I cannot say that all the work done was terrible. It wasn't. The triangular 'landing' was handled well and much of the hardwood flooring looks nice.
But Moe will demand to be paid substantial amounts in the course of the work. Usually, with contractors doing a job as big as this (all the stairs and much hardwood flooring) that is not a cause for concern. But it is with this company!
Here's the reason: He wants a large amount of money as you go, in case a problem arises where he cannot satisfy the client. With cash in hand,
he is able to walk away with the money he has and blame all the imperfections on "the natural qualities of wood". (Don't get me started on the staining problems....I would be here all day.)
I learned this by making an amateur's mistake and for this error I have suffered. I actually paid him the full $14,000 before finding a lot of problems. For every problem, he repeated his stock answer,
" That is not my responsibility!"
Would Moe have brushed me off like that if I still owed him $7.000?
Sawing in the house:
Without permission or warning, the boys suddenly moved the power saw from the garage, INSIDE the house, to the base of the upper staircase. Only six feet from the concrete pad outside the front door or steps from the inside door to the garage. The sudden and unexpected sawdust storm went through virtually our entire living quarters causing a terrible mess.
But don’t you dare blame Moe nor expect an apology. "I told you it would be messy!"
Splinters all over the unfinished part of basement:
For an unkown reason, all the staples went right through the hardwood flooring and the subfloor, strewing hundreds of dangerous pieces of
wood. "In fourteen years, I never see this before. Not my responsibility."
Note: I have to admit, a search of the Web does not show this staple problem as a common issue. But I would really have appreciated an apology. Not happening. I think he believes any small admission of fault
would lead to Small Claims Court.
Roger Moreau
Mississauga
Ps: I would suggest contacting me directly with any queries or comments, but I believe I am not allowed to post an email address or personal phone number in this text.
