Steele and Loeber Garage Builders

After 70 Years - Now Living Off Its Laurels?  Buyer Beware!This very recent experience has been like visiting an established restaurant and the food served was good, but the overall treatment and service were horrendous. It is unconscionable to believe this company has been in business for over 70 years and treating its customers so disrespectfully with such poor and inept customer service.  Perhaps they engage in disparate sales and customer service practices - do not treat its customers equally.   Otherwise, how could they remain in business?Sub-contractors were hired, whom Steele and Loeber did not supervise or monitor.  Throughout the construction process, we frequently we were not informed when the workers were coming to perform the work. They just showed up.  On two separate incidents, different sub-contractors blasted their music from their boom box while working, in the early morning hours.  Long-time next-door neighbors who work at night, sleep during the day or work from home were not entertained.  They threatened to call the police.  Each time, the workers promptly stopped the music when requested. Twice, the electricians were no shows, after confirming the day before.  I also had to pay (per a waiver) for a damaged sprinkler pipe that the electrician mistakenly split - water was gushing everywhere.  The drywall contractors did a good job installing the firewall on one side of the garage.  However, we were not ever informed that the drywall work was completed because they left behind a drywall panel and other small materials.  After two weeks, I asked when the guys would return and was then notified that the garage had been completed.  The rep never bothered to call, visit or text, to inform us of the completion - nothing - just silence.  We risked parking our cars on the street an extra two weeks for no reason. The drywall panel remained in the garage for about another week before having to call them to request removal.A few days later, workers came out to install gutters and downspouts.  Upon being informed the garage was complete, I inquired about the open backyard 25-foot-long trench dug by the electricians and remained, after passing inspection two weeks prior.  I was told closing the trench was my responsibility to cover.  After the concrete foundation was laid, I requested that the concrete guys come back and clean up my neighbor's sidewalks that they had disfigured with vast concrete residue that had now hardened.  A month later they returned to clean up.  Luckily, my neighbor's sidewalk is back to normal but ours remains disfigured.  One month after completion, water seeps into the garage when backyard sprinklers are run. Rep texted me saying it must be due to torrential rains at that time but will come by and apply caulk.  It has been three weeks without any communications.Prior to delivery of the building material, I requested a copy of my sales contract, and spoked to Phil, the owner.  He was discourteous and rude when questioned why full payment was required prior to the work being completed.  Office staff never provided a copy.
Sep 28th, 2022

I don't know why other people had a problem with Steel and Loeber,  I am very happy I chose them they did exactly what they promised , they    delivered a garage in three weeks,  the workers where polite hard working, and,  efficient.  I've had a couple of problems since then,  one was my fault, easy fix, then they came out the day after i called to fix another problem. I would recommend them,
Apr 23rd, 2022

This will not be a final review, but a mid-project one for right now. (Read further for final review)It's been 3 months (April 11th) since we signed the contract and so far we have a concrete pad. Pad has been down over a month. After a couple of calls the builders are said to be out the end of next week.  We will continue the review then.We got a call from Steele and Loeber who said a team would be coming in tomorrow, the 14th to put the garage up in one day!!!  ONE DAY!!! Um.......Well, a team came in yesterday and built the garage in one day??? So, you called us and said one day....one day....but you forgot the door!!!!!YOU said one day. That, my silly self, assumes means with door.  We were promised by at least 4 people, including the owner, it would be installed today, the 15th.  Well, I'm waiting patiently. But it is pouring rain off and on, so is that a no?  Call would be really nice to tell us.So,  It is finally "done!"   Yesterday, 7/19, we got a door.  SO.....FINAL REVIEW Downgraded to 2 stars and the only reason for that is the garage door is terrific!We were NEVER told that the cleanup crew is a separate entity that comes out a couple days after to clean.  They did a real slip shod job.  Oh, the big pile is gone, but trash and nails all over the yard and the patio area.  I have 2 small dogs. NOT COOL!!!! I usually have bare feet...VERY not cool.Then we found out the door man is also a separate entity that come out afterwards.  With all the calls and promises made (Be here next day) I would have thought that pertinent information.  Door man told us he never got a work order until the 18th. I am NOT a construction worker by any means, just a strong minded redhead.  BUT, even I can tell crap when I see it.  Photos show nails sticking out of the wall around door, dent and a divot in the siding, nails NEXT TO 2 x 4's (or whatever size they are) all across roof.  Crack on door jam.....let's talk about the door....IT DOESN"T FIT!!!! I'm going to close this securely how? I looked at pictures from other jobs, their doors fit. Mine doesn't why????I guess this is a garage built in one day. I'd like to see a 3 day one.Very, very disappointed.
Jul 8th, 2022

