Dishonest Contractor

win231

win231

SF VIP
Location
CA
Well, the owner of the company that's doing my bathroom remodel almost learned an expensive lesson.
I specifically told the owner of the company and the workers that I wanted to use my shower head in the new shower.
When the workers demolished the bathroom, they stole the shower head; they probably knew it was a high-quality, self-cleaning one that cost $200.00.
When I told the owner that it was missing, he said he would replace it. He did replace it - with a cheap plastic one that probably costs around $10.00.
I just got off the phone with him & I suggested he read some of my online reviews of companies that tried to pull that type of crap with me - and what it ended up costing them.
He must have done some reading because he told me to purchase the replacement & he would reimburse me. I ordered the shower head & e-mailed him with the invoice to have a written record of it. And the price went up to $250.00.
How incredibly STUPID a businessman has to be to rip off a paying customer for $200.00 - on a $20,000.00 job.
As Jim Croce said, "He learned a lesson 'bout 'a messin."
 

Good that you held his feet to the fire on this!
win231 said:
How incredibly STUPID a businessman has to be to rip off a paying customer for $200.00 - on a $20,000.00 job.
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I imagine he just put the usual cheap shower head in that they use on most of their jobs...

I always buy the plumbing fixtures I want and have the contractor or plumber install them, "contractor" grade stuff is usually crap.
 
win231 said:
Well, the owner of the company that's doing my bathroom remodel almost learned an expensive lesson.
I specifically told the owner of the company and the workers that I wanted to use my shower head in the new shower.
When the workers demolished the bathroom, they stole the shower head; they probably knew it was a high-quality, self-cleaning one that cost $200.00.
When I told the owner that it was missing, he said he would replace it. He did replace it - with a cheap plastic one that probably costs around $10.00.
I just got off the phone with him & I suggested he read some of my online reviews of companies that tried to pull that type of crap with me - and what it ended up costing them.
He must have done some reading because he told me to purchase the replacement & he would reimburse me. I ordered the shower head & e-mailed him with the invoice to have a written record of it. And the price went up to $250.00.
How incredibly STUPID a businessman has to be to rip off a paying customer for $200.00 - on a $20,000.00 job.
As Jim Croce said, "He learned a lesson 'bout 'a messin."
Click to expand...
He messed with the wrong person when he messed with you, Win... good for you...
 

Alligatorob said:
Good that you held his feet to the fire on this!

I imagine he just put the usual cheap shower head in that they use on most of their jobs...

I always buy the plumbing fixtures I want and have the contractor or plumber install them, "contractor" grade stuff is usually crap.
Click to expand...
Me, too - but of course in this case I already had it. And I tried to keep an eye on the workers but I couldn't; they used power tools to remove the old tub & everything was dusty & there wasn't room to stand anywhere near the bathroom.
 
These contractors don't realize they're losing business down the road. When I trust a contractor, I give him repeat business. We've done that with 2-3 contractors we had over the years. If they try and cheat me, they never see me again.
 
win231 said:
I'm going to have a talk with the owner next week when the tile work begins. I'm letting him know he caused some trust issues; I'm concerned about other shortcuts he may pull.
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Win, you're smart to keep your eyes peeled. 👀 The contractor has to make up the $250 he paid for the "missing" shower head because he hires thieves. :rolleyes:
 
Update - The owner of the construction company came to discuss my issues. He will return the cheap plastic shower fixtures & I purchased the right ones & he will reimburse me around $600.00. I doubt he'll try to avoid that; he knows I will deduct that amount from the balance ($6,000.00) if he tries anything else. And I'll post negative reviews. The tile was delivered today.
 
win231 said:
Update - The owner of the construction company came to discuss my issues. He will return the cheap plastic shower fixtures & I purchased the right ones & he will reimburse me around $600.00. I doubt he'll try to avoid that; he knows I will deduct that amount from the balance ($6,000.00) if he tries anything else. And I'll post negative reviews. The tile was delivered today.
Click to expand...
And so he should, what a total wanker he is.
 
Another cheap shortcut attempt:
Before the plumbing was installed, I explained to the contractor that I can only have copper piping because rodents have chewed PEX pipes in the past & flooded my basement. I went into my basement to check on the water supply pipe to make sure it was copper & not PEX.
PEX piping is fine when it's below ground, not exposed to sunlight & where rodents can't get to it.
Sure enough, the plumber installed PEX to save a few dollars. Maybe he thought I wouldn't be able to see it because the basement is very dark & there is no light in it. He didn't know that I have some very high-powered flashlights that generate over 20,000 lumens (by comparison, a 60-watt light bulb produces 800 lumens). PEX piping is White, Blue, or Red, so it's easy to see.
Here's how the conversation went:
Me: "You'll have to change the supply pipe to copper. You do remember when we discussed it, don't you?"

Plumber: "Well, I've been installing PEX for 10 years & never had a problem."

Me: "As I already told you previously, my basement was flooded when rats chewed PEX. I would have to check the basement for flooding every few hours; something I don't want to do. And, if you want, I can show you "You Tube" videos of leaks in PEX after rodents chewed it. That's why I spent several thousand dollars extra to re-pipe with copper 4 years ago."

Plumber: "We use a special type of PEX that rodents won't chew."

Me: "There is no such thing, & if there was, I wouldn't be interested."

Plumber: "Rats only chew when they're hungry." (really stupid)

Me: "No, all rodents need to chew to file down their teeth because their teeth never stop growing & if they don't chew, their teeth get too long & they can't eat. Maybe you could read up on it. If you want, I'll have my plumber replace the pipe & subtract it from my balance. But that would cost you more because of the service call, plus the pipe, plus the labor. And I'll include the details in my reviews."

He replaced the section of pipe with copper. It's only 4 feet long & it took 10 minutes.
There is no limit.........
 

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