Around to It Home Improvement and Restorations, Inc.

Mr. [redacted] severely damaged a mortise lockset requiring replacement costing $305; that and associated damage/repairs total $585. He refuses to pay. 3/23/16: Improper installation of a mortise lockset damaged my crafted wood door so that it could not be locked/unlocked from outside; interior trim plate was installed at an angle. Mr. [redacted] (DP) insisted he used the same bore hole as the original in spite of my protests to the contrary. 3/26/16: Another handyman found that a second unnecessary hole had been drilled into the door; I paid $15 for that repair. 3/30/16: DP returned to repair the damage; I twice advised him to stop the installation if he had any problems. When finished, I paid him $158 for the lock installation plus a light fixture successfully repaired by his partner. The door hardware initially appeared satisfactory from the inside; I inspected the exterior as they departed - the exterior trim plate was badly and irreparably scratched and the lock cylinder was mutilated beyond repair with the edges chewed up from the improper use of some tool - the cylinder is designed to slip in without force. Closer inspection revealed a gouge on the interior painted door frame where DP had replaced the middle door hinge. I immediately tried to cancel the check but DP beat me to the bank; I immediately called him to report my extreme dissatisfaction with his poor workmanship and extensive damage to the hardware. The hardware felt loose and still could not be operated from outside. He offered to try to polish out some of the scratches, but the cuts were deep and the damaged parts had to be replaced. DP agreed that he caused the damaged and would pay me for it. 4/2/16: Experienced locksmith evaluated the damage and took photos. Lock had been installed with improper tools that damaged the trim plate and edge of the cylinder. Charge for diagnostic visit was $50; estimate for expert reinstallation was $100. 4/6/16: Sent DP an invoice from Cape Cod Brass for $305.25 for replacement hardware. Locksmith's estimates were forwarded to DP via e-mail. DP may have wanted to install the new hardware himself; I rejected that option as he twice clearly demonstrated he did not have that capability and I could not risk further damage and expenses. I offered DP the opportunity to work off some of the debt by performing other basic repairs for me (deck repairs, etc.). He rejected that offer. 4/10/16: Sent e-mail request to DP requesting an itemized invoice for the $158 charged for work done 3/30 so that I could deduct the portion paid for the door debacle; offer to have him perform other tasks to pay toward the debt was repeated. No response to this or future correspondence have been received from DP. 4/18/16: Initiated complaint with [redacted] (**). 5/3/16: [redacted] (BR) of ** attempted to call and e-mail DP before suspending his advertising. 5/3/16: I sent regular and certified mail to DP at [redacted] Rd., 27511, seeking reimbursement; regular mail not returned; certified mail unclaimed. 5/4/16: BR's efforts to reach DP failed; he provided an alternate address for DP on Chapel Hill Rd. Regular and certified mail were sent to that address as well; mail was returned as undeliverable. 5/7/16: Locksmith replaced damaged hardware for $100; removal of hardware required a drill that should not have been necessary. Other than improper use of tools, a major cause of the problem was improper application of a thread sealant that should not have been used. Photos and statement from locksmith are available. 5/13/16: ** suspended DP's advertising. 5/28/16: DP attempted to have ** advertising voluntarily withdrawn. As it was already suspended due to this issue, advertising cannot be reinstated until the problem is resolved. 6/8/16: Filed complaint with Revdex.com before proceeding to small claims court. NOTE: DP acknowledged and agreed to pay for the damages he cause to the door lockset hardware and informed ** that he wished to resolve the problem. These costs should be covered by the One Year Craftsman Guarantee that DP advertises on his business cards. Photos and other invoices/documents available.Desired SettlementReimbursement for: Replacement door/lock hardware from Cape Cod Brass = $305.25; Charge by locksmith to diagnose damage and determine necessary replacement parts = $50; Installation of replacement hardware by experienced locksmith = $100; Reimbursement for overpayment of substandard work performed by DP on March 30 that resulted in substantial property damage = $100; Correct installation/straightening of interior trim plate where unnecessary hole was drilled into expensive wooden door = $15; Repair (patch/paint) door frame where gouge was made near middle door hinge = $15. TOTAL = $585.25