Randy Hovanec, owner of DRAK Remodeling, LLC, was contracted to add a laundry room, pantry and 1/2 bath to existing garage space, extend existing garage, remodel kitchen and mudroom. He was paid $8000.00 on 19 March 2017 with the understanding work would begin 1 April. He began work on April 10th, telling us the work would be completed by mid May. The work was not completed in the specified time, but he continued to work, telling us it would be done. Randy was paid, in cash, with the understanding that the garage addition would be completed and the mud room work would begin. He stopped showing up and sent his young, inexperienced workers to finish the addition without the knowledge or supplies needed to complete the job. For example, the boys were trying to use electrical tape to tape off the floor to paint trim, they were also sent with 1 paint brush. Randy stopped responding to texts, emails or phone calls. We then contacted an attorney. After some research, the attorney told us it was in our best interest not to pursue a lawsuit because Randy already has several judgements against him in Mahoning County from suppliers and has issues with Worker's Compensation. The attorney explained that if we prevailed in a suit, we would end up behind all the other judgements and it would end up costing us more because of attorney fees and we would probably never see a settlement payment.
Some of the issues are: tweaked and leaning new outside garage walls; siding not properly installed - falling down; outside windows not trimmed correctly - metal work subpar, not caulked; interior walls not straight; interior walls not mudded or painted correctly; driveway and culvert crushed by concrete truck - never fixed; yard damage; stairs uneven; laundry room window not straight - crooked; crown molding never installed - already paid for it; kitchen floor not finished - was paid for already; new gutters not tied in to existing gutters as stated in contract and holes and cracks in new garage block.
The work was broken down into 3 sections, 1st, Garage, dining room, new laundry room/pantry and half bath $39,145.00 (not completed). 2nd, Kitchen $3,000 (not completed). 3rd Lower level mud room $6,000 (never started). He was paid in the agreed installments of a total $41,000.00 CASH. He was not paid for the lower level mud room because he never started. He has not completed what he has been paid for (kitchen, dining room, half bath, laundry room, and garage). We ended up paying for the granite counter tops in the kitchen (which was included in the $3K quote) because he said he did not have the money. Keep in mind he has been paid $41,000.00 CASH which more than covers all material and labor for this job.
I have pictures of his subpar/ unfinished work, along with invoices, and punch list generated by us. We never received a signed contract - even after asking for a copy repeatedly. We also asked for the paperwork regarding the new garage door opener so we could register for the warranty - and received no response. We have additional correspondence - emails and texts.
We have reached out to him via, text, email, phone calls, and even contacted another contractor who contacted him and offered to show him how to fix some of our issues. We have given him multiple opportunities to come back and finish what he was paid for.
I am an active duty Marine with over 22 years of service and I am appalled that Randy Hovanec aka DRAK Remodeling would do this to anyone, let alone an active duty service member. read more
