Cornerstone Design Services

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At our initial meeting Michael Thorton, Ray Smith's partner , was very nice and professional. I signed a contract with him on June 2nd 2014. He said the plans should take him 6 weeks. It ended up taking him over 12 weeks to get me the plans due to his computer crashing. When I finally received the plans, they were incorrect, doors were missing, in the wrong spot, the printing was terrible because of a CAD issue he had- you could barely make out the back half of the house on the plans etc. I didn't make a big deal out of it because after 12 weeks I really wanted to move forward with our renovation. He sent me updated PDFs that I had to pay an additional $80 to print out myself to give to the contractors etc.

Almost two months later, we realized that our back addition should have been masonry and didn't realize that we would need to have the plans changed in order to pass inspection. I contacted Michael and asked him if he could please make the changes for us. When he came back with a price I asked if there was anyway he could work with us and he went CRAZY. Accusing me of not being grateful for his services, telling me I devalue his work and how he was "done." I quickly sent an email apologizing and asking if I could breakup the payments up. He said no and then when I told him I would send him a check, he then UPPED his price by $10 telling me he was doing me a favor.
Here are his exact words-------Michael's words
"I have no reason to continue service with you what so ever, I did you a great job, never a thank you nor appreciation for that, you just determined that my bill should have been $90.00 less. It should have gone like this, That's great Mike, and thanks for all you've done and giving me a set of plans that went right through. Oh, also thank you so much for cutting your price, that was very generous of you. Nothing even close, so I'm giving you one last chance.After re-evaluating all the work and additional time for these emails and aggravation my price now is $200.00 in advance! I want as little correspondence as possible, other than a notification of when you have mailed the check. No more guilt, bickering, or anything negative, or you can find someone else as we have NO obligation to aide you in this manner. I have been nothing but patient with you and I really didn't want to continue service and there is absolutely no appreciation from you what so ever nor common curtsey."----------

After receiving this threatening and unprofessional email, I told him thank you but we would be looking for someone else to help us. Fast forward two weeks and I come to find out that another structural engineer can not make changes to the existing plans. So I contacted Michael against my better judgement and asked if he could please remain professional and make the change to the plans as soon as possible for us. Here is his "professional" response to me----------
Michaels words- "You keep saying professional on your message, I've been nothing but professional with you from the start and even now. Again we have no obligation to move forward with you. However I will, I just need your cooperation which I have yet to receive... If you give me the least hard time or repeated communications then I stop. If that time doesn't work for you, hire someone else to draw up a set of plans for you and leave us alone....If I get another email or phone call saying you're going with someone else or no reply or a nasty reply then this will completely be the last time we communicate with you period.
These terms are nonnegotiable!"-------------

I have NEVER been talked to in such a demeaning and demanding way. My husband and I were very patient and courteous and paid Cornerstone on time with no complaints. The fact that they feel like the can talk to paying clients this way is ridiculous and completely unprofessional. We obviously would NEVER recommend them or their services to anyone. Stay far, far away!!! Find another company that will treat you, your time and your hard earned money with respect!!!!!

We originally contacted him back in March of 2012, for the remodeling plans. After serval plan revisions, we finalized our prints and were ready for submission to the county for permit.
We contacted several GC's including one recommended by him, he had worked with him before, but unfortunately we felt that his numbers were way too high, even after we pared down the scope of the project.
It took us months to fined a GC that we could agree on price but also work with me since I wanted to do some of the work. At that point Cornerstone, made the final revision requested for a small additional fee, we proceeded.
While we were satisfied over all with Cornerstone, the reason we are giving him a "B" instead of an "A", is for some extended response times, with regards to phone calls and E-Mails. Having dealt with Architects and GC's for almost 40 yrs, up north, I was not use to the delays in communication.

Michael was FANTASTIC start to finish!!!

My wife and I had no idea what was involved in a remodel of this size. Michael was very competent and made good suggestions all along the way. If a suggestion Of his was turned down, Michael was quick to draw what we wanted. His knowledge of CAD (computer assisted drawing) is extensive. He has the ability to show what is being drawn in 3 dimensional pictures. This helps someone not used to looking at blueprints. The Project was divided into 3 parts because of FEMA regulations. Total time taken: 13 months. Michael was calm and took all delays in stride.

We gave him the criteria we wanted. He did exactly what we wanted and at a reasonable price. He was very flexible and willing to listen to our idea's.

He was very prompt and delivered a high quality product. He was creative and very helpful.