H-I Contractor

We had a fabulous experience with Jose!! He was always professional and curteous! He advised us on any issues and offered suggestions for repair and was not out to get the most money possible! He did amazing work and is extremely clean!! We couldn't be happier and we will be calling on Jose again for future projects!!

Review: Remodel job almost completely paid for but far from complete. The last check (each check paid in advance and after each step in the job) for $2,000.00 was taken for continued service, then the contractor failed to return for 2 days (Thurs/Fri).

Since last payment, the contractor has only come by once to drop a couple minor things off and did 2 half days of work (as most of them were if showed up at all).

Many parts of the remodel have been started with not any one of them finished i.e. floor tile, [redacted], sheetrock tap/sanded, trim, molding, etc.

Some installs have even been done incorrectly (wrong location) or tiles way off level, without being fixed and even sealed my attic door and left me with no access.

With his shoddy craftsmanship and repairs needed to be done and still complete the project, this has gone way over budget and time.

This job was fluffed with being complete in 5 weeks, he showed up less than half that time (tracked and documented). He said we'd be without a shower for a week and ended up 6 weeks.

Now it's over 8 weeks and he quit, having gotten the most of the money out of me and not much more profit for him to finish.

Even most of the waynecoat nails need to be tapped in as well as flaws in the sheetrock and tile not level, not to mention the door saddles won't fit now because they weren't put down the same time as the tile like they should've been (according to everyone talked to construction savvy)

Wow, what a welcome home from doing 25 years in the military to find this kind of people out there. So sad for how things are.Desired Settlement: At a minimum I would like the last check returned.

Estimated repairs and completion have been quoted (and documented) at $7,700.00

Business

Response:

In response to Mr. [redacted] complaint, this job had a completion date of 5 weeks, and unfortunately the project did fall behind by 14 days due to the fact that our plumber needed to complete other projects already started. This project was also delayed due to the extreme weather conditions we had this winter as well.

What Mr. [redacted] has failed to write on his complaint, is the fact that I was forced to quit and walk out his project due to Mr. [redacted] unrealizable,and impossible Character. What Mr. [redacted] has also failed to mention in his complaint is the fact that he was very well compensated for these delays, not to mention the fact the his decision to change the layout during construction of this project also delayed the completion by an additional 7 days. This was a project in which started with a planned layout of his master and hall bathrooms and turned into a build as we go project due to Mr. [redacted] unwillingness to compromise to minor issue's I. e. plumbing lines, waist lines, framing for new medicine cabinets mirror. What Mr. [redacted] also failed to mention on his complaint was the fact that Upon completion of all rough framing, plumbing and electrical work, Mr. [redacted] was not happy with the way the plumbing lines were installed. The plumber installed the new vent line in the wall where the shower diverter to the master shower would be located. The existing length of the shower base was framed out at 63 inches which exceeded standard length of 60 inches. We explained to Mr. [redacted] that what we were going to do is build out the shower diverter wall by 1 1/2 inches in order to accommodate the shower diver system, and in doing this he is going to loose 3 inches of the length to the shower base which would bring the length of the shower base down to 60 inches (standard length). In speaking with Mr. [redacted] he expressed his disappointment to loosing the 3 inches from the length of the shower base, and since he did not want the diverter wall build out, he decided that he needed to completely change the entire layout of the master bath due to him loosing 3 inches on the length of the shower base. Again what Mr. [redacted] has failed to mention on his complaint is the fact that changing the layout of the master bath caused an enormous cost in change orders (i.e. reframing for new shower location, cutting all newly installed plumbing lines and waist line to vanity sinks, toilets and installing to new layout location, relocating all newly run electrical wiring and boxes and exhaust vents to new layout location) the additional cost for these changes ($3,000), but also caused a delay in completion by an additional 7 days. Since this project was already behind schedule, and hearing Mr. [redacted] express his continued disappointment toward his project, and how he wanted to be compensated for these delays, Mr. [redacted] WAS NOT charged for these additional cost. Additionally to the cost changes not charged, additional cost not charge to Mr. [redacted] were electrical wiring repair, and plumbing vent lines removal discovered upon completion of all demolition. As Mr. [redacted] is aware Unforeseen conditions under our contract would incur additional cost, again Mr. [redacted] was not charged for additional work completed due to unforeseen conditions.

