ComplaintsforAmerican Steel Carports Inc

• Initial Complaint

  11/14/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On August 23, 2024' a metal garage I bought through American Steel for $15,228.70, was constructed on my property.On September 19, 2024, I realized the garage door was not functioning properly (perhaps due to a spring that was not installed or installed properly?) Anyway, the door will fall down if the person raising or lowering the door does not tightly hold onto the raise/lower chains, creating a safety issue.On September 20, I sent an email to the company to ask for this to be resolved. I received an email on September 25 that "schedulers" would get with me to schedule a time to get this fixed. No one called, I sent more emails and received a reply on October 22, again, that someone would contact me to get this ******** of today, November 13, 2024, the issue has not been resolved, and I have not been contacted as to when to expect it to be. The series of emails is attached.I also made several phone calls and did talk to ****** ******** a few times, he sounded like it would be taken care of, but nothing happened. Most calls went to voicemail and even though I would leave messages, no one called me back regarding this matter.

• Initial Complaint

  10/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We purchased an Insulated 30 x 40 metal building From American steel this last spring (2024) Before the building process began, we Indicated where the crew should enter and exit the property with their equipment/work trucks. On the last day of the build, it was raining and they exited our property where we asked them not to drive and it tore up our yard, leading us to hire someone to fill in the ruts. It was my understanding that the insulation seams should have been taped. They were not! Where two pieces meet there was some sort of tackiness that was not holding two pieces together. I wrote an the company an email With pictures of the ruts in the yard and also the gaps where insulation was not being held together. We waited approximately 2 1/2 weeks with no response Before the moving company brought our belongings out of a storage unit to put into our new Building. I did get a call for payment But never anything from the service department. Finally a crew came out and applied some Tape wherever they could reach with our belongings now inside. Some of the tape held and some began to let loose. I again took photos and contacted the service department. Then weeks later., They sent another crew to try to fix the issue. Looks like What they did is now holding in the spots that they were Able to reach. However, that still leaves the upper portion of the building and the ceiling with no tape. After going back-and-forth I suggested a compensation so we could hire someone. They have offered $350 towards landscaping and $350 towards insulation. If I dont take that offer, they will send a crew out to fix it, but we will have to clear out the entire 30 x 40 building. As seniors we are not physically able to do that. Hiring Someone to clear out the building or to fix the insulation ***** feet up is going to cost well over that amount. This Back-and-forth has been going on for months! It has been a horribly frustrating And now a costly experience!

• Initial Complaint

  10/11/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I signed an agreement and paid a deposit to have a metal building constructed. The dealer "**********************" has contacted me to say that they will not move forward with the project unless I pay an additional $9000 because they needed more supplies than estimated. I reached out to American Steel Carports, who is the vendor named on the contract, and they claim that "if the dealer does not price the project correctly, they will not honor the contract- take it up with the dealer (Elite Metal Structures)"

  

  Business response

  10/16/2024

  Attached please find the sales agreement in which the customer initiated next to the statement "*** reserves the right to cancel any order due to pricing errors or insufficient information and/or if there is a discrepancy of more than 1% of the total sale at any time. Buyer should ensure this order is accepted by *** prior to making any changes to their property in anticipation of the receipt of the Structure. 

  We encourage the customer to communicate with the third party dealer regarding the order. We have been notified the dealer has attempted to communicate with the customer via email but has not heard from the customer.

• Initial Complaint

  09/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 4/22/24 i purchase a building from American Steel Carport which I paid nearly $30k. The did such a terrible job installing which was not square with the foundation total off. The roll up door came off track , the sliding lock were not align with the hole which they cut another hole leaving sharp edges. The man door wre not installed correctly . the door were not square with the frame which requires force to closed the door. The main rolled up door are not squrare with the building and foundation. I have called in for the repair the company send me on a while gooese ****** After finally got a hold of someone over the repair department I was required to send photos and video which I did. Many weeks gone by go calsl no email respond get on sending email July 16 send them photos email, july 18 sent them follow up email ,July 25 ,August 9, ***** September 6 and no respond

  

  Business response

  10/01/2024

  On September 20th, the installer arrived to repair the building. However, the customer's concrete was not level. The customer and the installer reached an agreement to replace the tracks and the roll up door.

