Feiner Construction

Review: Contractor was hired to do bathroom remodel for $3,000. He was to install a tile shower and floor, two toilets, shower faucet, two ceiling fans, small home filtration system, shut off value for main bath, replace vanity sink drain, etc. (We purchased most of the materials.) Contractor without our knowledge or consent attempted a joist extension to the south wall of the bathroom, which subsequently failed under the weight of the tile shower and floor due to lack of sufficient vertical support. Installer also failed to install the tile upon a backer board which resulted in the floor tiles lifting and the grout cracking. Installer also used improper tiling techniques in the floor and shower installation which has resulted in crooked grout lines (did not use spacers), lippage (tiles not set adjacent to each other), air pockets, areas of high and low grout, indentations, missing grout and cracking grout. Installer also applied wrong sealer to shower tile, resulting in numerous drip lines. Installer also failed to clean shower tiles before applying sealant (he attempted to seal tile three months after the initial installation) which resulted in dust, debris and grout particles being entrapped in sealant. Installer’s carpentry work was also improperly done in that side panel to vanity was improperly cut causing it to protrude beyond the vanity’s frame; door trim pieces were improperly cut resulting in misalignment and gaps, and there is a nail protruding from ceiling trim. Plumbing work has had to be redone or still need to be redone. Plumber failed to install toilet stack of sufficient height to allow for additional layer of plywood subfloor, backer board and tile. Plumber failed to bring to homeowner’s attention the fact that there were duct taped pipes. Plumber failed to properly secure flexible lines to toilet and sink. Toilet stack was also unsecured (toilet stack was only held in place by subflooring around flange). Shut off valves in master bathroom are leaking once again. Project generally reflects a lack of proper workmanship. Billing practices are also highly questionable. Failed to issue a quote before work commenced even after stating he would provide one. Then presents homeowner with a two part final invoice on 2-18-15. First part presented in person for the exact amount originally contracted for of $3,000. It showed “Draw 1 of 2" on it which was immediately questioned. Contractor stated he was awaiting plumber’s bill (all plumbing charges with the exception of the installing the faucet and shut off valve (add-ons) should have been included in the original $3,000). I was expecting there to be some additional charge for the additional plumbing items we added so this seemed reasonable and I paid him. Two hours later via email I received the second half of the final invoice showing a total due of $5,775.90 (almost double the original amount). There is no breakdown of services, no cost of materials, no explanation under “Fix Plumbing Issues”, just a lump sum total. Five days after presenting the homeowner with this two part final invoice Feiner Construction then decides to issue a quote dated 2-21-15 for a project that started on 2-10-15 and ended on 2-16-15. However, the price is now $5,775.90 (disputed charge) and my final invoice payment is now nothing more than a pre-installment payment. I have contacted Feiner Construction via numerous emails and five demand letters. In the six months since the initial installation only the floor has been repaired by Feiner Construction. I personally have incurred expenses in preparing that floor so that it could be redone for which I still need reimbursement. In my demand letter dated June 1 I advised Feiner Construction that the floor had been repaired via his subcontractor and that the toilet and vanity needed to be installed. To date those items remain uninstalled. The shower has never been used to date due to continuing installation problems and should be redone. My demand letters dated June 1, June 12 and July 1 with regard to the improper shower installation have remained unanswered.Desired Settlement: For Feiner Construction to finish the job by paying for all repairs required to be done in order to have this project properly completed (i.e. reinstalling the toilet, vanity, vanity plumbing, vanity tile, etc.) This would also include having the shower installation redone for the following reasons: (1) It should be redone so that we can complete the joist extension along that south wall joist under the shower area. [redacted] can then attempt to bring that shower area up to level with the rest of the bathroom. If that should prove not to be possible, he can then at a minimum guarantee that it will not sink any further in that south corner. By completing that joist extension the floor and wall in that area will also become structurally sound. As it currently stands I am left with a section of that south wall that has no proper vertical and horizontal support. (2) Given the improper grouting techniques utilized by Feiner’s installer, trying to remove the sealant completely from the grout will be difficult due to the unevenness, indentations and pockets. (3) Trying to reseal the grout and clean the grout will also be affected by Feiner’s installer’s lack of proper grouting techniques. (4) There are crooked tiles. (5) The grout is already starting to crack along the bullnose tile because the installer set the grout lines too wide. (6) The grout on the north wall is cracking. (7) the south wall is bowed for some reason. (8) There are lippage issues with the shower tile. (9) We would forego the necessity and time expenditure of bringing someone in to try and remove the improper sealant, which may or may not be successful depending on which product is used and how successful they will be trying to remove it from the indentations and pockets. There also would be no need to worry about any subsequent damage to the septic system.



Since Feiner agreed to hire [redacted] to reinstall the tile floor, Feiner would be held responsible for paying for [redacted] to install the backer board, floor tile and bullnose tile around edge of floor and vanity. Feiner should also pay for the charges of [redacted] to fix toilet flange/stack, affix plumbing to joists, affix the flexible lines, install toilet and sink, etc. and also [redacted]’ charges to remove Feiner Construction’s improperly done joist extension to the south wall joist, affix a proper joist extension and reinstall new subfloors. Feiner Construction should be held liable for [redacted]’s charges to redo the shower installation (i.e. pay for tear down and the reinstallation of the durock, tile/shelves and any other resulting costs pertaining to same (i.e. cost of plumber to remove shower fixtures, removal and reinstallation shower doors and frame, [redacted]’ charges to complete joist extension repair, etc.) In short, Feiner will be liable for all repairs necessary to finish this project as originally planned, including extension of the south joist, and any other unforeseen problems associated with Feiner’s or his subcontractors’ work.

Also we would not be held liable for any charges above the original $3,000 estimate for which we already paid Feiner Construction $3,000 on February 18. Since Feiner has failed repeatedly to provide itemized statements reflecting a detailed breakdown of all labor and materials charges as requested in my demand letters of April 30, May 23 and June 1 and June 12 and prior emails, their additional labor/material charges of $2,775.90 as submitted in the second half of the Final Invoice/Quote which are in dispute will not be paid as they are unsubstantiated and were unauthorized.

We are also demanding that Feiner reimburse us for the cost of [redacted]’s repairs in the sum of $313.38, and for reimbursement for the carpenter’s services in the amount of $287.43.

If he is not agreeable to the above, we would like the full $3,000.00 payment refunded and to not be held accountable for the disputed charges of $2,775.90.

We would like signed lien waivers as well.