As to Mr. [redacted] claim to the job being far from finished, floor tiles installed and not completed, way off level. Any contractor who is construction Savvy would know that it is Mr. [redacted] existing floor and not the tiles that would be way off level as Mr. [redacted] claims. As to the door saddles not installed before the tiles, Per our contract agreement saddle purchases were not H-I Contractors responsibility, it was Mr. [redacted] responsibility to purchase these items, and again since he continued to expressed his disappointment toward how long this job was taking to complete, I decided to compensate Mr. [redacted] (AGAIN) by purchasing the door saddle's and not charge him. The door saddles were purchased after receipt of last payment. Again anyone who is construction savvy in tile installation (which clearly he is not) would Know that installing the door saddles after floor tile installation can be completed by removing one lower section of the door stop from the door jamb, install the saddle, and re install the door stop (30 to 45 Minutes to install at most). As for the completion of the floor tiles which were installed and needed to be grouted in order for floor tiles to be completed, the reason why the tiles were not grouted was due to Mr. [redacted] continued complaints on how the tiles were not fully leveled i.e. tiles higher than others (2 to 4 tiles, under a 16th of an inch), which I then told him that it would not be a problem, I would remove and re install the tiles to correct these issues. It was Mr. [redacted] decision NOT to allow me to repair the tiles, and wanted to remedy the tile repair by holding back $1,200 from the balance of the contract for a period of 3 years, and if the tiles failed within a 3 year period he would use the $1,200 to make the necessary repairs, and if the tiles did not fail, then he would return back the $1,200. (I need to add here that I offer a 10 year written installation warranty on all my work). The project was at 70% completion, and once again to satisfied Mr. [redacted] disappointment, I agreed to his request. At this point Sheetrock was installed and taping was started i.e. 2 coats completed to master and skim coat to some areas to hall bathroom and final prep for painting was scheduled. Wainscot installation was completed, and again anyone who is construction savvy would know that before priming and painting commences all nail holes need to be sealed not just on wainscot but to all window, door and base trim installed as well, and any contractor would know that this would be the job of the painter to complete before priming and painting begins. As to the installs done incorrectly, I can only assume that Mr. [redacted] is referring to the framing of the medicine cabinets. Before the framing to the medicine cabinets I had Mr. [redacted] review exactly where he wanted the cabinets installed, after discussing the height for about 30 minutes he decided he wanted the cabinets mounted around 53" above the finished floor. After completing the framing for the medicine cabinets I called in Mr. [redacted] to view and verify the height he wanted them installed. Mr. [redacted] came in the bathroom, verified the height and approved it. After all walls were sheetrock, wainscot installed, and taping was nearly completed, I cut open the opening for the medicine cabinets, Mr. [redacted] saw the opening, and then told me that it was not the height he wanted. I then told him that this was the height he selected, and verified by him more than once, he continued to say that it was not the height he wanted, and wanted me to re frame the opening so that the medicine cabinet can be lowered by 2 1/2 inches. It was at this point where I realized it was going to be impossible for me to finish this project.

All necessary permits for this job were filed and granted by the [redacted]. All rough inspections were completed, and approved by the Building official.

The issues were not that my workers or sub contractors did not want to work with me in completing this project as Mr. [redacted] claims, but that my workers and sub contractors did not want to go back to Mr. [redacted] home to complete the project due to his unrealizable and impossible character.