• Initial Complaint

  08/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In summary, American Steel Carports inability to follow my verbal and written instructions 3 times over the course of ********************* over 5 weeks in delays on this project, $9000 in additional contractor work that I did not need to have re-done, $125 in city revision review fees, $350 in Eng revision fees, and likely thousands more in custom flashing work after the building is installed, since the previous design had the walls hang lower than the outside edge of the foundation to prevent water intrusion, but the new design puts the walls on the center of the concrete curb foundation. After having to escalate to several different employees due to lack of returning calls or emails, I get a call from the operations manager ***** who agreed that their company should have made all requirements/expectations clear from the beginning with me to avoid all this. But he then tells me that the only thing he can do for me is refund the $350 in Engineering revision fee. He said he could not compensate me further without digging into the profits. I could not believe that, after telling him several times that they have costed me over $10,000 in unnecessary costs, he is even bringing up the idea of profit. The Engineering plans clearly state Scope of plans: to provide structural design for the pre-fab metal building per the specified design loads, and applicable building codes, yet this company has NOT abided by applicable building codes. If I am paying for Eng plans, this company has strict concrete requirements that I need to abide by in order for them to do a proper install, then it should be expected that they provide a proper foundation detail that abides by California Building Code, as they stated in their scope of work. I am very certain that I am not the only California customer theyve had that is installing one of their garages permitted, so this company should know that customers need a sloped slab detail, not just assume all will be on level slabs.

  

  Business response

  09/06/2024

  Customer started started site work prior to plan approval.

  Customer response

  09/09/2024

  Complaint: 22199677
  
  I am rejecting this response because it is absurd to excuse the several faults American Steel Carports had, because of a fault the customer had afterwards.  To summarize:

  American Steel Carport faults

  - Engineering drawings not meeting California Building Code per the scope of work that the engineers agreed to and state on the plans twice over several months

  - Engineering drawings not following my verbal and written instructions several times over several months

  - Several weeks of delays due to the above

  - Not letting me talk directly to engineers to prevent these issues from happening

   

  Yes, I started construction after the first 2 engineering drawings were approved by the city, only because of all the delays that were mentioned above.  But to put all this blame on me and completely disregard the above, is outright ridiculous and unprofessional.

  Lastly, after escalating this issue several times, **** the Operations Manager agreed to refund me the last set of Engineering revision cost of $350.  It has been several weeks since he said this, and I have still not received the refund.

  
  Regards,
  
  ********* ****

  

  Business response

  09/27/2024

  ********* **** has been refunded $350.

• Initial Complaint

  08/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Company Damage to my property - personal property damage!! I attempt to contact with the company multiple times with no follow-through/resolution/attempt to make any of this better!This company American Steel carport sent a crew out who shouldve known replacement of the carport/lean to went. They were non-English speaking was horrible. This was all set up with the seller of this carport and they shouldve known from the company. What needed to be done/and how it needed to be done, but they attempted to ask me what the communication gap, they placed pre-existing structure quite significantly and never disclosed that property damage I contact an attorney and he had me turn it over to the attorney general and Im also filing with you because this companys customer service/follow through/care for other peoples property is horrible and my existing structure is newer just placed in 2020 so definitely dont appreciate the damage!!Attempted to contact them about the damage the placement of the structure and no follow through/resolution so Im left to do this been working on this for sometime and have not had the ability to work on a daily with my busy career and lifestyle!So Im hoping after talking to the attorney and having me file it with the attorney general and your company that somebody follow through with my property damage!!At this point, they could refund all my money and fix their errors!!Absolutely, horrible customer service, and skill!!I have attached. Photos was not somewhere that I would look at, but of course, my husband, with this being his building was very unhappy with the damage to his pre-existing structure and the fact that we spent good money on it worked hard to get it and companies can damage stuff and get away with it!!Thank you, *******************************

  

  Business response

  08/30/2024

  The shop manager has been in direct communication with customer. A crew is scheduled to visit the site next Friday, September 6th. 

