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To Eviscerate or not to Eviscerate?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Classic Property Management

   I decided to write a blog and ask all of my fellow Rainers a question that has had me wondering for a while.   You see, one of the rental homes that we manage had a water leak in the middle of the night about six weeks ago.  We contracted an emergency water restoration company to come out and fix the problem and dry out the carpets.  They originally quoted a cost of about $700-$800 to complete the task.

   The weeks began to roll by, and the work was far from completed.  I tried calling the company several times to find out what was taking so long and to get an updated estimate.  After being jerked around for a while, I dropped by their office to complain and get some answers.  They made more promises and assured me that the work would be done by _______ date. 

    On that date, their guy showed up four hours late for the rebuild and did some of the worst work that I have ever seen.  Rather than staying to finish the job as promised, their guy took off after about an hour of his crappy work to "get to another appointment."

   As you can see from the photos, the base board install done was one of the most ridiculous attempts at a rebuild that you've ever seen.

   To sum it all up, they finally completed the job after almost seven weeks and sent us the bill for $5,400.......up from $700-$800 I would say. 

   And so my question to all of those who read this blog is this:Is their any kind of law or other obstacle that would keep me from freely eviscerating this company through negative exposure on my blog?  Is there anything that would hinder me from naming this company?

Show All Comments Sort:
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Complete and total disembowelment......frustrating, to say the least. Why is it so frickin' hard to find someone who can 'do what they say' 'when they say they will' and for a reasonable price???
Oct 20, 2007 01:24 PM
Jon Mitchell
Classic Property Management - Santa Clarita, CA
RICH: Amen!!  I think I will insert links to their website through the photos of their crappy work...
Oct 20, 2007 01:26 PM
Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent
Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA

I say off with their heads!   Incredibly bad workmanship and customer service, I hope you are able pay only for the quality of work done....what a shame. 

I would also make a complaint with the BBB if they drag their feet and talk to your local government who oversees licensing of contractors to see if they register complaints and offer mediation.

Good luck with it!

Oct 20, 2007 02:00 PM
Jacqulyn Richey
Prominent Realty Group - Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas Real Estate

File a complaint with the state Attorney General's office. I the first to admit that I'm not the most handy guy around the house, but even I would have done a far better job than that. That is just beyond pathetic. -Charles

Oct 20, 2007 02:22 PM
Carolyn Galant
Coldwell Banker Residential - Madison, NJ
MBA - Coldwell Banker - New Jersey Real Estate
i can't tell which is the before and which is the after. Contact the BBB as well.
Oct 20, 2007 02:29 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon
I'm with everyone else. Contact the BBB and the state attorney general. If this is a general contractor add to it report them to the contractors board.
Oct 20, 2007 04:22 PM
Kelly Sibilsky
Licensed Through Referral Connection, LTD. - Lake Zurich, IL
It's such a shame...If this person had done a fantastic job, think of all of the positive exposure you would have given him here on AR and in the form of referrals...
Oct 21, 2007 08:12 AM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO
I don't think, in light of your APPALLING photos, that a simple blog about a remodel, with the company name and photos shown to "show off" the job, would be an issue.  Not a negative article; rather, one that offers examples of various contractors that you have used for various jobs.  That this contractor would end up in the second "before" photo is his own responsibility- you're just offering input to consumers.
Oct 21, 2007 12:52 PM
Jon Mitchell
Classic Property Management - Santa Clarita, CA
Thanks everyone!  Laurie, that is a great idea.  Stay tuned for another blog about "craftsmen" and what to expect from them.
Oct 21, 2007 01:29 PM