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We hired and signed a contract with Ubuildit Bethesda to help us with building our dream home in Arlington Va. Ubuildit started out strong and very helpful.

But as time went on the owner decided to layoff his staff that was experienced in home building, once that happened many things began to go wrong, deadlines were missed, site visits weren’t happening, and construction mistakes started to pile up which were very costly.

We tried to discuss the matter with the owner, Chad, even paid him money ahead of schedule due to his bad financial situation, but he wouldn’t discuss the situation’s real issue, that the services we purchased weren't being provided. He invoiced us for the next draw due to him ahead of the planned/contractual time frame and 3 weeks later put a lien on our home.

We are now forced into costly law suits and him attempting to destroy our dreams. I have met with him to try and discuss the situation but he simply wont budge. stay away from all Ubuildit Bethesda, this guy is a scam artists. Feel free to contact me for details if you are considering using Chad for your project.

Monetary Loss: $15.

Location: Columbus, Ohio

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Guest

BEWARE! This has to be one of the most well conceived home building scams ever!

Those goons in Edmond Ok will ruin your life!

They know exactly what they are doing by way of putting the screws to you! Heed these comments people!

Guest

We built a home with UBuildit and it was one of the most worst experence ever. We were taken advantage of several times because we were new home builders, by not receiving the builder's discount and being lied to right in front of our face!

The budgets they provided were priced for cheap, industrial style faucets, plastic lights, plastic ceiling fans, and flooring for $2.50 a sq. foot. With installation, this was virtually impossible. When we had issues with being overcharged or contractors damaging what we had already built.

They love to say, "As the builder, you have to eat it". Well, we ate literally THOUSANDS! This business is unprofessional in the fact that we built a home for Ubuildit, not ourselves. We paid over $139 sq ft.

vs having a builder do it for $118 where we live. When I see a commercial for them, I want to puke.

Guest

We used UBUILDIT/Edmond and had no problems. We were able to build a bigger house loaded with extras than we would have if we had hired a contractor.

The key to UBUILDIT is that YOU become the contractor, and YOU are the one responsible for getting the work done.

They are there to help, and did a great job in assisting with all aspects from the planning phase to construction phase. We would definitely use them again!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-573662

The person entering these positive comments of UBuildIt in Edmond, OK must work for them, or is a family member. It is the most biggest scam and lies ever.

They say they will help you...they don't. "Your the builder.

You eat the costs." is what we heard over and over when their contractors overcharged, or did a crapy job. I am surprised there is not a class action lawsuit in force.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-573662

The main role players of UBI have one thing in common. All went Bankrupt building houses.(OKC BRANCH) These guys designed a system that works great for them.

The have 0 risk or obligation in the construction process and still come out making the same amount of money as if they GC the job, I have worked on the inside so I know some major secrets. Secret 1- Have subcontractors kick you back money. this is why most customers are over budget. The company gets money back from subs.

Secret 2 - Have customers sign *** orders. Every UBI customer signs a paper saying they won't talk bad about UBI. And If so UBI may pursue Legal recourse against them, Secret 3 - Get most your money up front before customer goes broke. UBI requires customers to pay UBI fees largely upfront.

Secret 4 - Do as litlle as u can and you can't blamed for anything. This is what they tell their consultants. Consultants job is just smoke and mirrors.

They do nothing. This formula has made these guy rich.

Marianne Wnn

Just some testimonials from UBuildIt clients:

We were very impressed with how accurate the estimate was from UBuildIt. They were so great at helping us track expenses, stay on schedule and answer all of our questions and concerns.

The communication was great.

There was always someone to pick up immediately on the other end of the line or call back right away. They have an experienced, cohesive team and everyone we worked with at UBuildIt was very customer centric and had a great attitude.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Marianne Wnn

The bald guy must be adding comments!

Marianne Wnn

"The money saved in managing this project ourselves along with the UBuildIt Consultants, allowed us to take on a project of greater scope than we could have if we had used a general contractor." -- Mick & Julie

Guest

Everyone's experience is different and you can slant it anyway you want but...UBuildIt Greenville has lots of Fans! "Thanks Robert ! We both are so glad we went with UBuildIt - one of the big reasons we went with you was we really liked you after meeting with you , we felt

comfortable and trusted you and knowing that we could really be involved every step of the way

and communicate with the subs and learn things through the process , which we did! we loved

it ! I loved working with you and every contractor ! They are all professionals ! Truly! You've got a great group of people and I feel like I made a lot of good friends building this house!" Cindy H.

