Reviews

DO NOT HIRE ** **********!! We were scammed out of almost $30k by him. He had one personal financial problem after another after we paid him a 50% deposit on a small build. He kept requesting additional cash draws from his remaining 50% due at completion of the job due to falling behind in his rent, and his vehicle breaking down permanently so he was unable to to get to the job. He seldom showed up for work, and failed to produce the building permit we asked for several times. We contacted the City, and found out he had never even applied for the permit despite saying 'the City' was dragging their feet by asking him to submit multiple updates to his blueprint. AL GERMANARO knew we took out a home equity loan to fund this build until we could sell our current home, and move into our new space. We needed that build to be 100% handicap accessible due to our age, health & mobility issues. Now he has our money that we have to pay back with nothing to show for it. DO NOT HIRE ** *********!!!

Albert Germanaro is a scammer and, his sole motive is to take a 60% deposit upfront and not complete the job. He has done this to a dozen of customers. He tells his sob stories of how the family is suffering and the customer fall in the trap. At barely 20% of the work completion, he asks for another draw and after he's paid the entire amount he disappears on you. I really pray there is some course of action that can be taken here. I feel really bad for the 4 kids he is raising. what kind of future is he going to offer to them. Any advice anyone can give on how to get them punished will be very much appreciated. PLESE DO NOT HIRE HIM> PLEASE CHECK THE BACKGROUND BEFORE YOU HIRE HIM. We have paid him over $10,000 and have not got more then 30% of the work done as yet.

I hired this builder (AL Germanaro) to assess and possibly do some repair work to an existing deck my husband had built and is now deceased. After much discussion, AL told me repairs could be done (versus a whole new deck) and he provided a quote for repairs. He was recommended by a neighbor who was happy with his work. I then provided a check to secure a place on his schedule. The demo work (removal of some rotting boards/steps) went ok, then materials were ordered. It seemed like a good working relationship with good communication to that point. When materials were ordered, he got me on a 3 way phone call to pay via my credit card for materials. I trusted him and realize now this isn't standard but I felt sorry for his predicament as he was in the middle of a house move and in a financial bind. Then before deck was even half done he requested cash payment for a draw as he was moving and waiting two weeks for check to clear was going to cause issues for him--which I did. Then, deck repairs were completed per AL and paid all but $150 as it wasnt properly finished) there were quite a few quality issues and one safety issue found with inspection pictures were taken and sent to Al. On last contact, made all kinds of excuses and then tried to upsell more work and charges. Finally he promised to return to correct issues within the following month. Despite many text messages, a reminder that work was under warranty and phone calls and a few of his promises over many months--he never came. I feel he kept promising he would come until the 1 year warranty ran out. I then sent a letter by registered mail requesting resolution--and I have not heard back from him. So disappointed. I now have to hire someone new and pay for this builders mistakes. Communication was ok until he had all but $150 of about 9K of his money for the job. I regret making final payment corrections completed -and regret not getting 3 bids from more local reputable builders.