A-O-K Home Improvements & Contracting

We were quoted an estimate on the high end but were told the final cost could not be determined until they received the engineers bill but adjustments would be made. To make a long story short only one beam/pole was reinforced but they still charged us full price. When we asked why the high price had to remain we were told it was due to the welder they hired. We reluctantly paid the bill so they (A-O-K) would not have to bear the overcharge but asked they pass along the welder contact information so we could receive an itemized invoice. Since that time we've tried to contact A-O-K multiple times via text, phone and email but they have not returned our messages. All we want is to either receive an itemized bill from the welder/engineer to help us understand the outrageous charges or a partial refund. After months of looking for the right contactor we hired this husband/wife team but are very disappointed with their unprofessionalism by repeatedly ignoring the customer and not caring one bit about satisfaction. PS. Other points to note: Light switch by laundry room was removed but not reinstalled, bump/raise in floor were pole was removed, granite sink cut unevenly, cabinet over refrigerator not the same size as others, originally quoted job-time of 2-3 weeks but instead it took 7.

When we signed the contracts on 07-10-2013, we were told that the drywall work would begin within 2 weeks, but there were several delays. First, we were told that there was a family illness and shortly after that there was another delay because thier regular worker(s) were unavailable. On 08-05-2013, the materials were finally delivered and work was to begin the following day but no one showed up. Then on 08-07-2013, we were contacted by two of our new neighbors, who had also called the police, because the owner of A-O-K and his employee were involved in such a heated exchange that our neighbors feared it would become violent. We had to change the key code on that day out of fear of retribution from the terminated employee. Eventually, they found two warm bodies to hang drywall and they worked for several weeks before A-O-K realized and/or acknowledged that their work was unacceptable. A reputable contractor would have realized immediately that their workers were not using standard practice for hanging drywall when they put up the walls before the ceiling; either A-O-K was not on-site supervising their work or their professional competence is severely lacking. Either way, that is not ?workmanlike manner? or ?standard practice? as your contract assures. On 09-23-2013, were were told that A-O-K did a walk through and ?so far so good? but mentioned that there were a ?few spots that need attention.? On 09-26-2013,we were told that paint and touch ups will be done ?early next week? (10-01-2013) and that they?d like to start the tile before 10-08-2013. On 10-04-2013, we were told that the subcontracted drywall installers had been fired and that, ?we didn?t fire them until we had a replacement,? which means that they allowed them to continue working in our home even though A-O-K already knew their work was unacceptable. The newly fired workers then threatened to put a lien on my home because they said A-O-K didn?t pay them for the work they did. On 10-06-2013, we were greeted by another new person working on the walls. When we asked how long he'd been working with A-O-K, he said that they found his advertisement on Craig?s List 2 days prior and he started working in our home the next day. He said he was hired to fix the poor workmanship of the previous workers and that he would do the best he could but was afraid he wouldn?t be able to make all the necessary improvements within the timeframe that A-O-K had given him. There were multiple instances of poor workmanship in every single room from uneven walls to insufficient amount of screws required by state code, bubbled surfaces, visible cracks in corners, visible seams, drywall mud left on the floors, baseboards and my personal tools as well as imprecise angles and ceilings that were improperly screwed therefore uneven. We were also charged $2800 for paint supplies and labor for work that was either done on incomplete walls or not done at all. We should also mention that A-O-K used my paint gun equipment to paint, which was not authorized and should have been clearly understood based on a previous conversation in which they were told not to use my personal equipment. The last straw was when it came time to prepare for tile work and we were told that they would have to charge more if we were planning to use more than one type of tile. Not once was that ever stipulated, verbally or in writing that their quote was for one type of tile only. This only became an issue after the additional time and expense that resulted from their drywall incompetencies. It feels as if they were trying to recoup the drywall repair expenses by charging us more than they had initially quoted for tile work. According to our contract, A-O-K states, ?all work to be completed in a workmanlike manner according to standard practice.? Unfortunately, after dealing with them for several months, this was clearly not the case and their breach of contract obligated us to terminate further services with them. Since that time, we have spent an additional $1500 for drywall services in order to correct substandard work performed by A-O-K. As of 01-19-2014, we have yet to receive a response to the certified letter sent on 12-23-2013 in which our deposit refund was requested.