Need to file a complaint?
BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.
Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
28/06/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
****** *** ******* ** *********** ******** *** ** ********
I reached out to ***** ****** from Kat Reno during the last week of May 2024 to make arrangements for him to give me a quote on my basement for painting, minor drywall repairs and install of flooring. ***** attended my home on May 29 2024 to review and provide an estimate. I revealed to ***** he would be repairing damage done by a flood caused by a previous contractor. ***** ********* ** *** ** ***** ** ********* ** ****** ******** ****** *** * ***** *** ** ** ********** ****** ** *** ******** ******* ***********. * **** **** ******* ********** **** ***** **** **** *********** **** ******** ************ ********* **** * ** * ****** ****** *** *** **** ***** ********* *** I work full time and run a part time business and was only present 1 day during construction.
On June 3 - ***** emailed his quote/estimate.
On June 6 - I sent ***** a word document with questions and to get further clarification on the breakdown of cost of his quote/estimate. ***** responded with a breakdown of the following
Flooring supplies $*****
Flooring install $*****
Repairs & Prime & Paint $*****
Baseboards, transitions & misc $***
***** advised he the start date would be June 17 and asked for a deposit to secure the start date. He said he would be going out of town and to make arrangements with his flooring company to choose carpet and tile.
June 7 - I responded to ***** in an email that I would write a cheque and would only be willing to pay $****** to secure the start date and asked for further clarification to ensure we were on the same page. ***** made arrangements to come back to the house to review with me and made some minor changes to the original quote and he agreed his workers would remove my washer and dryer and it would be my responsibility to remove everything else from laundry room. He had me set up an appointment with his recommended flooring company ****** the following day.
June 8 – On our way to the flooring company my car was vandalized and my passenger side mirror was kicked in. ****** had forgot his keys and we could not enter the building.
June 9 – I returned to retrieve samples of carpet only to take home.
June 12 - I presented a paint quote from a different contractor $********. ***** said he would match the price but wanted a 50% deposit. Additional flooring was added. During this discussion I presented ***** with a spare ceiling tile, he told me to look for similar ceiling tile to fill 2 holes from previous lighting that had been removed by my Electric*** (not affiliated with *****). ***** was provided with a cheque in the amount of $******** 50% deposit.
June 15 – I phoned ***** from **** ***** and went to voice mail. He called me back and had me return to **** ***** to text pictures of the tile. He said he could work with the ceiling tile I had and no not purchase the tile. I texted ***** and instructed him not to order the flooring tile. In previous discussion I suggested to wait until the pot lights were installed. He responded and said flooring had been ordered.
June 17 – I responded in a text message early morning explaining changes to be made to the flooring and indicated the laundry room had been cleared and cleaned out. ***** said he would be at my home within the hour and I said I would be gone to work but my son would let him in. I had not heard from ***** and texted him at 2:40 pm asking when the laundry room would be painted. ***** responded and said the flooring was on hold for me to ask ****** when his crew could install the carpet even though he told me “the ********* guys would be installing”. *** **** ******** *** ************ Upon returning from home I inspected the basement and found razor blades on the floor and expressed concerns on the ceiling tile that was installed incorrectly and did not line up with the ceiling tile. He said he would review in the morning.
June 19 – I texted ***** pictures and indicated the laundry room was now cleaned and ready for paint and stated garbage should be taken out. I told *** the painter to not leave his equipment or garbage in the house as the smell was getting bad. ***’s response is “It’s a great smell”. I removed the painter’s wet trays, brushes and garbage outside. Mopped and swept the floor.
June 20 – I called in sick from work. *** stated the paint was not coating properly and would go to **** ***** to get a stripper. Texted ***** some corners needed to be filled in and the lights had not been delivered yet.
June 21 – Friday morning I had no hot water and texted ***** and suggested the fans blowing on the hot water tank may have caused pilot light to go out. ***** asked if I had an electric tank and to check my breaker. He suggested calling ******** *****. ***** had indicated in a text message floor had first coat completed. I sent progress pictures including a fan facing directly towards the hot water tank. ***** said the fan was positioned to prevent dust blowing around. I responded and asked him to review the repairs and ceiling. ***** told me to review it with *** on Saturday. I asked for ***’s phone number and ***** did not respond. ***** came out approximately 6:30 pm and could not get the tank working.
June 23 – 7:29 – 9:30pm see text messages I sent ***** a text message with my frustration on lack of communication and the cost for service technic***. The vapour sensor shut off as a result of the chemicals being used, did not have any idea on what the schedule was to be for the following week. I told ***** it would be best that he go get the flooring samples and I had been without a washer & dryer for over a week. ***** indicated *** would be at my place on Monday to apply a second coat of paint and include touch up. The ********* guy would come on Tuesday to move the washer. Again ***** questioned about the electric*** and flooring. I responded “I asked you for ***’s number and you didn’t respond. The hot water tank has a vapour sensor and whatever he used on the floor caused the hot water to shut off as a safety measure. I thin the service fee should come off the bill. There are instructions to be followed prior to painting and I will be in meetings Monday morning and not available to talk. *** needs to start cleaning after himself and not leave trays of paint in the basement, I cannot take the smell. Please ask him to sweep up or shop vac the dust & debris including the stairs. Then mop the floor & stairs. He should have his own cleaning equipment and not use mine”. I further instructed about the flooring. ***** replied “Are you asking that *** not return to pain until after he’s talked to you about the hot water tank?” Again I indicated I wanted *** to sweep and mop all the drywall dust and told both of them about the smell and felt ignored. I also indicated no wet trays or equipment to be left on the premises. I would shut the tank off myself if I remembered.
