Raymond Arias Construction

I really wanted to like Mr. Arias. He was someone with whom I attended grade school here in town! He seemed professional, was well spoken, suggested an engineer and architect, which allowed us to work out a lot of design issues up front. Fantastic! But then, he just disappeared. The shoddy work and materials make it clear to me that he didn't bother supervising his workers. He never obtained a signed contract to complete the work, or obtain written authorization for what he claimed was additional work or change orders, both as required by law. We had a verbal fixed fee contract based on Mr. Arias' proposal and subsequent emails (per the judge, see below) for a $33,000 estimate, even to the point of stating that "even including the engineer and architect fees the total cost should stay within the estimate unless something severe was discovered." Once I got the billing that put me at $45,000 (included the architect and engineer), I paid the bill even as I questioned the billings as excessive. I then got a final billing two weeks later for an additional $14,000+! He estimated $33,000, didn't identify anything "severe" other than post drilling, and now the cost is just short of $60,000. The above all occurred June-August of 2014. I offered to settle by both of us walking away, paying him nothing more, but he refused. Despite his being told that he did not obey the law (the law that is supposed to protect consumers like me), he sued me for that $14,000 plus attorney fees, and reported me to the County for failure to get a permit - when its HIS license that requires getting permits when required! I counter-sued for his defective work and for money back. His insurance company paid me $25,000 to settle my defective work and money back claim, and we had to go to trial on his $14,000 claim. His demand to settle before trial was for me to pay him $45,000 ... hah! ... and after he lost at trial ($0 owed) the judge awarded ME a judgment of $48,000 for my attorney fees. The trial was in November 2015, and my judgment for fees was issued in June 2016. 2 years of fighting and I was right all along, but I am still out my $48,000 since he hasn't paid the judgment. Will he pay willingly and show at least some remorse and professionalism? Did his attorney take HIM for a ride by pushing for a lawsuit, refusals to settle, and trial? I don't know. As of now, what I do know is that (to date) Mr. Arias has not shown me the professionalism, honesty, or workmanship that *I* deserved.

I really wanted to like Mr. Arias. He was someone with whom I attended grade school here in town! He seemed professional, was well spoken, suggested an engineer and architect, which allowed us to work out a lot of design issues up front. Fantastic! But then, he just disappeared. The shoddy work and materials make it clear to me that he didn't bother supervising his workers. He never obtained a signed contract to complete the work, or obtain written authorization for what he claimed was additional work or change orders, both as required by law. We had a verbal fixed fee contract based on Mr. Arias' proposal and subsequent emails (per the judge, see below) for a $33,000 estimate, even to the point of stating that "even including the engineer and architect fees the total cost should stay within the estimate unless something severe was discovered." Once I got the billing that put me at $45,000 (included the architect and engineer), I paid the bill even as I questioned the billings as excessive. I then got a final billing two weeks later for an additional $14,000+! He estimated $33,000, didn't identify anything "severe" other than post drilling, and now the cost is just short of $60,000. The above all occurred June-August of 2014. I offered to settle by both of us walking away, paying him nothing more, but he refused. Despite his being told that he did not obey the law (the law that is supposed to protect consumers like me), he sued me for that $14,000 plus attorney fees, and reported me to the County for failure to get a permit - when its HIS license that requires getting permits when required! I counter-sued for his defective work and for money back. His insurance company paid me $25,000 to settle my defective work and money back claim, and we had to go to trial on his $14,000 claim. His demand to settle before trial was for me to pay him $45,000 ... hah! ... and after he lost at trial ($0 owed) the judge awarded ME a judgment of $48,000 for my attorney fees. The trial was in November 2015, and my judgment for fees was issued in June 2016. 2 years of fighting and I was right all along, but I am still out my $48,000 since he hasn't paid the judgment. Will he pay willingly and show at least some remorse and professionalism? Did his attorney take HIM for a ride by pushing for a lawsuit, refusals to settle, and trial? I don't know. As of now, what I do know is that (to date) Mr. Arias has not shown me the professionalism, honesty, or workmanship that *I* deserved.

I was somewhat happy with their work, but I sort of feel I got the old "Bait and Switch in the end. All of Raymond Aries' work was pretty satisfactory work except when the painters came in, they got overspray all over my kitchen. They also were extremely messy and left food around my place. When I complained, Raymond Arias' manager said he was very sorry and that he would go in and clean everything up, etc. from the painting crew and as a result of THEIR mistakes, I wouldn't be charged for his time doing this. When I got the bill, they had charged ME for his time coming in and cleaning up after the painting crew. He had specifically told me he wouldn't charge me for that! Needless to say, the original quote hadn't included stuff like that and I felt like I ended up paying alot more than I had originally intended on paying. Oh, and also, I asked for Plantation Blinds and they installed regular blinds. I was generally overall happy with their work, just a little frustrated in the end.

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The project manager was very responsive to all my questions and concerns. I am a woman attempting this remodel from 2000 miles away and it is very comforting to have someone who cares for your investment property as if it was his own. Raymond Arias Construction came in on budget and time. In fact I listed this property for sale and was under contract in 10 days from the time I finished my remodel. I have subsequently closed that sale and am about to finish a second remodel with this company on another property and will soon do a third remodel.

They did a professional job in the time frame they quoted.. This was at a second home; the job was done when we were not the to supervise. The deck looks good and was well-built. There was some final minor finish work that we completed.

He was fast to respond and he followed up on the quote.

Raymond Arias Construction Inc. pulled up in this obnoxious car, some really high end car, like a Maserati car. He had on $500.00 sunglasses. He got out of the car and was very, like, cocky. And he talked to me as if I had already hired him for the job. He says, "We'll do this, we'll do this, we'll do this, we'll do this." And then, I kept calling, because it took me a week to even get me the estimate back. And I had already had some other bids, too. So, not only was his bid high, but he wanted to charged me an extra 15% for him picking up the materials and no other person that I had come out here for an estimate did that. That didn't work out. I think if someone is a little more down to earth and pull up in a work truck. But this was, probably, like, out of a movie. I mean, it was just, like, he was just wealthy, beyond his wildest dreams and, like, he didn't even need the work, kind of thing. The company that ended up doing the work for me, is $2,000.00 less.

It went great. He got back to me right away. His website was really helpful. It was a goodexperience.

Even though we didn't go w/ this company, they were very thorough and professional in our dealings w/ them.

It took one day with the great team Ray had on the job. Clean up was great.

I took my apartment and rented the one below and asked Raymond Arias Construction to design and install an interior staircase between the two apartments. Started and finished on the exact dates given, worked the situation so that we didnt need to move out while the work was being done. The sturdy design was everything we hoped hoped for. All the subcontractors arrived exactly on time and did their part well. The price estimate was exactly correct. Ray, the owner, explained how how his mean, when he starts a job, or at least one, stay on the job until completed. It's comforting that there are no mysterious gaps as is so often common with contractors! In generaI, I never have complaints with the services rendered including for the other rental apartments I manage. If I set up an appointment for a specific date and time Raymond Arias Construction, Inc. is there when scheduled. His workers are always professional and polite. They completed all work in a timely manner and a complete job cleanup after. I highly recommend his services for those who want a job done right!

We couldn't have been more pleased with the work. Everyone was very professional and all the work was performed on time and on budget. I would definately use them again. Ray is a great guy and works to the highest standards. His suggestions were not only aesthetically pleasing, but actually saved us money.

This company was very prompt in getting back to me and setting up the appointment for an estimate. I emailed both Ray and the office manager, Joe twice but have not heard from either of them. Never received an estimate.