ComplaintsforMr. Handyman Central MetroWest

• Initial Complaint

  08/11/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We received an estimate for a project to repair the trim on our home after removal of baseboard heaters. The original estimate was $1300. The contractor, ****, came to our house to get the measurements and then provided us with an updated estimate of $2400. We agreed to this estimate, even though it seemed a bit excessive and much higher than the original price. Observing **** work, he seemed to be taking his time and taking lots of breaks. After the first day of work, he was not finished and said he would need to come back but "wouldn't take long" in his words. I clarified with him that any extra hours were part of the original estimate ($2400) and he confirmed it was. He asked for payment for the full project at the end of that first day and we made the payment in good faith he would return and finish the project and that he would inform us ahead of time if there would be any additional costs beyond that estimate. He came back a few days later and finished the job, only at the very end saying we owed him another $1500. I was completely taken aback that he would not have told us ahead of time he was going to charge us beyond the agreed upon amount. He was now asking for close to $4k for a job they had originally estimated would cost $1300. He blamed the secretary saying that she should have told us and upon speaking with the secretary she blamed the contractor saying he should have notified us ahead of time. **** also broke a light fixture in our home and never told us about it. He took 16 hours to do a 6hr job. Upon speaking with the owner of Mr. ********************** MetroWest he took no responsibility for this lack of communication and also demanded we pay the extra $1500. It makes me think they purposely gave low estimates and didn't communicate with us throughout the process to squeeze more money out of us for this project without informing us ahead of time. Now they are threatening to file a lein on our home because we won't pay the $1500.

  

  Business response

  08/12/2022

  This lady is unreasonable and hasn't offered anything.  She is trying to justify a 9 hour increase to a 1 day job in which she added projects to the original time and materials estimate as included part of the estimate. Its a time and materials estimate also, not a fixed quote.  I'm not sure she understands the difference.  We explained we needed to be paid and she's trying to intimidate us with lies about the business, not realizing when I prove them to be untrue, she's opening herself to libel as well.   

  She is purposely trying to damage my business with lies and hearsay in a threat not to pay the ****.  She's opening herself to legal risk, far more than me for using legal collections procedures.  I've responded to her other online remarks with truth and she's upset because my company still expects to be paid.  I won't be blackmailed.  I am planning on continuing with collections.  She has not been open to paying anything.  I would offer a 10% discount, but she has stated clearly she's not paying. I'll have to let a judge decide.  I'm just gathering facts at this point. 

  She's not open to negotiations, just want's a free day's work.  

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