First General Services

The total costs is not known to me as the house insurer arranged and paid for the costs of repair. I just place a number so I could submit this review.

My garage was heavily damaged by a car driven by an old woman driver, a family friend. For unknown reason, while parking, she stepped on the gas instead of the break. The car accelerated fast and hit the garage's main support post and door. Due to impact, the support post was cut into two pieces while several studs broke into two and the walls caved out due to weight of the roof.

No sooner, after the insurance personnel was notified, the Project Manager of First General came in, assessed the damage and sent his 2-man crew, who started working until 8:30 evening. They ensured that my garage was in good shape and structurally safe until the actual repair could be done. I am satisfied with their caring ways and over-all job.

Initial work involving removal of damaged flooring and installing fans to dry areas along with dehumidifiers done in a timely manner.
All work following initial visit was done in a very unprofessional manner, resulting in poor quality installation of new flooring, installing new cabinet and toilets. Laminate flooring left with major I washable stains, glue along with poor installation join-ups. The flooring company engaged by 1st general should be avoided at all Costs. The 1st general supervisor showed up at the beginning and once more in the middle of the project. He was not interested in how work was being done and referred me to flooring company owner who was likewise not interested in getting personally involved. Never use this company if you don't have too.

After a pipe burst our insurance company listed First General as one of their approved contractors in the local area.

Our initial contacts with the company were very good, came down right away to clean up the water and discuss how repairs would proceed but when the work actually started most of teh workers did terrible quality work. Many of their various staff complained to us that they weren't supposed to be doing what they were asked to do. For instance and drywaller was installing our sink and hooking up plumbing. When I pointed out that he had not put any gasket or plumbing putting between the sink and counter he said it didn't matter (which it absolutely does). When I called the foreman (who was never on site except for initial discussions and occasional drop-in's) he came down and told the drywaller to take it out and do it right. He told the foreman to "do it yourself" and walked away. The drywaller was also installing cabinets and hooking up electrical!

This was typical of our experience. Eventually we got so tired of the sheer incompetence that we contacted out insurance comany and said we wanted to change contractors and why. They agreed and we replaced First General with another contractor to finish up the work.

Avoid these guys. All they do is try to cut corners and use whatever staff they have on hand.

Today I celebrate my 4th month anniversary of living in a damaged home. Thursday past I recieved the 5th estimate from First General and they still can not get it right. Example they estimate to reinsulate my attic at R38. Now homeowners need to be aware that most contractors and all insurance companies think home owners are stupid. R38? Minimum Ontario building code is R40. I was R60. It goes on and on.

I am sure there is good and bad in any company. If you were unfortunate like I was to have sustained damage this past winter I hope your insurance company did not send you First General. A bunch of inexperienced rank amateurs pretending to be project managers. Emergency response took 26 hours and basically did nothing

I have been living in a damaged home for 4 months now and I still can't get the proper estimate from First General. They left me with more damage than I had when then came. They have turned what was a bad dream into a nightmare. There are not enough zeros on this site to rate the Flint Road location of First General.

This company did a superb job cleaning water damage and drying a flooded finished basement. They came quickly, had all the right equipment, knew how to take stuff apart for drying and left the house bone dry and sweet smelling, ready for rebuilding. Unfortunately they were very slow in providing a rebuild quote so someone else did the final repairs. I would use them again for emergency services without hesitation.

A plumbing flood made it necessary to renovate 80% of our home, and move out for 2 months. The staff were very accommdating, professional and friendly. We were treated very well and recieved all the service we were expecting, plus more. They made a bad experience into the best possible outcome.

Alan, the contractor was excellent, good communication skills and good follow up work. And also the other workers for carpeting was very good. They finished their work really quick and efficient.

Had a flood in my 30 year old town house. Water was left runny for approximately 4 hours from the kitchen tap. The piping was so old and was coded with junk, only a simple pinhole of space for water to run through so caused a back up. The kitchen was right over the garage and the hallway of the home. Called insurance and First General came in the next day. They were extremely friendly and effeceint. They moved quickly, packed and labeled all the furniture etc. and stored everything off site. The storage container was left on site for a few days do it was easily accessible just in case I needed something. When the job was over within a couple of weeks everything was brought back and in great condition no problems. They were always so friendly and polite. They did a great job!!