AP Metal Designs

We were very pleased with the railing system that Andy designed and installed in our home. It turned out exactly as we had hoped. Andy thinks outside the box when that is needed. We wound up with metal railing that was powder-coated to exactly match the tile we have.

Andy is the WORST contractor I've ever had the displeasure to work with. Below are the notes that I took during this HORRIBLE nightmare of an experience: The following numbered points are from an email sent to Mr. Andrew Pike from me. Any “we” or “us” used refers to my wife and myself, any "you" refers to Mr. Pike. 1) On Tuesday April 26th you gave me a quote for the stair case job that said to pay 50% up front and 50% at completion. You stated that the entire installation would take around 3 to 4 weeks tops. 2) On April 27th I asked for photos of the stainless steel handrail options (as we had also asked over the phone). 3) On May 11th, after going back and forth via email with you about details and scheduling we finally decided to move ahead and I paid you via Paypal for 50% of the job ($3600). Communication thus far was good. 4) On May 17th you came for part 1 of 3 of the installation. Everything went well and you installed the bolts for the glass. 5) By May 24th we had still not received the photos we requested (we reminded you by phone as well). 6) Communication already breaking down as I email you several times saying that I’m trying to reach you by phone but can’t get a hold of you. 7) On June 7th, after MANY days trying to reach you we finally scheduled part 2 of the installation for June 16th at 10am. 8) On June 12th, I sent you an email to confirm that you were coming later that week. I also texted you on the 15th. You never replied to anything. 9) On June 16th YOU NEVER SHOWED UP. I called you but you didn’t answer. I had to resort to emailing you through houzz.com (the site I used to hire you). To this you replied that you’re having difficulties at work and having a hard time scheduling jobs. 10) On Friday June 17th, after you said you would find a new date for us by now but didn't, we emailed you pleading to just finish the job and that if you didn’t give us a completion date by Monday we would take you to court. 11) On Monday June 20th you finally answered my call and told me you couldn’t come in the next few days either because the glass company hadn’t started to make our glass, a process you told me would take several days. Proving that you knew you wouldn’t be able to come on the 16th days ahead but you didn’t tell me to reschedule (making me miss work and also lose money). You said you didn’t have the money to pay the glass company so I said I’d pay them directly. You needed to get a quote from them (how had this not happened before is baffling to me). I also pleaded you to at the very least communicate with me properly. 11) After a few days, on June 23rd, you finally sent me the glass quote (via text message the day before you told me they would only take a cashiers check from me). The quote was for $1362.72. (Communication seems to have been reestablished.) 12) Via text messages on June 23rd you stated that you had the rest of the standoffs almost ready and that the handrail and standoffs would be ready by Wednesday June 29th. 13) The following day I got a cashiers check and your driver picked it up. 14) Via phone calls we scheduled part 2 to happen on Saturday July 2nd (over 2 weeks after it should have happened). We texted on Friday July 1st and you confirmed again that you were coming the next day. 15) On July 2nd you showed up with your crew and after working for a while you said you would not be able to finish as you didn’t have enough bolts for the glass or the handrail. You should have known exactly how many bolts you needed as you correctly told the glass company how many holes to make. You said you would come back on Wednesday to finish installing the rest of the glass and handrail. 16) On July 6th you came to finish installing the glass and handrail, my wife had to not go to work to see you then. Also, when handling the glass, one of the panels was chipped and you said you would replace it. I also noticed another panel was also damaged but not sure if you noticed and just planed to buff it out. You said you would come out the following week to finish it all. 17) On Saturday July 9th I texted you to schedule the date (I had been working long hours and couldn’t text before). You didn’t reply. 18) Texted you again on Monday July 11th at 11am, you replied you were driving and would get back to me in about an hour. You didn’t, even though I texted again at 3pm and again at 8pm. 19) On Wednesday July 12th, I texted and even offered to pay the glass company directly again for the replacement piece of glass that was damaged during installation. Still, you didn’t reply. 20) You never again communicated with me in any way despite my multitude of calls and texts. It has been a week since I last heard from you. It has also been more than 2 and a half months since I paid my initial deposit. 21) At this point we need the handrail, the gate and the replacement glass. 22) July 19th, 8:25am. You replied to the email and said any day on or after July 26th would work. I replied 11 minutes later saying Wednesday the 27th and asking at what time to expect you. At 6:53pm you still hadn’t given me a time and I email you again. 23) July 20th, 6:58am. You replied saying you would be at my place at 9am on Wednesday. 24) July 26th, 9:38am. I called you in the morning to confirm you are coming the following day but you didn’t answer. You immediately texted me you’d call me in a few minutes. 10:23am texted you back, nothing. 10:47am called you back, then you say the glass isn’t ready. You say we can do Thursday morning. I move my entire schedule around and agree to Thursday. (I had also very clearly stated that if not completed the job by Wednesday I would go to the court to file a small claims case against you— I gave you yet another opportunity and didn’t because you swore you would be here on Thursday.) 25) July 27th, 3:26pm. I texted to confirm you were coming and you immediately replied that you were in fact coming. 26) Thursday July 28th. You call me at 8:34 am and AGAIN you say the glass isn’t ready. You said that you would call the glass company every hour on the hour if necessary and update me. I called you back at 11:38 am and you didn’t answer. 27) Thursday July 28th, 12:04pm. I texted you that you MUST finish today and must contact me in the next 3.5 (until 3:30 pm) hours or I will file a suit in the small claims court. AFTER ALL OF THIS... He came over, made a hole in my wall about 2 feet by 3 feet to put some backing 2x4s for the gate. He didn't patch it up, said his drywall guy just didn't come or answer his phone. He said he'd come the following week. I have not heard a word from him since and he never answers my calls, texts or emails. The gate is not installed, I had to hire someone to fix the wall, and I don't even have the necessary parts to finish myself. It has been over a month. TL;DR: After months, work was not completed and he disappeared even though I paid in a timely manner.

