Alicia in Toronto

This review is long overdue but I see others have been duped by this belligerent bully and it needs to stop. Especially since I went with ABJM Tile due to the great reviews. Last year I planned a home renovation ahead of the birth of my first child. I contacted Guy to come by and give a quote. We discussed everything that was to be done. We weren't looking for just tile work. We were looking to have the entire house painted, the baseboards replaced and the vanities, toilets and fixtures in 2 bathrooms and a powder room be replaced. This was to include all the disposal and "raw materials" . Geatano provided a quote of $15-19K for labour alone. Geatano appeared very accommodating and agreed to every request to secure the sale. My water actually broke the day he gave the quote and I was admitted to hospital 5 weeks early. Geatano advised he could complete the job in 3 weeks and we decided to move ahead. BIG MISTAKE! He rushed a "quote" which I signed from the hospital and took our first $9000 deposit. The demolition crew gutted our entire house at which time Geatano demanded $1000 cash because our tile was "polished". He would not proceed with the work until he was paid this money. The problems continued from there. I ended up in the NICU with my son for 1 month after the renovations began and tried to mediate between Geatano and my mother. During this time he had a sob story (like the previous poster) that someone hacked his back account and he needed a $5000 advance. He also demanded another $1000 cash because we wanted a double sink connection. When I asked for a breakdown, and after multiple snarky texts from him, he said $500 parts/$500 labour and refused to continue until he was paid. We currently have exposed pipes even after this payment. He was verbally abusive on many occasions (I have texts to prove this), as the previous poster, when the work was questioned. When we didn't use one of his vendors, who did not provide a competitive price, he threw a fit and resulted to personal attacks. The last time I checked a consumer was allowed to change their mind. The worst part was the painting. He claimed the only rooms to be painted and receive new baseboards are where he tiled. Apart from using the cheapest, worst quality boards which he provided that would make no sense and no one would agree to that as the baseboards on some a joining walls would different styles. There comes a point when you just want to be so rid of him and have the sanctity of your house back that you pay the balance owing and move on. After spending over $18,000 in labour alone we had to pay another contractor almost $10,000 more to correct and complete the work. He also left my garage in complete disarray as his contactors opened up almost all the boxes of tile (hundred of dollars in unused tile which could not be returned) left boxes, skids and other construction waste piled up when disposal was to be included. When I tried to reason with Geatano regarding the painting of the house he resorted to character attacks telling me "I was trying to defraud him (he used another word which I cant post due to Homestars review requirements) and I should be ashamed of myself since I was now a mother". What that has to do with his poor attitude and shoddy work I don't know. I attempted to file a smalls claims action against him but he des not reside at the address on his "quote" and refuses to own up to his work. When paying him the final payment he wanted me to sign off that I wouldn't write a bad review and that I was happy with his work. When standing infront of Geatano holding my 1 month old infant son who had just spent the first month of his life in the hospital I just wanted this fraud out of my house. Like the previous poster my next step is the Consumer Protection Agency. It should also be noted that he claims anyone who posted a bad review is not telling the truth but Homestars will verify if he challenges my account of this project and his behaviour and I welcome the opportunity to provide the texts and photos of the incomplete and poor work. STAY AWAY!