Klein and Son Construction and Excavating

They were fairly on time, but haven't completed the job. Father had to have surgery and unfortunately died. Microwave still not properly installed and counter behind stove still has a hole. Have tried to get in touch with them to get these items fixed, but no one has replied to my calls or emails.  Really would like them to get in touch with me to complete the work. <br />

Sloppy work components used were lower grade than we had agreed to and we were never informed of the change. Discovered it a year later when I tried to open my double hung windows to discover they were not double hung windows. The top window was a permanently constructed to not open. Roof leaked after he put a new roof on. Came back two additional times to repair with an attitude so horrible that he would not speak to us like it was our fault. Finally called someone else on third leak same place as previous repairs. Klein senior brought alot of family drama everyday with his red-neck attitude and slip-shot quality of work which neither were appreciated. Paint peeled on every wall inside the house that he painted. Always asking for advances to make payroll which was not the original agreement. Klein jr. is awesome and professional but spread thin. Could not get him everyday. Laborers were friendly and polite but quality of work was just not there. Since then we hired another contractor and the additional 100,000.00 in renovations was well spent and no drama and each day when they left they actually cleaned up no traces of construction. We used A Cut Above Construction and were so pleased we are hoping to get them for our new home construction. Their prices were right on and we found them thru an employee of Home Depot. One more thing after living here 50 years we've never had trespassers. Three days after publishing my negative comment on AngieList concerning Klein and Sons we started having trespassing issues. All that stopped when I removed the negative comments. Im sure it was just a coincidence. <br />

Our house had fallen into disrepair inside and outside due to neglect by family members living there.  We selected Klein and Son to look at the situation and tell us what needed to be done since we live in another part of the country.  We knew the deck was in bad shape, the back door needed to be replaced and some exterior siding was rotten from rain splash beside it but not sure what else needed to be done. <br /> <br /> They came back with the estimate to fix those things and paint the exterior so we told them to proceed.  After they completed the work, my brother was saying that the new steps on the deck sag/bend when you step on them but Fred Klein said he would come put another stringer/riser on it so that would fix that and all would be good. <br /> <br /> We made a trip to visit the house in January and are still in shock from what we found. <br /> <br /> The stringer was never installed on the steps even after I reminded Fred. Also the deck was not built to code.  Fred said we told him to build it like it was which to us meant shape and size but to him apparently means to code 29 years ago which is what they did but he did offer to bring it up to code if we paid him.  I did also discover while installing the stringer and balisters that they did not replace most of the framing under the deck. <br /> <br /> There are numerous rotten spots in the siding around the house that were just painted over, not counting the spot caused by the dog.  My neighbor was pointing them out from his yard. There are some pieces of siding that have pulled away from the house that only need a nail or two to pull them back down but they are still sticking out.  I didn't ask them to fix it but it is so small most contractors would just do it. <br /> <br /> The threshold for the back door is missing the wood under it so when you step outside the metal bends down.  I told Fred about it and he said he would look at it.  I am thinking that is all he did.  I fixed it while we were there. <br /> <br /> I also noticed runs on the side of the house.  I have since learned that they stained over the paint which makes no sense to me as it is a waste of their time and my money but Fred says we insisted on them doing it.  We did provide them a gallon of stain to do the chimney that was rebuilt when the roof was replaced but the wood was too wet so seal.  Somehow that became stain the whole house which does not work so that was an obvious misunderstanding. <br /> <br /> All my efforts to work with Fred are fruitless.  He takes no ownership of his work or any responsibility.  Everything is our fault but I didn't know we could relieve them of their responsibility to work to code.  Any contractor I have ever worked with would have never stained the painted siding but worked with us to clear up the issue and most would have taken care of the little things to prep the house before painting. <br /> <br /> Fred has said some of the things he did were to save us money but I suspect the reality is it saved him expense so he made more money.  After looking at everything, I don't feel like us getting what we needed or paid for was the priority but instead calling the job finished and getting paid was.   <br /> <br /> Perhaps things might have worked out differently if we had been there to oversee everything but that is the whole point of hiring the right contractor. <br /> <br /> I offer anyone to come take a look to see for themselves if you want to see what I am talking about.

