James Cope Remodeling

The job started out in a positive manner.  Mr. Cope and Mr. Shupurt, his business partner,  responded quickly to my initial contact, visited and gave an estimate of $7200 within a week.  They did not specify in the estimate what it covered.  I assumed it was the inclusive price for the job. Because of health concerns on my part, I was unable to proceed with the job until after January 1st, 2015, a delay of about three months.  Mr Cope checked in with me several times to let me know he was still eager for the contract and I assured him that I planned to hire him.
When I was able to proceed, Mr. Cope came out to remeasure and to "give me a firm price".  He had not kept his records from the initial visit and had to ask me what the estimate had been.  When I replied $7200 he said, "Well, that's for labor.  We will order the supplies from Home Depot and you will pay them."  I was a surprised, but knew that this was sometimes how remodelers worked and agreed to the terms.  He assured me supplies would be no more that $1000 (final cost was $1300). I signed the contract for $7200 plus unknown supply cost. He estimated that the job would take six or seven work days.
The problems began the first day of the job.  Mr. Cope came and began tearing out the ceiling.  Shortly after beginning he came came upstairs and told me with amazement, "That ceiling isn't sheet rock.It is going to be a bigger job than I had figured."  Since we had discussed in detail at the initial visit that my ceilings were all the sealed heat type with wires running throughout the materials, I couldn't believe that he hadn't known the nature of the ceiling.  I was obviously distressed.  Seeing my concern, he immediately said that it wasn't going to cost me anymore money, but that he would need to have more workers before he could proceed.
The next day he came with a crew of four and tore out the living room ceiling.  He asked for a key to the house (I was staying in a separate apartment over the garage),  He came up at the end of the day and with effusive apology said that he had laid the key on the widow sill and somehow it had been swept into one of the numerous garbage bags of ceiling materials.  He said that if I wanted he would go through every bag until he found it.  I didn't want the mess and time involved in that and told him that would not be necessary.  Thenceforth, I made sure I was home to let him in at the beginning of the work day. The following day Mr. Cope presented me with the bill for dumping the old ceiling.  This had not been specified in the contract, but I paid without comment.
On the Monday following, Mr. Cope informed me that the sheet rock people (with whom he had intended to subcontract to install the new ceiling) would not be available until the following Saturday so he had decided to install the new sheet rock ceiling himself.  Concerned, I questioned him, but he assured me he was "an experienced sheet rock man". Later in the day he told me the ceiling joists weren't the normal width apart so he had miscalculated and needed more sheet rock. The ceiling had been sitting exposed for two days, but he had not bothered to measure the ceiling joists. Work stopped while he went to Home Depot. When I went to inspect the work at the end of the next day I was concerned that the sheet rock had been very sloppily applied.  I asked my nephew, who has some contracting experience, to come out and inspect the work.  He found some areas around the stairway which needed attention and made some suggestions to Mr. Cope on how to remedy the mistakes.  Mr. Cope agreed that the changes were needed and said he would do them. He did not make the changes so I ended up with a stair well with wood trim rather than continuous sheet rock as in the original ceiling. It looks okay but is an obvious redo.
When it came time to mud the sheetrock, Mr. Cope and Mr. Shupurt approached me and asked me to rent a sander to finish the mudding job.  I refused on the grounds that when I contracted with them I expected that they would have the equipment to do the job.  Mr. Shupurt became very angry and stormed out.  Mr. Cope said they would rent the sander themselves and sent Mr, Shupurt home. Work stopped for the day because he had to go rent the sander.
There were also problems with taping up the plastic sheeting.  It had to be retaped every day because they had tried to use painter's tape which is not designed to support weight.  Finally, on the last day of work, Mr. Cope purchased tape which would hold the plastic. I had asked Mr. Cope before he began work to seal the doors to the rooms not being sheet rocked with tape.  He did not do this. Because of this and the sagging plastic, sheet rock dust was everywhere in my house. The spraying of the popcorn and painting of the ceilings proceeded without problems.  The finished product in all rooms except the stairway looked very nice.  With all of the delays, redos and drama the six or seven day job ended up taking two and a half weeks.
When it came time to clean up the house at the end of the job, Mr. Cope and crew arrived about 8:30.  At 10:30 they informed me as I was leaving for an appointment that they were finished except for one piece of trim on the stairway.  I told Mr. Cope he would be paid when the job was finished.  Upon my return at 12:30 the work crew was still standing around in my yard. Again, Mr. Cope said they were finished.  When I went in to inspect, I found sheet rock dust still on every surface, even piled in the corners of the floors.  I felt unable to deal with Mr. Cope and crew any longer and asked my son to come out and specify what was expected in the way of clean-up.  They worked the rest of the day and returned the next morning to finish the clean-up.  It was adequate but not spotless. However, I paid the balance of what was owed and considered myself glad that a bad experience was over.
Later that day my cousin who was living upstairs in the main house while all this work went on, came to me to say that food had been taken from his refrigerator and that his Kindle-Fire, which had been in his suitcase,  was missing.  I called Mr. Cope and informed him that a police report would be filed if this matter were not rectified.  About an hour later my cousin found his Kindle thrown behind some furniture with the case damaged.  Since the most valuable item had not been removed from the premises, albeit damaged, I called Mr. Cope and told him he would not have to replace the missing food.
When the concerns about theft surfaced I tried to call the number Mr. Cope gave me for his insurance company.  They would not confirm that he was insured with them and said I would have to contact his agent.  At this time I don't know if he was insured and bonded or not. Because of the lost key and the pilfering, I had to have my son replace my locks at a cost of over $100.
I think Mr. Cope does a good job on popcorn spray and ceiling paint, but his sheet rock skills are lacking.  He is disorganized and unable to plan his work efficiently.  I don't think one can always trust his word.  His business partner has a quick temper and doesn't mind venting it to an elderly woman. If you decide to hire James Cope Remodeling, I would suggest close scrutiny of the contract, make sure all possible costs are addressed and require confirmation in advance of his insurance and bonding.  

