Salesman Steve came to our house and inspected the basement area where the floor would be installed. Area was approximately 900 sq. ft. and had been cleared of all furniture (except for a couch, a desk, and a computer table). All prior flooring had been removed, so that concrete floor where new floating vinyl tile would be installed was exposed. Steve measured the area and said that some floor prep would be needed and that the proposal includes an allowance for the floor prep. Received a proposal for about $6,000, which Steve said included 3 hours of prep time and estimated materials. We placed the order for the job and paid 50% up front. Mid-West called to say materials were in and we scheduled the delivery and installation. Delivery was scheduled for the first delivery of the day at 8:00 in the morning. On day of delivery, no one had arrived by 8:30, so I called Mid-West and spoke to Brian in Customer Service. He said the truck had arrived and that no one was home, that driver had called and texted the contact number on the order (my cell phone number), and that there was no answer or reply. I told Brian that I had been home all morning (I had) and that I had received no call or text on my cell phone. Brian said the driver would need to reschedule for later in the day. I told Brian that was not acceptable that the delivery needed to happen as soon as possible (now). Brian said he would call the driver and see what he could do. Brian called back and said truck would arrive in about 10 minutes, which it did. We determined that the problem was that the driver had gone to the wrong address and had called and texted the wrong cell phone number. Two installers arrived on time the next work day. Steve the salesman also showed up. Installers told Steve they needed more materials and floor prep time than he had estimated. The proposal included a clause saying I was responsible for extra time and materials not included in the proposal. Steve asked if it was ok if there was some extra prep time and materials. I agreed, since materials had been delivered and paid for (I assume that the 50% down payment covered the cost of the flooring materials) it seemed I had little choice. Floor installation took 3 days instead of the 2 days in the proposal. I received the bill 2 days after the work was completed. The invoice included an additional charge of $1,600 over the proposal for extra labor and materials. I contacted Steve, the salesman about 5 days after I received the bill. He told me that there was nothing he could do, that there was no way he could tell how much prep time and materials would be needed, and that the proposal said I was responsible for extra labor and materials. I told him that billing for more than 25% over the proposal was not acceptable. Steve said he could check with his boss. I said he should do that. His boss, Brian, called me back within 5 minutes. Brian asked me what the problem was. I asked Brian if he had discussed my bill with Steve. Brian said yes. I told Brian that I was not happy with the extra charge on the bill. I said that I understood I was responsible for extra prep time and materials, but that if Steve misses estimates by more than 25%, then he is in the wrong line if work. Brian said Steve was one of his best salesmen, and that there was no way that he could know the condition of the concrete floor and the prep time required. I told Brian that the entire concrete floor was exposed for Steve's inspection when he bid the job, that the installers knew immediately that additional time and materials would be needed, and that Steve could have brought in an installer to look at the job before he bid it to help determine prep time and materials. Brian said he could take $300 off the bill. I told Brian, that was not acceptable and he should talk to someone else that could do better. Brian told me he was the owner and that $300 was the best he could do. I told Brian that since the original bill included 3 hours of prep time (this according to Steve) that I would pay for an additional 3 hours and the billed price of $530 for the materials (which I assume is the retail price). Brian said he did not find that acceptable that his final offer was to take $500 of the bill. I told Brian to send me the adjusted invoice and that I would consider it. We have used Mid-West in the past and found them to be reputable and to do good work. I have worked in the residential construction industry. The labor rate charged for extra work ($90/hr.) is generous to Mid-West. This bid certainly seems deceptive to me. If the proposed amount had been as high as the actual amount charged, I would have had to reconsider doing the work. In my opinion, the amount charged should not have been more than 10% over the proposed amount.