Run Away! Don't walk from this Ace Think clearly as you read his own words-later…read moreverbatim--before you make......ANY! commitment .
In normal circumstances, be fair to and trust your contractor; keep your eyes on him until proven
However, if you trust Tile Stone Ace, your loss may be similar to our loss, $18,000.
Lesson #1 Never make a "deposit" that exceeds $1000. It is called Deposit but think of it as an unaccountable, unsecured cash loan
You are not a bank. You have no idea of where that money goes Years ago my pool contractor on a Monday berated me for 10% down arrived Friday in a crew cab, tricked out, 1-ton dually--odometer 500 miles--and advised a delay: two buddies and son were leaving for 9 days. They had elk tags for Colorado.
At Tile Stone we put down 100% for materials Ace was to supply. Plus 50 % his estimate of labor. He was entrusted with mare than $8000 day 1.
Lesson # 2. Insist on a written contract. All liscened contractors are trained by the state. Every contractor knows the law obligates them to give you a contract that minimumaly is the state approved form. Most contactors wont tell you this. Why? The contract gives you greater ability to solve disputes. It allows contators to insert in fine print items prohibited by law. And it appears authoritaties don't care.
Lesson #3. Incentize total completion and satisfaction. Large projects can require performance bonds. But these are expensive and incentivize cutting corners. So stick with with 10% down and 85% at completion. Retain the 5% for the entire duration of any warranty. Escrow This money as a good faith gesture.
Lesson #4. We spent months locating some Amarone stone imported from Brazil and paid another contractor $4500 for this. We transferred this to Ace and entrusted him with another $4500. Did we ask to be named as additional insured on his plolicy? No. Did we ask His bank provide a prommisory note? No? Well our rock disappeared under the most implauible of stories. Amarone is its name and it may well be in a home in southern oregon--just not ours.
What would say of me if I "accidentally " damaged a tuck left in my drive way. Which is more righteous: 1) immediately call him to advise him, discuss with him alternatves for repair and who pays. Insurance follows the vehicle so he calls insurance and we agree what I pay the body shop.
Or 2) I never tell The Owner what happened. . Instead I shop around among junk yards for the cheapest bed and fenders. I instruct my staff to remove the new black parts and install a junk brown bed and fenders and spray can paint tjese to black. Tell my staff if they say nothing or your fired. And only AFTER Onwer calls to say "where the hell is my new truck?" Hang up and 3 hours later send an email that says your truck is beautiful, all my fscebook friends have liked my paint job and I knew it best to not disturb you by making any phone calls.
Isn't 1 how all of us would have behaved??
Ace at Tile Stone chose 2.
*Fiduciary responsibilty is by custom and law implictnin every contract--Ace totally failed us.
*Custom and law required Ace to inform us. His weeks long silence was a deliberate deception. Law calls this Fraud.
*During his period of silence, his employees were in our home for measuring. We are certain the employees were able to speak. . We heard nothing about the fairy tale explanation that would be proffered after installation of the wrong rock.
What better explains this 1) they also forgot 2) they too totally believed they protected us by silence and freely chose to participate 3)duress was applied sufficient to assure the communications blackout. Would a reasonable person say "Yup, 1 is compellinly logical?
The Law says 2 and 3 are conspiracy. Which is more logical of the two?
To shorten a long story---
ZERO Amarone made to our home. I believe our slab is in another's home. The only question is who paid and how much? an off-the-books cash deal of $4000; or "appraised at $5000, $1500 freight and $500 to fix damage $7000 please."
Did he call his insurer? No. And refused to do so. Those pesky adjusters expect real proof not some half-baked story asserting superior and pure motive therefore all Ace's actions are righteous. All others' questions and contrary opinions are automatically invalid.
His "great replacement" a stone called gabbro, the most abundant rock on earth. It had been stored stupidly by someone somewhere out of doors, in the rain. The absorbed water turning iron into rust. Discoloring yellows and oranges everywhere and their growth will continue. Wholesale $0 est.
Oh, the Ceasarstone? Only 2 of 3 cut. Slqb 3 disappeared with no credit. $1750 gone
