From Brett S.
Global Housing Contractors
AVOID THIS CONTRACTOR AT ALL COSTS.
UPDATE (RESPONSE TO GLOBAL HOUSING'S REPLY):
It's a shame I have to come back and refute the LIES posted by this contractor in their response to my review...but here we are.
FACT: James quoted the job as taking 20-25 work days numerous times. I have multiple text messages stating as much. We are now at calendar day 127 (work day 89), and the bathroom is not finished - nor are the other jobs James was hired to complete.
FACT: The bathroom is partially functional and certainly not complete. James conveniently posted photos with towels covering the bits he doesn't want you to see. The photos also don't show the pocket door that doesn't stay open, the radiator that shows their work isn't level, the poor job done on the tiling (not level), grout (uneven), silicone (already coming off). The list goes on and on and on and on.
FACT: Throughout the "process", we didn't only have days in a row where no work was done, at points full weeks would go by where nothing would be done. I had to follow-up constantly to ensure there was any progress.
FACT: James and his business partner received in excess of 15 contact attempts which were not responded to before the voicemail left by my wife and referenced below. While I am sympathetic to his family emergency, my patience had understandably expired after more than four months had been spent on a project that should have taken six weeks at most (and eight weeks if I'm being generous).
FACT: James was contracted to do an extension of our steam heating. As part of this work, his subcontractor cut into asbestos pipe insulation without taking the necessary precautions or telling us he had done so. We were only made aware four days later by another contractor who is going to clean up the mess Global Housing has made of our house. The asbestos insulation was then left in a trash bag in my garage, which I also wasn't aware of.
FACT: The total contract value was $39,877. I have made every payment as soon as it has been requested, if not earlier. There is $4,393.80 unpaid on the contract, and the heating addition - valued at approximately $1,200 by James - hasn't started. As my wife pointed out many times, I shouldn't have been so trusting and paid James so much up front. If I hadn't, perhaps he would have treated us fairly and not put our remodel at the bottom of his list, constantly.
I will have to absorb the following expenses to complete the UNFINISHED work at my house.
1. General Contractor to complete all outstanding work - $5,000 (this is a written quote)
2. Remediation of asbestos issue caused by Global Housing and it's affiliates - $3,200
3. New carpet for basement area impacted by asbestos - $800
4. Replace toys and other contents in basement impacted by asbestos - $2,000
5. Complete heating project that was in my contract and not performed by James - $3,800
6. Repair lawn damaged unnecessarily by contractor laying down supplies on it - $500
7. Buy new fireplace door because James didn't measure the opening correctly for the door he purchased on our behalf - $833.75
8. Miscellaneous other fixtures and fittings that we paid additional money for despite us paying Global Housing an "all inclusive" price for the bathroom - $2,000+
Maybe the other 46 reviewers have had a fantastic experience with James and his team. Lucky them. I would've loved to be writing a positive review about a great experience.
You will ultimately make your own decision, but if you choose to go with Global Housing I hope you aren't also the odd one out like we have been and don't end up having to litigate.
ORIGINAL REVIEW
James is excellent at sales, but don't be fooled, he can't meet the promises he makes.
As I write this, we are 87 business days (126 calendar days) into a bathroom remodel (and a few other little jobs) he told me would take "20-25 work days".
The quality of the work done is poor to mediocre. Tiles aren't straight, grout is inconsistent, silicone is already coming up, doors don't work properly, closet doesn't open properly.
Contractor will respond that we made changes through the process. This is correct. We probably changed three or four things throughout the job, and I would be happy to allow for an extra 10-15 work days (which is exceedingly generous of me) to account for those items. That doesn't explain the order 50+ work days, though.
The contractor knows the job is not complete, but has now stopped answering phone calls and responding to text messages and emails. Legal action is commencing.
Save yourself the stress and hire somebody else... anybody else.
