Steve B The Handyman

"We came to install the initial eight pendant lights. He bragged about how he bought all of his stuff on the cheap online. What he got was just that. Half the boxes had missing parts. We were supposed to have all the materials on site and ready to install. We were able to get 6 fully done and have the other 2 ready for completion when the missing and broken parts arrived. Next, we were supposed to install 7-8 faucets. We started on them and found that the same issues were prevalent. missing proprietary hoses from 2-3 of the packages. The material was obviously returned by other customers. Over the 3 days we were there, we were able to install 3 faucets. Two of the sinks did not have the holes drilled in the stone. One was so tight we could hardly get into it to work. Also, I was never told that two of the faucets were auto-on/off. These require more time to install. Also, there were many appliances under the kitchen sink that made installation more difficult. Prior to our leaving on Wednesday, we completed 3 faucets and water tested each one for any possible leaks. There were none. Mr. Brownstein contacted me and said one was leaking. I told him we would get back as soon as possible. Then he says all three are leaking. In all my time in this business, I never had such a complaint. Mr. Brownstein is a guy who tells us about everything and how to do it. He tells us after the fact that we should have done something a different way. He went and bought 2-3 bags of fittings he thought we needed. We needed none of them. He was upset that we did not use plumbers. Put putty on the sinks. That step is not needed if the material has rubber seals, which it does.  While we were on the job, the granite guy came in. Brownstein screamed at him like he was a nothing piece of garbage. That scene really opened my eyes to the type of person we were dealing with. Getting everything as cheap as possible and beating up the service people to get the cheapest price. I sent a revised estimate for the uncompleted items reflecting the additional work needed. Please also understand, we stand behind our work and informed him we would return and correct any issues. I texted him that we would come first thing Monday morning. Not good enough. I invoiced him for the completed work and credited him for an unfinished item. There is a balance of $93.83 still due to me. He texted me that he was going to sue me if I did not send him $300. "

"The installers suggested a course of action which would accommodate the size of the kit, and the position of the pre-fab trusses. The homeowner insisted they go about the install in a way counter to basic construction knowledge to be able to accommodate the size of her and her husband. A 24 inch wide kit will not fit in a 23 inch wide opening without modifications. After a wasted day of productivity and frustration the installers returned the original kit for one that would fit. The new kit was missing parts. The homeowner insisted it be installed in order to close the opening. The door would not open and close properly after installation. I ordered a kit which was an upgrade from what the homeowner originally purchased and had it installed by another crew. Homeowner satisfied. Next project: Composite installed over existing fascia. Homeowner assured the installers that the product could be located locally. After 2 - 3 futile days of searching the homeowner had to order the product from out-of-state which took approximately 1 week. Upon installation the installers found that the homeowners had tried to install prior composite. The workmanship had a lot to be desired. My crew said too much had to be undone to be able to do what they were contracted to do. Next issue: Alleged broken sprinkler. My crew repaired the damaged area and came to find out it had leaked prior to our initial arrival. Next issue: Stucco. Not wanting to replace rotten wooden frames before stucco installation. And I am still owed $1,750.68 which I will now purse."