Context:
Simple work, fix a cupboard that was hung wrong a few years back and sand down a wall (smooth it out basically). $240 all in. I am not handy so was looking for someone to do it for me, saw Bob's flyers around the city and figured I would give him a call. He came to the house, estimated and provided a quote. Things looked good.
The Problems:
1. Punctuality
Bob moved the agreed-upon time 3-4 times over (us eventually starting 3-4 weeks later than agreed upon). I get this is minuscule work and to be fair to him he did offer the deposit back. Given these are small items I was not worried about the timing too much and did not look at this as a red flag. This stuff happens and I was not exactly a lucrative contract for Bob.
2. Organisation
Upon arriving Bob clearly did not remember what he had estimated out. The scope shifted from replacing drywall to spackling/sanding down the wall. This was less work than originally expected. Bob agreed to plaster up some holes, sand the wall down twice before leaving and fix the cupboard. This worked for me and he got to work.
He spackled parts of the wall and then went down to fix the cupboard (the same one he had estimated out previously). After reviewing the cupboard turns out he could not fix it. This leads me to the final problem.
3. Takes on work he shouldn't
He explains that the cupboard cannot be fixed, issues with how it was previously put up by the previous house owner. I explain that that's totally fine, present a workaround I am looking for, which he says yes he can do. Again, I am quite happy with the workaround idea, since in the end, this is a small aesthetic issue for me.
--
The result:
Bob left the wall unsanded and refused to give a time he could come back to finish it (basically saying he wasn't sure why the spackling didn't dry faster and that he didn't know when he could come back) and for the cupboard, he tightened a screw and called it a day. Short of it, I am 0/2 in jobs done.
Here is a simple reality, it's $240, this is not a big deal all in. But Bob failed on every aspect of the work from punctuality, to the organization to just managing scope. Had he simply said "no, I can't do that", "no, that will not work" or anything else this would have been a none issue. But each step of the way he chose to keep going.
I am leaving this review since honestly I feel insulted by all this. I asked for half of my deposit back from Bob, he refused and offered a discount on future work (why I would pay him anything more is beyond me)...My recommendation is not to consider Bob for work, not for "Odd Jobs" and not for larger work either.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $240.00
- Company Response
unedited transcript of our intersction...
>>>>>
6/30/2021, 7:05 a.m.Good morning Alexy ok to drop by today? Bob
>>>>>
6/30/2021, 10:13 a.m.Hey Bob I am in Vancouver now You are welcome to come by My brother is there There's are two main things to look at 1. The bedroom wall, where the mirror is standing 2. The cabinet above the fridge I can tell my brother you will be coming by
>>>>>
6/30/2021, 10:53 a.m.Ok great...address please? 41 Melville Ave Toronto on M6G1Y1 Thx What time are you thinking
>>>>>
6/30/2021, 11:02 a.m.Maybe in 30 minutes or so?
>>>>>
6/30/2021, 11:25 a.m.Perfect
>>>>>
6/30/2021, 11:57 a.m.Ok the bubbling in the wall is not water damage....just shifting... no issue....the cabinet does need to be re hung with a much stronger mounting....let me know thx
>>>>>
6/30/2021, 12:57 p.m.Haha how much? And for bubbling in walls can you fix it?
>>>>>
6/30/2021, 1:28 p.m.Yes...you have the paint? I can buy it Just need a quart....needs to match Both jobs including materials but not the paint ....300
>>>>>
6/30/2021, 3:49 p.m.Let's book it in What would it cost if you painted the bedroom (Asking in case I can't match) Sure I will need a deposit and we can schedule a date....as for painting the room....how many colors are there....one or two coats?
>>>>>
6/30/2021, 11:39 p.m.How many coats would you need for the one wall? And how much is a deposit
>>>>>
7/1/2021, 6:54 a.m.Well if you can match the color...one coat is good....just add an extra 180 to the price....plus any materials if I buy them....or you could but them....Would need 50% deposit
>>>>>
7/1/2021, 1:00 p.m.Ok sounds good Can I pay you in cash? And I am in Vancouver How would we do a deposit? (Last question, when could you come by?)
>>>>>
7/1/2021, 1:40 p.m.I do prefer cash...but your in Vancouver....We would schedule you in for next week
>>>>>
7/1/2021, 1:52 p.m.I couldn't do next week; would prefer to be there and I can't buy materials I am back on July 12th Ok we can try that week I could have my brother
pay you in cash if you could meet him? Otherwise I can etransfer You can etransfer 240 Rest in cash end of job
>>>>>
7/2/2021, 12:00 p.m.ok What email? And can we set a date?
