Burkholder Contracting

My husband and I contracted with Jason Burkholder of Burkholder Contracting LLC to complete renovations on a rental house in Lincoln, NE. The original estimate was for a full kitchen remodel and basement remodel/finish. We paid a 50% deposit and signed the contract on 6/22/17. We were told that work would begin immediately.

On 7/8/17, we contacted Burkholder Contracting LLC. No work had begun and we wanted a specific start date to have a rolloff dumpster delivered. We received no response. We contacted Burkholder Contracting LLC again on 7/12/17 and 7/17/17. We finally received a response on 7/18/17 that work had begun on the kitchen demo.

On 7/22/17, we were contacted by Burkholder Contracting LLC. We met with Jason to discuss electrical issues found during the kitchen demo. Per recommendation of a licensed electrician, we decided to rewire the entire house, and asked Jason to provide a new estimate for the additional work as well as an updated estimate that would remove all electrical work to be completed by the electrician.

Electrical work began 8/12/17 and rough-in inspections passed 9/20/17. By October, all electrical work ceased because Jason had fallen so far behind schedule. The house sat empty for days (and sometimes weeks) at a time, though Jason continued to request additional payments.

A new project completion date was set for 12/1/17 (allowing for delivery of cabinets on 11/15/17 that we designed and ordered through another subcontractor to be installed by Burkholder Contracting LLC). By 12/1/17, much of the renovation was still unfinished (minimal work had been done in the basement, cabinets were only partially-installed, no tile had been set in the kitchen, countertops and vinyl plank flooring had not been ordered, etc.)

Jason requested an extension of 2/3/18. The house sat vacant most of January. We reached out several times to inquire about ordering appliances and countertops, but received no response. On 1/29/18 we reached out to verify the 2/3/18 completion date. Jason requested another extension. A new completion date of 2/24/18 was set with specific requests that Jason would agree to either begin refunding money (by this time he had already been paid IN FULL for the renovation), or he would hire licensed subcontractors to complete the project by the deadline.

The electrician was able to get in to finish the main floor electrical finishes, install fans, and install new exterior lighting. On 2/11/18, Jason texted us stating that he was going to need another deadline extension. After attempting to contact him several times, we were finally able to set up a meeting for 2/26/18. At that time, we presented Jason with a document informing him that he would either be required to finish the project by 3/24/18 or that he would be required to notify us in writing that he would not be finishing the project.

On 3/2/18, we met with Jason again and he stated that he do not intend to complete the project.

He agreed provide a refund for unfinished work, and we gave him until 3/4/18 to remove his work tools and personal property from the house. We again requested a written notification of the decision to abandon the contracted renovations. On 3/4/18, we met with Jason at the property to collect the keys and the garage door remote. He submitted a signed letter stating that he would not be completing the project, and that he would be refunding approximately 1/3 of the total amount paid for unfinished work. He stated that he did not have the money at that time (due to the fact that it was Sunday and his bank was not open). He stated that he would visit the bank Monday morning 3/5/18.

After Jason vacated the premises, we noticed that the washer, dryer, and refrigerator were missing, and that Jason had left behind his drywall lifter base. We attempted to contact him for the next few weeks regarding the appliances and the refund payment. He finally responded on 3/21/18, and we agreed to meet at the property on 3/23/18. Jason returned the appliances and took the drywall lifter base. He stated that he did not have the money for the refund, but that he would have it after 4/1/18.

On 4/18/18, we began contacting Jason to discuss the refund payment. We have attempted contact via text message, email, phone, voicemail, and certified letter. Jason has not responded or accepted delivery of the certified letters. In the meantime, we have had to contact other contractors and subcontractors to provide estimates and complete the unfinished work.

We have documentation of all communications, documentation of all payments requested/made, and photos taken at regular intervals throughout the project.