ComplaintsforEvans Handyman Service

• Initial Complaint

  04/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We hired Evans Handyman Service to find and repair a leak in our home. We received a two quotes. One to first cut a hole in the upstairs closet wall to search for the leak and do repairs as well as repair a pipe in the basement that was corroded. If none found, we received a second quote for additional cuts on the main level (total cost). We found this fair and proceeded with his services. ***** (contractor) did not follow suit. He cut a hole on the main level (not upstairs as mentioned), found a leak, and mentioned he wanted to keep cutting holes to investigate more. We told him to repair the leak he found as we did not want further investigation of our entire pipe system for multiple reasons. ***** continued to spend the day cutting holes, a total of six without approval. ***** stopped by later that evening with a **** for $270.00 for six hours of labor (cutting holes). He did not work for six hours. We told ***** we would pay him the hours worked thus far, 3 hours, (though an hourly rate was never discussed) and would send a money order to his business. He became furious and proceeded to threaten us via multiple texts. The threats were to a) take us to court b) stop by the house in the evening demanding money and c) continue to show up at our house twice a day to ensure we did not hire anyone else. Based on this, we chose not to have ***** continue working in our home out of pure fear. We are sending the money order in full amount as we are afraid of his repercussions.

  Business response

  05/09/2022

  Re: Complaint ID ********; ***** ******
  Attn: Dispute Resolution Team
  The saying is “The Customer Is Always Right”. This Is Definitely NOT THE CASE With Subject Complaint.
  I was contacted Fri 4/1/22 by *** ****** to discuss a leak at his house ***** ********* *** **** ********* ** ****** It was agreed I’d visit same day to review. I was advised ***** ****** & her parents would be present but not himself.
  The visit findings/direction from ***** ****** were –
  I was shown the Basmt where water was trickling/dripping from overhead (just left of washer/dryer). I was asked if piping in vicinity of hot & cold water T-fittings (at Basmt overhead) was the cause – I responded “No, as I could see the water coming thru the floor penetration of the hot & cold risers off top of the T-fittings”. I did notice quite severe corrosion of a gas pipe under the overhead water piping & told ***** ****** & her Father of such concern - corrosion caused by the leaking water contacting the gas pipe it would seem for quite some time.
  I was informed of a water piping leak found during home inspection at their home purchase timeframe. Apparently, the leak was at piping in wall for 2nd Flr Hall Bathrm – that wall corresponds to a Bedrm closet. I was shown the vicinity. Apparently, a water piping repair was performed at such location before home purchase conclusion. Related to that leak I was informed 1st Flr Pantry wall was opened up also. ***** ****** apparently had remembered the 2nd & 1st Flr wall repairs required. The Pantry is located in general vicinity under the Bathrm.
  I was requested by *** ****** although he acknowledged it was difficult to know cost to make the latter leak repair (I observed 4/1) to provide a best estimate understanding that there were a lot of factors in play. This was given as 2 scenarios 4/2 –
  If leak found in Bedrm closet wall (corresponds with Bathrm) & an access panel provided vs repairing any drywall removed cost would be $325.
  If a 2nd access panel provided in Pantry wall to make the repair total cost would be $477.
  It was agreed I would commence the work Mon 4/4. Initially on 4/4 I reviewed the Bedrm closet/corresponding Bathrm wall, & Pantry/other sides of same walls which had since been cleared of Owners personal items & food to see if I could see any water damage – None Was Seen. Based on such I then determined due diligence was necessary to try find where a leak maybe originating from – I measured where the leak was appearing at Basmt overhead based on 2 perimeter exterior walls, this measurement process was then replicated at 1st & 2nd Flrs to indicate where the water risers may be. Via this due diligence it was determined those risers were actually in a ‘wing wall’ – that being between the Dining area & what I would describe as formal Living Rm. That ‘wing wall’ is BEHIND the Pantry. It was also determined for those risers to get into Bedrm closet wall (behind Bathrm) an offset 1 to 2 ft in the piping would occur in ceiling over Living Rm.
  No water damage was seen in Living Rm ceiling so that ruled out any leak from 2nd Flr or the piping offsets. The measurements were verified 2 – 3 times prior to any decision on where best to open up a wall(s). Each time I arrived at the same conclusion. The process taken was described to ***** ****** so agreement could be made as to where I should open up wall(s). My conclusion was fully acknowledged.
