I recently hired this guy (Malcolm) in April 2016. He was referred to me by a coworker who said he did good work. My coworker is very picky and meticulous so I trusted her judgment and reading reviews on his website he seemed ok. Now I wished I had read the reviews on HomeStars..... I had screw holes in my floors because I had to fix the squeaks from Top to Bottom since I did not have access to the underside. Now I am not asking for perfection, I know when you screw a hole into the floor you will still be able to see it once it is filled. This is my irritation. Some of these holes (although it is written in ink that holes will be filled) WERE NOT ATTEMPTED TO BE FILLED!!! I can slip an unravelled paper clip right through the floor! (I didn't screw screws into some holes as I had missed the joist if some of you are wondering why I can put stuff through, this was supposed to be filled with putty AND then urethaned over....) Not only that, there was a dent and gouge (that can be felt) on my main floor that appeared near the end of the job and when I discussed this with him he refused to acknowledge that it came from his equipment and repeatedly said it was disclaimed. So you can damage and scratch all my floors once they're done and not pay for damages? According to him yes!??! So upon this dispute, he just packed up and left demanding final payment. I said no, I still need to inspect the top floor and staircase (He had JUST finished putting a fresh coat of urethane so it was unwalkable). I also told him I needed to have a bill and be able to have a final inspection before I give you the final payment. I did not say I was trying to swindle him by not paying, I simply said I want to inspect. Also, the entire time I paid instalments, I did not receive any receipts from this guy of my payments or an invoice/bill. Just going by the initial estimate/"contract". I did not sign anything either. Upon inspection once everything was dried, I can now see that some of the holes were left unfilled! Through emails I told him this and showed him pictures, and he actually accused me of digitally altering these photos. Not only that, he said I was being unreasonable by taking a photo couple inches from the floor. So I showed him pictures from 4 ft away (as he requested in his website, beware this is also his disclaimer). He refuses to acknowledge that there are holes there when they are clearly there (see for yourself) and I can slip things through those holes! He also believes that just because it's inside a closet, less care can be taken. That's like sweeping dirt under the rug because you can't see it! There are a lot more issues that I am not even being picky about. I had requested multiple times that all I want is for him to come fill the holes and I will pay. But he refuses to deal with me and instead goes directly into collections. Wouldn't it just be easier to come fill the holes? Than to tick off a customer? He is also illegally tacking on "overtime" charges adding on an extra $500 that was never agreed to verbally or written. Absolutely unbelievable as I have paid as requested the instalments through out the entire job and now I am being accused of being a swindler. I now have to deal with this guy as he will be sending that into collections. I am dreading the phone calls of annoyance from these collection agencies and have to hire legal counsel to protect myself. I have a right to inspect a final completion of a job AND not have to pay for shotty work. See for yourself in the attached photos.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $4,500.00