Austin Granite Express

I learned about Milissa Boisseau, of Austin Granite Express from an advertising magazine that I got in the mail.  I called, she responded promptly, came over to discuss options and measure.  I told her that I was not in a rush, I just wanted a good job done.  I had had the kitchen remodeled recently and just needed the countertops and backsplash to finish.  She had a quote to me that evening of $2287.00.  I told her that if her work was good and professional I had a contractor friend who could use her services.  She gave me some reductions in the install price.  I accepted her quote and paid a  50% deposit of $1100.00 with credit card on Sep 18th.  We met at a granite yard and I picked out the slab I liked.  Her crew delivered and installed granite countertops and stainless steel sink. on Oct 8th.  They cut out the sink, faucet and soap dispenser openings.  The soap dispenser hole was in the wrong place and too large.  They also cut one side of the granite too long and the frig barely fits.  They still had the backsplash to do.  Milissa measured twice, now including an area above the cabinets.  I ordered and paid for that tile.  Milissa wanted final payment the day of the granite install.  I told her I didn't feel comfortable with the backsplash still needing to be done and a gaping hole where the soap dispenser was supposed to be. She adjusted the final $1187 down to $802 which I paid with credit card.  She said she had a guy who could fix the soap dispenser issue right away and took a piece for measurement.  I've never seen that piece again.  Her tile guy, Juan, was to start on Sunday, Oct 14th.  I told Milissa that there was no rush and that I wanted a good job done.  She said he was really good.  On Sunday, Juan, came with his nephew who admitted, later, that he didn't do tile!  I wanted Juan to start on the right side of the kitchen which you see when you first walk in and above the cabinets.  He ignored me and started  behind the stove.  His nephew was doing tile cutting and putting tile up on the right side of the kitchen starting in the corner.  They laid all the tile I had, 38, and said I needed 12 more.  He measured twice.  I ordered it.  The job they had done didn't look right to me and I called  Norma, their boss, and told her I wanted her there with them and to look at certain areas of concern.  They came back on Oct 17th.  I had to work.  Norma called me late morning and said they needed 7 more tile.  I'm ordering these from Los Angeles!  They were gone when I got home.  The tile was not all up but they had grouted!  It was a messy, lousy job.  I called my contractor who had recently done other kitchen renovations.  He came by and said it was a very poor, unprofessional job.  That most likely it would all have to come down!  I called and left Milissa a message and called Norma but her mailbox was full.  Day after day I did this and got no response!  Finally, I called my credit card company about Oct 30th and disputed the $802.00 charge stating the work was poor and not finished.  2 days later I get a phone message from Milissa saying she would contact Norma.  Then Norma called and said she had been trying to reach me.  What?  She came over one day after work and took photos.  She then called and said that her husband, Luis, who had installed the granite and employed Juan and his nephew would meet with me Friday, Nov 2nd.  My contractor was there also.  Luis agreed the work was not done right and would need to come down and he would cover the demo, install and pay for half of the tile..  I told him I did not want Juan or his nephew doing the work and he said he had another guy, Israel, who did really good work.  I ordered another 45 tiles and they arrived a week later.  I let Norma know via text at her request.  Israel was to start but Norma said Milissa and Luis had issues over money.  She didn't tell me he was coming on Monday, Dec 3rd.  He just showed up.  I was at work and couldn't get away.  Many texts later I texted Norma today, Nov 9th, and she informed me that she and Luis no longer worked for Milissa and that I would have to go through her.  Luis told me that he had not been paid for his work.  I have another proposal from my contractor to finish the job.  It will cost another $1000 to do plus the $450 I paid for the tile.  After I paid Milissa I never heard from her again until I disputed the payment.  And she didn't pay her subcontractors.  Avoid her at all costs.  She is intelligent, articulate and had me and my contractor totally fooled.