R-design Consultants Inc.

Beware, After reporting Mr. Rubinstein to Consumer affairs, we learned from them that he is not an architect and his advertising is carefully crafted to make it appear that he is.

He takes your money but does not do the job which he was hired to do. Took over 8 months to get plans drawn up which we did a lot on our own. When it came time to submit to town, he didn't know the necessary codes or set back rules yet he claimed to be an expert with building codes. We did eventually get our permit almost 11 months later but refused to use him for the 2nd phase of our project and asked for a refund on the 2nd phase but he refused to refund us and told us they he "doesn't give refunds." So before you give him your money make sure there is a refund clause in your agreement if not then just kiss your money good-bye with this guy!

Do not give this person any money if there is any doubt that you might not proceed with the project to completion. In our case, we gave Mr. Michael Rubinstein $3000 as a retainer to start work on the design of a custom home. This was given to Mr. Rubinstein on a Friday night at a meeting that went well past the normal close of business for professional businesses. Over the weekend we experienced buyer's remorse - not because of anything to do with the proposed work, but solely due to the fact we decided we could not afford the total cost of the project. I tried to call Mr. Rubinstein on the following Monday morning around 9:15 a.m. to ask him not to go forward with the project. I outlined in a voice mail the request and the reason. I asked him to call me to discuss a partial refund. We knew he had done some work and we expected to pay him something. He did not return my call. I called again later in the day and left another message. No return call. I followed up with an email Monday night. On Tuesday morning I received a response saying he was "on the road" yesterday. Moreover, all those things they had told us would take days, weeks or months on Friday night? Well they were all done. He even attached a completed preliminary house plan. He didn't want to talk to me. He wanted my soft spoken 76 year old retired school teacher friend to call him instead. No guts apparently. When she called, he told her he was keeping the entire $3000. Of course, we know what he really did. As soon as he got that early Monday morning message, he hopped on his computer and got those plans drawn up forthwith. He saw this as the quickest and easiest $3000 dollars he ever made in his life. One meeting, a set of drawings worked up in a few hours and a list of professional tasks that he supposedly ordered when? On Sunday I guess. I'd like to know what government offices were open on the weekend. One might think that a person that would do this kind of thing is a liar and a cheat. Actually, I believe him to be something far worse - a man of no honor. Buyer beware.