C A MEYER CONSTRUCTION

This was an intensely negative experience that I feel I must share with other prospective consumers. Mr. Curtis Meyer of C. A. Meyer Construction in Monticello, Illinois, estimated the job at my house would cost $800-$1,200. In conversation, he repeatedly puffed himself up as the best man in the business and described himself as "a master restoration carpenter." In fact, he did not perform the work himself. He arrived early each morning with two other younger workers, one probably still a teenager. After quickly setting them up, Meyer each day left the scene for the rest of the day. I later learned from townspeople that he was either back at his home or was socializing at nearby stores or restaurants. Although friendly, the young workers were very slow; I could observe and hear them wasting long periods of time. They were completely unsupervised. As a result, it ended up taking them four days to compete this rather simple job! The quality of their work was acceptable, but upon completion Meyer said that the new price was $2,000, material and labor combined. I have since consulted other carpenters who all think I was badly overcharged for a simple column replacement, Then came the worst part: when I challenged Meyer's price, he flew into an explosive rage, threatening to tear down the porch, shouting that he knew I could afford to pay the price, and then adding a veiled physical threat against me if I did not pay him at once. I therefore paid him, but afterwards reported his statements and actions to the local police, who contacted Meyer and warned him not to approach me or my property again. I have since heard from other individuals in town that, as he ages, Meyer's temperament has become more hostile and confrontational. In a small town with a limited number of carpenters and contractors, future clients should beware of this person, who obvioulsy has serious anger issues. His four common gimmicks are 1) to refuse to provide a firm price before a job; 2) to turn the work over younger, unsupervised labor that is cheap to pay; 3) to inflate the work price upon completion; and 4) finally to threaten any client who questions, challenges, or resists immediate payment of the inflated price.