DSR Custom Carpentry

approached me in the fall of 2018 requesting help with renovations at his home in Prince Albert. I explained to *** that I was not interested and that my business did not operate in that capacity any longer. *** asked if I would help, as a friend, and do the work under the table, for cash. I explained that doing it for cash would be of no benefit as that would imply we were to not pay tax on our income and that is not inline with my code of ethics. I explained that wether it was cash or cheque, I would be reporting the income and it would be subject to taxation like any other purchase would be. *** insisted that he would do the majority of the work and that he wanted me there in more of a supervisory role and to "mostly just help with finishing". *** was adamant that I help him as he said he knew my work and was very impressed with who I was as a person, as a business man and as a carpenter.
I reluctantly agreed to help *** and his wife *** as they seemed desperate and we had garnered somewhat of a personal relationship/friendship. They told me, several times, that they wanted me to do a lot of work in their place and that they had connections that would lead to a lot of future work for me but the first and most important task to them, was window replacement. I reminded them that I was not interested in this type of work as it is fraught with difficulties and challenges and that it is not in line with the direction I am taking my business.
After several visits to their home for measurement and product consultation, with my advice, they decided on the window products that were to be ordered. I ordered the windows in person from *** in Saskatoon. When the windows were ready for pick-up, I rented a cargo trailer and personally picked up the windows from *** Saskatoon and delivered directly to the ***'s garage in Prince Albert.
The timing and conditions were less than ideal for window replacement but in December of the same year, the*** insisted that the work begin. The average temperature throughout December 2018 was -12'c with lows of -35'c. Precipitation was higher than usual in that same month with almost daily snowfall and an average humidity rating of 81%.
At first *** and *** were very welcoming and obviously excited to get the work done however it soon became apparent that the work was to be all done by me and that *** would be there in a supporting role. I told them I could hire some experienced help and that would speed the process up dramatically however they were not interested in paying any more than absolutely necessary and "weren't rushed". I was told by the *** several times that time was not a factor, they just wanted me to do it as they knew it would be done right.
Plagued by blizzard like conditions, ill health and family issues, December install did not go as smoothly as anyone would have liked. *** insisted he be home any and every time work was to take place, and we were thus, working around his employment schedule. Generally speaking when it aligned that it was not blizzarding and *** was available and I was available, work would begin around 9am. By 12pm *** would insist we stop for lunch ***. Had I known they were not happy with the timeline and expecting a more professional experience, I would have insisted *** that I hire an experienced helper in order to help complete in a more professional and timely matter. Those concerns were not brought up to me, and I was given nothing but accolades for the work that was completed.
***. ***. Towards the end of this job, I recall a few nasty calls from *** regarding timelines to which I would reply, either "its a blizzard outside currently, what would you like me to do?" *** to which he was always agreeable and amenable to over the phone.
On *** we started work on the most complex window of the job, enlarging an existing window to a new window 3x its size. despite my warnings about weather conditions *** insisted we start. I did a surgical like deconstruction of the existing wall from the inside first, so as to leave as much protection from the elements as possible. The wall assembly was less than typical in that from the inside, it was drywall, 1"styrofoam, drywall, plaster and lath. I accurately and cleanly removed the materials and prepared to move to the outside where I then encountered two layers of stucco as an exterior finish. Again, this is not a typical wall assembly and there is no feasible way to have known what it consisted of without having cut a hole of some sort in the wall. I got the first layer of stucco removed and as the sun set, snow began to fall. The next day was record cold and record snowfall and the *** were baffled as to why I wasn't there to finish cutting the hole in their wall. I explained that the conditions were less than favourable to cut a 4'x4' hole in their wall.
Within a day or two of this event, *** insisted that I collect my tools and not return. His complaint at the time was the timeline was more than they wanted it to be and that I wasn't always there when he wanted me to be. I indicated that I was more than willing to finish the work or at a minimum get the big hole finished, when the snow stopped. He did not want that and insisted that I collect my tools immediately. I tried on several occasions to collect my tools but *** had *** changed the locks to his house and garage where my tools were stored. He then proceeded to play games around the pick up times, arranging a time and not being available at that time. I made 3 visits to their house to collect tools unsuccessfully, waiting there for him more than an hour and a half on one occasion. Finally arrangements were made that *** was able to stick to. I collected most my tools and asked to get the few temporary dust walls from inside the house, *** asked to borrow those for a while as he had another carpenter coming that day to finish the work. I agreed as I only ever intended to help *** and his wife, and this was not a big deal. Days later I drove by and saw that the window was not installed and I reminded *** that I am more than willing to finish installing it. He denied my offer so I asked to collect my dust walls and clamps as it was clear that this work would not be complete soon and that they had no other carpenter hired. I offered again a few days later to get the window in for them and they again denied my request. Approximately a week later *** initiated a text convo with me asking for the warranty papers and a final bill. I explained that ***'s warranty is posted on their website and that they really don't require any papers to have warranty on those windows, but that yes, I was more than willing to provide those documents to her. I wrote their final invoice up, and asked to collect the balance of the invoice, which was basically the taxes, and *** said she would pay it upon receipt of the warranty papers. I told her I would exchange the documentation for the cheque as it would be hard to stand behind a product that was not paid for in full. She assured me that she was nothing but honest and would give me a cheque AFTER she got the papers. At this point it was clear that they were not going to pay the tax ***. Over the next week or two I reminded them of the outstanding balance AND of the fact that I was still willing to install the remaining windows. *** finally responded with a nasty text saying *** what horrible job I had done and how they had no intention of paying. I told him he knew where to find me if he changed his mind or wanted to sort this out like civilized adults. I asked why he would only complain about the work now, and what exact legitimate concerns he had about the work. He did not respond.
I have not heard from the *** again, until this Revdex.com complaint. I truly wonder why they think this is their best recourse when I have offered several times to meet and discuss and/or to finish the work. There is an overdue balance that I have chosen to not pursue as it is hardly worth my time and is apparent they are unable to pay. Again, I am willing to meet to discuss or engage in mediation as they *** deem appropriate.
Regards

You are trying to make points that have little to do with the issue at hand or the resolution proposed.

The details of time involved are clearly outlined in the invoice.

***
Even though you have not indicated any actual workmanship issues, I can understand that you did not get what you want, when you wanted it. That is regrettable but does not entitle you to a refund.

For the detailed orientated people in the convo, lets do the math..

$10,200 + tax = $11.322.00 (pre agreed pricing before any work was done or any materials were purchased, as confirmed by clients statements)

$11,322 - $7200 (window purchase price) = $4122 labour for 6 windows or $687 per window.
Each window requires 4 major phases;
Removal = 25% (of 687 = $171.75)
Installation = 25% (of 687 = $171.75)
Exterior Finish = 25% (of 687 = $171.75)
Interior Finish = 25% (of 687 = $171.75)

window 1 @ 75% complete = $515.25
window 2 @ 75% complete = $515.25
window 3 @ 75% complete = $515.25
window 4 = 0
window 5 = 0
window 6 = 0

Total chargeable labour as agreed, = $1545.75
Total Labour actually charged = $1381.84
Total Labour actually paid = $1000

Please read your invoice, and submit the overdue balance of $381.84 to avoid legal action against you.