Braendel Painting & Services, Inc. quoted me $3,500 to paint my kitchen. I signed a contract with…read moreBraendel on June 5, 2021, and they began the work shortly thereafter. However, the project was not completed until nine months later. I had expected the job to be finished within a few days.
Throughout the project, I repeatedly contacted Braendel to address areas that had been left unpainted and sections where the paint had peeled from the cabinets. Braendel painted over cabinets that were more than 50 years old without sanding or priming them beforehand. I can personally attest to this because I was present throughout the entire project and observed the work being performed. As a result, the paint began peeling.
I called several times requesting that the cabinets be repainted. Although Braendel later used a more expensive paint, the peeling problem continued. At no point did the owner or project manager contact me to ask whether I was satisfied with the work. Instead, a different painter was sent each time I reported problems.
During one visit, I overheard a phone conversation between the company and the painter they had sent. Someone from the Company asked, "Is she for real?" The painter replied, "Yes. I am now painting the ceiling that was not completed." Even after these issues were addressed, the project manager never contacted me to discuss the quality of the work or my satisfaction with the project.
Eventually, the last painter assigned to my job, Eric Godlewski, took the cabinet doors home and repainted them. I was pleased with the quality of his work. Before he left, I asked whether he knew anyone who installed replacement windows. Mr. Godlewski offered to do the work himself. Based on my positive experience with his cabinet work, I agreed.
Mr. Godlewski measured the windows, purchased them, and stacked them on my back porch. On March 31, 2022, I gave him $4,300, and he provided me with a receipt. After that, I never heard from him again. I was out $4,300. To make matters worse, the windows that were purchased were all the wrong size and did not fit any of my window openings. Because they could not be returned, I donated them to Habitat for Humanity.
I chose to work with Braendel because the company had a good reputation. Since then, I have learned that Mr. Godlewski has an extensive criminal record. In my opinion, Braendel should have exercised greater care in selecting and supervising individuals representing the company.
I contacted Dan Bishop, the project manager for Braendel, several times regarding these issues. He returned only one call and informed me that Braendel was not responsible. He never responded to any of my subsequent calls.
Would I do business with Braendel again? Absolutely not.
Shelley Ruh