Guest

I would have to absolutly agree with the clients that had an horriable experience with U-Build it. It is the biggest waste of money EVER.

They also would contact our bank and would inquire into our loan amount and inquiring into things we felt were none of his buisness(Bob of Edmond, okla U-build it)Some of the contractors they gave us were unethical, not knowledgeable of their trade, made many,many mistakes, and the list goes on.

PLEASE IF YOUR'RE THINKING ABOUT USING THIS COMPANY, DON'T IT IS A COMPANY THAT IS UNPROFESSIONAL AND NOT IN THE BUISNESS TO HELP BUT MISUSE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU ESPEACIALLY IF YOUR NEW TO BUILDING, THEY MADE PROMISES, that were never kept. Bob of Edmond U-build it said there would be inspectors checking each step of the process and never fell through with their promise.

Guest

This site has an issue with its code and I have to retype this.

I used Dave Contorno and Ubuilit Mokena in 2007 to 2008. I thought there price was a little steep for just being consutlants, but I could not have started the project without them. At that time there subs responed very well and had a good compairable price.

I also completed this project within the time of my construction loan.

I should note that I was very close to this project and the building inspectors in Yorkville were extreamly helpful. So helpful I did not require all of ubuildit's site visits.

Also, I read ubuildits contract very carfully and it states that they get paid after a certian time, even if construction is not completed.

I would use ubuildit agian for the contractor bids, not so much for the site visits.

Guest

Does anyone have the Ubuildit contract? I'd like to see it. Thanks.

Guest

Overall it was horrible. The one issue that cinched it for me was the fact he kept talking to the bank even after I told him not to. He kept contacting the bank without my knowledge in order to inquire into the status of my loan. I have an email that he sent the bank asking for information about not only my loan but the financial health of potential customers. (The bank accidentally sent it to me) I kept telling him not to worry about the loan cause I was not moving forward until I had a decent build cost estimate...he had provided a very general cost estimate with a number of items missing. Items that should have been known at the time as well as items that required his research. His reply to my request for an accurate cost estimate that has a line item for every single item in the house, "Some have moved forward with less". Unfortunately, you have to pay for Phase I upfront so you won't know how Chad will be with you until you spend the $6k. After my issues, I contacted the corporate office and they were okay with me moving to another regional office...provided that I pay an additional Phase I fee to the new office. I moved to the Annapolis office but they went out of business so they moved my contract to Westminster . So far, Maryann of the Westminster office has been leaps and bounds better than Chad, actually involved. She's responsive and has a great deal of knowledge of the nitty gritty details of building where Chad didn't seem to have that. And she pushes YOU so that all the costs are known up front and you are prepared for Phase II. I kept the bank email and my exchanges with Chad if anyone would like to view for themselves. Below is the exact feedback I sent when I notified Chad that I would not be moving forward with their services. FEEDBACK 1. Show some initiative in other aspects of the project besides the financing. You got more involved AFTER a few choice emails and preferred to let Juan (house designer) shoulder a great deal of the responsibility, which I paid extra for. When I brought this up on 19 May, your comment was that he received a lot of work from you so it shouldn't be a problem. My problem was, what were YOU doing for the money I was paying YOU? 2. LISTEN to the customer. You seem to ignore or not comprehend instructions, guidance. I asked you repeatedly to stop talking to the Bank, you chose to ignore. I clearly stated I wasn't moving forward until certain info was provided, you kept replying that "some" choose to move forward with less. I told you and Carroll I wasn't moving forward, you chose to ignore and visit DCRA. 3. Take responsibility for actions/non-actions. 4. Be prepared for meetings, know the plans and have updated information on details. You were not prepared for the meeting on the 19th.

