Complaint / Review
Kentucky Steel Truss Buildings, Robert Hobbs, Charles Blackwell
Deceptive sales practice, breach of contract

July 15
In October we ordered a steel building (garage) from KSTB. We gave them a deposit of $6880.00 (25% of the total contract price of $27,993) to lock in a price and delivery charges, and signed a "Delivery Date Confirmation" for the spring of 2008.

In June of after the completion of the construction site, we tried to contact KSTB, however all of their phone numbers where disconnected. I was able to get the new numbers from the Kentucky Better Business Bureau.

Upon contacting KSTB they stated they could not honor the contract due to the increase of the cost of metal. They offered a revised contract to meet the original price, but left off half the attributes such as the three garage doors, the four windows, the 12ft x 48 ft shed roof, gutters, overhangs, soffitts, and eaves. They stated I could order them at a later time or purchase them locally. KTSB said the new cost of the garage as originally configured would be approximately $36,000.

After telling KSTB the counter offer was not acceptable, we asked for our deposit back. The salesman, Chad Blackwell, said he would have the owner contact me to see if there was anything we could work out. That was on July 8. I have not heard from the owner or received a return call from Mr. Blackwell. I sent a fax and an email to Mr. Blackwell to demand the refund of the deposit in full on July 15.

In the time I was waiting for a return call and or the refund, I contacted another steel building company: United Steel Building, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I asked them to quote the original configuration that KSTB had quoted back in October. Their quote is: $25,568.52 including delivery from Florida.

We did research the company (KSTB) prior to doing business with them. We contacted the Better Business Bureau but did not realize the BBB's are separate entities so nothing came up on this company, locally. We now realize the Kentucky Better Business Bureau has them listed as unsatisfactory.

I would like a complete refund of our deposit. This project must be completed as I have the construction site completed including the foundation poured. This is currently delaying the opening of our new business.