Exteriors By Maria

<strong>Long story short: </strong>Maria and her crew did shoddy work, ditched the project half way through for a month, trespassed when we said they couldn't be there, <strong>and stole $3,555 out of our checking account! </strong> <br /> I feel it needs to be said that my wife and I are not drama people. We don't have enemies or contentious relationships. We are honest, respectful, polite people, who work hard and enjoy life. To have such a negative experience was very off-putting and foreign to us, and not at all a situation that we are used to dealing with. When I say that Maria is a criminal, I do mean it literally and honestly. See below for details. <br /> <strong>Long story:</strong> <br /> Let me start by saying that we were so excited to have hired Maria at the start of the job. We really felt that we were getting the best of the best with Maria. We found her through Angie's List, and her ratings were great. When we met with her we were very impressed with her (apparent) eye for detail and the level of prep work she promised. I can't imagine the job going any more wrong. - So wrong that we had to get the police involved, and eventually take her to court! <br />      <strong><br /> Maria and her crew did shoddy work: </strong> <br /> - They painted over un-scraped chipping paint <br /> - Sprayed paint on the foundation <br /> - Sprayed paint right over several windows <br /> - The made a mess out of re-glazing the windows and broke a large picture window <br /> - Dripped paint all over, the balcony, the driveway and our hose reel <br /> - Left huge paint runs down the walls from spraying paint incorrectly <br /> - Sanded 1/4 of our antique oak front door and slapped some stain/varnish over the whole thing <br /> - Spray painted the iron railings right over the loose flaking paint and rust <br /> - Left our windows painted shut all summer, even when we asked her to come unstick them on 3 occasions (all of which she said she would do, none happened) <br />   <br /> <strong>The worst part is the shoddy work was the best part of the job:</strong> <br /> - They disappeared off the job, ladders and all, after 6 days (of a job quoted to take 10-14) <br /> - She was a no call/no show for every face to face and phone meeting we ever scheduled <br /> - She would only communicate via text or if you called her from a number she didn't recognize and she answered her phone <br /> <strong>       She was reminded on three occasions that from June 28-July 7 they were not to be on our property as we were on vacation and we did not want them working while we were out of phone and internet communication, and they showed up two days while we were gone (after not showing up anytime over the previous three and a half weeks!) </strong>They were told to leave by our downstairs tenant and a neighbor and still refused to do so. <br />        <strong>On June 29th the first of the two days her and her crew were knowingly trespassing, Maria literally STOLE $3,555 out of our checking account!</strong> (We made the mistake of making the down payment for the job with a debit card and she saved the numbers.) This was NOT money that was owed to her, in fact this was $750 over the contract price, had the contract been fulfilled, which is we no where near!  We discovered this had happened when we looked at out bank account a few days after returning from vacation, twelve days after the money was taken! When I called her out on it she acted like it was a mistake and promised a refund (which to date has never happened). She again blew off face to face and phone meetings. At this point I fired her. We have made claims through the bank's fraud dept. and filing a police report which amounted to a felony charge of 3rd deg. grand larceny! She obviously decided to burn the bridge when she knowingly trespassed and stole $3,555. <br />      <strong> We ended up having to take her to small claims court</strong>, which she didn't even show up for. We won a judgement against her for the money she stole, plus the cost above her initial bid of having another contractor finish her mess of a job. <br />   <br />