  So, the ‘wing wall’ was opened up in strategic locations (at bottom, top & center) & risers were exactly there. At each opening before proceeding to the next the risers were reviewed & my hand was used to feel piping as far as hand could reach into wall. Various moisture issues were found on the piping, damage to the risers elsewhere (dents) & included potential pin-holes in process, quite considerable wetness at base of wall on top of lumber bottom plate. As these discoveries were different from the 2 pricing options given prior it was decided best approach for Home Owner & myself would be to stop my work so discussion how to proceed could occur. I had offered to provide a revised cost dealing with those risers in ‘wing wall’ & to meet later that evening when *** ****** would be home from work. I attempted to visit later in day for a short visit/discussion But Home Owners Could Not Accommodate. In lieu of a meeting a tel conv occurred morning of 4/5 between *** ****** at his work place, & myself. I was advised to try repair any actual leak I had found & close-up wall. They would then contact me on any future leak repair needs.
  I visited 4/5 & was presented with question from ***** ******, this being –
  How is it that water puddling on Basmt flr is not as severe as prior to my work starting. I could not give a definitive answer. My initial thought was perhaps as 1st Flr ‘wing wall’ had been opened up that just perhaps any leakage in such wall was evaporating as air flow was now being allowed to flow thru wall. I explained such to her & to rule out any worse leakage point within wall I suggest I open up same wall further – she agreed & this was done, & no other actual leak was found. However maybe other more general concern riser condition(s) seen. So, to actually proceed to repair any obvious leak was not feasible. It was decided as I was asked to vacate house approx mid-afternoon so ***** ****** could pick up son at pre-school I’d seal off wall openings to try replicate a closed wall condition & thus eliminate air flow thru wall which might be allowing evaporation of moisture. This sealing was performed using clear plastic & mask tape totally around each piece. It was agreed I’d visit later in day when *** ****** was home from work to review/discuss a potential revised way forward. I also discussed with ***** ****** as scope of work was changing that I be provided with a payment later that day for work done to date & then a revised cost would be discussed – she was receptive of that.
  Again, an attempt to visit in evening was made despite I understood *** ****** would not be home. I found he was in fact home & I was ‘greeted’ outside house & told access into home not possible. I presented an Inv produced for $270 & such detailed work done so far. *** ****** said he needed to return inside house to discuss the Inv with his wife. He came back outside & said she did not want to pay based on progress to date – that was described as just cutting several holes in walls. I told him scope needed to change & I could be back next morning to proceed with an agreed approach. He did not want to discuss anything more at that time. I asked for direction to be given in AM on 4/6 & that the Inv to date be honored/paid. No contact was made to me in the AM & so I proceeded to contact *** ****** at his work. I was told they needed more time to decide how to proceed with the repairs & the present Inv would be paid the following wk. That (especially the payment) I could not agree to & indicated as such. I felt they were avoiding making any payment & I could not afford to let this situation linger. To confirm my other thought that they would proceed with using another Contractor I said I would in fact drive by house rest of wk to see if they were misleading me – this I did not actually proceed to do after thinking thru/calming down from denial of payment for the minimal $270.
  Further, regarding the hazardous gas piping condition I had noted in original options once water leak had been resolved that the gas pipe corrosion would be considered/cost given. I never said I would do such work in same water leak repair costs provided.
  
  Details of this overall situation could continue, however I have tried to give the basics in this letter. I will not devote more time to this what I consider to be ‘inexperienced /maybe 1st time Home Owners” who have a total lack of understanding for certain type repairs. I reiterate the very obvious corroded gas line in Basemt – it took me to explain what that pipe was! 1 would only have to follow the pipe to the furnace & water heater close by to make an ‘educated guess”.
  For sure I consider No Refund is due. I diligently established vicinity of leakage source for a next Contractor. I also avoided opening up walls in unnecessary locations only to be repaired.
  
  Evans Handyman Service
  ***** *****
  

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