>>>>>
7/2/2021, 2:43 p.m.Yes...let me check my schedule and get back to you
>>>>>
7/3/2021, 11:47 a.m.Sounds good! If possible July 14 and 15th would be great
>>>>>
7/3/2021, 1:00 p.m.Ok I'll get back to you thx
>>>>>
7/6/2021, 7:42 a.m.Good morning Alexy....did you want to book this?
>>>>>
7/7/2021, 12:40 a.m.Yes please Sooner then later would be great (Sorry for slow response, travel day) Just give me two things 1. A date (earlier is better) 2. An email to send the deposit too
>>>>>
7/7/2021, 2:26 a.m.July 14 is good....oddjobbob007@gmail.com
>>>>>
7/7/2021, 11:07 a.m.Done Sent I'll get paint before Looking forward to it
>>>>>
7/7/2021, 11:12 a.m.That's great Alexy see you then thank you
>>>>>
7/13/2021, 5:25 p.m.Hello Alexy how are you.....I'm sorry to do this to you last minute....but a pressing family matter has come up....can we reschedule your project? When would work for you?
>>>>>
7/13/2021, 5:30 p.m.Hey bob All good When would work for you? I work at home So the sooner the better for me
>>>>>
7/13/2021, 5:52 p.m.Aaawww ok....I'm hoping end of week
>>>>>
7/16/2021, 8:38 a.m.Thank you
>>>>>
7/19/2021, 6:20 a.m.Hey bob What time were you thinking today?
>>>>>
7/19/2021, 8:27 a.m.Good morning....can we meet around 9am?
>>>>>
7/19/2021, 9:40 a.m.I'm sorry I'm having issues on a job and cant leave just yet....I'll call you shortly
>>>>>
7/19/2021, 2:45 p.m.Hello hello, checking in if today is still feasible? If not when would make sense?
>>>>>
7/19/2021, 4:05 p.m.So sorry it's just gotten worse....can we reschedule....or did you want your deposit back?
>>>>>
7/19/2021, 6:21 p.m.Happy to reschule Reschedule When can you come by?
>>>>>
7/19/2021, 6:25 p.m.You know...I'm stuck....unless you wanna pick a date in about a week or so Haha that's fine. Can you give me a specific date and time next week? Let me look at me schedule and get back to you
>>>>>
7/19/2021, 6:35 p.m.Kk sounds good
>>>>>
7/20/2021, 10:57 a.m.Hey Bob, any word on a date or time? Sorry Wednesday july 28 ok?
>>>>>
7/20/2021, 11:05 a.m.Perfect! What time?
(Will avoid having meetings when you come)
>>>>>
7/20/2021, 11:38 a.m.Lets pencil in 10am
>>>>>
7/20/2021, 11:42 a.m.Perfect Thank you
>>>>>
7/27/2021, 5:56 p.m.Hey Bob Good from tomorrow? Hi Alexy thanks for getting back to me....I had lost your info so sorry....I got into an accident monday....still not feeling 100% nothing broken thank God....can we do Tuesday next week ...your first
>>>>>
7/27/2021, 6:24 p.m.Haha ok, totally understand accidents happen That being said this is the second time and I do have a larger crew coming on Wednesday next week that I was hoping would not intersect with this piece of work. Could we pen not pencil in Tuesday?
>>>>>
7/27/2021, 6:29 p.m.I'm sorry....you need this work done before the crew comes in?
>>>>>
7/28/2021, 1:45 p.m.Hi...sorry but how big of an area needs to be cut out on the wall to replace the damaged area? Bob Hard to say, there's a few spots Whole wall is not too big, 4m by 3m maybe Hmmm all I saw was one spot...roughly 1.5ft by 2 ft There's one spot with bubbles And one spot with a bit of dry wall knocked out I saw the bubbles but not the knock out....can you send me a dimension on the knock out? It's pretty small 10 by 10cm Less 5 x 5 ish (cm) Ok great thx....I have Jay who I can send over tomorrow to do the work....priming painting left to you...fix cupboard....this ok?
>>>>>
7/28/2021, 7:43 p.m.Perfect Only thing we discussed not covered was to have the wall painted. So would be great to have Jay prime the wall (same effort I assume) once he is done
>>>>>
7/29/2021, 7:40 a.m.What time would he be coming? Could you tell him to call me when he arrives?
>>>>>
7/29/2021, 11:26 a.m.I'm sorry I didnt hear from you until now....hes not so good at painting though.... Haha what do you mean, we talked about painting a while back You asked if there would be paint. I went and bought primer It's in our texts above What time is Jay coming?
>>>>>
7/29/2021, 12:13 p.m.Can you share an update on this or do you have 2 min to chat?