unknown

We did not live in the home at the time and therefore were reliant on their integrity and professionalism.  They told us the home was finished and asked us to pay before they even cleaned up the job - they also had not painted one of the doors and another door stuck pretty badly in the door jam.  They did complete these things when we brought it to their attention, however had we not brought it up they wouldn't have done it.  We gave them the benefit of the doubt and hired them a few weeks later to complete more work on the home.  They walked through the home with us and told us it would take 4-5 days to complete and that they would be done by a certain date (we lived out of state and they knew we had airline reservations to fly out on a certain date).  The first day they all came and worked most of the day, however that was the last time that happened.  The second day only 1 worker showed up and the 3rd day 2 workers finally showed up in the afternoon.  Needless to say they were nowhere near completed by the agreed date and we ended up having to pay to change our flights and fly out almost a week later than we had planned.  It took them numerous extra days to complete the work and even then there were a couple small things that were left undone.  We had arranged for them to contact our realtor to gain access to the house after we left to complete those things, but of course they never contacted the realtor and those things never got completed by them.  One of their employees also thought it was completely acceptable to smoke in our house.  They were not the worst people in the world, however if we could avoid it, we would not use them again, as they did not show the professionalism that we expect from any business and we also feel as though they are a business that would take advantage of their customers if the opportunity presented itself. <br />

<p>Started off great, met with Fred Sr. 5 months before and talked about what I wanted done, gave him my vision of how I wanted it to look and gave him time to digest all that I wanted, and the budget I had to work with. Met with Fred Sr. again in Jan, firmed up what I wanted, we talked it great length about what I wanted done, and then did a walk thru of the home. Fred Sr. told me to ask for everything I could think of that I wanted done, and we developed a must have, want to have, if there is money left over would like to have list. Contract was signed, for work to start 1 Mar with a 8 week timeline, yep there is a lot to do. I was able to have the house open a week early and Fred Sr. jumped at the chance to start. Day one put a big smile on my face, kitchen and baths gutted, all flooring removed. Met Fred Jr and the rest of the crew. Fred Jr just as nice as Fred Sr, and the young boys very respectful and nice. Fred Sr has raised a great family. Each day I get an update and get the opportunity to add input. Love it. Will keep Angie's list updated with the progress. </p> <p>Update: week 2</p> <p>main bathroom has been framed and dry walled, new master bathroom created, framed and dry walled.  Fred Sr and Fred Jr have been great.  Some dead space was discovered on the new bathroom and Fred Jr made a linen/towel nook. The house is small and they are using every inch of space possible.  They are masters of redesign, I was able to gain a master bathroom without losing living space in the master bedroom.  There work is very efficient, I and never have seen the young boys without a project to do, no one sits around, and most of all they understand budget, only upgrades are ones I ask for, and they help to keep me on budget unlike other contractors that want to help you spend more.  Again Very Happy</p> <p>Update: week 4</p> <p>most all of the painting has been done, just some small areas left. Fred's people are great, the trim work fantastic, the lines perfectly straight. I am very critical of paint work, and able to spot small defect, but this was not the case, I looked everywhere and could not see even a 2mm difference in his lines.  The hold up this week is the cabinets I am having built, this is not Fred's fault but mine as I wanted custom cabinets.  Very excited to get the cabinets and countertops in.  Very very happy<br /> <br /> late in the update:  work is mostly complete just some small things I want added.Cabinets and countertops installed, they are beautiful.  small problem with one of the cabinet doors, Fred went back to the maker of the cabinets and made him make me a new one.   Moved in, love my home.<br /> <br /> Already hired Fred to do some outside work on the house too.</p> <p></p>

On the exterior work the brick is a match with the existing parts of the house that were previously already brick which was a concern.  Windows are a big improvement over what we had.  For the price - very good. <br /> For the partial kitchen remodel we needed a wall moved and a new electrical line added.  Excellent work and quick. <br />

Overall good job. The windows were very high quality and installed professionally. I have had a noticeable drop in my utility bills since the installation. The only issue we had on the job was a miscommunication where I saw the job when Mr. Klein had stopped and assumed it was finished. The reality was that Mr. Klein had stopped at this point to give me the option of using a different siding. Once this was cleared up the job was completed promptly and professionally. <br />

