I hired Gary to fix some leaking into our basement. Initial quote was $3K to: 1) clear downpipes, 2) extend existing downspout into gutter, 3) remove and reinstall shingles, proper gutter flashings along back of house, 4) replace kickplate, windproof walls beside back door, 5) Remove all trim, exterior frame, worksiding to follow water damage. Replace any/all rotten lumber. Reframe windows. Install new trim with proper edge and header flashings. Replace damaged siding with cedar shingles to match, and 6) Remove basement door and frame. Replace any/all rotten wood make and install new door. I paid a deposit of $2K for labour and materials and agreed to pay labour and materials as requested. Work started on or about April 13. As far as I can tell, the work done to seal the house was successful, we haven't seen water in the basement since, however, we'll know more in the fall. Work on the deck began on or about May 4. It took a very long time for further work to get done as Gary had to wait for the sealing to dry - which is fair enough, however... I had been asking for weeks for the basement door to be made and installed as was part of the initial quote. First follow up request by email was May 5. Second request was sent Mon. May 9 asking that it be done by Wed. May 11. Not done due to some excuse or another. Then there was some delay because we decided to remove and repour some concrete in the back which was done on or about May 19 (not poured well, either). On Tues. May 24 Gary said he was going to pull the old door and start working on my door that day. On May 25, I was told he was still making the door in his shop. Next day was told the door jamb would take a day or two because the glue had to dry. Got home from work on Thurs May 26 and still no door, was told it was going to get done. That Friday, Gary sent me an email requesting $1.4K for labour and materials for that week. Up until that point I had cut him cheques on the spot. This time I told him it'd have to wait until Monday (because I wanted to see if they were going to finish the door over the weekend as promised but I didn't tell him that). I had paid Gary close to $13K for labour and materials at this point (!!!). I was away that weekend and when I got home Sunday evening, no door. On Monday, I expected a call from Gary looking for the cheque but didn't hear a thing. That evening I arrived home to, you guessed it, no door. That evening I called Gary and told him I would no longer be need his services, and that I would not be paying him the then o/s balance of $2.2K since the work I had explicitly requested be done was not done. Obviously he was not happy with this arrangement and I told him I would be happy to go to a third party to arbitrate the dispute. He threatened to take me to small claims but I haven't heard anything since. Frankly, I welcome the opportunity. In addition to the above, I found Gary to be unreliable - on several occasions he did not work when he said he would. I requested a copy of all receipts for materials purchased which I never received. I never actually saw Gary work, although I did see his assistant, Rod, working on a number of things. I never saw them drink on the job however, I came home several times to find empty beer and Smirnoff bottles in my back yard. They did not do a good job at all cleaning up their worksite, and the quality of work on the concrete poured and on the storage area built looks amature. I cannot tell you how incredibly disappointed I am in all of this. What surprises me most is that my experience does not even come close to the positive reviews on this website. In hindsight, there are many things I should have done differently. Chalk this experience up as a very expensive lesson learned. Having said all that, I will say Gary is a very, very nice guy. But, after $13K, we still need to find someone to build a deck and make and install a basement door. Sigh. If you have any questions or would like any details, please feel free to contact me at capmodel@hotmail.com.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $13,000.00