Buyer Beware:
If you're getting a garage door, do not recommend David Giel.
Installed a header below a header. Meaning they left the 102yo wood from the original door up and measured from there. Meaning a much smaller entrance than the actual door.
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During the estimate Dave was a nice, friendly older guy. I felt good about going w an independent contractor, mom and pop type company opposed to a Home Depot or lowes expecting better quality of service. Waited around three months for special order to come in.
I was told 9/930 arrival for install. it was around 1030 when my dog started barking bc she heard the crew (not Dave) in my garage. they did not knock or make their presence known. i go out to speak w them and im informed Dave, nor his nephew are here. I offer the crew coffee and go about my day.
I was asked shortly after to check the framing. At this time I told them I ordered them pizza for lunch but questioned why the original header wasnt removed yet. i was told "these are the measurements, that's what you ordered". i clarify about the rotted wood and question why it's left up.
**I'm not a garage door contractor, if you take the measurements during the estimate I'm going by your word since you're the person with the license/certification/experience, who I'm paying to do the install.
The owner, Dave, who assured me he was the one that would be installing the garage door when the estimate was given was not on premises. This now began phone tag. After multiple tries he eventually called back, resulting in us yelling at each other over the phone about expectation vs reality. He comes to my house, and the back and forth begins again. We can do this, or this. However neither of these options are fixing the problem at hand.
(please note, when someone says "we're not going to use any of this wood, we'll replace it all". to me, that means, ALL WOOD is to be replaced, considering the original garage door is from 1920 and that's why I'm getting a new one.)
One of the workers continues to yell over me and the owner, begins cursing, slams the truck doors and walks away.
At that point I told them I wanted them gone. I stopped responding, walked inside and didn't communicate any further. I gave Dave $2340, told him to leave the keys in the mailbox and leave. (I was estimated at $2335).
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Update: At the advice of an attorney I communicated with them via text and email only to ensure no other "miscommunications" were made. After multiple clarifications on what I wanted they came back the following week and finished what was left so that it's now weatherproof. In the end, what I got looks fine, but it isn't what I asked/paid for. He stated "we gave you a better quality of lumber so that you don't have to paint it". I understand that it was well-intended but it wasn't approved by me, or even ran by me before installation. "We left room above in case you wanted a motor in the future". I'm not getting a motor installed, so why change measurements/make space if that's not what I asked for? Run it by me first and see if that's what I want. People have an overall concept when renovating the aestetics of their home. These miscommunications is why the end result is different than the intended image.
***The quality of what they installed is good, no complaints there. The door itself, although not the size I imagined, seems to be of quality construct. read more
