Specialized Contractors Inc

We had horrible problems with Specialized's fire restoration work (see separate review on that) and didn't focus much on the addition, which seemed to be going OK. We realized only after paying the bill, that the work performed didn't match the contract. To make a terrible situation worse, Specialized left part of the job undone, forcing us to spend about $5000 more to finish. Specialized's owner, Trent Esperti, refused to pay back the overcharge. Mr. Esperti will probably deny the above. If our complaint and his counterclaims confuse you, please contact us at ska2@columbia.edu for more details

Specialized failed to perform very substantial parts of the work they contracted to do, forcing us to act as our own general contractors and spend our own funds to complete work. Specialized inaccurately claimed that the work was farther along than was truly the case. They used those claims to collect money for work that had actually not yet been performed. Specialized failed to correct substandard work by subcontractors, shifting the cost to us. They demolished, damaged and sometimes lost critical historic parts of our hundred year home in violation of Long Beach regulations, causing further delays to the job. They used an unlicensed subcontractor for part of the work, and have refused to correct his errors. They left several contractors complaining that they had been underpaid. In one case, we had to make up the underpayment to avoid being slapped with a Mechanics Lien. When we tried to resolve these and other problems, Specialized violated written agreements that specified how we would settle any disagreements about money or the work. After many attempts by us to get Specialized to mend their ways, Mr. Esperti abandoned the job on or about August 3, 2012. He has refused our demands for return of overcharges and correction of errors. At this writing, we are still working to compel Specialized to refund what overcharges and pay for repair of work badly done. THE MISTAKE WE WILL NEVER MAKE AGAIN: Since Specialized had no listings (positive or negative) on Angie's List, we should have researched them much more closely. Next time we contract for a big job (with or without Angie's List data) we will also do a careful search of local court records. Had we done that and closely reviewed those records, we would not have contracted with Specialized. Fellow Angies List members: All this verbiage must be confusing and a written response to Mr. Esperti's inaccurate statements would only make matters murkier. If you're considering Specialized Contractors, my wife and I would be pleased to share every detail of our sad experience. We can talk by phone or sit down face-to-face. To hear both sides, you can even invite me and Mr. Esperti to meet with you together, if he's willing. Just email me at ska2@columbia.edu.