A Rutzen Builders

Rutzen Builders did less than professional work, did not complete work on time, and work was left incomplete. He also did not follow his own contract. Tony Rutzen, owner, did an $84,000 kitchen/home renovation in Jan-April of 2015. All subcontracted work hired by Rutzen was exceptionally well done, but any work done by Rutzen personally was less than professional in quality, in fact, poor in quality. We were told that we would meet 3 times minimum about EWO's to keep track of financial progress. He avoided calls, texts, and emails to do this. Not until we were disgruntled would he discuss the financial aspects. He did NOT follow his own contract regarding the EWOs, by never giving written quotes, and never requiring our signatures before completing work. In the end, he requested thousands more than were expected, shocking us. His progress was slow, he did not meet the deadline that we agreed numerous times about, and often wouldn't show up for weeks. If he was ready to go home for the day, he would pack up and leave instead of completing a project started. For instance, he nailed a board across a new door instead of installing a lockset before he left (twice). We were living in the residence while this renovation was taking place. He was unorganized and did not clean up numerous times before leaving for the day. Nails (dozens)strewn about the snow and decking (we have dogs), wood pieces laying,Big Gulp drink containers, saw dust, and materials were left strewn about our property exterior. We complained twice and cleaned up ourselves many times without mention. Personal property such as brooms, dust pans, fans, some small tools, and a Dewalt radio were used without permission frequently. Some of the smaller items are missing from our residence (brooms, dustpans, some small hand tools). We inquired and Rutzen has yet to respond to their whereabouts. Rutzen replaced an exterior door and took the old steel door (completely good door) without permission. We called to have it returned, which he did. When he replaced the front door, we asked for the old door to be left to us, and it was taken as well. While replacing the front door, a hole was made in our new decking under the front porch. He did not bring it to our attention. He also split the new door jam while installing because he did not pre-drill the screw holes. He did not bring this to our attention either. We noted both. The basement stairs were completed poorly as the stringers did not close 1-11/2" gaps running both sides. He fixed this issue, but not until after argument. Installation of sink faucet, pot filler faucet above stove, as well as the gas line itself to the stove top all leaked. These were items listed on the punch list that Rutzen did not complete. Many items that were being charged in the end were never completed or even started. Rutzen refused to meet and discuss the final bill until we sought legal assistance. We agreed to end the financial battle in writing, but he agreed to complete the items on our punch list. He never did. After seeking other professionals for quotes to complete work, the professional tile experts showed us our faulty tile job of $14,000. No transitions to other rooms were completed as agreed by Rutzen, grout is cracking profusely. Numerous tiles are loose and will only get worse. He did not follow the recommendations for laying the tile according to all 3 experts. Many tiles are higher than others, cuts were made around trim instead of under trim, grout in numerous places along walls and cabinets is missing completely and 2-21/2" grout filler was placed at the top of the basement stairs (instead of bullnose) which is cracking and breaking off. He is NOT a professional tile layer as said by all tile experts who came to quote our incomplete project. They could not believe the poor quality of Rutzen's work. The 13 new windows installed were not the same brand as he told us (Jeld-Wen) he ordered (Alliance). Six were installed before we were home to even notice. Five requests were made for window paperwork/warranty information-no compliance for weeks