They are very professional, and go above and beyond for their customers! <br /> Mr. Klein was very helpful, came over when insurance adjuster was here, to help with questions I wouldn't of thought of.  <br /> They were always prompt, friendly, cheerful and courteous, and let me know what they were doing and why.  <br /> I have not had a problem with leakage since they fixed the roof, and would and will call them again when something need replaced or fixed in my house.  <br /> <br />

unknown

<p>The initial cement pour was under forecasted.  They had a cement truck come in, but their projections were wrong.  Klein construction had to supplement the cement by using bags of cement.  I am not sure if the mixes were of the same quality.  Water was pooling up on the floor prior to the roof going over the area.  The contractor stated that they would smooth this out.  This did not happen as evident by the tiles and the water flow.  </p> Room developed a leak closet to the house first.  Several documents were ruined by this initial water leak.  Contractor came back in worked this water leak.  Instead of replacing the ceiling material, they painted over the water damaged spot versus replacing it.  Then, the water came in under the floor of the other two walls.   Contractor drilled holes, removed a brick and did other fix it tasks.  In the end, the water is still leaking in the room.  Klein came back and removed the base boards and cut a hole in the sheetrock to see where the water is coming in.  This was the last thing that they work on.  As of today.....over 8 months later, the room is still unfinished.  We paid the fees prior to the first hard rain.  It was too late to recoup the funds after the fact.  Now, the wood at the bottom of the structure is starting to rot due to the constant presence of moisture.

His services are the best around, his integrity is unmatched.  He will not try and make a buck off of you.  He is fair and does great work. <br />

<br /> <br />We needed our house directly after purchase. <br />

PERFECT

I CONTACTED FREDRICK KLEIN, THE OWNER OF KLEIN AND SONS CONSTRUCTION- THROUGH A REFERRAL.  A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY RECOMMENDED HIM.  I TOLD MR. KLEIN, THAT I HAD WANTED TO REPLACE WINDOWS IN MY 90+ YEAR OLD HOME- FOR MANY YEARS, AND HAD FINALLY DECIDED WHAT TYPE OF WINDOW I WANTED.  I ASKED HIM TO COME OUT, AND TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IT WOULD ENTAIL. <br /> THE HOME HAD HAD PREVIOUS WATER DAMAGE ISSUES, AND I THOUGHT THAT SOME OF THE REASON FOR THAT- WAS THE BADLY DETERIORATED CONDITION OF THE EXISTING WOODEN WINDOWS.   MR. KLEIN CAME OUT, INSPECTED EACH ROOM, AND AGREED.  HE WAS EASY GOING.  WHEN ASKED QUESTIONS (AND I ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS), HE WAS TO THE POINT WITH EVERY ANSWER.  HE WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND RESPECTFUL. <br /> I HAD TALKED TO SEVERAL COMPANIES, PRIOR TO SPEAKING WITH MR. KLEIN- AND HAD GOTTEN ROUGH ESTIMATES FOR THIS WINDOW REPLACEMENT JOB.  I WAS REPLACING 20+ WINDOWS- AND EACH COMPANY THAT I SPOKE WITH- GAVE VERY HIGH ESTIMATES FOR BOTH THE WINDOWS AND THE LABOR COSTS.  KLEIN AND SONS CONSTRUCTION DID NOT.  <br /> MR. KLEIN BROKE DOWN THE COST OF MATERIALS, LABOR AND NOTED OTHER ISSUES THAT WE MAY HAVE TO DEAL WITH, IN HIS BID FOR SERVICE.  THE AMOUNT HE LISTED, FOR THE COST OF THE WINDOWS (LOW E- ARGON GAS FILLED) WAS VERY COMPETITIVE.  HIS LABOR COSTS WERE MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE THAN HIS COMPETITION.  BECAUSE OF HIS 'NO NONSENSE' DEMEANOR- AND HIS MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, I IMMEDIATELY HIRED HIM! <br /> I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.  HIS CREW WAS DILIGENT IN GETTING THE JOB DONE.  THEY KNEW WHAT TO DO- AND DID THEIR JOB WELL.  EVERYONE THAT I CAME INTO CONTACT WITH- WAS RESPECTFUL AND HARD WORKING.  <br /> THE ONLY ISSUES THAT IMPACTED THIS JOB NEGATIVELY- WERE NOT THE FAULT OF KLEIN AND SONS CONSTRUCTION. <br />  THERE WAS SPORATIC  RAIN, THROUGHOUT THE JOB- THAT DELAYED THE INSTALLATION OF A FEW WINDOWS.  THAT WAS TO BE EXPECTED, BECAUSE WE ARE IN AN AREA THAT REGULARLY DEALS WITH THAT ISSUE.  <br /> THE OTHER ISSUE, INVOLVED THE WINDOW DISTRIBUTOR, THAT THIS COMPANY WAS USING.  THE WINDOW COMPANY, TWICE, SHIPPED THE WRONG SIZED WINDOWS.  MR. KLEIN DEALT WITH THE PROBLEM PROFESSIONALLY- AND SWIFTLY.  HE APOLOGIZED MANY TIMES FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND DELAY THAT THIS CAUSED.  THE JOB ACTUALLY TOOK VERY LITTLE TIME, I FELT- SO THIS WAS NEVER AN ISSUE FOR ME.  <br /> I RESPECTED THE FACT THAT HE TOOK FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE- EVEN THOUGH WE BOTH KNEW IT WAS NOT HIS FAULT.  (NOTE:  HE NOW USES A DIFFERENT WINDOW DISTRIBUTOR). <br /> ON A SPECIAL NOTE-  ONE OF THE WINDOWS THAT I HAD REPLACED, NEEDED SPECIAL FRAMING DONE, ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOME.  HIS SON DID THE HANDY WORK- AND IT LOOKED INCREDIBLE.  I WAS VERY PLEASED! <br /> I EXPECT, IN THE NEAR FUTURE, I WILL BE HIRING KLEIN AND SONS CONSTRUCTION, TO DO OTHER WORK WITHIN MY HOME.  BECAUSE- WHEN YOU FIND A CONTRACTOR THAT DOES WHAT IT SAYS-  HAS THIS DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM- AND GIVE AN HONEST PRICE....YOU STICK WITH THEM!!

