Two storey home, complete renovation and underpinning
The only member of this "team" is Paul. He also doesn't do any of the physical work. He is a poor planner. He is disorganised when it comes to tracking finances. After asking for many weeks for a breakdown he provided an oral breakdown, not a paper copy. Over $22,000 in payments were unaccounted for. It was adjusted once pointed out. There are many things that were only addressed or fixed after being pointed out. What if I hadn't noticed them?
If you do not know about home renovations, which I didn't before this project, Paul will try to get as much money out of you by not telling the truth, overcharging, and more.
What I could see of the job was mostly done adequately, there are several elements that were not done right. And there were so many more items that were fixed only after I pointed them out. When you deal with Paul you are dealing with a charming, dominant personality who makes you feel confident in them. But I have caught him in so many falsehoods. The job has also taken much longer than Paul said it would. Had to be on top of Paul for many things that he did not do well. Some are still outstanding.
- Paul asked for $726 extra to cover additional permit fees, I paid on the spot. Months later, before the project was done, I asked for the paperwork to backup these charges. Only then did he say the extra funds weren't needed, so he would give me the money back. He has still not paid it back. What if I hadn't noticed or asked for it?
- his workers complained he had not paid them in weeks, although I had paid for 95% of the job before it was done. When I intervened he paid some of them.
FYI, the last 10% of the job should not be paid until the end. So I paid ahead of the industry standard schedule, because of Paul.
- had all walls exposed and left the main floor bathroom not venting properly. I don't think he hired a plumber to do the work in that bathroom, as venting is a basic plumbing necessity, and access to all pipes were open for weeks.
- provided paint samples one week. Then floor samples a few weeks later. Then counter samples a couple weeks after that. Provided only one cabinet style (many colours though). All samples should be provided at the same time when making a design choice. Not with Paul.
- Charged me $12,000 to get drains put in the basement. $2,000 of that was for a sump pump I had already paid for. He adjusted the $2,000 when I pointed out he double billed me, but what if I didn't catch it. Also, told me that extras would be billed at cost. I know for a fact because I was told, that the drains cost was in the $4,000s.
He would say this or that is done, and yet there would be problems, or items not finished properly. Some were small, while others were not.
I had the time to drop in and catch things before they were covered up, and not visible. But if you are not going to be there, he will instruct his people to cut corners where they can. To his benefit, not yours.
- called me a stickler because I wanted things done as we had agreed to them in writing. I didn't know that wanting a written agreement to be honoured was being a stickler.
- Asked me for money towards the end of the job because his garbage expenses were higher than anticipated. I said no.
- A week later he asked me for money to pay for the glass to be used in the shower, but our contract included it already.
- a week or two later he asked me for money because he wasn't going to make much money on the job. I said no.
- Then a week or two later it turned into I had to pay for the entire job before it was done because there was no money left to finish the job and he was "in the red". I said no, I've paid for almost the entire job, finish it. He asked for this in January, and the job was still going on in March.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $300,000.00
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