Mds Inc

Description of Work: Let me start by saying that my experience involved a Mr Gary Blake which I believe is a partner in this company. I have had no dealings with anyone else from this company. Mr Blake was hired by me to build an awning cover over a deck which is behind my house. He provided me with an estimate and a possible timeline in which the work would be completed. Mr Blake failed to check with the permit office when giving me an estimate which resulted in a higher than expected expense. When Mr Blake asked me to pay for this added expense, I refused as it was not within my budget. This was greatly frustrating to me as I had already paid $1500(half down) to complete this project. As he was still in possession of my downpayment, I attempted to work out a deal that would be agreeable to both parties. I asked if we needed a permit for an awning, and he said that it was required - no way around it. I informed him that as the home owner, I would take on this project myself. He agreed that this would be a good course of action for me, but no mention of returning my $1500. I made another call to Mr Blake as I did not want to do the project myself and asked him to reconsider - hoping that he would eat the added cost that he did not account for in his bid. He informed me that he has done projects in the past without a permit and would be willing to do this for me. This conversation took place on a Monday and he said that he would start the project the following Thursday. Mr Blake called back on Tuesday and informed me that after talking with his partner that he would be unable to do the project and that he would refund me my money. He also said that he would eat the cost of the permits and gave us a revised bid, which ended up being more than the original bid. So rather than eating the bids, he just tacked it on a new bid, which we refused. Why would I agree to a new bid, that was more than the original bid? I went back and forth with Mr. Blake over several weeks, so a project that was projected to take only a week to complete, went on for several weeks, and I still don't have a cover for my awning. I received a check for $1335 and a letter explaining that he had applied for a permit of which $105 was unrefundable and $60 for his labor. He noted in the letter that he generously charged me for only 2 hours of labor even though he spent more time. I feel that I should have been compensated for my time that was lost while I went back and forth with Mr. Blake.