Maria received our deposit May 5th 2013. Original contract was for 18,900 dollars. She touted her work ethic and professional staff. Please heed this warning!!!! She was to put two coats of paint on the body after scrapping ,sanding ,priming,and repairing any rotten wood. The trim was to receive three coats. We were duplicating the existing colors (5) and told her which brands we wanted. I fell for every sob story she fed me. When she left on the 15th of July with 17,900 dollars already paid....she said she had to build some working capital and would return shortly. Well she no longer responds to my emails. She did not monitor her staff which included her brother...now in jail, his wife,...a (in her words) mentally disabled man who painted around branches touching the house, a pregnant chain smoking teen, a coke addict(his words) now in jail, and one reasonably normal man. I have shown this woman and her anything but professional staff every courtesy.....using our downstairs bathroom, providing water, pop and an end of the day beer......and I got money stolen from my purse, (she did fire the thief), and a two thirds finished paint job. There was out and out deceit in the painting...third floor dormers half painted ,assuming that we would not see the work, paint put on so thinly on the first floor that the old brown paint is clearly visible. Her brother was painting in the rain! Gee I wonder why there is so much bubbling! They even painted over a leaf..not stuck on!!!,painted over! I have paint all around the window glass because they could not paint neatly and they obviously have not been back to scrape it off. Neither the front or back porch has been painted. The contract called for all windows to be glazed ,she did one.They were to repair the fire escape...didn't do that either. This list could go on ad nauseum but I will close with this thought. Maria says by law she has a year to complete this job.......do you really want to wait a year for yours. A word to the wise........ <br /> <em><br /> <strong>REBUTTAL TO PROVIDER RESPONSE:</strong> All the extra services like repairing the fire escape (with bolts, not welding...suggested by her brother) were offered by Maria to get the job and were not my demands.  Our home's peaks are the equivalent of a 4th story and my 69 year old husband has never painted them!   Maria was told at the beginning the two brands of paint that I wanted because of their fine past performance.  When she started the job she said she had to use another (quality or because she gets it cheaper?),we compromised on just using my choice for the peaks' color.  One color for trim she never even purchased..she just "went around" the areas. If time was of the essence one would have expected that they would arrive before 10 o'clock every day and avoid one hour (and longer) lunches. They often left well before 5....and it wasn't raining.   When did she suddenly hire "independent contractors"? A brother (a nice man who painted daily), sister in law, niece(who painted) and three other men who all arrived and left in the same van and  Maria's SUV were her usual crew.  She said that she paid for all their food and rooms.  These were the same "independent contractors" she said she went to the casino with.   What reason would she have to disavow her crew as employees?   </em>

I signed a brief work agreement on the spot (7/29/13) and she left promising a detailed report of services to be performed to follow and would be able to start work in a week. She comes in from small town 90 miles South of Buffalo and I was visiting from a small town 60 miles northeast of Buffalo so when we met, I signed and gave a deposit to not delay getting on her work schedule. I was available for the following week to further discuss details of work for my project but she quickly became uncommunicative and unavailable to bring forth any more details of the work to be performed and I am still find it a mystery as to what she intends to do at my house? I stopped any work to be done until the specifics were spelled out and shared with me the owner.  I had no idea that the next month would be rife with miscommunication and no communication at all for a week on several occasions. We are barely communicating by email so I have turned to Angie’s List to help with resolution.   Over a month plus since the brief work agreement was signed, I still have not received the detailed report of work to be performed by Exteriors by Maria. I gave her “F” for price since I asked for accounting of my money with receipts and I am still waiting for this info a week + later.  A couple days post signing agreement, her roofer (her brother Rob Russo she contracts with) was to meet me at the site but he never showed. A week later, she did let me speak to a temporary employee who was newly assigned to work on my roof but is no longer employed by Exteriors by Maria. We spoke for several hours over one week and he explained the roofing process and what he would do if he were on the job. I found out this employee would also be the carpenter but he could not give me details of the porch work to be done. He had never seen the property and it was too far to drive to visit it in Buffalo. I offered to be Maria’s secretary to write down the details of the proposed work to be done so she could review the document, give input, finalize and then move forward. I spent hours talking to friends from my hometown, lumber yards, etc to learn how to write a this contract. Once again, there was no response to work with me on this document. I would expect that the city of Buffalo might also request more details in writing on work to be performed to meet codes and issue permits. Obviously, this was not something that Maria wanted to provide to me! I also asked her detailed questions about the work she was planning to do and no response to my questions.   She emailed me several times “let’s get started on this job right away” and why do I continue to delay? I explained by email that I prefer not to move forward until I receive the details of the work to be performed. She answers back that I am insulting her work and abilities to do the job by asking for these specific details. Several weeks ago due to ongoing misunderstandings and lack of communication, I suggested that we amicably part ways and she kindly return my money. Her response was the following “You signed a work order agreement, and if I must, I will take you to court to have the judge enforce the completion of contract.” I also reached out to her brother for resolution but my call was not returned.   I live 3000 miles away at this time and told her that I was coming into town and I specifically asked to see some previous exterior work that she had done. I told her that I was available for 2 days and to please kindly give me references, locations of properties I could visit and see the work she had done first hand. Specifically I wanted to view the work that she had done on roofs and porches. She did not respond to me at all while I was in town on (last week-end) 9/6-9/9. I really wanted to work this out with Maria and assist in growing her business in the Buffalo area. Yes, I continued to believe in her and hung on longer than most, hoping that we could work together.   After I left town, she responded that I don’t need to see first-hand her work but just check on Angie’s List and refer to the wonderful reviews! She also told me that my requests for her references should have been requested prior to hiring her. I really felt seeing her work first hand would have given her an opportunity to shine and help me overcome my reservations in her abilities. I admit I have done this backwards but a reputable company would have this info a click away and want to share their accomplishments. Maria does not.  She is a painter by trade and sounds quite talented in choosing colors combinations for home exteriors. I am still waiting to see the different colored metal roofs that her team has done. I have been cited by the city of Buffalo several weeks ago about repairs needed to my porch and it is necessary for me to move forward with a reputable contractor to get this work done before suffering penalties from the city. I finally was able to recognize that Maria appears to be not interested in working with me on this project.

