Raymond Arias Construction Inc

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.

unknown

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.