>>>>>
7/29/2021, 1:48 p.m.Sorry....I didnt book him today....I only heard back from you today.... What I'm saying is Jay is not so good at painting.... Ok, so I can Jay just come by the fix the wall and cupboard, I'll paint So cant Tomorrow would work well if you an give me a time
>>>>>
7/29/2021, 2:32 p.m.Ok great let me set this up....get back to you
>>>>>
7/29/2021, 3:55 p.m.Thank your
>>>>>
7/30/2021, 1:34 p.m.Hey bob, so we were initially talking you coming next week Tuesday. Assuming jays not making it today or over the long weekend Are you good for Tuesday? "Hi Alexy thanks for getting back to me....I had lost your info so sorry....I got into an accident monday....still not feeling 100% nothing broken thank God....can we do Tuesday next week ...your first Let's please put this in pen Anytime Tuesday morning
>>>>>
7/30/2021, 3:08 p.m.Hey yes....but I didnt hear from Jay....and I tried a couple times....I'm better coming myself on Tuesday....so sorry for the turn around....
>>>>>
7/30/2021, 3:25 p.m.Np! Looking forward to it Thank you
>>>>>
8/3/2021, 9:34 a.m.Hey Bob What time are you coming by today?
>>>>>
8/3/2021, 9:34 a.m.Good morning I'm unsure at the moment as I'm also dealing with personal stuff....but I will try to come as soon as possible....to even get started.....
>>>>>
8/3/2021, 11:14 a.m.Ok thank you, any heads up would be helpful (even a range) so I can avoid booking meetings at that time
>>>>>
8/3/2021, 11:40 a.m.I will
>>>>>
8/3/2021, 2:28 p.m.Hi Bob, so we are still on for today?
>>>>>
8/3/2021, 3:12 p.m.I'm sorry have a delay on a job I'm on....have a water leak to fix....capped off for now but need to hit the plumbing supply before closing....ok to drop by first thing in the morning tomorrow? Can you give me a time you will be here tomorrow? My precious understand was given the 3 to 4 weeks delay I would be first visit today. Understanding*
>>>>>
8/3/2021, 3:17 p.m.I'm sorry my first visit? 10am ok?
>>>>>
8/3/2021, 3:21 p.m.All good, 10 works well. I have a call at 1030 and 11 so would just need to be before 1030 at latest so we can through both asks That's ok....I don't need you to be right there but would need to talk with you at some point....thank you
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 8:53 a.m.Good morning on my way
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 8:59 a.m.Great!
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 10:33 a.m.My website.....www.lenos.ca
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 11:51 a.m.You literally did nothing. I removed the blocks and it did fuck all. I would ask for my money back but doubt that would send.. That you would send Good job on your impact
on the industry Thank you for the website. At least I can leave a homestars review
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 12:11 p.m.Pro tip for future. If you can't do something or did not get the result you needed, just say that.. my annovance with this nonsense that there was a clear conversation and the only work you did was put 3 little planks to hold it up and tighten it. Pair that was not finishing be dry wall (despite that being in scope) and clearly giving no return date Just do better Man. These are small jobs but that is literally in your name on your flyers (odd job Bob). At this point you just ripped me off for the already small amount
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 1:14 p.m.Sorry I never meant to do a bad job....it is what it is....unfortunately.... now I did offer to refund your deposit a while ago....you were ok with things....I did what I could for you and didnt just walk off with your money....as you can see....I do full renovations.....I was only trying to help....its great not appreciated you smear my name for such items that basically are not under my control....the cupboard was never installed properly....I only did what was enough to secure it back....the walls....just trying to do what's cheaper for you....and not charge to take out the whole area.....I sincerely feel bad and wish I could make it up to you.....if you need something else done let me know....thx Bob
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 1:29 p.m.Yes Refund me Half is fair I appreciate you did not run away with my deposit but that's not achievement. That the expectation of us having an agreement Thats* Your option was to say no.. that's an acceptable answer You chose not too You accepting the job, leaving it early and adding a fake solution are all within your control and each one you could have avoided or turned down
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 1:38 p.m.Thx but sorry I did work and did show up....being a solo act I need cash flow.....I could have been somewhere else....I discussed things with you as
I discovered them....I'm not a magician......I'm happy to offer a discount on something else you need done....ps didnt help me getting into
an accident....I'm still feeling it....sorry for the inconvenience this caused you Alexy
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 1:38 p.m.You do you A simple "no I can't fix that" is what this comes down too No I can't be there for 3 weeks (vs your 1 week, 2 week, 3 week). No I can't fix that, vs whatever it is
you did. Or hell, no I can't do that job, here's your deposit back Vs the string along I'm sorry I'm not sure I follow....offer is good anytime Alexy
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 1:38 p.m.Not expecting a magician, just honesty Haha dude I'm not taking you up on now woke
>>>>>
8/4/2021, 2:45 p.m.Cool....I'm also being honest....ok let me know when your back....we can do it then