I retained Mr. Heller to complete a residential remodel that included removing and replacing…read moreflooring; relocating two doorways and closing a third with the necessary drywall installation, mudding, and texturing; and painting. He began work on October 30. By December 30, when he suspended work on the project, he had completed less than 50% of the agreed-upon scope.
Mr. Heller does not hold a general contractor's license. He operates under his father's license, although his father does not perform or supervise the work.
Flooring
The flooring manufacturer's installation instructions clearly state that a vapor barrier is required for LVP installation. Mr. Heller did not install one. The instructions also require the subfloor to be leveled to within 3/16" over a 10-foot span. The flooring that was installed has numerous hollow areas, and I can feel thinset patches beneath the planks that Mr. Heller claimed he removed. In the middle of the kitchen, the floor sinks approximately 1/4" to 1/2" when stepped on.
Mr. Heller insisted this was normal and acceptable due to the nature of floating floors. He further placed blame on me for not purchasing the LVP he recommended, on the concrete pad for not being properly leveled 30 years ago, and even on the weather. After Mr. Heller walked off the job, I had four independent contractors assess the work. All four stated that the flooring must be torn out, the concrete pad properly leveled, a vapor barrier installed, and the flooring reinstalled.
Additionally, the manufacturer's installation guide specifies that planks must be cut to allow a 1/4" expansion gap between the plank edge and the wall. While some planks were cut correctly, many were not; in several areas the cut edges extend beneath the drywall. Because LVP planks are damaged when removed, I will now have to purchase entirely new flooring to replace what was improperly installed.
Drywall
We asked Mr. Heller to shift two kitchen doorways approximately two feet to the right and close in a third doorway. Despite multiple rounds of mudding and sanding, the drywall joints remain clearly visible. Popcorn texturing was applied in an attempt to conceal the joints, but they are still obvious.
I understand that drywall finishing is a skilled trade. However, if a contractor cannot produce professional results, they should not charge professional rates for substandard workmanship.
Fees and Contract Issues
Mr. Heller and I signed a written agreement stating that 50% of the total cost would be paid up front, with the remaining 50% due upon completion of the work. On December 30, after completing less than half of the project, Mr. Heller demanded that I pay 50% of the remaining balance as a cash draw because he was running low on funds.
When I pointed out that this was a clear breach of contract, his response was, "I need to go where the money is." He then stated that if I did not meet his demand, he would leave to take on other jobs and schedule me in when he had time--after already being on the job for two months. I refused to pay additional funds until the work was completed, at which point he walked off the job.
Additionally, I asked Mr. Heller to apply wall texture in the kitchen because it was clear he would not be able to skim coat the walls sufficiently to conceal the drywall joints. After completing that work, he presented me with a bill for the texturing and for other work that had been completed weeks earlier--on top of his demand for half of the remaining contract balance.
Overall Impression
Mr. Heller and his wife are pleasant and congenial people. Unfortunately, Mr. Heller does not appear to be particularly motivated or capable of completing work to a professional standard. He promised the project would be completed by Christmas, yet left the worksite after Christmas with less than half of the work done. Because my wife and I arranged for the work to be started early enough in the year, we had every expectation that it would be completed by Christmas since we planned to spend the holidays at home with our children and grandchildren. Mr. Heller assured us that the work would be completed by Christmas. When it became obvious that his assurances were unlikely to be met, we arranged to rent a five bedroom house so we could have a place to celebrate Christmas with our family.
While Mr. Heller possesses some basic contractor skills, the quality of his work is mediocre at best.
