Sylvester Construction

Went poorly from start to "finish". Late start, prolonged delays, no-call/no-shows. Poor design. Did not finish. Treats employees and subs poorly. Use someone else.

This job went very poorly. This has been my first experience hiring someone for such a large job, and I really wish it had turned out differently. After the initial (cash) payment of $4,550, Contactor didn't answer phone for 3 days, citing health problems. He was never on time at any time (unless it was for a payment), and he stood me up with no call and no show at least a half dozen times that I can document. The pattern became that he would then call 3-4 days later with excuses and apologies. Having someone take off work to meet a contractor that doesn't show and won't answer calls left my whole family feeling really burned throughout the process. I really thought I could ride it out if I was patient and we could finally get it done, but it was a bad hire from the onset. His excuses involved hospital stays, car trouble, lost truck keys, traffic, other jobs, etc. He constantly referred to how full his schedule was, how far his other jobs were from my house. Believe me, we got the message: Too busy for my job. I tried to be patient and understanding at first, but it was very apparent what we were dealing with as the pattern emerged. He even said his kid was in the hospital. I totally sympathise as a parent, but, honestly, do you believe the 10th excuse as much as the first 9? Punctuality, if not issues of personal integrity, were a real issue from the beginning. The original bid document, such as it is, even charged sales tax for the whole job, as though you pay sales tax for labor. Despite all this, I paid the draws per our agreement, plus one change order for $800 for some plumbing repair that was outside the initial scope of work. After all the shenanigans and requests for change orders, my patience and good faith were completely exhausted. I decided it would be foolish to keep handing this guy any money at all, until the job was complete, as we had agreed. His requests for change orders continued, citing extra work that had been done, but extra compared to what? The original bid document included new flooring, including joists, and a couple of expensive elements that it turned out didn't make the cut after all (like a custom glass door that an the glass guy said would be about $800). I had requested a detailed budget of what option would cost what, but he had refused, saying it was all in his head. He apparently wanted to keep it that way because he refused to provide any documentation or receipts for any materials bought or subs paid for at any time during the job. It is certainly a major mistake that I did not, at any point, insist on this very simple thing. I should have stuck to my guns in demanding better understanding of where the money was going. Instead, I trusted him and accepted hand waving instead of insisting that I had a thorough understanding of what I was getting for the money. I should have known what it says about a contractor when they refuse to provide documentation. The tile sub and plumber that he used were great and I was happy with the plumbing repair and tile work itself, but the shower design was flawed. Now I have a shower that spatters water on the floor and there is no way to hang a glass door. Custom shower with jury rigged shower curtains. Ugh! Definitely not the dream shower I paid for. In the bid document but not provided. I made a lot of mistakes. Specifically: I should have insisted in seeing a detailed budget that listed materials and expected dates for completion, etc. I should have checked references and done at least a quick google search (that would have turned up some historical stuff I wish I had known about before hand). I should not have relied on the professionalism or honesty of a contractor without some evidence. Don't assume because they can talk the talk that they will perform the work as agreed. You have to protect yourself. Initially sold as an 8-day job, over 8 weeks later, and, after many absenses, he stopped answering calls or texts. Bottom line, I paid $7,550 on a $9,093 bid for a poorly designed tile shower and not much else. No toilet, no custom glass and shower door, no custom vanity/cabinets, no pocket door, paint, texture, finish out, etc. I feel that these elements represent the vast majority of the budget for the job, and they were not completed. I paid 83% of the money for way less than half of the completed task. Essentially paying twice for a lot of this stuff. The problem is that I never insisted on seeing a detailed list of materials or documentation expenses concerning the job. My mistake and it cost dearly. I wound up paying for glass, cabinetry, toilet, paint, etc., above and beyon what I had already paid the contractor. Then paying for someone else to finish the job. The other guy I can recommend without reservation Francisco Cerpa 214 649 5102. If you are looking for quality, reliable service, he is your man. (I thought it was really funny that they are both named Frank, considering the opposite ends of the spectrum that they represent.) Suffice to say that I learned a lot about getting it in writing and communicating a throrough understanding of what your expectations are. It is emotionally demanding feeling like you are getting taken for a ride. Plus the strain of running a household of 5 with only one bathrooom for 2 months. I documented events very well (times of arrival and departure, phone calls, texts and promises made, etc.) and seriously considered suing to recover anything, but decided that the money wasn't worth the time and additional hassle. Successful or not, I have no desire to enter into vengeful legal action. That doesn't mean it has to happen to you. Please learn from my mistakes. Research your contractor thoroughly. Don't be afraid to ask for proof of insurance, references, licensing certificates, etc. Don't be afraid to insist on documents. An honest and reputable pro won't have a problem showing where the money is going. Make sure that everyone's expectations are understood, protect yourself and get it in writing. What materials will be used and when it will be completed. Document everythign that you can: when they come and go (subs included), written records of promises they make verbally, names of subs, pictures of the job as it progresses, etc. Above all, don't just assume that you just hand them the money and they will do the job as you expect. It definitely doesn't always work out that way.

I was VERY impressed by the tile work Frank's guys did.  They were incredibly precise with cuts.  They accommodated my somewhat irrational insistence that they put down a decoupling membrane between my slab and the tile to avoid cracks in the tile, since my house is shifting in all this heat and dry conditions.  His guys were already laying thinset when I asked FRANK how much the total cost would be.  (He had already given me a per-square-foot range based on my description of the job.)  I squinted as I was preparing for a major last-minute charge add on, since I hadn't met him but 10 hours before his guys were in my house.  The price he quoted was much lower than what Home Depot would have charged, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
As I usually do, I treated his tile guys VERY well, cooked them lunch and provided them with cold beer and drinks.  These guys work really hard, so treat them well!
The finished product was stellar, much more professional than I could ever have accomplished myself, and they even allowed me to be control-freaky enough to do the baseboard installation myself.
VERY pleased with Sylvester Construction's tile work, and would hire again without hesitation.