AP Metal Designs created a custom cable railing system on an upper level balcony. They were professional, considerate and the craftsmanship was exceptional. I highly recommend them.

When it comes to service, that’s a whole other story. I own small business and deal with customers all the time. I understand it is can be difficult manage all aspects so I would allow them some slack. They were quick for payment but never called me to schedule a day to come out and do work. I had to call and request every part of the job to be done. If I wasn’t managing my remodel I don’t know when they would have gotten it done. They ran late and my painter was starting the day after they stained the stairs. I asked many times if it was ok to tape and walk on the stairs the following day. The stainer said it would be fine, no problems, we could do whatever we needed to on the stairs. They next morning I started to tape and protect the newly finished floors and the tape pulled up the finish on the stain. I was so pissed. Are you kidding me? I paid a lot of money for the stairs. I asked a head of time and now there is a problem. They assured me they would fix it. On October 30th I asked to have the finisher come fix the issue, they said they would get back to me. I continued to ask once a week for 8 weeks to have the finisher come fix the issue. Each time I received empty promises that they would look into it or no response back. After sending a stern email they finally were able to get the finisher to come out, 66 days later. When they finally arrived, their fix was terrible. It looks worse than it did beforehand. Even they said the fix was poor. They suggested that they should come back and fix it. I contacted Andy multiple to schedule this. We set a date and they flaked. I texted and called Andy to ask what was going on. I received no return communication at all. You can see from the attached photo they lack communication and customer service. Who does that? Is it that hard to return a call? It’s been weeks since that day and I have yet to receive a call from them. I’m tired of babysitting AP Metals Designs. They do great work, but just hope all goes well. As I have experience Andy is not one for great communication or customer service. Hopefully your job will go without a hitch so won’t be left behind like I have.

I've used AP Metal on several projects and their workmanship and quality is outstanding. They are competitively priced in the market and very professional. They have done some very high end metal stringer, open tread, stainless steel cabling stairs and I have to say they exceeded my very high and demanding expectations. I'm a high end custom home builder and I demand exceptional quality. Just make sure you give them plenty of lead time, their quality takes time and it is best to get on their schedule sooner than later. Just to be clear, they met my schedule but I knew to give them plenty of notice.

AP Metal Designs provides very professional services from concept through fabrication and installation. AP metals attention to detail is exceptional an we intend to continue including AP Metals as a key member of our trade team for high end custom installs of glass rail systems.

AP Metal Designs team did an amazing job designing my new stairs at my beach house..The attention to details and execution was just outstanding, not to mention the professionalism of the entire team. The final product looks amazing. Job well done.

Andy did an extensive stair remodel, removing old bannisters and railings and putting in contemporary glass/stainless steel. The transformation is stunning! The quality of work and attention to detail exceeded my expectations. He and his team are artisans in the true sense of the word!

Stair and loft railing installation. Terrific service from initial contact to job completion. Andrew understood exactly what I was trying to achieve and I could not be more thrilled with the end result. He and his assistant were polite, super hardworking and finished the job to a very high standard. Highly recommended.

Andy did an amazing job remodeling our stairs. He was easy to work with and got the job done quickly and providing quality work.

Andy is a dream to work with. He is ON TIME and ON BUDGET. Huge when doing multiroom renovation. Andy is able to verbalize my sometimes vague concepts abd offer an artistic eye to the project. I highly recommend Andy Pike-he eill exceed your expectations.

Andy Pike worked with me for several months, installing both glass and stainless steel cable railing systems on a new house that I built. He was able to come up with details that addressed unique conditions and complemented the architecture. Despite budget and schedule constraints Andy completed the project in a professional and skillful manner. The final product was both durable and attractive.