Maria and her team were very professional and courteous. They worked well together and hardly ever took breaks. This team hand brushed the entire house and it looks great. Clean-up was well done too. Maria was one of the only painters in the area that was willing to work us into her very busy schedule. She knew we had a very strict timeline and the job had to be finished quickly (we had renters arriving). Despite all the rain we had last week and an unfortunate personal issue, they got the job done just in time. I'm grateful for Maria and her team and their diligence. We would recommend this team and would definitely hire them again. Thanks Maria! <br />

I renewed my memership with Angie's List and looked for chimney repairers I needed one near Jamstown, Ny. <br /> I called Exteriors by Maria and talked to a Mr. Robert Russo he happened to be doing a chimney job that same day only a few miles from my house. He said, he could stop by after his job and look at the chimney it was the same thing as the job he was just on... <br /> Mr. Robert Russo fixed my chimney with  fiberglass stucco the next day. <br /> It took him and his crew only four hours to put the fiberglass stucco on from top to bottom on my chimney.. <br /> He said when I get home from work  the chimney will be done he delivered on his promise....  <br /> The cost  was $1000 it was much better than having the chimney completely ripped up and replaced for probably $7000 and up. <br /> The fierglass stucco hardened after 48 hours and my chimney looks better than it ever did.... <br /> He had a booklet  showing other jobs he had done from floor tiles,roofing,gutter drains,windows replacements his crew are the complete package for housing needs from the roof to the foundation.... <br /> I will call him for other household repairs down the road.... <br /> He works all over  from Buffalo,NY,Ohio and Jamestown NY and other places... <br /> Thank you ....Mr.Robert Russo from Exteriors by MariaRepair chimney.... <br />

The work ethic of this women can not be matched. Her crew is out standing. I was home throughout most of the job, and I never seen them sit down. <br /> <br />the crew were very nice, and professional, they also were big on using products that were safe for my yard and landscaping. I could not believe how much time they spent on prepping my building. I was worried about that, because anyone can paint, but she had everyone sanding all of my boards down, and making them smooth, and caulked and sealed every part of my home.. <br /> <br />The best part was the clean up, They did not spill one drop of paint in the yard or anywhere else. Maria was very contentious of keeping my garage clear of her equipment, and at the end of everyday she took all of her tools and brushes home to clean, never at my house. It was a little more than I wanted to pay, but worth every cent. They put 3 coats of paint on everything, and I took advantage of her color designer, who was also a huge asset to us. Great Job! <br />

We called Maria for an estimate.  She showed up as scheduled and gave us an estimate on the spot.  We had called four different contractors for estimates.  One never showed up and two never gave us estimates.  We scheduled the work with Maria and the experience was terrific.  She communicated with us along the way and was very professional.  Her work is impeccable.  The house was immaculate when she was finished.  Maria is a gem and we will definitely use her again. <br />

Our finished house is magnificent. Maria and crew transformed our 1915 cedar shingle home into a 6-color work of art. The amount of time, materials, and care that went into this project was not to be believed. People are constantly stopping by to talk about how they can't believe how wonderful the house looks and to ask for her business card. Maria is as good as her word. Her crew are good and decent people who share her work ethic and who work harder than we have ever seen. We know we would never have achieved this look, quality, and no-hassle result without Maria. She gets our unqualified recommendation for any job she bids. Never knew that our home could look like this, beautiful, traditional and trendy at the same time. <br /> <br />

<p>I am very happy with the work done in my home she was on time and very respectfull when it came to my furniture being covered. her crew and her were all working together on every part from start to finish. I am very pleased and would give her a exelent reference.</p> . <br />

