to annoy him.

First deck: Estimate said, "We will remove the current step treads and risers where needed, then shift the step stringers close enough to install Simpson step connection brackets. The broken connection bracket will be replaced with a new white PVC replacement bracket." After Fred was discussing this part of the project with the guys it seemed to me all they were going to do was replace the PVC railing bracket. They looked under steps but it didn't seem they were going to do work there. Second deck: "The current support legs are connected to the frame with no girders.

New support Bell blocks with 4x4 legs will be installed where needed to all area of the frame making the deck level." My interpretation was all the corners were going to have missing girders installed and new Bell Blocks under all four legs. Fred said I misunderstood. They were going to work on only the one corner because estimate said where needed. In talking to him I was trying to go back to written contract, reading it aloud and starting my comments with "I understood." He became nasty/rude and said, " The estimate said where needed." He asked me if I wanted the check back and I said yes.

I wished him well with the other jobs today and he said, “I don’t need your thoughts and prayers.” We have hired lots of contractors and have never had an issue interpreting a contract, getting along w/workers or finishing a project before our interaction with Steel Penn. I have never experienced this mistreatment by a contractor before.

My advice is to hire someone that follows the signed contract and treats you professionally. Steel Penn does not fit that description.