SOUTHERN EXTERIORS

We waited for approximately 2 weeks to receive the estimate but never heard back. Figuring we gave the wrong information so we followed up. After, we received a short response with an excuse and a promise of a follow up...that never happened. I guess business must be very good and the need for common courtesy is not needed.

Started fine, but went down-hill quickly. I also had some digging done ($600) plus some drainage installed (quote: $500 - billed: $1000). I made a huge mistake in pre-paying him for some work (including his $650 plan fee - beware!). He refunded some money, but I lost about $1700 on the deal. Nice guy, but just can't quite get the job done.He did a really nice job with the plans and made several changes throughout the planning phase. But when it came to do the work - he started to become increasingly erratic - always had a lot of excuses about why he was late. He installed 5 large areca palms and promised to return the next day to install sprinklers. I couldn't get him to return for 3 months. He left a large pile of debris on my front lawn for over a month. Despite the fixed-price contract, he billed me time/materials at much higher rate than agreed upon. His guys did shoddy work that I had to re-do myself. Overall, Jim's a nice guy but overwhelmed.

The city approved the initial plans to install a pool but included some other very expensive requirements so we decided against it. We called Jim to let him know we wanted him to proceed with the designs but without the pool. He said he would do that. Months went by and we heard nothing so we would periodically call to check on the status. He wouldn't return calls left on his cell phone or work machine. The couple of times he would happen to answer the phone, he would always have some excuse as to why he didn't have anything for us. Finally, after about a year, he showed up with a copy of the plans he had coincidentally drawn up for the prior owners. The problem is, he had given us that exact copy initially and told us that the city wouldn't approve that plan anyway (it involved altering the driveway). So we were still back at square one. I left him messages on his cell phone and office phone with these complaints months ago and still have yet to hear a peep.