For more than 6 months I have had several companies come and give me estimates on the exterior and interior work before choosing Spectrum Painting. Mr. Wayne, owner of Spectrum Painting did work on my house - exterior and interior. His workers did a good job and his carpenter did an excellent job. However, Mr. Wayne was not professional in terms of timing or fulfilling the contract. He put me off a couple of times to complete the work. He also asked for his check a couple of times prior to the job being completed. In his contract it stated that he would “Complete jobsite cleanup daily and haul away debris”. I had the complete backside of my house replace . All the wood was taken down and replaced with hardiboard and all window wood trimming was also replaced. All the gutters were torn down. All this debris was placed along the side of my side fence…a lot of it. I took pictures of it. He asked for his money about 2pm on Saturday, about 5 hours before the job was completed. I hesitated because I wanted the job to be complete prior to paying him as stated in the contract. He assured me that the guys would stay that day until completed. I then asked him about the trash. He stated he would return on Wednesday of the following week since that was my telecommute day and haul all the trash away. I really had reservations about this, so I had him sign a written statement I wrote out as follows: Wayne Schweizer of Spectrum Painting will have wood, gutters and debris associated with exterior work hauled away on or before Wednesday 10/12/11. He signed this statement and at the bottom he wrote Paid In Full $2,965 10/18/11 along with his signature again.
On Wednesday I worked from home and no one showed up to pick up the trash. I then called Mr. Wayne on Thursday around noon and asked him why no one showed up. He said he didn’t know and would call me back. He then called me back and said his driver went to the wrong location - another jobsite - and picked up trash there. He asked me what day would would work for them to come out. I said I had a full schedule that week and the best time would be early Saturday morning. He stated they would be there first thing Saturday morning. No one showed on Saturday morning.
I have to be there when I get services done at the house, because I put the dogs up. The dogs are not mean; however, as a homeowner, I’m very cautions and don’t want to take the chance of anyone getting bit on my property.
Saturday: (Me) Where is this guy to haul this debris away? This is still a part of the job and considered to be a breach of contract until it’s done. They were to be here early this morning. (Oct. 15 10:16am)
No response from Mr.
Monday night I posted the following on the Spectrum Painting company face book page as well as a review on the google page.
I was disappointed with the company. The workers did a good job, but the owner was dishonest. His father-in-law was the carpenter and did a superb job. However, the owner himself is not to be trusted. He wanted his money prior to completing the total job. With only a few hours left on the job, I paid him with a signed statement that he would return to haul off all the debris and trash (rotted wood, broken gutters, etc) per the contract. He did not show on the promised date. I called him, and he scheduled another day and still did not show up. He basically took the money and did not come back to clean up the mess - which was also also included in the contract price.
Early Tuesday morning Mr. Wayne sent the following text message:
Tameka, I had to go to Boise Idaho Friday for a family emergency and will not be home til late tonite. My driver said he went by your house to pick up your trash, but no one answered. He didn’t have your phone number. I can come by on your day off to pick up for you and hopefully make you happy, but nothing will happen and I wont turn in your warranty info until you remove all bad info online! Its your choie. Let me know. (Oct 18 9:32 am).
My response: No one came by on Saturday. I cancelled my appts and was there until 4:45pm. Pick up the trash tomorrow by noon and I’ll remove the reviews. Thanks. (Oct 18 9:43am).
Mr. Wayne’s response: No, you remove them first and write me a recommendation letter stating you
are satisfied with everything because picking up trash has nothing to do with the quality of our work plus that was the meanest thing I have ever seen someone do. And I have no guarantees you wont do it again. (Oct 18: 11:33am).
My response: Its called professionalism. A contract should mean something and a customer’s time is valuable. Im a black professional with a masters degree….im not stupid. You honor your contract and I have no problem removing the reviews. I CAN keep my word. (Oct 18 1:45pm)
My response: Had you been respectful with even a call over the last two days it wouldn’t have even escalated to this point. I am appalled at the disrepect and disregard. I’ve never received this level of treatment from a service. What im asking is fair and my right as a customer…complete the job in its entirety. (Oct 18 2:04pm)
Mr. Wayne’s response: Remove it or I’ll just take a different route. And just so you know, I couldn’t care less about your race or education level. I’ve dealt with angry racist black women before. You should try a compliment or a smile sometime, it can go a lot farther than the mean racist tact you take. You see, I’m not afraid of Liberal, mean racist black people like you! You think your owed respect but you never earn respect! Also, like I said earlier, I’ve been in Boise Idaho for 4 days dealing with family issue, but you don’t care! You only care about yourself and making sure that everyone bows to your every demand. Classic Liberalism. “Screw everyone else, give me what I demand or I’ll throw a hiss fit” I’ve been a contractor for over 25 years and don’t have any issues or problems with any of my clients, and your this angry about a few pieces of paneling. Perspective please. Also, if you didn’t have a mean dog or got home earlier I could have had someone there any day you wanted. (Oct 18 2:24pm)
My response: Ok. I’ll go another route for settling this. No need for me to stoop to that level. Your text messages will speak for themselves. Thanks. (Ot 18 2:35pm)
Mr. Wayne’s response: We would love to help you and can pick up the trash if you just remove the comments. Ball is in your court. (Oct 18 2:38pm).
I didn’t respond to his last test message.
I will be filing a lawsuit in small claims court against this company. It is fully insured and bonded. The trash still remains here at my home. I will either have to hire someone to haul it away or personally put it out at the first of the month to be hauled away by the city. It will take me awhile to remove it all personally. He stated that he will not honor the warranty for the work done even though it states in the contract there is a 5 year warranty on the work. What all can I sue for in this claim?