[UPDATE TO THE BELOW REVIEW: This evening (Dec. 2nd) I received a call from Ido the owner, which I…read morefound highly offensive as it came after Ido reported that I lied about my experience to the BBB. The owner refuses to take responsibility in public, while sending nicer emails in private and trying to phone . . . this is /deception/ on a stick. You do not say one thing in public and in private say "I didn't really mean that." Ido is upset this negative review and would like it gone, but is unwilling to apologize or be truthful. I'll be updating all my social media reviews according. You'll notice that there are a sudden rash of bad reviews, not just from me. Do business with this guy at your risk.]
I have tried to use this company twice. Both times, appointments were easy to set-up and Maria (not sure how to spell her name) was kind, helpful, and lovely. I had a minor flood and needed a company to work with my home insurance for the repairs. "Together Design" was one of four contractors I consulted, all with excellent reviews here and on Google. Avri the project manager was courteous and helpful, and was the last estimate I needed for the insurance company. I waited some weeks, but an estimate never came.
I finally called the Avri's phone number on the caling card he cave me (I think I woke him up, sounded groggy at first). Avri said that my expectation for an estimate was misguided, and that he's being doing this job for quite a while. He said that the way "Together Design" works is that they only provided an estimate once I hired them. I said this is backwards, that I am to receive estimates and select the company I felt comfortable with in consultation with my adjuster.
Avri stared to make excuses, none of which addressed my concern--that to consider them, I needed an estimate. I found his customer service quite rude: he kept cutting me off, he would not listen, he was defensive, made excuses, and so on. He stressed his experience, to which I responded three other contractors have already provided estimates and I was waiting for his. Avri said estimate-first is not how they do business, but he would get an estimate to my adjuster ASAP anyway.
After a few days without an estimate, I went with another contractor.
Maria called to follow up, and I told her my issues. She asked if I could give them another chance, I said not at the time, as time was of the essence and I needed the work to start yesterday. Disappointing, but I was ready to move on. Flash forward five months later, and I haired a crooked contractor who I am now unfortunately suing (cannot review them yet until that suit moves forward).
I remembered Maria asking if I could give them another chance, so I decided to call again. Like the first time, communication was clear, easy, and Maria was very easy to work with. I was asked if I wanted to work with Avri again, and I said absolutely not given how poorly he handed the first time.
Days later, however, I received a phone call and Maria said she was "calling with news." After she shared with the project managers my videos and photographs, they concluded my "scope" of my project was "not a good fit." I asked if it was "too small" or "two large" of a job. She said, "uhhhh . . . legally I can't say." I found this quite odd. She apologized, expressed wanting to help, but it was not something they are willing to do. I asked again why, and she would not say. Perhaps it was because I did /not/ want to work with Avri, but another PM.
As I was about to post this review, I received a message from "Ido" who said their company /only/ takes on remodels from "start to finish." This was the first I have heard this excuse, it's certainly not mentioned in their advertising. If this were truly the case, I should have been told this upfront so I did not waste my time again. Maria asked I give them a second chance, and I did.
This is a private business, and it's their right to turn down any client. Absolutely. It's also my right to report my experience. I'm trying to be careful not to be too judgement, but not being "legally" able to tell me why they wouldn't take the job the second time appears deceitful, as does "Ido's" explanation they /now/ only do start-to-finish remodels.
Your milage may vary.