F&S Handyman Services

Dillon McGee, my contact from F&S Handyman services, contacted me at 10:45pm on April 19, 2022 in response to my request for help with building two closets. We set a time for him to come over and see the work. I believe it was the next day. Dillon arrived with his father, and I showed them the project. He seemed enthusiastic, and even asked if he could also build some bookshelves for me. The initial impression was very good. He lives in a nearby town about 15 minutes away, so I thought it would be an excellent match. He sent me his quote, and I have to say that I was a bit shocked at his labor estimate given his 3 years of experience - $100/hr for 60 hours. The handyman we usually use just had back surgery, so he couldn't help us. He is a licensed plumber, electrician and master cabinet maker with 30 years of experience. He charges us $47.50 an hour. That said, I was in a bind for time, so I asked if he could bring the job cost down to $7700 from $9000. I accepted. Dillon sent me a Legal Zoom style contract, asking for all $7700 up front. I called him to say that I was uncomfortable giving him that much money up front and said I would be willing to pay for his materials as well as pay him on a daily basis if needed. He said he got special discounts at Lowe's, and I replied that I do, too, since we are a non-profit and buy a lot of goods from them. I added that we are also tax exempt, so that would save a bit on materials. He said he needed to speak with someone about this and would call me back. I figured this was just inexperience talking, so I thought nothing of it. When he called back, he was insistent that he purchase materials since he needed to do that for tax reasons. I didn't want to lose more time, so I just agreed, and made a change to the contract: that $3850 would be paid up front, and that the remaining $3850 would be paid on successful completion. Dillon said he would probably be coming by a few days before the 27th to measure and possibly bring equipment by. When I didn't hear from him, I called and he said he was finishing up other work. On the evening of the 26th, I texted and asked what time he would be coming by to start the next day. I got a reply from his wife saying that he had Covid and was sleeping, and added that he had anxiety issues and needed to rest. Dillon then called and said that he needed to quarantine for 5 days. I understood, and told him to get better AND to not push himself. I am a medical anthropologist. so I spent a fair amount of time talking with him about Covid, what to expect, how to manage with the family, etc. I thought that, given his anxiety issues (per his wife), this might be helpful to him personally I called five days later to see how he was doing, and he said he wasn't feeling his best, and that he thought his wife was now sick with it and he would need to take her to the doctor in the morning. He said he would call me to let me know what the prognosis was. I never heard from him that day, so I texted to ask about his wife. He said she was positive for Covid, and he was disinfecting his house. The next day, I texted to find out what his plan was. I asked if his other crew members (his dad and another fellow) could come by to get started, as the deadline was rapidly approaching. AT this point, it was May 2 at 10:15pm. On May 3, he replied he was busy taking care of his family and could not talk to me. He was upset , saying he thought I "understood" his situation, and I said that I did and asked him to give me a counterproposal, that I would work with him even though the contract said he would be finished May 5. He said he needed another week, and I said that would be fine as long as he showed up and started working. He said he would be over to measure and would start work on Friday, May 6. Then he called to say he had to finish up another job and wouldn't be available Friday, but would work all weekend beginning May 7. This was Mother's Day weekend, and we had plans to go to Asheville, but we cancelled them so we could be there to get the job rolling. On Saturday, May 7, I texted him at 9:30am to find out what time he was planning to start. He replied that he had to go and get tires on his truck., and that he would call me around lunchtime. I did not hear from him again until 4pm, when he texted to say "please quit calling me back to back, I had an emergency with one of my sons he busted his head open. I talked to 2 other carpenters and they told me I was out of my mind to do that job for what I quoted it for. Also the guy that works for me that does all my carpenter work is out of town and will not be back until next weekend, which also puts me in a bind. I will not be making anything doing this at 7700.00. The materials will be outrageously expensive and I can't be on that one job for to (sic) long for what it pays. So I'm just offering to return your money to you." There is a lot to unpack in those comments, but I just replied, "yes", fine. I called and left a message saying I was sorry that we could not work things out, and that he should return my money to me by 9am on Monday morning (May 9). Monday morning, no money was returned so I called Dillon and got his voicemail. I told him that again, I was sorry that things had taken such a turn, and that I would be contacting my lawyer, Angi and potentially the Iredell County Sheriff's office. At 4:30pm yesterday afternoon, Dillon sent a text asking me to call him so we could talk. I have not returned his call as my only interest at this point is in getting my money returned to me.

It went great! I would definitely rehire. They were very efficient and got everything done the way it needed to be done.

Amazing job

Great, these guys were very efficient.

I received prompt service after my request. They were courteous and cleaned up as they worked. On time for appointment. Everything was completed efficiently.

Amazing job done, very professional and reasonable prices