TO BE CLEAR...BETHESDA DID NOT/NOT PROVIDE ANY BIDS NOR RESEARCH THAT I WAS ABLE TO USE WITH THE OTHER UBUILD-IT OFFICE. I LITERALLY WASTED $6000 AND THERE WAS NO MISUNDERSTANDING AS TO WHAT I WAS ASKING OF CHAD. I TOLD HIM IN PLAIN LANGUAGE IN PERSON AS WELL AS IN WRITING. BESIDES THE CALLING OF THE BANK WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE THEN AGAINST MY SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS AFTER I FOUND OUT CHAD WAS CALLING THE BANK, CHAD DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE...I AM NOT EXAGGERATING. I DID HOWEVER, RECEIVE A GREAT DEAL OF HELP FROM JUAN TORRES, THE DRAFTSMAN, WHO HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH DCRA AND A GREAT DEAL OF KNOWLEDGE. BETWEEN MR. TORRES AND MYSELF, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD. ONCE AGAIN, CHAD HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING/NOTHING TO DO WITH ME GETTING TO THE PERMIT STAGE BEFORE I LEFT THE BETHESDA OFFICE. ALTHOUGH CHAD AND I HAD AN APPOINTMENT SET UP WEEKS BEFORE THE 19TH MEETING, HE WAS COMPLETELY UNPREPARED. THE ITEMS HE WAS SUPPOSE TO KNOW ABOUT HE DIDN'T AND HE DIDN'T HAVE PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE OF MY PLANS....HAD NOT TAKEN THE TIME TO STUDY THEM FOR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

I STUCK WITH UBUILD-IT BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, SUB-CONTRACTORS SEEM TO RESPOND WHEN A COMPANY WHO CAN PROVIDE THEM WITH REPEAT BUSINESS CALLS. IF YOU ARE DETERMINED ACT AS YOUR OWN GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND WOULD LIKE KNOWLEDGEABLE SUPPORT, I WOULD TALK WITH THE WESTMINSTER OFFICER BEFORE PUTTING MONEY WITH BETHESDA. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO GOOGLE UBUILD-IT BETHESDA TO SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS ON OTHER WEBSITES.

Guest

Beware: David Contorno is also the owner of Accent Construction of Lemont, IL. Stay away!

Guest

I just wish they'd take our house off their gallery, or at least let us add out comments of what the experience was really like!

Guest

UBuildIt-Mokena has moved to Orland Park. I can't stress this enough: David Contorno and his team are complete hacks.

He hires inexperienced personnell, calls them experienced consultants, and sends them out to "manage" your construction project. The newest "consultant" is actually a secretary originally hired on to be a part time administrative assistant.

Over 70% of signed clients DO NOT complete their project with UBuildIt-Orland Park / UBuildIt-Mokena. The ones who do are rarely happy.

Guest

Site visits missed, terrible bank referral, no expertise what-so-ever...UBuildIt Mokena is a complete joke. Their biggest concern was getting their fee paid.

Dave Contorno is nothing more than a used-car salesman. Don't buy into this scam.

Guest

We too had a horrible experience with UBuildIt in Mount Pleasant, SC. They were not qualified, provided sub par subs, did not conduct site visits, and basically took our money. Do not use them!!!!

Guest

I also had a terrible experience with UBuildIt in Greenville, South Carolina. I simply wanted an information packet with a DVD. I completed a request on the ubuildit.com website for this InfoKit in early July. Robert Raditz, the local owner called and talked with me on July 13 and sent a follow up email. He wasn't overly friendly, but I thought he would send an info packet. On September 9, I emailed Robert and told him I had not yet received the packet. He neither replied to my email or sent the packet, so I followed up at the end of September. He told me, "I'm NOT required to send out anything I deem not useful" and he also said he doesn't want to waste his time and money on info packets.

So I called corporate UBuildIt. They appeared friendly and helpful, but they weren't. Robert told them that I was ignoring his calls and emails and corporate is believing him (even though I have documented electronic proof that it's the opposite). So now, Marianne at corporate will not return my calls or email and she will not give me contact info for her boss (Chuck Warrender, the founder of UBuildIt).

Now, after doing a search online, I see poor BBB ratings and many complaints. As I told UBuildIt in this case, "If you're not willing to help by sending out an InfoKit that you advertise, how in the world could I trust you to help me build my house?" STAY AWAY FROM UBUILDIT!

Guest

Don't feel alone! We worked with UBuildIt in Mokena, Illinois owned by Dave Conturno, and were so unhappy with the "services" they provide.

After the initial sales spiel which got us hooked everything after was a joke. To begin with every bad experience we had arose from the subs they recommended. We hired several on our own, through friends and word of mouth and those worked out perfectly. The owner wanted the names and numbers of each of the subs we hired because they did such good work.

However, we told all of them that and they all had the same response...they would never work with UbuildIt.

They all felt we were taken advantage of by UbuildIt and that the subs recommended by UbuildIt were sub-par and none of ours would want to be associated with them. Bottom line here is though it sounds like a good thing, using UBuildIt is definitely NOT the way to go!

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