Carl Smith

Started off poorly and went down hill from there. Ended with an attorney involved. Carl went straight to the bank with every check I gave him. (I actually checked this by on-line one time-20 minutes). He paid his employees and sub-contractors in cash. My attorney suggested that I send Carl a 1099 for every penny I paid him.

Work was begun on schedule and progressed at a reasonable pace. Quality issues began to arise once the trim and finish process began. Carl's son-in-law was a trainee for many tasks. Brian demonstrated a lack of skill and complete lack of competence in areas of tile installation, shingle installation, finish carpentry and in everything else he participated including cleanup. Furthermore he could not have cared less. Carl saw problems but did nothing unless the items were pointed out and correction was requested. Carl authorized (hired the installer and took moisture readings)installation of hardwood floors on concrete subfloors that 1)had a much too high moisture content, and 2) were not properly leveled. Carl attempted to have us pay the installer for work he had agreed to provide in the contract. I am having to pay to have the flooring removed and tile installed (approximately $7-8K in addition to materials and work already done). Carl built cabinets on both sides of the fireplace. He painted these cabinets with paint that never dried. We scraped and did our best to smooth out the wood so that we could get a smooth coat of paint on the wood. Carld had to replace all of the cabinet doors on both sides of the fireplace and laundry room after his flooring installer left the heat set on 90 degrees in an attempt to get the excess moisture out of the floor. This caused us to have to recaulk most of the trim work. My biggest problem is the surround around the garden tub in the master bath. The platform Carl and crew constructed has settled and the tile has seperated the entire length of the tub. Carl came out and put some grout in the seam, which subsequently cracked. I have attempted to contact Carl since then and he has not answered my calls, voice mails, or e-mails. My only option left is to get my attorney involved. I am in the process of filing a complaint agaist Carl's state contractor's license and his business license. If the problems are not promptly corrected, we will be forced to take this matter to court.