He came within 30 min. look the at roof and gave suggestion on how to repair the  roof. We then ask for estimate and agree the amt. He just repair today. so I will do and update after he paint my house.

great

We own a small business in the Dothan, Al area, but live out of town.   I found Fred Klein through Angie's List and at the time there were not that many options in the area.  Their company didn't have stellar reviews, but we decided to go with them.  For a project that I was not able to directly oversee, it went pretty smoothly in the beginning.  Fred was willing to work around our hours of operation as much a possible with a remodel of this type.  Issues didn't really emerge until the end of the project.  On three separate occasions, strips of vinyl fell off of the building.  To his credit, Fred came out to fix the issues, but recently another siding issue came up and Fred has stopped returning calls.  I have yet to personally inspect his work, but so far it's suspect.  I will update this post once I am able to view the work firsthand. <br /> My biggest complaint with the company is that they took a $1200 deposit from me on 4/12/12 to install carpet "around Memorial Day."  It is 6/22/12 and it has yet to be installed.  Fred has not returned my emails or answered my calls.  For my part, I am not always quick to respond either, but two and a half months is a bit ridiculous. <br /> About their professionalism, Fred wasn't aware that we have some personal friends that work for us.  He would refer to us as "Corporate P*****" when he spoke to them and the rest of the staff.  We spoke to Fred about this and he did apologize.  Another unprofessional issue was that his son and the crew smoke and toss cigarette butts throughout the property as well as in the kitchen sink and the toilets.  <br /> All in all, our customers like the looks of the remodel, which is great.  Hindsight being 20/20, I would have chosen another company. <br /> <br /> this is an old home and it was not built in 1997! <br /> <br /> *update 8/5/12  Fred refunded the $1200 deposit.

I think I just said that in the above area. I would use this company again for any and all small or large job I need around my house.

