CARPENTRY REPAIR ETC

Some categories are difficult to rate.  The job (and related work) were plagued by weeks of rainy weather.  Basically the job entailed replacing some rotten fascia boards and painting the new before new gutters were installed. Part way through the work, some additional damage due to a "short" roof repair by a previous owner was discovered.  Between more delays due to weather and rescheduling with the gutter company because of the additional repairs that were required, the job took a very long time.  Most of the delay was weather, but there were times when we felt perhaps our job did not have highest priority.  Despite that, the quality of the finished work appears to be excellent and we are pleased with the results.  The price seemed reasonable, but we did not get other bids because this company was recommended and preferred by our gutter contractor.

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CR started a day or two ahead of schedule, and then it took a month to get a permit on the post holes for the deck.  Once we finally had the permit, work seemed to proceed quickly.  Towards the end of the build, Bryan asked if we wanted the deck stained, and I came back to him with a yes.  He told me to go pick out some stain, at least 5 gallons, and they'll put it on.  I asked him if Home Depot would be fine, and what brand (Behr Premium).  We got just that, and had the stain ready to go when they needed it.  It took a while to start applying the stain, due to wet weather once the deck was complete, but as it was going on, it was obvious that it wasn't being applied evenly.  I assumed Bryan would come out and do a final walk through of the deck when it was done.  He even showed up before the workers were still not done applying the first coat of the stain, and demanded payment.  He showed up on a Friday morning at 8am, no notice, stating he needed to be paid, even though the work wasn't done.  Well, shame on me, the work had gone so well up to this point, I assumed he would follow through.
After the deck stain cured over the weekend, we noticed it was still very sticky and very mottled in application.  We had a thunderstorm come through, and the parks where the transparent stain was applied heavily, water beaded on top and didn't absorb, but in the sections of the deck where the stain wasn't applied well, or at all in some cases, you could tell the water was being absorbed by the wood.  I've emailed and requested Bryan come out to the house to view the finished product multiple times, while we're at home, or to tell us when he'll be out so we can address the issues with the cosmetic structure issues that need to be resolved.  In addition to the deck stain looking awful, there were already bowed railing issues, the stairs weren't even, resulting in trips, and the gate we had built is less square and more trapezoid in shape now.  Multiple times I asked him politely to come out, and he ignored my requests.  I finally stated that I really didn't want to rehash this via email any longer, that it needs to be in person.  Bryan had the nerve to call someone from Sherwin Williams to come to our house without permission and write an email on the deck, and then he forwarded the email to us.  Why couldn't he come out himself?  Did they not read the packaging?  We bought exactly what he told us to buy. He showed up one morning apparently last week while we were home but he didn't ring the doorbell or knock loudly at the door, and without notice, so we didn't know he was coming or he was even here until today when he emailed me (a week later.) We both work, and have a toddler, so we need notice when someone is coming to the house so we can be available.  Seems to make sense to some people.
Right now, we're very frustrated with these unresolved issues.  Carpentry Repairs is great, until you pay them.  So make sure you don't pay them until you have everything you want done on the job the way it needs to be done right.  The workers left a huge pile of dirt in a section of our yard, and didn't even stain the footers of the deck... and it's not like we don't have stain left.  The 5 gallons we needed at least for the entire project... there are 2 gallons of very expensive stain left in the bucket. Overall, we love having the deck, and they weren't the cheapest or most expensive option for the project, but we are so frustrated by this total cut and run by Bryan that we won't be using him again, or recommending him.  He came very highly recommended by a family member, so I feel awful about this situation.  The family member had nothing but high praise for Bryan... but when they saw the work that Carpentry Repairs did for us, they said it was sloppy work. 

Update 7.13.12- I finally heard back from Bryan about finishing the stain job on the deck supports, and fixing the gate.  He said that on the first 3 dry days this crew will be out to finish the work, and apply another coat of stain to the deck boards.  I'll believe it when I see it.
Update 7.22.12- Well, we had a week of dry weather and a no show of the contractor to make the repairs and complete the project as they promised.

The construction was uneventful, except that they had to stop to get permits.

Some of the wood he replaced with rough sided cedar which matched the original. In three places he used smooth rot resistant wood (I forget the name but it is made with cement fibers), but didn't ask me. It also didn't match (smooth vs. rough). I discovered this several months after the work was done. When I called him to redo it, he came over and looked at it and explained he put it in because it wouldn't rot. I noted it looked wrong and that I didn't ask for or approve such a change. With a bit of an angry tone he said he didn't want to fix it. I angrily told him it looked bad and that I hadn't approved such a change. With clear unhappiness he agreed to fix it. I told him there was no hurry, but I wanted it changed. I didn't hear from him for six month. I called and he said he'd send out his men later that week to make the changes. They never came. I emailed him a month or two later. He said he'd come out for $100 to make the repairs. He fixed the three boards.