Leavit Natural

I should have know from the start that this was not going to go well. We were doing a complete gut of a family room and were starting from scratch. I called Leavit,Sam was to come out to look over the job and give me an estimate for granite stairs. I was told that once I decided on a stone color I would receive a written estimate. Sam told me where to go to view stone colors. I picked 2 different stones because I was not sure if either would be acceptable for the stairs. Sam told me both choices were fine for the application. I was given a verbal estimate of $1200 for either stone and was thrilled. I let him know which of the 2 stone colors was my favorite and asked for a written estimate to get the job started. Well after many phone calls to get the estimate it turned into $2000. I was so far along with the job I just accepted the new price and was told that once the job was pattened the stone would be cut in a few days and would be installed in one day. I have never done stone before and was counting on the expertise of Leavit. I signed his contract and sent a $1000 deposit. Sam ordered the granite from his estimate measurements he NEVER asked me to view the slab. He told me to call when we were ready for him to come out and make the pattern. I had everything timed and was on track. I called Sam right on schedule to come out and pattern the new stairs, he did come promptly. I was now going to work around Sam's schedule. He told me when he would be here to install and I arranged my work schedule around him. I took the day off of work and he never showed or answered his phone which was normal. Finally by the afternoon he called back and rescheduled for the next day. So I took off more time. By 11:00 the next day still no call or install. FINALLY he called after a few left messages and said someone should be there soon. Once the installer showed up he noticed a problem with the way pieces were cut. He was here for a few hours and installed what he could, he re pattened and had Sam order more stone. Also one of the treads had a black mark on it and I sent a pix of the mark to Sam, he had me using all kinds of products to try and remove the mark while they were cutting new stone. Come to find out that the mark was IN the stone not on it. I voiced my objection to the dark blotch on the stair and wanted a new tread cut while they were cutting more stone. After much loud discussion he basically threatened to sue me plain and simple until he realized that he NEVER called me in to view the slab HE PURCHSED. It is now 5 weeks later and still unfinished. I am ending up keeping the blotch on the stair because according to Sam it is my fault that the stone was cut wrong and he is underwater on this job because he had to buy more stone. If I want a new tread I was told I could by a whole new slab for 800.00 or wait until the cows come home until he can find a small piece. So much for hiring a professional. I had to keep rescheduling everything else because the stairs were unfinished. He knew if he waited long enough I would cave and I did. Oh yes I forgot, the poor installer who was a very patient man and spent much time in my home never got paid by Sam, he asked me if I was going to pay him. Be prepared to be screwed by this guy he could care less about you only your cash. I was going to do stone countertops in spring but I am so sour on this I think I will stick with good ole laminate. I waited until the job was finished before writing this. One more tidbit, Sam gave me a measurement of 1 3/8" for the thickness of the stone. He knew there were 2 other floors involved that needed to come out to the same height. I was told as long as i used his 1 3/8" thickness measurement to plan all of the sub floors everything would match up. One of the treads that were recut due to wrong measurements we now noticed is only 1" thick. So I have 4 out of 5 treads that are 1 3/8" thick and 1 tread at 1" thick. Besides looking horrendous, it now throws off the neighboring floor and leaves it 3/8" higher than the stairway. Find anyone else but Leavit or Custom stone installations.