SUPERIOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Took over a month to complete a 10 x 16 deck. It was usually only one guy (Etan) working, although he did have another guy help him tear down the old deck and brought his wife to help with spindles one day. Never knew when he was going to show up, but he was a nice kid - pleasant and accommodating. Trouble was, I'm not sure he ever built a deck before. I've never built a deck myself, so it looked fine to me at first glance, but once it was finished, my husband and I started noticing weird things. Gaps between boards/crossboards, many places where two boards instead of one were used, crooked where it connects to house, etc. plus poor job of cleaning up. Screws, wood pieces, sawdust everywhere, concrete on siding, fencing around garden smashed/twisted. The contractor (Harold), who gave me the original estimate (the estimate was less than the other 2 contractors, plus I liked his ideas) never came out to check on his progress (as far as I know) - a lot of these problems should have/could have been addressed during construction. Once the deck was complete, another fellow from Superior stopped by with a swag bag. I told him that I liked the design of the deck, but was disappointed in the attention to detail. So we examined closer and we both began finding numerous flaws - some that I hadn't noticed before. He took pictures to share with Harold and said that someone would be in touch. No one ever contacted us, probably because it was too late to repair most of the flaws. We had to email or call to get some of the pressing problems corrected, but the subcontractor was always sent back out. Harold never followed up himself. We just had the deck stained by another company and they pointed out all the missing screws, etc. and corrected some of the glaring issues. They also came up with the following punch list: 1. All spindles need to be cut and straightened (this company cut/beveled the bottoms of the unfinished spindles) 2. One twisted floor joist 3. All notches on 6x6 posts poor (1" gap) 4. Deck boards spaced too far apart 5. Deck boards only had one screw instead of 2 (this company finished screwing in all the boards) 6. Joints need to be 45 % angle (no butt joints) 7. Deck is 3" out of square. 8. Lower steps are not wide enough (too narrow - should be 2 boards. 9. Hand rails aren't screwed enough. 10. Many boards cut too short - gaps. Structurally it seems to be sound - passed city inspection - so I don't think it's in danger of falling down. It looks better now that it's stained and a few repairs were made, so we can live with it. I've never posted a bad review before, but this has been a big disappointment and I don't want it to happen to anyone else. Based on all the stellar reviews, Superior appears to do great roof work, but avoid using them for deck building.

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Superior Home Improvements claimed they were copper experts in the installation of a copper roof for our historic home. The salesman made one comment, for instance, why his price was so high, in addition to the recent high price of copper, was because of all the copper nails that were used to install the roof. I wish this had been true. He sold me on the job because, he was recommended to me by two people, and he claimed his employees where trained in Switzerland on how to properly construct a copper roof. His bidding, although very high, was under Back constructions bid. It was only after he summited his bid did I find out that He was planning to install a factory made standing seam copper panel roof; (the copper standing seam panel was pre made to the size of my roof which was about 12 feet.) At this point I told him I was not interested in a factory made panel, but a historic style roof. He said he knew what I was talking about and he said that I would not beable to tell the difference. Although I was fine with the full roof length, I specifilly requested a standing seam flat panel roof and I said if it wasn't flat, there would be a problem. Because of the salesman's emphatic assurance that I would be receiving a "flat" panel standing seam roof and his recommendations; I went with his expensive bid. When they arrived to install everything was fine. Work went on a timely basis they had the roof deck and underlayment installed in no time. Unfortunately, for me, this was the only part of the job they were qualified to do. Just the same, from my inexperienced eye the lining of the box gutter went well also; it had the look I wanted. The holes in what the salesman said I was getting, and what was actually delivered, started to occur when they laid the panels out on the roof. The "flat panels" had a standing seam as promised, but also striations which are wavy lines in between the standing seam. If you can imagine a cheap barn roof made out of copper, exactly what I requested not to happen, is what I got. It took me a few panels to notice what was an ugly eyesore. He also was installing the panels with stainless steel screws, and stainless steel bars to adhere the bottom of the panels to the top of the box gutter. My question was how about all the copper nails you said you had to hammer, I was shocked. I can hardly believe that the old world craftsman in Europe would train someone to install copper with screws as well as being a different alloy other than copper. I told them to stop further installation and at least get me the product I requested. He said that was not possible because these panels were made to order and could not be returned. I couldn't believe he said sorry about the misunderstanding. The full bid was about 62000 he offered 10,000 off the price if I kept his copper. I guess for some that would be a worthy comprimise, and an effort to make things right. I, however, would never forgive myself if I continued the job for a product that I didn't request. To end, they left with a one sided deal in their favor and I had another roofer Back construction, install the roof, who by the way did a great job. One other note I did keep their box gutters but upon close examination of their work its hard to believe they call themselves superior. I'm making this public because I feel that this company engaged in a classic bait and switch. Had the representative for "Superior" actually told me what I was getting from the beginning; they would not have gotten the job and he knew this. I would like people to not make the same mistake I did; make sure your contract is specific with pictures and detailed explanation of what you want in writing. Trusting someone's word, unfortunately, is no longer valid.