James Cope came to my residence to check out work and gave me an estimate.  We told him what flooring we wanted and the door we wanted.  J. Cope picked up all necessary supplies for the work after we helped pick out specific supplies.  The work was begun as stated.  They removed all old carpet/padding and prepared the cement floor for the new flooring.  They cut and installed the flooring and baseboards.  Outside, they replaced the wood and siding around the patio door and then installed the new patio door.  They had to take the rain gutter down to fix the wall and then reinstalled the gutter.  They also repaired and insulated another door in the same room.  J. Cope discussed all repairs with me, asked questions, and kept me informed about all work.  Everything was explained to me in detail.  They were extremely professional and cleaned up after all work at the end of each day.  They carried away all debris and returned left over unnecessary supplies to the stores for us.  They did a fantastic job and they were very easy to work with.  Everything looks beautiful.  I plan on using James Cope Remodeling again in the future. 

Mr. Cope accompanied Cole Gallagher (Homeowner 1) to Lowes to pick up pre-selected materials. Ceramic tile designed to look like hardwood (have picture of display at Lowes).

Homeowner 1 met Mr. Cope to give access to home before leaving for school. Upon his return, he informed Mr. Cope that the floor did not look like the display in Lowes (laid offset, like hardwood). Mr. Cope stated that if he did not like it, now was the time to say so. Homeowner 1 stated that it was not what he expected, but Mr. Cope's helper told him that it was already too late.

Mr. Cope said "Let's finish it, you'll like it."

Angela Gallagher (Homewoner 2) sent Homeowner 1 to Angie's List to prevent errors due to youth and lack of experience in dealing with contractors. She had hoped that the professionalism and experience of an Angie's List contractor would prevent exactly what happened.

