Minnesota Country Builders & Remodelers Inc

HORRIBLE!! In a nutshell, Brian Stodola (the owner of Minnesota Country Builders Exteriors Division LLC - a separate company from Brian's father, Thomas Stodola's - Minnesota Country Builders & Remodelers, Inc.) took a $3500 deposit at the signing of the contract, then failed to ever meet us again despite his constant promising that he would get together with us to continue the design process. He kept saying he had personal issues that were interfering with his ability to meet with us. Ultimately Brian told us he would not be able to do our project at all. He stated he would refund our deposit with a certified check, and he never followed through on that promise. Finally, I found out that both he and his father, Thomas Stodola (Owner of Minnesota Country Builders & Remodelers, Inc.), had to file personal bankruptcy. I had to file a lawsuit in Concilitation Court, and the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry undertook an enforcement action against Brian Stodola and his company. To date, Brian has signed a Confession of Judgment admitting to his company's debt to me for the $3500, and I am in the process of trying to recover it from the MN Contractor Recovery Fund. Hopefully I may see my $3500 back. This after spending about $400 in court costs and hours of frustration, driving to and from court, and the uncertainty of ever seeing my hard-earned money back. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND STAYING AWAY FROM THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS/COMPANIES WHEN CONSIDERING HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: 1) Minnesota Country Builders & Remodelers, Inc., 2) Minnesota Country Builders Exteriors Division LLC (which appears to have lost their license - too late for me), 3) Brian Stodola, 4) Thomas Stodola.

This was by far the worst experience my wife and I have ever been through. Project was bid at approximately $40,000 and to be completed in 6 weeks. After $100,000+ and 7 months we fired them and had the work finished by others. Workers would sometimes not show up for weeks at a time. Sub contractors were calling us saying they were not getting paid. Brian said we would be invoiced weekly to avoid any "surprises" but we only got invoiced when we asked to see the invoice and then would be threatened with a lien if there was any delay in making payment. Whenever we complained about the delays and cost of the project, Brian would make more promises that he would inevitably break. Not only were they incompetent managing the project but they were extremely unprofessional when it came to resolving conflicts. Tom, Brian's father and partner who remains in the background, never once talked to me but raised his voice on 2 occasions to my wife.