I have been very hesitant to post the following negative review. There are always 2 sides to…read moreevery dispute, and I certainly recognize that some of you may have had a positive experience with this service provider. But now, following a lawsuit and a judgment in my favor, posting the facts and honest review here is neither slanderous or libelous.
BEWARE of the handyman ELGEMBERTH CARERA CONTRERAS, d/b/a ACMC HOME IMPROVEMENTS LLC. ACMC Home Improvements Llc.
In a rush to complete a project before moving into a gatehouse which was to function as an office, I hired Alex, probably without the necessary due diligence to seal up a small section roof, and some minor interior sheet rock repairs. The entire office space was approx. 200sq/ft.
I posted my inquiry here on NextDoor as well as Facebook. Clearly requiring that the provider is to be fully licensed and insured. Alex responded with a reasonable hourly rate and most importantly, was able to start the following week after we both did a detailed survey of the space and project specifics. Although I have a lot of building and construction experience, I recently had surgery which prevented me from doing a lot of the work myself. But I know exactly what work would entail and the supplies needed. The project should have taken 2 full days to complete.
First problem occurred on day 1: Showed up without the insurance certificate as promised. He then informed me that he did not have the necessary tools or materials, so he needed to go to Home Depot to "pick up a few things" (on the clock of course). Then... He asked for my credit card to buy the supplies. I specifically asked... "don't you have a contractors account with Home Depot " ??? His answer was yes, but his credit line was "tied up". (Red Flag).
OK.. so, I gave him my credit card, fully expecting that the needed materials should cost between $60... to $90 MAX.
Alex returned with a receipt for over $360... This was a tiny space. needed one 8x4 pc of sheetrock, and some roof flashing material, and a small bat of fiberglass insulation. As a handyman...you would expect one to have the basic tools... he had to buy trowels, tape and other hardware that everyone should (and does) have in their toolbox, and he even bought a 25lb bucket of spackle..... to do one piece of sheetrock. A quart container would have sufficed and enough insulation for 10x the size space.
Starting on Wednesday, I figured one day on the roof, one day, Thursday finishing the interior. Well Friday came around, now there were 2 guys which were being paid hourly. I checked in several times in the am.. and they were literally still working on one section of sheetrock. I have seen a two-man crew do entire floor of rough drywall. They had to do ONE PIECE. Day 3 saw no proper cleanup, even after milking the hourly rate till late afternoon. Finally got rid of them.
Less than 3 weeks afterwards, during the first substantial rain (this was late August, early September) Leaking roof. Damage to interior furnishings, electronics, and rugs.
No response to texts and calls... I would have put a claim into his insurance, but he refused to provide documentation. So, I sued.
Now, even after receiving a judgment, he is not paying, so I guess I will have to spend more time and aggravation filing with the Marshal Service to exercise collection.
Point of this long and boring story......there are many...many handymen out there. Perhaps do a better job of due diligence. make sure project scope and costs are clearly defined.
My opinion is: find another company. Even had he satisfactorily completed in 2 days, I have 40+ years' experience with the trades, and I've watched him work, and he really is not a skilled tradesman. Careful if you have to pay hourly....and pay for his materials and tools.
Anyone needs proof of any of this, feel free to DM.