June 24 – I texted ***** to let him know the electrician was coming. I called him on my way home from work and explained in detail about the hot water tank. I was under the impression cleaning was in progress. ***** texted and said the second coat of pain was done and hot water tank was working (ignoring the instructions that it had to be turned off) Painter did not have mop and suggested I clean, he then indicated he would be seeing ****** from the flooring company as he was leaving on holidays the following day. I responded and asked if he turned the tank off. ***** said Painters do not tamper with my hot water tank (on/off switch) and that the tank was working when *** left. I said I would go on Friday to flooring store and asked what the plan or schedule was.
I called ***** and asked why he didn’t tell me he was going on vacation and he said he didn’t have to report to me and didn’t like my attitude. “I am done with you”. I asked about the reaming deposit and he said “we are even”.
***** told me to order the flooring and provided the measurements and that ****** would be dealing directly with me. I indicated the amount I paid and that a portion should be going towards the flooring. He responded and said it all went to repairs and painting. I told him he was not being fair to me. He responded “if you like, I will return tomorrow morning 10:30 am to reinstall washer & dryer. I was desperate and at *****’s mercy and said yes.
I reminded him he was matching the other painters quote. I then asked if he could revise his bill to honor the quote and he did not return.
Upon further review I noted the damages done to my laundry room walls, on the ceiling at bottom of stairs, mud on my storm door, drywall particles all over outside steps. Garbage left behind, and screw that was painted over sitting upright. *** *********
June 25 – *** ****** ********. I told ***** he was not permitted to be on my premises.
***** dismissed any of my concerns and refused to take accountability and follow instructions. Garbage was never removed from the premises and I still do not have my washer and dryer hooked up and have been with out it for 3 weeks. ****** ***** ** **** ********* ****** *** *********
***** ********Business response
13/07/2024
It is unfortunate that this renovation did not go well. I should have known better to take this project on after being told by yourself that you were intending to take a previous contractor to court for damages to your home.
On Saturday, June 22, I had advised you that our painter would be returning to your house to continue his work. On Sunday, June 23, you had messaged me that you would shut off your water heater "if you remembered". Not hearing anything to the contrary, I assumed that you had done so and the painter painted the utility room floor on Monday, June 24. At the end of this day, you informed us that you had not had the time to shut this water heater off. Sorry; but, this was a little late. And you were advised previous to this, it is not our responsibility to tamper with your hot water tank. We concluded our discussion by agreeing that our crew would return to reinstall your washer & dryer the following morning; but, that I felt it would be best that we end our work at this point. You then requested a $2000 refund from your deposit. On Tuesday, June 25, 6:12am, I received an email from you to not return to your property and you wanted a $2600 refund now. At your request, we did not return. On Friday, June 28, you filed a complaint with the BBB and now requesting a $4,000 refund. On Saturday, June 29, you came to my house and threw garbage all over my personal driveway. I messaged you to advise that we have security cameras that captured this and to refrain from doing this or I would have to involve the police. You messaged me back to stop harassing you. I had not spoken to you or messaged you since you advised not to return to your house.
It is standard in our industry to take a deposit. This is to ensure that we receive payment for work done. By not allowing us to return to finish our work and then advising us that you feel harassed if we contact you after you committed a childish move, we have no reason to continue this any further or reimburse any of the deposit paid.
Customer response
21/07/2024
Complaint: ********
I am rejecting this response because:***** failed to provide me an invoice and had me working for him. He did not pay ****** any funds for the flooring as indicated in text messages. ***** has not addressed the inferior workmanship and damages done by his subtrades. He ended our contract verbally on the telephone on June 24 when he said he "didnt like my attitude, didnt have to report to me for going on vacation and "I am done with you". *** **** ******** *** ********* **** * ***** *** ** ********
I was up late on Sunday evening cleaning up after his painter and went to work late two times in the week which effected my pay. He clearly indicates in his response lack of communication by making assumptions, again indicated my frustration in text messages with lack of communication with him. Turning an on/off switch on a hot water tank is not tampering. The amounts changed by the day after assessing new damages each time. I want $******** returned and to file a claim against his insurance company to correct the job and fix damages done to my walls.
***** ********Business response
22/07/2024
You're right! I did not send you a receipt for your deposit. I'll bring this to the attention of our accountant. We will have this sent to you soon.
*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩
BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.
BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.
As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.
Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating
Customer Complaints Summary
1 total complaints in the last 3 years.
1 complaints closed in the last 12 months.