Maria was great, I had to make this review, even though I am not a computer person, but she deserves he recognition. Maria showed up here, very short women, but a power house, she gave me a price and the work began within 3 days. I couldn't believe my eyes, she is a total power house, she climbed up a 40 foot ladder like she was fearless, and when I seen her grab it, I offered my help, and all he crew members said, oh don't worry she is stronger than all of us, I laughed, <br /> Anyway, my house was so perfectly painted and changed so much, invited guest were passing my house, because they did no recognize it. Her crew was very respectful of her, and hey all shared laughs, and accomplished allot. They were always professional, and the work, and work ethic, was flawless. he crew always dressed in Company shirts, and what I liked the most, their construction did not affect me a all, their ladders and supplies were always out of the way and did no block sidewalks, and at the end of the day, all stuff was cleaned up, and her equipment, locked behind my garage, not in it. Maria became friends with me and my wife, and we told her we would be upset if she did not stop and visit in the future, we loved her passion for her work, and personality is respectful, sweet, but fierce <br />

<p> I met Maria , and right away I knew she was the right person for the job. It is scarey hiring peple to be in your home. However, she had such a can do attitude, that it was infectious. I loved the fact that when she came into my home, she used protective booties over her sneakers to protect my floors from getting dirty.<br /> I showed Maria the project, I wanted a new kitchen, I was nercous about her enthousiatic plans, but trusted her. Maria removed everything from my kitchen, she removed a complete wall, and rebuilt one about 18 inches back, giving me so much extra room, then she repaired walls, and installed my new cabinets, and instead of having this big table in my way, I couldnt believe this could happen, but she installed a wonderful breakfast bar type table, I am able to fit 4 stool under it, and it is connected to my wall, this gave me extra space in my kitchen, and the space is wide open to my living room, so the breakfast bar honestly seperated my rooms, which I love.<br /> and she installed the cubboards to fit right down on top of the new fridge, which is also great since I hate that things get lost up there at times, <br /> Maria also installed new floors.</p> The bathroom was a simple bathtub surround and paint, gutters were always a problem, she added some down spouts, and it is helping the rain to go away from the front door, No more ice. <br /> I am so impressed with this women, she worked very hard day and night, and I felt as I was the most important person to her at the time of her project, and she really controls her employees, she makes sure that they are just as respectful and professional as she is, and they seem to enjoy working for her very much, which says allot, she also gave me her insurance information,and interduced herself to my neighbors, provided them with her phone number, and apolgized for any disruption during the project, my neighbors thought this was very considerate, and I agree, <br /> I rated her a B on the billing because at the time, i thought this was allot of money, it did not include materials, but she is worth every penny. <br />

Maria Rousso of Exteriors by Maria is fantastic. Maria did so well, that we fired our property manager of almost 20 years who allowed our house to deteriorate to the point we needed over 30,000.00 in repairs and hired Maria in her place. <br />

I have not had a more pleasing experience than working with Maria @ Exteriors by Maria. The upbeat and professional attitude was awesome. She figured out how to accomplish what I wanted at a fair price and accomplished it within the time frame she said. I loved working with her and will definitely use her again <br />

when I met Maria, the owner of Exteriors By Maria, I was shocked, I thought surely, this women isnt going to do the work, and I was a little worried honestly, <br /> simply because everything I mentioned that I needed done, she said she could do it, even the roofing part. She came with refrences and also a portfolio , insurance and so I trusted what she told me. <br /> I have to say the most amazing part was she said it would onliy take her 4 days if she had access to the building throughout the weekend. <br /> I didnt want to go back and forth with payments, so i paid her upfront and in full, I know that sounds crazy, but she really seemed trust worthy. <br /> I gave her the keys to the office and Monday morning I was amazed when I walked in, incredable, the bathrooms were perfect, the yard looked great, building bright and clean,this women is a honest hardworking contractor who went above and beyond what she promised.no mess left behind, no little details that need to be finished, and since then she has stopped by twice to ensure our happiness.All I can say, is we love it! Oh, and this I couldnt believe, but when we came to the agreement to have the wrok done she gave me her home phone number so that I could get ahold of her at anytime, I called just to see if it was a working number and she answered, so I just asked her if she had anymore questions about the plans, lol. Perfect choice, and so nice , considerate, and comfurtable to be around <br />

<p>it was the best phone call i've made in awhile for getting repairs done to my home i can't say enough about this company t</p> hey are the best around here

Overall she did a better job then i thought could be done with the fence.

great job