I have used Bill/Housecall a fair amount since I bought my fixer upper about a year and a half ago... to the tune of spending appx $10k with House call. After this last episode NEVER AGAIN.
Over FIVE weeks ago I contacted Bill about tiling a small bathroom- 50sq' and hanging a door.
Where we are today... billed for close to $2000 (and that is with ME buying the tile.. which there appears to be about a 30% surplus which I cannot return), the project is still not finished, I had to reschedule the tub glazer because the job was running so late and the door isn't hung... and appears to be cut too short on one side because you can see light between it and the frame).
I told Bill I wanted to see the receipts for the materials he had purchased- which was three pieces of the board to be attached to the wall the tile is affixed to and whatever else- and a break out of the labor since the cost is really out of line for the scope of the small job. No receipts, no breakout. I was stupid to pay before they were supplied and without the receipts. Oh well. I knew I was getting ripped off... I should have held my ground on the receipts and the hours. The job was not finished either.
I told him the job needed to be finished so I could get the house on the market and leave town. The house would be open all day/everyday whether I was there or not... get it done. Message from him that since he could not reach me could not get it scheduled for the upcoming week, go ahead and leave town and we would get it done when I returned. Left message that was unacceptable, the job had to be finished before I leave, the house has got to be placed on the market- to bring me the materials I paid for to complete the project as well as a refund for what I was billed for the remainder of the tiling and the door and I have hired someone to finish it asap.
So far.. no materials and I am very doubtful I will see the refund. I am sure the reason he didn't schedule the project to get wrapped up was I have already paid and he scheduled someone else so he can bill them and then come back to me when things are slack.
Also, the showerhead was leaking and when I took it off, it had not even beed wrapped with Teflon tape. I removed it and applied the tape and it continues to leak.. so apparently could be defective. Not only was it not installed correctly, apparently not checked for leaking and now the packaging has been tossed and I am stuck with it. $45/hr and this is how it was installed and checked.
Never again, feel totally ripped off. Still kicking myself for paying without receipts and the work not being finished. read more