The same as the other reviews that I just now read; started out great when we go the estimate, the Father and son team came out and did their measurements assuring us that they would be in and out as quickly as possible.  Fred Jr arrived about 30 min late and was very apologetic, that was strike one.  Then he became very intersted when the possibility of a sunroom came into the conversation and prepared his estimate based on that, although we (both me & my wife) agreed that it was a remote possibility.  We got the estimate of work and declined the sunroom, opting to either add that later, or do something entirely different.  This is when the interest in and quality of work took a sharp decline. <br /> <br /> The windows arrived almost 2 weeks later than promised, the the house (which we had removed the siding from) sat there naked, waiting on windows.  Many apologiews for this, too. <br /> <br /> The gutters did not get put back up, and we had to specifically call them back to do that part of the job, and when we pointed out the caulk that had cracked on every single window, we got the same bad attitude from them about us criticizing their work. Fred Sr. promised that he would personally come back out and re-caulk the windows, and the windows never did get re-caulked; I guess I have to do that even after spending $12,000 to have them do the entire job of siding the house and installing 7 windows.   <br /> <br /> Finally, the siding has already started to fall off the house, in spite of their boast that they "do all their work like they did up in Michigan, and when the  last storm came through, none of the houses they worked on got damaged."  On a personal note, I also did not appreciate having the workers smoking and dropping about 75-100 cigarette butts in my front lawn. <br /> <br /> Some of the work was of good quality, but the overall quality and satisfaction of that job, for me was very poor at best, for the money spent since I do not have the time to do the work myself. I am not impressed with the company and would recommend that you take your hard-earned money to people that respect your wishes and are willing to work for your money; also to ones that respect your property, and do not get offended when you expect them to do the job as if it were on their own home.

I got the name of the company from Angies list and emailed them. 30 minutes later I got a call to set up an appointment for an estimate. At that time a written estimate was given and a work time established. Work was completed in 3 days and the results were great.

There was no contact after I tried to get them out here to give the estimate. Just blew me off. <br /> They tried to rectify my complaint, but still have not fully complied.

Mr. Klein come to my home to give me and estimate on painting the outside of my house and give me and estimate on a new shingle roof.  I was not looking to put a metal roof on but he assured the quality of the metal roof compared to the quality and legivity of a shingled roof. Turns out I took his word and went with the metal roof.. that in which i am much more satisfied with compared to the look of how my home looked prior to Mr. Klein and his workers I am very pleased. After signing the initial contract with Mr. Klein he ensured me that him and his crew would get started on it as soon as they could weather permitting.  Within just a couple of days they started and finished my roof and the painting. I was very satisfied with the way him and his workers conducted themselves. The job was well laid out and very tidy considering that it was a roof and paint job. I will definately call him back for my next project.

We spoke with Mr Klein and he assured us he would be back last week to finish the job we hired him for. To date he has not been back.  I am very disappointed but have not given up. <br /> <br /> One of the jobs we wanted done was to repair a leak in our roof that is dripping through our wall in a bathroom and hall <br /> way spot.  We have experienced heavy rain with Tropical storm Lee and sure wish the roof had been repaired.  <br /> <br /> He is also installing two octagonal windows and repairs to a door frame, all water damage.  <br /> <br /> When he and his crew come back I will report for sure, but as of this date, he has not returned. <br /> <br /> Wish I could give a more positive report.  Thank you so much for your continued follow up. <br /> <br /> Sincerely,  Ruth Greene

I thought about commenting on this business; however, I still have issues with the way the job was done, and how I, as a paying customer, was treated. <br /> <br /> I called and got an estimate and was told I receive 15% military discount, it was 13%.  The owner sounded willing and able to perform the job to standard.  I received an e-mail with a quote and went ahead to hire the firm to paint the interior of the house.  As stated above the result was way below anyone's expectations. <br /> I contacted the owner after I cleaned up the mess that was truly unbearable and told him what was wrong, unfortunately he responded very unprofessional and came across brazen.  He did however made an imediate attempt to correct deficiencies. Upon requesting to lower the total compensation, due to unsatisfactory conditions,  he threatened me to involve some legal actions, I was out of state due to military orders and did not want to draw this out; so I went ahead and paid the outstanding balance. Upon request for an idemized receipt he responded that the firm does not give them and that his estimate or e-mail contract would have to suffice. <br /> <br /> Needless to say, a proffesional who could have resolved this issue in much more professional way. We all make mistakes or have miscommunication; however, the solving of this issue was less than satisfactoy.  I will definitely not request this firm again, and I hope that others had a much more pleasant experience with them.  A disappointment to the Corps!