Coweta Storm Cellar Builders

I called to setup a time to have a shelter installed in my garage and was sent paper work to fill out and return. I did that and a date was setup for 4/14/14. I was called the morning of the install and told that I needed to reschedule because it was too cold out and they were concerned about the concrete not setting up properly. The date was changed to Saturday 4/19/14 at 1pm.  Saturday morning the installer called me early and said that they were way ahead of schedule and could they come early. They said that they'd be there within 30 min. Over an hour later they finally show up.  I was told prior to installation to find a place for them to dump the dirt since they were not in their normal area and didn't have access to their normal dump site.  I found a place that was on the way back towards their shop. They could stop literally right off the highway from my house back to their office. When they called to confirm the original date I asked about the location, to make sure it was ok but I was told by Jim a salesman possibly, not sure who he was that this wouldn't work because they'd have to leave their backhoe at my house, go dump the dirt and then have to drive back to get their backhoe. Seriously? How were you expecting to get the dirt out of the trailer? I said, ok. How much dirt is it? I was told verbatim..."about a pickup truck load". There was another place right down the road from me where people had dumped other piles of stuff (limbs and garbage to be honest) but I didn't feel like it would be good to dump more stuff there. So I agreed to let them just leave the dirt at my house but "please take the chunks of cement from the slab" and I'd use a pickup truck load of dirt somewhere, garden or something. The installers arrived and right away the "helper" jumped out of the truck and went straight to work. The "lead" was the backhoe driver and the paper work guy. I had the area cleared but was told that I had to clear more. Not a problem. When they were ready to dig the dirt out, I told the lead that my spot to dump the dirt wasn't good, so I was informed, and that I'd agreed to allow them to dump the dirt off to the side of my house by my back gate, literally to the left of my garage door but take the cement. I pointed to where I'd like the dirt dumped and lead said "no, can't do that". I asked why. The lead told me, "because I'd have to back my backhoe up with every dump". Really? You'd have to back up and that's your excuse? He said that he could spin the other way and dump it here. "Here" is my freaking front yard right next to my rose bush and walkway. I reluctantly agreed because I was told...."a pickup truck load" and I'm guessing that several wheelbarrow loads and it would be taken care of and rain/water would eventually wash the rest away.  I go into the house and come back out a little later to see not, "a pickup truck load" of dirt but SEVERAL truck loads of dirt, I'd guess a large dump truck load. It is probably 15-20 pickup truck loads of dirt in my front yard, we're talking several tons of dirt. I was visibly shocked. I went up to the lead who was now putting the backhoe away. I told him that this was absolutely not the amount of dirt that I was told it would be and that I would have never agreed to leave this much dirt in my yard, let alone in my front yard. I told him what Jim told me and he just kind of laughed and said, "no, I don't know why they told you that but it's more like 6 cubic yards". He then proceeded to tell me that Jim has only been there for 3 weeks and caused them a lot of problems. I asked him if I could give me $50 cash (I was willing to go higher based on his response) to take the dirt to the place up the street where other stuff had been dumped. His response was, "it's too late now, I've already done the work". So he wasn't willing to go above and beyond for the customer, not even for cash. I go back into the house and come back out later when they were done with the work and it was ready for the lead to explain the shelter to me. I received a 2 minute demonstration that was nothing more than a guy talking very loudly and very quickly going over the features. It wasn't helpful in the least. I learned more from using common sense and looking at it myself. I was then told to sign the paper and put any comments on it that I wanted. The lead said, and I'll quote, "like...Jim's a moron". I found that suggestion of a comment to put to be completely unprofessional and not necessary. I have always disliked it when an employee will talk badly about another employee to a customer. It shows a lack of integrity. If you've got an issue with or an opinion of an employee...in front of the customer is the absolute worst place to voice those concerns or opinions. Sure, Jim gave me incorrect information about the amount of dirt but the lead bad mouthing him in front of a customer isn't right. I don't fault Jim for the end result of a large pile of dirt in my front yard killing my grass and being an eyesore. I fault the installer for not telling me that it was going to be a lot of dirt and that I probably didn't want to keep it and for not being willing to back the backhoe up. The shelter itself was installed well and the it's a lot bigger than I was expecting. It also appears to be of very good quality. The helper was extremely hard working from start to finish. The lead, I was not impressed with. Simply because he didn't go out of his way and seemed to just want to "get the heck out of there". He also stunk my garage up with cigarette smoke. He wasn't smoking in my garage but he was on the backhoe a few feet from my garage smoking. I said that I wouldn't use them again unfortunately because of my experience with the lead. Smart Shelters has a great product that was unfortunately marred, to me by unprofessional behavior and not willing to go the extra mile for the customer.  ***Update 4/24/14*** After listing "free dirt" on Craigslist I am now having to spend $150 to have the remaining dirt hauled away. Hoping that my grass isn't completely dead under it.

We purchased a shelter over the phone with deposit based on other good reviews on Angie's List.  After we found out we have a post-tension slab that requires extra work, Smart Shelter's refereed us to a company to cut and reanchor the tension cables and quickly rescheduled our installation date.  We visited the show room and after talking with Brian decided to get a larger shelter.  They were extremely accommodating and even offered us a military discount.  On install day ,they were prompt, courteous and hard working.  Even though they had an equipment problem, they pushed through and did what was needed to get the job done in one day.  They answered all our questions throughout the installation and did a great job cleaning up.  We are very pleased with the shelter and installation.  These guys are clearly one of the best in this business and their shelter design is awesome.   

We were very pleased with the workmanship and promptness of this company. Beau and two other workers arrived promptly at 8 AM. Three hours later they completely installed a large storm shelter beneath our garage and cleaned the entire area. Very professional and very nice individuals to work with. I can highly recommend this group.

At first,  Great.  The installers did a good job with a few things that could have been better, but they were very nice and professional.  The install only took 3 hrs.  But attention to detail could have been better.  They did some caulking around the steal trim pieces that was sub par.  In fact, we had some water leaks, just from the rain water off of the cars. Only way water can get into an underground shelter in the garage.   "Minor in my opinion" but could have been avoided.  My biggest concern with this company is the customer service after you have purchased.  I purchased the 8 ton jack and the magnetic cover in addition to the shelter.  Within a week I had a hole in the cover.  We have kids and dogs that we can not keep off, it's reality.  So I called them and they said they would replace the cover,  No big deal, great.  However, I asked if they had a heavy duty cover or even personalized covers with team logos, etc. We are from OK and there is a lot of team spirit.  I thought, from being in Marketing and Sales with a fortune 500 company, it was a good idea.  I even said I would happily pay twice for a cover that I'm confident in that will last if someone happens to walk on it.  By the way, don't walk on the cover that they provide now.  To end the review, the lady that I spoke with said "she didn't need any ideas and that they had it all under control"  That is what led me to this review.  In my business, listen to your customers, they probably know better than you on what they want and will pay for.  Just saying...

The installation went great. They showed up on time and were very friendly. They let me watch alot of the process and explained what they were doing. They had the storm shelter installed in only about 4.5 hours. After they were done, they cleaned my garage and driveway really well and showed me and my wife how to use the shelter. It was a really great experien