Mason's Maintenance

We met in my office and discussed the job and he created a contract that spelled everything out. One price covered labor and (specific) materials! I felt very good starting out. He told me that he is a volunteer firefighter and director of youth at his church. I quickly found out this guy is only interested in using a paint sprayer. There is no cutting in, taping off or special care taken. We agreed to use a special paint product, Restore 10X, that is thick and textured and completely impervious to water! Great stuff! Unfortunately, Mr. Mason explained to me that Lowes was suddenly out of the 10X product in the large 2 1/2 gallon buckets and he didn't want to have to deal with a bunch of gallon cans (we only needed 7.5 gallons for two coats on both porches). I went to San Antonio and bought 2 buckets because we agreed to it and I really wanted to use it! I explained that I would deduct the amount from the contractual agreement amount. After painting my small front porch and getting the product along the entire front wall of my house on the porch, he complained that he had to do it by hand and, by the way, did I have some more of the paint I recently used on the front wall so he could "touch up". He had to use that paint again later to "touch up" the overspray from painting the ceiling of the porch using no tape! There's nothing we can do about the overspray on the bricks of my house and back doorknob, lock and pet door! You can see where he patched some places on the front porch very clearly. I would have sanded and cut a line in the wood filler where the edge of the planks would be! It shouldn't look so obviously patched! Next I got to experience the excuses, I'm sorry if all those things happen to a person, but I try not to let personal issues interfere with a job well done. There were health issues, family disturbances, vehicle breakdowns, and the usual.

Mr. Mason mentioned going into my outbuilding looking for something and I was bothered that he took that liberty. I'm sure it's not a problem, it's just not a good idea. Not how I was raised. I invited him to use my ladder and extension cords, but he helped himself to more! Again, professionalism. I don't have a problem with sharing. He showed a habit of leaving everything in a mess! I picked up trash, plastic bucket parts, plastic post covers, cast aside pieces of wood and an old gate he removed instead of repairing, all lying next to wherever he stood. I recoiled my extension cords and plugged my compressor back in and recoiled my water hose at least twice in all instances! He once insisted, really insisted on feeding my dogs while I went away for a weekend and then texted me on that Saturday to tell me that he had to leave town!! Another problem with a family member! I had to call a friend to go take care of my dogs!

When it came time for the large back porch to be painted, he said, first, that there wasn't enough 10X and he hadn't even opened the second bucket and, then, that he thinks epoxy would be better for the back porch because the texture might not be good for walking on. (It's a lot cheaper, too) I even agreed to buy the second bucket of 10X! I'm a fool!

Well, he sprayed (and over sprayed) the back porch and used latex. It was pretty obvious. I don't know if he thought it would stay on long enough for me to sell my house and go away or just that I'm a stupid push over! Probably the latter since I fell for all the health problems of the family members and paid him the entire $3,300 way before the agreed-upon time: when the job was finished. I paid him $1,500 to start the job and we agreed the balance would be paid at the end. Soon after he asked for $300 for materials. Then he needed to pay for medical expenses, so I gave him another $500. When he came to tell me about finishing the back porch, I paid the remaining $1,000. I have gotten him to come power wash the latex off, which came off without a trace. The oil-based porch paint I put on by hand 4 years ago didn't wash off of much of the porch. He promises that he will "do me right", but when? I made it clear that I wanted the 10X product on the back porch and that will cost him $150. I'm pretty sure the money I've already given him is not available for that. I will post again on this service provider if and when he finishes the job.

He did good work - house looks good.

He was really helpful determing colors. It looks really nice. We are going to call him back to do some work on our cabinets as well. He got the work done promptly. No complaints. He came back and did some touchups, and we didn't even ask him to.

Mr. Mason came out and gave us an estimate to make repairs and paint the exterior of one of our mobile homes. He was prompt, got the job done within the expected time frame, and the price and the estimate we were given were exactly the same. The work was all done well and he also cleaned up very well.
I would highly recommend his work and his pricing. I would hire him again for any work I needed, without hesitation!!
Gary and Janel Young
Tuscola, Tx