Pedro Flores

Pedro was a friend of the family who was referred to me by a sister-in-law.  He did many small projects around the house and always was reasonably priced, responsive and did quality work.  When it was time to re-do my backyard, naturally I thought of him and got a verbal estimate.  The estimate was 6600 for the lower half of my yard (demolition, stamped concrete) and between 8000 and 10000 for the pool deck area.  He was going to build about 60 feet of planter/retaining wall because my neighbor sits about 2 feet higher than my property.  His estimate for that was 6000.  I trusted him (I know, my fault) because not only have I used him many times before, I assumed I would use him many times again for major projects I have coming up.  Not to mention, my sister in law throws a lot of major projects his way to buyers of homes needing repair.   

Demolition went fast.  Started in September.  Pool guy came in to move pool equipment and I decided to do a bunch of work on my pool, including the addition of a hot tub.  Pool guy was referred by Pedro.  Pool guy was SLLLOOOOOW.  Didn't finish his work until Feb/Mar, blamed the delay on me (there will be a seperate report for him).  Pedro came to finish his portion and said I owed more money.  I had already paid him...I though we were even.  I gave him an additional $1000 to haul away a huge mound of dirt which was overgrown with weeds.  He never did it.   

Not to mention he or the pool guy left a pile of construction crap/material in my driveway.  It looked like Sanford and Son.  He kept making excuses about hurting his back and then just didn't return my calls.  

Bottom line:  Pedro does great work. But get a detailed, written estimate before you go with him, and only pay when work is complete.  Overall, my fault for being naive.  Expensive lesson learned.  Oh, and the planter he was going to charge me 6k for.......Belen Landscaping did it for just over one thousand.