R D Hopkins General Contracting LLC

I have worked with this contractor for over 7 years mostly with trim work including crown moulding. He has always claimed that his specialty was custom stair cases. And although the work is ultimately satisfactory, it often requires asking for fixing minor flaws in his work. Initially the flaws consisted of wrong size moulding (despite having installed moulding in house previously). Stated that he thought the variation would be appreciated? Usually fixed most stuff and never really thought too much about it; although he is never happy about his errors. Recently he convinced me that he was an expert in custom stairs and I bought in. Quoted me around 4-6K for custom stairs and I thought that was reasonable given his stated experience with stairs. Started with Oak, convinced me that Maple would be better to match the floors we were installing. A complete disaster...he cuts corners, trim work has become embarrassing and is crooked; the painter on the job gladly offered to fix instead of waiting for him to come back and fix. I paid him an extra 1 K to fix his own error. The stairs were a complete mess as it turns out that he had little knowledge of wood and staining. Two days before completing the stairs he tells me he cant finish the job and that I need to find a painter because he has another job to do???? Find a painter who he instructs and the jobs became more of a mess. Painter tries to stain stairs and realizes that the stairs have not been prepped (sanded). I had three stair experts review the job and all three stated that the carpenter was wrong to recommend maple and he failed to finish the job without sanding. Also, several of them noticed work that put the job in violation of code. He cuts corners, cannot measure accurately, and most disturbingly argues with you every time you ask to have something corrected. I paid another contractor the same price to fix his work. So sorry I used this guy and feel compelled to warn others.