I should have trusted my gut during Landi Zani's second visit to my apartment. He asked for a 50% deposit which I supplied then he insisted that he had emailed me the contract. He hadn't, but continued to insist that he was correct and then apologized when he realized he, in fact, had not sent the contract. Then, he condescendingly commented how I was too trusting as I had written him a check without a contract. This gaslighting was just a preview of working with this imposter of a contractor. Landi showed me who he was that day: unprofessional. He asked if I wanted under-cabinet lighting and told me he would supply it for free for his contract snafu. I should have gotten that in writing because he recanted that later
Day one: I get a text with a picture of a lockbox that looks nothing like the image of the one I sent him with the code a day or two before so that I would not be interrupted at work ( I am a public school teacher so I am not on my phone.) Mine is gray and black while this one was blue. I don't even know where it is on the block. Landi was clearly not even at my apartment or communicating properly with his employees from the get-go.
On day two, my only functioning sink (bathroom) is covered in grit and grime- the workers have been using it to rinse demolition dirt. The sink doesn't drain. There is personal trash in my recycling as well and my bathroom trash can. My contract stated that the trash would be removed. It was not.
On day three I come home, and I can barely get inside because there are cabinets and tools everywhere. A worker's clothes and shoes are in my living room. (As a single woman: disarming.) When I go to shower, the water has been turned off. This is literally the last time Landi will apologize. He came over within the hour to finish the plumbing and explained that his workers didn't know (weren't told) that I was living in my space during the renovation.
Other issues include incorrectly installed cabinets with significant damage (requiring replacement), a malfunctioning electrical system (creating a fire hazard as confirmed by independent electricians), and a completely uneven cabinet around the fridge- there is an inch gap and the bottom and it is touching the fridge at the top and the cabinet was damaged during installation because of bad measurements and installation. There are nail holes literally everywhere- places where other contractors say inner nails or even glue should have been used. The functionality of the kitchen is severely compromised; for example, the refrigerator door cannot be fully opened due to improper cabinet installation. Landi recommended this refrigerator! I questioned the size and he insisted it would make sense but then he didn't make room for it depthwise and now I have a mere 30 inches between it and the oven- I cannot open the oven fully when standing in front of it and I don't dare use the front burners if I am needing access to the fridge.
Independent contractors have assessed the situation and confirmed the extent of the substandard work. Their estimates for rectifying these issues are substantial, reaching five figures. This is unacceptable, considering the significant amount (five figures) already paid for a project that is far from complete and requires virtually a full redo.
There is extensive damage, safety hazards, and the considerable stress and financial burden this has caused. Landi's response when I asked him if he would fix the issues? He issued a mechanic's lien. I am happy to let the courts decide.
The kicker? He came over for another check when things had already gone sideways. He told me that the electrical issue was due to no light bulbs (deep breaths here...) and then because of the new light fixture. He told me he would bear no responsibility. Meanwhile, my vent fan in the kitchen was also newly not working. Landi then texted me an audio recording he had taken without my knowledge where I am literally saying "there have been so many problems. Are you going to fix this new electrical one?" And him responding "no" and asking for more money. Happy to have this recording Landi!
Another contractor who came over a few days later told me to turn the breaker off as it WAS A FIRE HAZARD of Landi's creation. I spent days with no overhead lights out of fear. I then hired an electrician who asked who had done the wiring because it was so flawed.
I think he had too many jobs going at once based on how little his physical presence as well as commitment to the integrity of project here was. I asked him for better communication not once, not twice, but FOUR TIMES. He is negligent and buyer beware. read more