I recently hired a local company to renovate my bathroom addition in my master bedroom. We had some pipe freezing issues in the master bathroom addition last winter and therefore wanted to renovate the bathroom before the winter to alleviate the problem. I had the contractor come over and I told him exactly what the problem was. The floors, walls and ceiling needed new insulation, and that the shower might have a leak and therefore, the floors also needed to be ripped out and replaced. I also wanted them to install heated floors (at my own cost), and i was supplying all new fixtures and accessories, including floor and wall tiles and the grout. He seemed cordial and knowledgeable. I looked no further and hired him. We signed a contract listing the work to be done, what i supplied, what he supplied and the payment plan. There was a deposit portion (1200), then a progress payment due after all fixtures where installed (2800), and then the final payment once it was all complete (690). The contract stated this included all applicable taxes. Almost from the very beginning, i was hounded with paying the progress payment, even before the vanity was installed, it still sat in my bedroom. Once the vanity was installed, i kept being hounded for money and there was still all the light fixtures, exhaust fan\light, heated floors, shower, shower head and faucet left to install in the fixture category. In good faith (but mostly so they would stop hounding me for money), i submitted part of the progress payment (1000). From that point on, the work that was done in my bathroom can only be called well below standard (pictures to follow). For example, the wall grout and floor grout was not finished, or cleaned away and some of the tile cement is actually showing through the tile; The drywall tape was pealing off in some places so he decided to put caulking behind the tape, add some drywall mud, not sand, and paint over it, while everything was still wet; The caulking that was done, was done in a bathroom that was riddled in drywall dust, grout debris and yes, even leaves( In some areas they used clear caulking and continued the line in white caulk) and only half the bathroom was caulked, poorly. During the time they were in my house working, not once did they use a drop sheet on any surface. The floors from the outside leading to the bathroom were filthy from their muddy boots, there were tools laid out in my bedroom, including saws on the floor (i have a young child) and more dirty tools directly on my bed sheet. I overlooked the mess they left daily thinking that at least it was more time they could work and less time cleaning. A 2 week renovation has now turned into 4 weeks. I spent 3 weeks sleeping in the living room as the filth, dirt and array for power tools, tools, etc., rendered my bedroom inhabitable. I wrote them 2 more cheques for the promise of the work being almost done (i was not at home at the time, i was at work). They left Friday with no intent on coming back and i have to tell you, the bathroom was in worst shape than before the renovation. They mess they left behind could only be called unprofessional. I stopped payment on the cheques and told them that there was no way they could be done as the exhaust fan still did not work, the heated floors still did not work, the shower was still unusable, the faucet was hanging off the shower head, to name but a few fixtures. I invited the owner of the company several times to come take a look at the poor quality of work that was being done and he has refused. He has yet to even see it! I have told them on several occasions that once the work gets done, i will remit the required payments. He has refused. I have asked them to provide me with an HST # for the tax i have paid on the work I have paid for to date. They have refused. I have asked them to provide me proof of WSIB, they have refused. I have asked them to provide me with the electrician’s name and license, they have refused. I have taken pictures of the current state of the bathroom, most people who see it just can’t believe it. I will now have to hire a new contractor to redo pretty much everything they have touched, and finish every thing they didn’t get around to do. (i have to mention that they did not even insulate the floors or the ceiling even though they were suppose to as indication in our agreement. The name of the company is Imperial Home services. The owner is Micheal Levis (there is a second owner but i have never met him or talked to him). I’m sharing my experience with this company in the hopes that it will help others to do their homework properly BEFORE hiring anyone. Please be informed on what the cost of your renovation should cost. ASK to see ALL their licenses, plumber’s full name, electrician’s full name and check with the Ontario College of Trades to make sure they are legitimate. If they are, they will be listed. Ask for HST and WSIB information. They are required to provide that information. Check to make sure the numbers are real. Ask that everyone who will work in your home be identified. If the company is legitimate, they will have no issues in showing you all of this information. Thank you to organizations like CARAHS who provide you with every thing you need to know. That is my lesson. that is my experience.