I have held my Contractor's registration for 13 years, I have been in the construction trade for over 22 years. I have work with Cities and Towns through the State of [redacted] as well as with many non profit Organization's and private home owner's. My Company is not a scam as Mr. [redacted] wife claimed. I have always completed my obligations to all contracts I have committed to, weather I made a profit or lost profit, and to the clients complete satisfaction, and as the Revdex.com Knows, not once in the 13 years of my company's history has this Agency received any complaints on my Company, and it is unfortunate and I am deeply saddened that this is the first.

As to the desired settlement, Mr. [redacted] has been compensated more than enough, but since he feels that by serving our country for 25 years entitles him to more compensation, then once again I will compensate him once more. As agreed Mr. [redacted], will be reimbursed the last payment of $2,000 and will be returned to him upon completion of signing off on the [redacted] which will be provided through my attorney. This complaint will be resolved within 30 days.

In closing I would like to comment on Mr. [redacted] final remarks. While it is true that there are many contractors out there or as Mr. [redacted] words it "this kind of people" who would start a job, take the home owner's money and run off without completing the project. Joining the Military is a choice and not an obligation. It is also sad to know that there are "this kind of homeowners" out there who try to use there Military background as a means to get more than what they are entitled to. Now that is sad

The Revdex.com, will be notified via email along with signed documents on this claim being settled within 30 days of todays date.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.I had told him in the beginning this is my first renovation and keep me informed of everything because I just don't know what or how all this is suppose to happen.This 4 week project was given 5 weeks and we were told 1 week without a shower. However, it took 6 weeks before we had something decent enough to use for a shower. The contract said a portolet would be provided, this also failed to happen and we were without facilities for a day and a half before reinstalling the old toilet temporarily to use.Cumulatively H-I Contractors LLC. showed up only 3 weeks worth out of 2 months and not due to weather and most were no-shows when we were expecting him as he said he'd be here, leaving us trapped in our home waiting days and days.The mirror issue was that the cabinet needed to be recessed as low as possible to the electrical outlet. However, the mirror door (which is bigger) was set to that height of the outlet making the cabinet too high and wrong.Master bathroom changes were made only after plumbing was partially installed and H-I Contractors LLC. was unable to keep the original layout.I was never told of any additional costs or unforeseen conditions as he mentioned, and would think a compromise of price would've happened if needed.I'm reading a lot about compensations that I was never made aware, yet being blamed for. Attacking my character must come from keeping up with the numerous mistakes. I didn't think I had to be the foreman, that was his job. I recently had a plumber here to fix a leak behind the wall of his install so still not impressed with workmanship like the tiles that within placing a 4 foot level I can pass my fingers underneath, a bit more space than 16th of an inch. Additionally, why didn't the sub-floor get support as he mentioned he was going to do? No wonder none of them want to come back with the shoddy work going on (and not just my opinion).In his business there's going to be a lot of people to deal with so maybe a new line of work is a good idea to think about.Numerous times trying to contact him (phone, email) and no response, I even went to his house prepared to offer a friendly gesture. However, upon the attack greeting from his wife and how upset she was that another person from her husbands job came to her house and didn't like it. She threatened to call the police and I asked that she did (she didn't). She called her husband or left a message while I was there saying I was acting crazy (as I stood there in disbelief waiting for the prank to be over) and neighbors watching out windows as she ranted all by herself. I said this isn't how we're supposed to treat people in America and not what I fought for all over the world. After saying that she referred to me as being racist. With all this and more, we knew for sure some kind of scam was going on and seemed it has happened before. I walked away saying that they are bad people.I don't know how my time in the military means to him I want more compensation (again, he didn't mention any to me). I just want the advanced payment he received (before sneaking out), returned. Seems fair enough and don't know why it is taking so long, he was pretty quick to cash it.As for the attorney being mentioned, this is twice now I was given a deadline of his attorney going to notify me that has come and gone (March 30, and April 8) so I'm not holding my breath on this happening. This is just more lies and delay that has been happening throughout and now after the contract.I do find that his resolution is satisfactory and will wait the rest of 30 days (May 2, his last chance) until I take this further.Sincerely,[redacted]