In 2023, we agreed to have Greg Hillstrom / PCH extend our patio and a portion of the retaining…read morewall. When Greg sent us a final revised proposal in early July we responded "that really needs to be the final price". Greg replied "Ok". He was given a 50% deposit to start the job.
Throughout the project, Greg rarely showed up to work. He was typically here 2-3 times per week, usually for only a few hours at a time. Throughout July, Greg repeatedly requests interim payments. In a text exchange on 7/20/23, Greg references "having financial trouble at the moment", and "major unforeseen bills".
On 7/25/23 I expressed frustration via text that the project was about to drag into August. On 8/2/23, Greg communicates via text that he has 2 days of work left to complete the project.
However, on 8/9/23, Greg claims via email to have made the one section of the patio ~50 sq ft too big. His rambling email and its accompanying documents are extremely hard to follow. My wife and I felt the patio matched the spray painted out line we all agreed to when he provided the estimate (see pics).
On 8/11/2023 Greg followed up on his 8/9 email asking for a response. I responded that we saw it but were not clear on it, particularly the hand written notes being difficult to follow. He essentially states that the notes show the measurements of his original quote, the measurement of the patio as currently constructed, and what the price difference is as a result. I responded that we were clear on the budget / final price and that we had not approved any change orders beyond that.
Greg responds arguing he would have to shrink the upper section of patio by 3 feet if we would not pay more. This made no sense to us as it would require an enormous amount of rework ... he would have to pull apart the 1 block step, recut caps and edge pieces, etc etc. In addition to that, he even acknowledges that he is out of the pavers used on the lower patio (but had not run out of the upper patio pavers), and would have to buy more of those ... by shrinking the upper patio, he would have to extend the lower patio to meet it. I indicate that his proposed course of action is unreasonable, and that we don't even agree with his measurements. Quite frankly, given the entire context, and mention of personal financial issues, we strongly felt he was just trying to extort us for more money.
On 8/14, as Greg has not returned to our home since 8/11, I text Greg and demand he return to finish the job by the end of the week for the remaining $5,000 of the originally agree upon quote.
On 8/15, Greg texts "You are paying me Thursday at 6 pm 5k when I'm done and leaving". I responded that he would be paid $5,000 via bank certified check when the job was properly completed. At that point Greg blew a gasket, threatening to take materials etc from our home if not paid by 6 pm on Thursday, and stating he was not accepting a check unless he taxed me (as an accountant I found this particularly laughable).
On 8/17, Greg files a mechanics lien with Saratoga county. Hilariously, the lien document included the following errors:
- He gets his own address wrong .... 12866 is our zip code, not his
- He fails to breakout materials vs labor in questions 4 &5
- The unpaid amount is non-sensical, and not shockingly his math doesnt math in the calculation
- He gets our lot number incorrect in question #7
- On the second page, he also spells the month of August incorrectly, and spells his own business name wrong
Some other items of note:
- When Greg returned to pick up his work trailer on 8/18, he left behind what we thought was one of the Monster energy drinks we would see him frequently drinking while working at our house. Turns it these particular Monster drinks contained 6% alcohol. His work trailer had expired, out of state, Truck license plates that belong to the previous owner of the trailer. The prior owner was unaware that Greg was utilizing this old plate.
- On 9/6/2023, Greg repeatedly called, texted and harassed our mortgage broker. He told the mortgage broker he was attempting to notify them of the lien because "they technically own the house". He also mentioned to the mortgage broker that he intended to call our homeowners insurance company about the lien.
- Greg is using pictures of our property on his personal and business facebook pages without our permission. A comment and review was left that clearly indicated we were not ok with the use of our property on his social media accounts. He has taken the comments and review down, but refuses to remove the images
- There were multiple, very concerning issues with Greg's work. He cut a propane line (despite being told one was buried there), costing us money to have it repaired. He also left a massive pile of dirt at the top of our retaining wall for weeks... a very careless choice considering when large storm hit our area, mud ran off this pile, into our brand new pool
