Lone Wolf Renovations review: Refund for service not provided

On May 10, 2023, I paid Lone Wolf Renovations an initial deposit of $4,493.00 for a new wrought iron fence across the front of my property. The sales representative – who has since quit – projected a project timeline of 6-8 weeks, and that work could start as early as 3 weeks. I accepted Lone Wolf’s proposal, even though it was not the lowest bidder, because of the project timeline. Throughout that time, I contacted the sales representative and the owner for project updates by phone, email, and text and received no response. On July 12, I was told over the phone that my project was delayed since their dependable crew for fast turn-around had quit and the other two crews were committed to large project for a new school was being re-done due to jurisdiction permitting issues with their first install. I was told my project would be completed between July 24 and August 4. Again, attempts to contact the company through email, texts, voice calls and social media went unanswered. On August 4, the owner, Dylan Manale, stated that I was naïve for believing the timeline set by his company and promised a full refund of my deposit.

Lone Wolf Renovations contacted me immediately after a BBB complaint was filed on 8/25/2023, and was upset by the complaint. I had written directly to the owner and business agent (since departed) giving them time to submit the refund before filing a complaint, so the anger was unexpected. I responded to his allegations that his business could not accept monetary losses due to my project and offered to pay for any reasonable work completed between the date of the deposit (5/10/23) and the first written promise of a refund (8/10/23). That letter went unanswered, so no compromise could be made. Per the BBB's recommendation, complaints were filed to Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and Louisiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section of the Department of Justice; they also went unanswered.

As of today, January 13, 2024 - after several attempts to reach him through email, texts, social media, certified mail, and a collections agency – I have not received the deposit back. Dylan Manale has committed to a full refund on several occasions by text - 8/4, 8/10, 10/27, 11/10, 12/15/23, 1/8/24, 1/9 and 1/10. Our last contact was by text on January 10, he had stated that a cashiers check needed to be signed for but has yet to deliver. Researching the company further, I learned – through BBB complaints, online reviews, and out-of-state court filings – that I am not the only customer/corporation that is owed money.