Crouch's Home Improvement

September 15, 2014Attention: [redacted] I am responding to a complaint by [redacted] a neighbor and a person who I thought was a friend for over yearsI have done small odd jobs including painting for [redacted] and her family as a friend and neighborIn June *** asked me to help her get a rental property ready for occupancy which I did at a Family /friend price of 1000.00On or about August 18th I attended a Birthday party where [redacted] was a guest and I avoided personal contact of any kind which obviously annoyed her causing her to react by filing a complaint on august with Revdex.com containing untrue facts and statements approximately 1/months later after the job was completed.Incident [redacted] and I (without down payment to me) visited [redacted] where she purchased gallons of eggshell white [redacted] paint with a primer, High Gloss White for doors, door frames and molding also worth of prepping material (tape, Paint appEtc.) that I needed which would be deducted from my paymentThese materials would be used to paint and prepBedrooms, Bathrooms, Living Room, kitchen, Laundry Room, Basement/Family Room and Hallways and “I didn’t have to paint the Ceilings because they hand a stucco finish that she stated she didn’t want painted”I began the work by removing wall plates, vent covers etc that could get paint drippings on them also putting drop cloths and plastic to protect floors and wooden base boards and cabinets where there could be a paint spillPlease find attached pictures attesting to this, pointing out her claims and showing clearly that areas were prepped and covered because I take pride in my work and final results (2)I pointed out small areas of dropped and smeared paint on base boards and light fixtures from previous painting to [redacted] some areas such as quarter round molding that was stained wood in appearance she asked me to paint over in the high gloss paint which was not included in our original agreement so [redacted] was aware that this paint she speaks of was already thereIt would be very careless and hard to get paint on light fixtures ect when you’re not painting ceilingsFollowing completion of second floor (bedrooms, bedroom doors, closet doors hallway and bathrooms) [redacted] having checked/observed my work gave me a as partial payment at this point she was satisfied with work doneWe discussed the fact that I would need additional paint to complete the job where upon she stated she didn’t have the money to purchase more paint and she has to pay two mortgagees now and is not sure when she might get another renter [redacted] had some other eggshell paint that was probably previously used in her basement that she wanted to useI explained to her that it was a different brand and different aged and would not match the [redacted] paint but she insisted that we mix the two paintsI did so against my better judgment and personal experience with paint but I didn’t mix it all perceiving that it wouldn’t be a perfect match I was being paid to paint the walls so I had no argument with what she wanted done with mixing the paint (she is paying)She was present when I began to use the mixed paint and I pointed out that the two paints did not match in color/shadeHer response was it will be ok when it driesThe next day I called her and stated that the areas where the mixed paint was applied would have to be repainted because it did not matchSo I used the paint I had saved and painted over the areas where the mixed paint was applied (I didn’t charge extra for the repainting of these areas) but we would need more paintI suggested that the mixed paint be used in the first floor bathroom and the basement laundry room and the bathroom in the basement, she agreedI offered to go and get the [redacted] paint we would need to complete the job to ensure that it was a perfect match and prevent repainting again “she said no I would get it, I know how to buy paint!” I used the paint she bought and realized that again something was different about the paint when it driedLater finding out that to save money she bought the same paint without the primer in it which the original [redacted] containedShe requested that I repaint this area which I refused to do as it constituted another paint job at my time expense and labor caused by her refusing to listen to me a person that has a little more experience and skills than her in this areaI finished the last area with two different shades in the basement from that paint she boughtThere were areas I did final touch ups with this paintI called her told her I’m finished and that there were areas where that paint was applied that she bought that didn’t match and I’m done, exhausted from (3)The paint games to save a few bucks, instead of getting me what I needed to complete the job right especially when I gave her such a family /neighbor price thereby saving her thousands of dollars to complete a job that size [redacted] stated that she had to go check the final work done before bringing me the balance of due at the finish of work agreed upon at her rental propertyI returned her rental property keys paint pan and two brushes that she requested [redacted] asked me if I would return and finish grouting I told her I would think about itI got my money and have not spoken to her since, I felt she abuse our friendshipTile IncidentWhile painting the kitchen [redacted] asked me if knew how to replace tiles in the kitchen which were damaged and I told her yesShe stated that she wanted to be there when I removed the tile seemly to supervise me which I felt was an insult but I did it anyway out of friendshipWhen I replaced the tiles I asked [redacted] if she had some black grout needed to complete the installing of those tilesShe gave me some old lumpy rock like grout I told her I couldn’t use this because of it texture and it was hard from the dampness in the basement she then wanted me to break it up with a hammer and reuse itI told her that I would need new workable grout which I never received especially when I removed and replaced the four tiles out of friendship to help her get her property ready for rent because I knew she was in a bind paying two mortgagesMicro Managing [redacted] constantly refused to accept my advice and constantly tried to use inferior or useless materials, requesting that I do things that we had not discussed [redacted] wanted to use the friendship card to control my work and tell me how to do the job [redacted] didn’t understand about colors and mixing paint to achieve a desired colorI am very proud of the work I do [redacted] needs to be willing to listen to those who have had some experience whether they are handyman, neighbors or others.Sincerely,Eric *C***

September 15, 2014Attention: *** *** ***
