From Austin N.
My Construction Group LA
I met Sharon, from My Construction Group back in April, 2021 via Thumbtack.com
Initially my quote for this 290 sq ft project for $95,000. When I was ready to sign the contract the following year, I was told $118,000...because of increase in cost of supplies. After not hearing from him for several weeks after signing the initial contract, I reach out to Sharon start date and he now informs me that he can't do the job for less than 159,000 "or he won't make any money". I agreed and re-signed.
I was very excited to work with him to complete work on my Jr. ADU. I feel I got a "bait and switch", since the job was subcontracted out and the only time I see or hear from Sharon is when he wants another payment or for inspections. I hired him thinking he was going to be working on the job.
I've enjoyed the speed at which the guys are finishing the work and I've commended him about this. However, as of this month - July, 2022, things have taken a dramatic turn.
I met with Sharon today, July 25, 2022, to review these concerns:
Extra fees - I hired him because of his very detailed contract. He has attempted to charge me extra $250 fee for a deputy inspection, after receiving $25,000 to cover foundation work. This is not in his contract. He says he "the office told him to pass the charge on to the customer as they usually do". This is not okay. It should have been in the contract. I don't expect to be surprised with hidden, extra fees for this project. He agreed to cover the charge.
He had me go pick out shower and flooring. Then when I told him where to have his guys go to pick it up, I was told they don't do that. I had to return to the store days later to arrange. Causing me to pay $200 delivery charge (Sharon wanted to charge me $300- $400). Yet, his guys have been picking up and bringing ALL the other materials to the jobsite each day.
Sharon sent me to pick put shower hardware. Didn't like one of the items he had asked me to get so I had to take it back. Another waste of my time and energy!
Dumpster/Trash - contract states there's supposed to be a dumpster onsite. They guys have been using my personal trash cans for disposal. There was an initial dumpster here for the dirt only. Sharon acted surprised about this! (but he shouldn't be...he knows there's no dumpster present).
Windows/Doors - Sharon sent me a sketch for windows/doors in June 22, 2022 and requesting payment of $2250 - Sivan Windows and Doors. I included a note requesting actual receipt. Windows were to be covered by owner separately. One of the windows, was designed to be in the wrong style so that it doesn't match the rest of the windows of my current house...instead in the style of the Jr. ADU. I didn't catch the error by the architect and neither did Sharon.
Unfortunately, as fate would have it, Sharon didn't communicate with the subcontractors that I was going to be out of town and as I was rushing to pack and leave, they approached me telling me they needed to have access to my house to install the windows. I wasn't comfortable leaving my home open and accessible to these these while I was out of town.
When I got back a few days later, I noticed the wrong window and immediately told Sharon, asking him to replace it. First he said he couldn't...then he said it would cost me $1450. He said they had a no replacement policy. I asked to see that in writing on this receipt I've been waiting for.
So I decided to investigation and comparison of my own. I spoke with a number of people at Sivan Windows and Doors - Maria, Pierre, Mario. Everyone points me towards Tali (who won't get back in touch with me) and refer me to contractor .
But I had first met with Sharon who said that he didn't want an unhappy customer and would be willing to change the window as a courtesy. He was regretful he had done me the favor of getting the windows. I felt bad and was going to leave as is. I paid him the next two payments he asked for and we talked about concrete for the back.
A few minutes later I got my response back from the same window company that he had gotten the window from, only to find out the actual cost of a replacement window was less than $400 (without labor). I felt so betrayed and when out and shared this with him.
So I say, since the window is so much cheaper, I would take him up on his offer to replace it as a courtesy.
Then he forwards me the original sales invoice with a charge of only $1750. I asked him why was I charge an extra $500? He was now busted.
Someone was lying!
Then his text goes on to say "I asked the same question. The company charges fee on ordering merchandise. I didn't accept that, and I got for you a refund of $500"
Now the story changes again and he can't do it for their price. Texting something about liability insurance, license fee, cost of labor, workers comp ins bond are lower than his as a full construction company. He suggested I hired them. Again, wanting me to pay for out of pocket money.
He knew all that when he made the offer in the first place so what changed?
Sharon is not a man of his word. He is dishonest and unscrupulous! That's bullshit and I don't do business this way.
I'm formally requesting someone else have oversight to this job and help resolve this matter.
