Our project was quite large. It consisted of roof, gutters, siding, windows, garage door, porch rail, chimney chase cover, and sliding back door. We wanted to make sure we worked with a company that would have the ability, and experience, to put all of that together. Out of all the companies that we considered to perform the services it seemed that Big Fish Contracting had the best reviews, although they came in on the high side of the bidding process.
Initially, Erik was very responsive to our needs as it came to picking colors and styles. He supplied information, samples, and examples of homes that they had completed for us to see. However, there was an overall lack of clarity as it came to the design of the exterior. (We had a hard time visioning what it would look like). Another issue was, from the beginning, we had wanted to replace the rail that encompassed our porch as part of the project. We received a little pushback on that decision by Erik in the suggestion that we should leave it off. But we were firm that we wanted it.
The project began just over a month later with the roof being replaced in one day. Then just a couple of days later siding removal started. About a week after that, the windows came and were installed over a series of days. Not too long after the Garage door was installed, and gutters installed. Two of the installed windows had manufacturing defects and had to be replaced. Many of the windows had seal problems. Erik facilitated a timely resolution with the window supplier / manufacturer to correct these deficiencies. Because of these window problems the project was delayed about a month.
In a matter of about two months they had completed 90% of the job. Then things went south. At this point in time there were many items on the “punch list” that had not been completed. (Nail heads not covered, caulking, some porch trim boards not installed, railing, chimney chase cover, etc.).
When we asked about a porch rail Big Fish acted like we had planned to leave it off. (even though there is a note on the proposal to put one on, and we had communicated as such). So, we made some decisions on a porch rail and planned to move ahead and have it painted and installed.
It was about this time (end of second month) that we received an invoice for the entire job. Erik and I met about three weeks later and I gave him 90% payment of the invoice in consideration that the job was not yet complete. To which he agreed, and promised a quick finish on the project.
By the third month into the project the railing showed up. It had been painted very poorly and after installation the paint started to flake off. It became obvious that the addition of the rail had not been incorporated into the design of the siding as there was a significant alignment issue of a piece of rail and siding that did not align correctly. We were told that it would get fixed (Rail and paint). Nothing got done.
In the beginning of the fifth month (after several calls and email inquiries) I was assured by Erik that this same “Punch list” of items (Including the rail) would be dealt with promptly. Nothing got done. Over the next 27 days several calls and emails were sent by us asking about the timeline of the project All of which were ignored. Until, at the end of the fifth month, Erik finally replied via email that the items would be completed, apologized at his lack of communication, and that his crew had started another job, that’s why they had not been out to finish.
In the beginning of the seventh month nothing had been done. I emailed Erik. This time he responded right away and said that he did not know that the punch list had still not been completed, and they would get someone out there. Shortly after this email they came and fixed the misaligned trim piece and took the porch rail to be repainted.
In the middle of eighth month I emailed Erik about when we could expect to get the porch rail on and get the rest of the “punch list” items finished. After several emails and calls that went unanswered for ten days, he finally got back to me that the railing was “currently in my shop and painted” and goal was to be “completed by the end of next week”. Two weeks go by ….nobody shows up.
I send Erik an email asking if I could come and pick up the railing and install it myself. It goes unanswered. Again, I spend the next week calling, emailing, and even showing up at his place of business to get an answer.
It is now the middle of the ninth month into the project when he finally calls me back. During our conversation it comes out that the railing is NOT painted and ready to go. It also becomes readily apparent that the story he is telling me about what he has been doing to get the railing ready is not the truth. I told him we were done, I will finish the project on my own, and fired him.
So in the end, same old contractor story…..pay them and you get ignored. I would caution anyone doing business with this company to stay aware of what they are accomplishing every day, and do not pay them a significant amount until EVERYTHING is finished. There is NO REASON WHATSOEVER that these last items could not have been finished in a timely manner.
I am currently finishing an extensive “punch List” of items left undone. As I have been working on these, I have unfortunately found several other deficiencies that I was not aware of in the beginning. Very disappointing ending from a company that seemed have a sterling reputation.