• Initial Complaint

  08/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  08/22/2024 Cost: $10,172.38 The install of the shed was completed on 08/22/2024. Maryland Inspection failed the setup due to a lack of gutters on the 12x20 shed. The 20 years warranty is made void if any structural changes are made to the shed. I've spoken to the Engineers at American Steel Carports and was told that adding gutters would Void the 20 year warranty. No one at American Steel Carports or Maryland Permits made it clear to me that gutters would be necessary for the shed. So, I'm in a catch 22. I don't install the gutters, but the shed doesn't pass final inspection and I must pay fines to ********. I have the required gutters installed and I void the 20 year warranty. Neither choice is fair. The Engineers could not give me an alternative and Sales does support gutter installation. I can understand the structural concerns, but in cases where the state inspection mandates certain requirements for structures American Steel Carports should have options for the buyer to have this work added to the install or allowed for required cases. The shed has overhang and shouldn't I be able to use those without voiding the warranty? I was told by Engineering that any alteration to the structure voids the 20 year warranty. I've paid a lot of money for upgrades to this shed for thicker gauge steel, full insulation, etc... which added up to a nice sum. Certain considerations should be given for those with State mandated requirements.

  

  Business response

  08/31/2024

  Customer may install gutters. The warranty will not be avoided as long as the gutters don't affect the integrity of the unit.

• Initial Complaint

  08/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 8/1 I met with a sales representative to purchase a 30x60 building with plans on turning it into a barndominium on some wooded lots I own. At the meeting I was assured that nothing would move forward on the building until permits were in place. I explained that in order to get the permits I would need copies of the plans to submit to the local planning / building inspectors office. Still no problem. A price of $19,248 was agreed upon and a deposit of $3500.00 was given in the form of a check to the representative. I paid above the requested deposit amount of $3464.64, since I was told this would all be applied to the purchase price. This was at our meeting on August 1st. Up to this point I had not seen or signed a contract. Nor was there any mention of a non-refundable clause for the deposit. Many times I mentioned I would need the plans to secure the permits. I was told I would first need to sign a contract in order to get the plans to apply for the permits. So on August 4th I received a DOCU sign request. I signed and was told to expect a call next week to go over the order and I would then get the plans to request the permits. August 7th I received the call and later that day I received the plans and I submitted them to my planning.On August 13th I got the call from the planning / building department and was told they would not approve this type of structure. It would have to be stick built or a modular. I call my representative but his voicemail box was full. So I texted him. The bad news regarding the permit. He said no refund would be issued. Stating that metal had already been cutthis was a lie. I called back the number Anerican Steel had used to call me a few days before and they stated no problem in canceling the order since nothing moves forward until they receive a copy of the approved permit. They said the deposit is really commission paid to the representative and he would have to issue the refund but he is refusing to do so.

  

  Business response

  08/24/2024

  Attached please find a snapshot of ***************************************** signed contract. Moreover, the down payment refund clause stating that the down payment is nonrefundable when paid to a dealer is initiated by him. In good faith, ASCI is willing to provide a check with the amount paid to the dealer. 

  Customer response

  08/27/2024

  Complaint: 22144755
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  This agreement was signed under false pretense and duress.  As outlined in my original complaint, the sales representative / dealer pressured me into signing the document in order to the documents I needed to get permitting.  ********** was ultimately denied.  Also, I've learned American Steel Carports, ***** dose not sell or offer residential building which is what I was purchasing.  The sales representative / dealer misrepresented that American Steel Carports, **** could supply such a building.  My original complaint still stands.
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************************

  

  Business response

  08/30/2024

  American Steel Carports has communicated directly with the customer regarding this matter. In good faith, ASCI has mailed customer a check with the downpayment amount. 

• Initial Complaint

  08/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  07/13/24 I purchased a steel building and it has large gaps between the walls and roof

  

  Business response

  08/24/2024

  Unless the customer purchases closer strips it is normal to see some sort of light on vertical roofs due to the fact that they are corrugated panels. The building should still be protected by the elements. Attached please find the customer's contract. 

• Initial Complaint

  08/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 6/29/24 installers for American Carports ***** American steel arrived to install a metal shop. While backing their trailer the installer hit a retaining wall and knock a large rock off damaging my car. The installers also damaged my asphalt drive way with their truck and trailer. I have called, emailed and text American *********** over 15 times and I have sent pictures of the damage. I have sent pictures of the truck and trailer parked with no out rigger mats and rocks used to chock the truck. I sent a screen shot of a text message from the installer refusing to give me their insurance information. I have been ignored and blown off for over a month. I am current estimation of damages is $7,000-$10,000 in damages. I will have bids included with the demand letter from our attorney.

  

  Business response

  09/12/2024

  The crew's car insurance is handling this case. The crew states the space was very reduced yet the customer agreed the crew reverse into the space.

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