I am responding to a complaint by *** *** a neighbor and a person who I thought was a friend for over yearsI have done small odd jobs including painting for *** and her family as a friend and neighborIn June ***
asked me to help her get a rental property ready for occupancy which I did at a Family /friend price of 1000.00On or about August 18th I attended a Birthday party where *** was a guest and I avoided personal contact of any kind which obviously annoyed her causing her to react by filing a complaint on august with Revdex.com containing untrue facts and statements approximately 1/months later after the job was completed.Incident*** *** and I (without down payment to me) visited *** *** where she purchased gallons of eggshell white *** paint with a primer, High Gloss White for doors, door frames and molding also worth of prepping material (tape, Paint appEtc.) that I needed which would be deducted from my paymentThese materials would be used to paint and prepBedrooms, Bathrooms, Living Room, kitchen, Laundry Room, Basement/Family Room and Hallways and “I didn’t have to paint the Ceilings because they hand a stucco finish that she stated she didn’t want painted”I began the work by removing wall plates, vent covers etc that could get paint drippings on them also putting drop cloths and plastic to protect floors and wooden base boards and cabinets where there could be a paint spillPlease find attached pictures attesting to this, pointing out her claims and showing clearly that areas were prepped and covered because I take pride in my work and final results (2)I pointed out small areas of dropped and smeared paint on base boards and light fixtures from previous painting to *** some areas such as quarter round molding that was stained wood in appearance she asked me to paint over in the high gloss paint which was not included in our original agreement so *** *** was aware that this paint she speaks of was already thereIt would be very careless and hard to get paint on light fixtures ect when you’re not painting ceilingsFollowing completion of second floor (bedrooms, bedroom doors, closet doors hallway and bathrooms) *** *** having checked/observed my work gave me a as partial payment at this point she was satisfied with work doneWe discussed the fact that I would need additional paint to complete the job where upon she stated she didn’t have the money to purchase more paint and she has to pay two mortgagees now and is not sure when she might get another renter*** *** had some other eggshell paint that was probably previously used in her basement that she wanted to useI explained to her that it was a different brand and different aged and would not match the *** paint but she insisted that we mix the two paintsI did so against my better judgment and personal experience with paint but I didn’t mix it all perceiving that it wouldn’t be a perfect match I was being paid to paint the walls so I had no argument with what she wanted done with mixing the paint (she is paying)She was present when I began to use the mixed paint and I pointed out that the two paints did not match in color/shadeHer response was it will be ok when it driesThe next day I called her and stated that the areas where the mixed paint was applied would have to be repainted because it did not matchSo I used the paint I had saved and painted over the areas where the mixed paint was applied (I didn’t charge extra for the repainting of these areas) but we would need more paintI suggested that the mixed paint be used in the first floor bathroom and the basement laundry room and the bathroom in the basement, she agreedI offered to go and get the *** paint we would need to complete the job to ensure that it was a perfect match and prevent repainting again “she said no I would get it, I know how to buy paint!”
I used the paint she bought and realized that again something was different about the paint when it driedLater finding out that to save money she bought the same paint without the primer in it which the original *** containedShe requested that I repaint this area which I refused to do as it constituted another paint job at my time expense and labor caused by her refusing to listen to me a person that has a little more experience and skills than her in this areaI finished the last area with two different shades in the basement from that paint she boughtThere were areas I did final touch ups with this paintI called her told her I’m finished and that there were areas where that paint was applied that she bought that didn’t match and I’m done, exhausted from
(3)The paint games to save a few bucks, instead of getting me what I needed to complete the job right especially when I gave her such a family /neighbor price thereby saving her thousands of dollars to complete a job that size*** *** stated that she had to go check the final work done before bringing me the balance of due at the finish of work agreed upon at her rental propertyI returned her rental property keys paint pan and two brushes that she requested*** asked me if I would return and finish grouting I told her I would think about itI got my money and have not spoken to her since, I felt she abuse our friendshipTile IncidentWhile painting the kitchen *** asked me if knew how to replace tiles in the kitchen which were damaged and I told her yesShe stated that she wanted to be there when I removed the tile seemly to supervise me which I felt was an insult but I did it anyway out of friendshipWhen I replaced the tiles I asked *** if she had some black grout needed to complete the installing of those tilesShe gave me some old lumpy rock like grout I told her I couldn’t use this because of it texture and it was hard from the dampness in the basement she then wanted me to break it up with a hammer and reuse itI told her that I would need new workable grout which I never received especially when I removed and replaced the four tiles out of friendship to help her get her property ready for rent because I knew she was in a bind paying two mortgagesMicro Managing*** *** constantly refused to accept my advice and constantly tried to use inferior or useless materials, requesting that I do things that we had not discussed*** wanted to use the friendship card to control my work and tell me how to do the job*** didn’t understand about colors and mixing paint to achieve a desired colorI am very proud of the work I do*** needs to be willing to listen to those who have had some experience whether they are handyman, neighbors or others.Sincerely,Eric *C***

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:
*** ***,
Some of the things addressed in MrCrouch's response was not in the complaint and are not trueThe gentleman who finished the work on my property can attest to that. So I guess I have to address his comments...
