Started out well and then everything went horribly wrong. I've never had an experience like this with a contractor.
Originally they were contracted to build a front porch for my house when one of the assistants (Sean?) came to take measurements in May or June, and the numbers were fine and I liked their ideas. Bryce was a good guy (keep reading). I was given a quote based on a design using Trex; plans, renderings and materials changed over the course of a few weeks (Bryce suggested going with other materials and sent renderings using designs and materials that were not quite right) and I approved a final design in July.
That's when problems became apparent.
Bryce had sent me a couple of emails over that period suggesting I go to four different web sites to pick out materials (twice). I wondered: Why wasn't the initial quote altered, since that once was for using Trex? The new renderings were based on the use of specific, other materials. I was also frustrated that when I asked about using pale onyx on the steps I was told that it would cost a lot more, but no numbers were provided in this timespan.
Here is a KEY POINT: It felt like I had to guess the design and materials he wanted to use in order to get him to start the work--because, for example, he kept coming up with designs where the front steps were wider and rounded at the bottom when from the first time I contacted them, I showed them something with straight steps, and NO CONCRETE. Yet he kept showing designs in concrete and I'd correct it with every rendering. He'd ask me to pick out railings (when we were going that route); I'd send him some pins from Pinterest; then I'd never hear whether they were possible, or how much time or money they would cost.
Just no numbers on the actual materials I wanted once the renderings were done, or even as they changed. I know you can ask about any kind of contractor or handyman questions like that and they can be answered--or at least acknowledged.
For example, he directed me to a website for porch coverings when he'd already rendered a pergola specifically to fit my porch. What exactly was I supposed to pick from that website? Or the link he sent with balusters to pick from, when the design didn't incorporate them? And paint, when there wasn't any paint at all?
For a few more days I reminded him that I'd already picked specific materials--so, when was he going to start? It's just red and yellow bricks--granite--concrete--anything, just start the work!--to match my old house. When rendering after rendering came back not as I had specified--and the renderings and delays continued even after I'd said of one design "PERFECT! It's a go!" I got the feeling I was just being strung along: Why keep on rendering when a design has been approved?
The creation of a good front porch is necessary when the one you have is falling apart. It's a safety issue and as a disabled person it's not something I can let slide.
I couldn't understand what he wasn't understanding. When I'd asked, in the presence of his colleagues, that I didn't feel I was being understood, the two assistants kind of looked away, but Bryce said nothing, both times I brought this up in his presence. When I said the same thing in email it also was not acknowledged.
Not a single one of my questions was answered and when I asked for a refund of the 20-or-so-% deposit (in cash, for a discount, he said, much higher than the legal limit of `10%), saying on three separate occasions that I wasn't being heard, he became hostile, threatening and insulting, even copying my husband on his emails. What kind of a person goes out of their way to make sure a husband knows his wife is being insulted?
He even went farther and used the issue of my disabilities as the focal point of his comments. I'm fairly sure that's hate speech and illegal. Such behavior is sufficient to warrant a protective order in Denver County.
As a last-ditch effort at making peace with him I drafted up (my background is in public policy, analysis and law in California) citing Colorado Revised Statues Section 4-2-608, Revocation of Acceptance in Whole, and a further stipulation that we would go on our merry ways, I'd agree to remove my comments from Yelp and the BBB, no one in his LLC nor I would make any comments to any person or on any media now or in the future, and he'd give a full refund. He angrily replied that he wasn't going to read it, that I'd hear from his attorney. Still waiting for that call.
He demanded I remove my previous review in order to get a refund and though I have done so, I've received no money and will take necessary steps to recover my money. read more