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"We hired Kiefer Randall (KR) to do a remodel in our basement, which we were told by owner Tim Kiefer would take 3 weeks. The estimate was high, but we went with it, on the promise of high quality work and high standards and hoping that by hiring out, we would gain freedom from worry and hassle on this project. We paid KR over 90% of a project that cost as much as (or more than) a full kitchen remodel. Tim Kiefer was in our home nearly daily supervising this project, yet the work that was completed was sub-par and we are now in the position to do the work ourselves and/or to hire contractors to fix and finish the work. He told us, before and when signing the contract that we would get daily updates from him or his team, yet we had to continually reach out to him to get updates or to bring up concerns. We were seriously disappointed in this company for the following reasons: The work that they did was not completed to a professional standard. Examples: Excessive and noted pockmarks in drywall on finished, painted walls. Walls that have visible tape marks and cracks. Walls that were literally painted without using lighting. Both glossy and matte paint were used on trim work. No attention to dust/dirt remediation until we insisted about 9 weeks into the project and even then it was minimal. Tim dropped the ball on several items that required coordination for the project (that’s why we were paying the high price), then blamed us for the issues. At 14 weeks we summarized in an email the issues we had raised with him (and added a few additional concerns). He responded with the following: “I no longer feel that our professional relationship should continue due to a breakdown in good faith and trust, and that we should part ways now before the relationship deteriorates further.” He attached a final bill with this message (for the last 10%), for unfinished work! Since KR left about 3 months ago, the bathroom in the project area flooded and we had to tear up the brand new flooring. We discovered that KR, instead of getting the correct parts to fit our toilet, used caulk to try to make it fit, resulting in a slow leak that built up over time! We reached out to KR informing them about this issue, and they didn’t respond at all. Not worth the money or the hassle!"

"It was not bad. They were a little bit pricey. They were very professional."

"I just closed on my house at the end of October and it needed chimney sealing. Other contractors promised to take the job on and then did not deliver. One contractor even told me it didn't need work without even going up on the roof. This company was also busy but came out and got the job done within a week or so of my call. The price was also most reasonable. You are my roofers for life Mike Peranich. Thank you for fitting me in. I was so worried that the roof was going to leak and cause damage this winter. Such a relief to have it done. Thank you again. Anne C."

"Everything went very well from the first call to completion. Estimator was very responsive, professional and helpful. Project manager and foreman were very good also. The men who did the work were professional, considerate of our home, polite and did a great job and great cleanup. We have an estimate for vinyl fencing installation and will use United Construction again for that, in the spring."

"I was extremely happy with their service and cleanup. this was completed several years ago before 2012 but I saw this was not reported so I did want to say I was happy with them"

"I rented for seven years. It was a constant nightmare. No pest control, maintenance requests are just ignored or months late, rent hikes are constant. Total scum lords. Rent hikes costed me $700 monthly ($100 more each year) Told me to pay for my own pest control for the rodents and roaches at this property and won’t pay me back (totally breaks the law and doesn’t care) Using rent fixing as well. Run for the hills, hopefully these terrible deplorable peoples will shut their doors soon."

"We used The Powell Company for several jobs on our house near Oneonta before realizing our mistake, so we have the experience to warn others. First, this company makes some very stupid “mistakes”. For example, they put a downspout directly over an electrical outlet, and they replaced items on our house that were NOT the rotted ones. We had to call them back to move the downspout so it wouldn’t block the outlet, and to replace the correct items; they got angry and blamed US for cutting into their profit because doing the work the right way would cost them money. Second, they cut corners or use cheap materials despite the impact on their customers; for example, they used plastic gutter brackets that broke in a season instead of metal ones that hold up year after year. Third, good builders try to think ahead and account for contingencies in a project in advance and fairly, but in our experience Powell didn’t use its imagination because it just put all risk of an unknown or cost overrun on us. This can result in large avoidable and unnecessary costs for the homeowner. Third, being lawyers, we recognized that proposals Powell gave us, which become binding contracts once signed, were, in our opinion, unfairly one-sided — they protected only Powell in any contingency that arose during their work and if any litigation came from the contract. We tried to change this to protect ourselves too, but could not. We have found other builders who are fairer from the get-go, or who will promptly agree to changes to lopsided proposals, and such an attitude speaks volumes. Last, but certainly not least, we foolishly didn’t get other bids for a few jobs that Powell did. When we wised up, we found that Powell cost 2-4 times what other builders did for the jobs we were doing. Bottom line — we caution anyone considering using The Powell Company."