I don't know how MrCrouch defines friendship, we grew up in the same neighborhood, but were never close friends. I don't know what friendship has to do with the complaint I sent to your company. I don't have any problems separating friendship from business...business is businessThe mistake made was to give him the jobbecause I knew he was looking for workHe wanted to know what the other estimates were so he could make the lowest bidFamily & friends can be your worst enemy when it comes to business
As far as August 18th, I purposely sat in a corner on the deck to keep my distanceWhen I was told he was invited I was going to leave but was asked to stayMrCouch made a point of squeezing in beside me to take a picture...some of the guests close to me witnessed that and not the obvious one which was the honoreeSome of the guest were wondering why he did thatIt was a large deck and plenty of room to take the picture from a different angle. Knowing that this was a sore the subject w/both of us, when asked about my property at the party I immediately changed the subject or said it was fineThen MrCouch came over to hand out his business cards which was distasteful, it was a party, no one asked for his card. He tried to give one to the gentleman sitting next to me (who was a professional contractor), who wouldn't take itI felt as if he was trying to provoke me. Giving his business card to the person sitting right next to me...reallyThat wasn't avoidance it was in my face
MrCrouch did not get a down payment because he did not require oneI met him at *** *** to get the supplies he needed to do the jobHe also asked me if I would purchase a couple of things he wanted...not needed to do the job and asked me to deduct it from his payment.
In the initial complaint, I said he did not prep ALL the areas and he didn'tI stand by that...he tried using a sprayer and got paint all over the mini blind & pole in one of the bedrooms. In the other one he got paint on the ends of the mini black blindHe could have easily removed the blinds from the windows but he didn'tHe did not paint the doors upstairs, if he did I wouldn't have had to wash themThe laundry room was not completed he painted half the roomHe didn't paint behind the toilets saying he couldn't reach itWell if he was so professional he should have had the proper tools or asked me for it. Then he assumed he was to keep the brushes & trays...not. There was no way I was going to pay for painting equipment/supplies again.
When I gave him half of the money I wasn't fully satisfied, however I thought he would clean up at the end and I wouldn't have to say anything ieclean the paint on the different items such as the bathroom vanity, toilet seat cover, light bulbs & fixtures, etcThe ceilings in the bathroom are not stucco so that is how he dropped paint in on the items stated above
When I took him the final payment I asked him about finishing the floor tiles...he said "give me a couple of days to calm down" who does that; where was his professionalism. He never called...nor did I call him, because it is difficult to have a conversation with himHe only hears himself.
The paint issue is his main focus...I made a mistake, I own it and hold myself accountableThat is NOT what my complaint referenced. I thought it was small specs of white paint on the kitchen floor, so I used the liquid goof (about the size of a dime) on a small rag to see if it would come up it didn'tMrCrouch came behind me and sprayed several tiles w/goof offIt ruined my tiles, he was told they weren't ceramic but DuraCeramicHe said he didn't hear it, so his response was he didn't like it, ceramic was betterHe just didn't know anything about that type of flooringEveryone knows you do a test on a small area before doing something drastic, so he created that job for himself! He also asked me why would I pay someone else to do my electrical work he wanted that job tooI told him I have a home warranty a licensed contractor would come out to handle that work
The picture of the living room MrCrouch sent was of his best work on this job; the picture of the kitchen conveniently does not show the tiles or the other problem areas
I have been upset or as he said annoyed about my property since July. I just didn't know how to address my dissatisfaction but I knew I was going to do something (small claims court, however I knew that would be a waste of time, I know he was strapped for money), but when MrCrouch passed out the his business cards it hit me Revdex.comI knew this complaint would be there for anyone/everyone else who researches your site for a handyman/contractor to seeI did not want to get into all of the pettiness with my complaint because I knew MrCrouch wouldn't hold himself accountable for anythingHe is a jack of all trades and could be a master of some if pursued the proper training...however people that know it all are hard to teach.
If he gets someone to respond to this message for him, I will not reply unless you tell me I have to...this could go on forever and it would be a useless and a waste of my time & yoursAs stated in my intial request I'm not looking for any monetary settlement from someone with limited financial resources, I'm fine with thatThis complaint satisfies me and hopefully helps others. Thank you for your assitance w/this issueLet me know if there is anything esle you need from me
Quesion - I have attached the business card this time (tried the first but had an issue attaching) can it be added to the intial complaint?
Satisfied,
*** ** ***
"Difficulties are opportunities for inner growth."
Regards,
*** ***