From Arham N.
S.O.S. Handyman Services & Remodeling
This is a tough review to write as I’ve never had such an experience on Thumbtack before. But I wanted to write an honest review for other customers to know what they may be getting themselves into. I’m sure Adrian will negate this review but I’m still going to provide it for people to know what they may end up dealing with!
Things started off well when I reached out to Adrian about a kitchen backsplash installation, kitchen threshold, and a kitchen hood/vent installation (and a few other small tasks around the house). A detailed list of these tasks is listed at the end for reference of scope of work. Adrian responded quickly, came out and provided a free estimate and written quote. We negotiated on the price a bit, but ultimately agreed on $1500 after he provided a discount. For context, I made a detailed table on iPhone’s Notes App with each task and price I agreed to pay CLEARLY. I shared this note with Adrian and he agreed to tasks and prices via text message.
The first day, Adrian arrived on the agreed date and time and began the work. I had several of the supplies needed for the jobs as I previously had another contractor work on the home. I hired Adrian for the finishing touches. Some additional supplies were needed and Adrian did go to HomeDepot and purchase them. He provided 3 receipts that I did reimburse. He misplaced 1 but I agreed to pay him the price of the item + tax (I calculated it on Home Depot’s site).
On the first day, Adrian worked on the kitchen hood/vent electrical work. He claimed that he didn’t know that electrical work would be needed so he was going to charge extra for it. I paid him the extra money. Unfortunately, I later found out that his measurements were completely wrong and that the hole in the wall and electrical box were too low for the hood. Not just that, they were not standard height. The hood sat unopened in my kitchen and he didn’t even bother to open it to confirm measurements before drilling and ruining my exterior wall and backsplash.
On his second and last day, Adrian was supposed to complete the backsplash. Turned out that Adrian could not install the kitchen backsplash. I had picked out a standard marble herringbone backsplash but Adrian was not able to cut it without damaging pieces. After a couple of damaged sheets, he proceeded to tell me to pick a different backsplash. I understand him not being able to complete the task, but I was not going to change the backsplash for that. I told him to forget about the backsplash and hired someone else to start it the same day.
I soon found out that Adrian was unable to complete the last big task, the kitchen threshold. I will add that I don’t think english was his first language. And I’ve never had an issue with this before, but I did feel like details of what I wanted done were a little tough to communicate at times in person. I did not make a fuss about any of the tasks he was unable to complete and since he was already at my place, I asked to complete the other smaller tasks we agreed to. Since they were small tasks, he finished them quickly. Since he had already dedicated the day to my house, I asked him to install kitchen toe kicks and caulk a cabinet instead of some of the cancelled/in-completable tasks. He quickly finished and left.
After this, things continued to go south quickly. Adrain proceeded to send me a new estimate, with increased pricing of tasks. It essentially seemed like he was asking for overcompensation to increase the total to make up for the larger tasks he wasn’t able to do.
As anyone can imagine, I was baffled. I sent a detailed email of why this is not correct and laid out the initially agreed pricing and total after removing the 3 main tasks (and a cancelled task for two) he was unable to do. Adrian also had obvious errors in his “new” quote. He was trying to charge me for the hood installation (besides the electrical work) that he never did. He tried charging me separately for filling 2 small drywall patches when we had agreed to filling both for a price initially. He also tried to charge me twice for the lost receipt purchase. And just increased prices of the other completed tasks. After my detailed email response pointing these things out, he sent another email with another estimate and said our initially agreed discount no longer applied after the 3 major tasks were taken out. I sincerely felt like he was trying to get whatever money he could to make up for this.
I continued to communicate in hopes of negotiation and resolution of the matter. Unfortunately, he was not understanding or interested in negotiating and threatened to involve his lawyer. I then consulted my own attorney with all of our communication, the scope of work requested vs. the scope of work completed. I sent a final email to Adrian detailing pricing, providing screenshots, images, etc. and meeting Adrian in the middle to end this matter in good faith. I paid Adrian via Zelle and was just glad to be done with this terrible experience.
Unfortunately, this nightmare just didn’t end. I asked 3 new handymen to look at Adrians electrical work with the hood/vent and finish the installation. This is when i found out that Adrian’s work for the hood electric was completely incorrect. I also found out that the toe kicks were loose and never glued down in the middle to stick to the cabinets evenly. I then reached out to Adrian requested a refund for just the electrical work on the hood or offered that he come back and correct it. After no response, I followed up one more. He never responded nor returned my money for the incorrect work on the hood electric. I had to pay another pro double to correct this and finish installation. I’ve attached a picture of Adrian’s incorrect measurements on the hood. (FYI the hood had a standard duct size of 6in, Adrian cut for 4in without even looking).
Overall, Adrian was able to complete small tasks such as filling drywall patches, installing a small section of baseboard, patio door threshold, etc. But, he did a mediocre job with the toe kicks. I certainly would not recommend him for greater scale or detailed tasks like a backsplash. I would also be cautious of his fluctuating labor rates and unwillingness to communicate regarding unexpected price increases and payment refunds or labor corrections. I’ve never had an issue paying handymen or contractors (even for mediocre work) and have had several positive experiences on Thumbtack. I’m not sure if this was a fluke but it’s certainly an experience I would not like to repeat or recommend. Make of all this what you’d like!
Full Scope of Tasks for Reference:
1. install front door threshold (completed)
2. install kitchen threshold (could not complete)
3. baseboards for a small room (completed)
4. sliding door threshold
5. kitchen hood vent installation (could not complete)
6. kitchen hood vent electrical work (completed incorrectly)
7. kitchen backsplash installation (could not complete)
8. finish kitchen cabinet details (toe kicks, caulking) (completed)
9. fill two drywall patches (completed)