I signed my 24 X 24 garage contract with Steele and Loeber on March 29, 2022 and terminated it June 7, 2022, before the gutter and electric installation. I refuse to let Steele and Lober access to my property to cause even more damage, and will not reward poor behavior any longer. I have emails dated 6/8, 6/9, with the owner Phil, which verify my statements. I submitted many photos to Steele & Loeber prior to posting any reviews. Here are the primary reasons for terminating the contract: The concrete connecting my driveway to my patio does not match the Survey drawing submitted for build approval. The survey drawing shows a square shape, The driveway now has an L shape. This was a result of measurement error which should not have happened. This change was never approved in writing by myself and Steele and Loeber, thus they have likely violated the terms of their own contract. My concrete payment was made after the pour was finished and before the all forms were removed. Concrete Forms are usually removed in 24-48 hours, and after about 7 days for complex builds. My driveway forms were not removed in this time frame. The removal of the concrete forms should have been automatic, requiring no action from me. Note; I was also not given written instructions on fresh concrete watering/care. The lack of which, might cause concrete cracks (I already have a crack by my service door). I requested the driveway forms be removed before the garage build, so my Landscaper could drop topsoil off the back end of the garage foundation. This would make his job easier and reduce my cost. Removal didn't happen. The morning of the topsoil delivery, weeks after the concrete pour, I pulled the concrete forms myself (I'm 60+ and have arthritis). Then, the poor performance continued. A defective Atlas dead bolt lock was installed on my Garage Service Door. I was not given any information on the manufacturers' warranty for the siding and roofing which were fully paid for. Uncovered Build trash sat on my new driveway for almost 3 full days, getting rained soaked, and blowing into both my yard and my neighbors. Both my 60+ arthritic wife and I had to sweep up, organize the pile, then cover it with the discarded roofing sheet film. The issue is not the days, or mis-comunication, but the fact they couldn't take 10 minutes to cover it. Finally, Steele and Lober didn't do anything (mats/temporary steel plates) to reduce excessive damage to to my formally beautiful, long, two year old asphalt driveway. I now have numerous Cement blobs, streaks and deep gouges , along with 50+ Fluid stains (which will require solvents to remove), from 10+ vehicles, in multiple crews. A matter of true distress for me is, the Steele and Lober contract relieves them of responsibility for driveway damage, and the customer needs to pay extra for driveway cleanup. Horrible!
Jun 10th, 2022

Just recently had a one car garagThe garage looks good, but the process needs to explained better. Took one day to build. TWO days later an electrician came out to install the electricity to the garage. He talked really fast and I paid for an upgrade for electricty for EV car i will be purchasing in the future. He didnt installed the plug stating he did know which type i would need, that fine. But he wants to charge me an additional $175.00 once i buy my car. But i aready paid an additional fee for the upgrade. The crew for the electric also left a mess in my basement which i had to clean up. Also I upgraded to a Party door after I placed my order. They did accomdate my request, it was an additional $800.00. On the day of install I paid what I thought I owed. However, I did not pay for the party door. Instead of speaking with me Steele and Loever had the electrician and the electrician clerk call me about it. Communication could be better and use your own electrician.
Apr 27th, 2022