SUN EQUITY BUILDERS

So ... the summary. At the end of the day, we have a soundly constructed deck, BUT I could not recommend Sun Equity Builders and Mike to anyone based on the repeated corrective actions required, each of which resulted in debate, and the uncorrected issues he left to the end, obviously intent to skip out on performing. The deck was constructed and on the day of the final inspection, we reviewed what was still left undone. The inspector was satisfied with the effort, and the correction actions to date, and at what we explained remained to meet code (electrical) for full approval, so he signed off and departed. Then, rather than get back to work and finish, Mike dismissed his crew, turned to me and said I would have to pay hundreds of dollars more to have him complete the unfinished work, and it would be a while until he could get back to it. When confronted with his calculated evasion, his extortion, and his lack of integrity in regard to the fulfillment of contractual obligations, I chose to just pay him off to leave rather than demand he finish the work. I decided I would finish the detail work, and have someone else do the electrical. I just wanted Mike gone from my property. So ... the details. Sun Equity Builders was recommended to me by another firm who had done other satisfactory work for me. I contacted Mike, the owner, and explained the scope of what I wanted done. He came out to inspect the site and review my concept plan, sketches and permit application that I had prepared. While I had completed the documentation, I asked him to submit it and be responsible for meeting the code requirements. He agreed to do the work after 01 OCT and/or upon approval of the permit. In conjunction with submitting the building permit, an additional requirement was raised by the township and that was preparing and submitting a sketch of present (pre-construction) and future (post-construction) impervious ground vs. greenspace within the property. I completed this sketch and provided it to Mike by email on 07 OCT. On 14 OCT, Mike received approval to begin work and asked to come over to dig the post holes. The holes were dug and on 17 OCT the full permit approval was granted. An inspection was scheduled by the Code Enforcement Inspector for 18 OCT. That morning when I checked the work, I mentioned to Mike that I though the holes were not as deep as required, nor were consistent. He said, "Yeah right - my guys r gonna meet inspector there at 3ish today. Assuming he likes our holes they'll pour 'crete right away so we can run with it nxt week." The inspector arrived and found the same discrepancies that I had raised with Mike and required the work be done to standard before signing off. Mike's crew got to work and corrected the deficiencies. When I told Mike what had transpired, his response was, "OK cool, yeah I got briefing from Anthony the inspector was really concerned about one more inch." We moved on. We communicated further over the weekend as he told me he wanted to finish the framing and start the decking and pergola work on Monday 21 OCT. I told him I would be away for the day but to proceed. I returned home that evening to inspect his progress. I was very disappointed and at the same time confused at what I found. He and his crew had completed the decking with the 2x6 treated boards as expected, but had simply bracketed in 2x8s above a an attempt at a pergola. I immediately resent him the concept photos and asked that a correctly constructed pergola be installed. He said he understood what was expected in the photos, and he would be over to look at it. But then he asked, "Hey Brian, what if we'd leave existing layer as is and do the 2x6's and 2x2's above as discussed? There's really no reason to remove the 2x8's. That way we wouldn't have to double our ends and there wouldn't b any holes exposed." My answer, "Mike, No, I would like them removed as per our discussion as we reviewed the design examples. I already have that look in my basement ceiling. Thank you." Mike was delayed in getting back due to other projects and/or weather. He wrote to me on 24 OCT, "Brian, we won't get to your place until a little later in the morning tomorrow. We'll button everything up n clear out our stuff. I'd like to settle up on the remaining balance for the job as well. Thanks" I responded to him on 24 OCT, "Okay, finish railings, reattach the faucet, pergola components on and electrical tomorrow. Did I miss anything? When is the final inspection scheduled? Their signoff would close the project and then we will settle all accounts." I received no reply. I wrote to him again on 27 OCT, "Mike, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at 1:15 with the MT Inspector and to do the electrical work remaining. I also have a few concerns upon closer inspection of the deck work - please bring a surface sander to erase all of the pencil marks and material labels that are showing. Also a drommel type sander to clean up the edges on many of the joints and nail/screw holes. Additionally, the last 2x2 that you mounted (the short one in front of the bathroom window) is split, so please either bring one to replace it, or possibly it can be glued and stapled at the end. Good weather predicted, I expect to be working on the yard and landscaping. See you tomorrow. Brian" As stated above, on 28 OCT, the final inspection was scheduled at 1:15pm and Mike and his crew arrived late-morning to finish up and pack out. I started going over the unfinished details with Mike. He put his crew to work cleaning up and sand all the marks. I asked again about the installation of a proper railing. I had bought one. Mike dismissed my concerns, said he could not find a proper railing when he looked and that the 2x2 he used was good enough. I asked about the electrical and we discussed in detail what was needed. He agreed to complete the work after the inspection. The inspector arrived I had bought and offered it up again. The inspector, now accustomed to the corner cutting of Mike, smiled and suggested that Mike replace what he had put there with my purchase if we intended to secure an approval that day. The inspector then asked about the electrical work. Mike ignored the question, so I explained what we agreed would be installed to meet code. The inspector was satisfied with the answer. While installing the railing, Mike split it. He dismissed his crew from their efforts, and with wood putty and screws, he attempted a repair to satisfy the inspector. I started to see what was unraveling. The inspector was satisfied and signed off on the final approval with the verbal condition that the electrical receptacles be installed. As he departed, Mike demanded payment in full for the work. I asked Mike why his crew was leaving before finishing the detail work and when he was going to do the electrical work. He then told me that they were not going to finish and that he estimated that the electrical work would cost another few hundred dollars for labor and material. However, since he had a "big" project up the road, he really had to get going at that time. Yes, it was time for him to get going.