Display at Lowes lays tiles offset like hardwood is laid. Common practice is to lay flooring the length of the room and NOT to have the center grout line running down the middle of a hallway. Flooring professionals are experts at what is aesthetically pleasing.

On completion, Homeowner 1 sent pictures to Homeowner 2 who immediately noticed the mistakes. She contacted Mr. Cope and told him that it was not acceptable. He agreed to remove every other row and offset the pattern when he returned from Thanksgiving break. He stated that he was concerned with customer satisfaction and wrote an addendum at the bottom of his contract stating his agreement.

After Thanksgiving Mr. Cope did not contact either homeowner. Homeowner 1 attempted to contact him without response. Homeowner 2 sent a text message asking him to call. His subsequent voicemail was threatening, stating he would not be returning and he had discussed with his church board and he had legal grounds to place a lien on the house for the outstanding $200, and that we would be going to court.

No further contact was made with Mr. Cope. The decision was made to try and get settlement through Angie's List. Photos are available of the Lowes display, the work that was performed and similar tile in a national hotel chain. A copy of the contract with written addendum and witness that was available during conversations is also willing to provide a statement.

Homeowner 2 was not happy with the resolution in the addendum, but was willing to settle and re-purchase materials to make it right, but now the homeowners are being threatened with legal action.

Soon after this disagreement, a utility trailer valued at approximately $1500 was stolen from the homeowner's premises.

I called Friday and on Saturday he came out and gave me a price. On Monday he ordered the materials and started the job on Tuesday. They finished a few days later on Saturday. They spoke to me every afternoon to give me a progress report on the work done that day. He added a touch of craftsmanship to the stairs and we were very pleased with the finished product.

Mr Cope came out to my house within a few days of the original quote to complete the job. He and his staff were courteous and friendly. He drove outside of normal work area to match a competitors quote. He cleaned during job and after completion. He gave me great instructions for aftercare and even gave me some great advice on another separate project I was working on in my home. My husband and I were very happy with the result of his work and will plan to call him first for repairs in the future!

Due to the condition of the sub flooring and a moisture problem, the subfloor had to be replaced with plywood then backer board and ceramic tile. They did an excellent job and I really love the floor. The laundry room is larger than most. 
The price quoted was $2200 to include having to move the hot water in and out of the laundry room so we would not be without hot water. But in the end, they moved it out and did not move it back until after the tile was finished. Although this was somewhat inconvenient we managed. They agreed to drop $200 from the cost. I allowed them to go and pick up the supplies on my Lowe's account and they inadvertently charged a ceramic saw blade to my account which for $54.00 plus tax. This was suppose to be given back to me but I have not heard from them. I assume this is an oversight and hope that James will call me.

It went well. The house and deck look new.

This is the third bathroom remodel that James Cope & Todd Shupert have done for us.  As with the other two, we are totally pleased with the results.  The job was completed in a timely manner and at the cost originally agreed upon.  We would definitely recommend Mr. Cope & Mr. Shupert.  The work they have done for us has been excellent!

Project completed on time and I am very happy with the results.  I picked the tiles for the shower walls and floor but left the pattern arrangement to Mr. Cope and Mr. Shupert.  The design is beautiful and I could not be more pleased with the end results.  Will definitely call them in the future if I have any additional projects.

Helpful suggestions were made during the planning stages and as the project progressed.  We have an older home so there were some unexpected structural damage that had to be repaired and this was done in a cost effective manner.  They were there on time each day and the project was completed as scheduled.  We could not be happier with the results.  We have another remodel planned for the near future and we will definitely use Mr. Cope and Mr. Shupert.

Overall work is of good-excellent quality, is very conciensous, calls before he arrives, is very polite and easy to work with.  I would not hesitate to recommend him.

He did an excellent job and is really tuned in to making sure the job was done right.  We are sticklers about making sure the job is done really well.  He definitely has an affordable price.

He does high quality work.