Innovative Solutions

He did not BUILD the cabinet, just installed it. He installed both pieces on Friday and came back on Monday to do some finish work. When he arrived, he stated that he had hung the cabinet and microwave off center -- did that matter to me. I said yes, that we probably needed to fix that. While taking the stuff down, he knocked a hole in the brand newly installed diamond plaster. Not to worry, he said. They could patch it. After a great deal of work, he moved the cabinet and microwave over 3/4 of an inch and reinstalled them. He wanted to know how to cut the wood where it went up to the adobe. I said I had no idea, but since people had been installing wood next to adobe for a long time, I was sure there was some way to figure it out. Anyway, there is a gap between the wood and the adobe, which he let me know I could fill with caulk should I want to. The wood that he used, to surround the cabinet I bought elsewhere, is unfinished, unstained, etc. He spent 10 hours, allegedly on this project, that wasn't finished at the end of it. I finally told him he needed to be through -- after allegedly 10 hours. He also installed 2 door locks for me that were not functional by the time he got through with them. He patched the diamond plaster, with my diamond plaster,and presented me the bill. He had told me he worked for $40 a hour, which, since he had come recommended, I assumed he was worth. He had worked less than 8 hours and that was going very slowly. I have no idea what he did during all that time. So I assumed the bill would be around $320 -- still too high for what I was getting, but I had agreed. He had agreed not to charge for having to re-center the cabinet and microwave. BUT, the bill he submitted was almost $600. He billed over $50 and hour for 10 hours work. He included a 20% contractors fee for the work he performed himself. He not only padded the hourly rate and the hours, he jacked up the prices on the materials. This after he hung the cabinet off-center and knocked a hole in the wall! And the stuff was not finished! I said to Luis, "you're just dishonest, aren't you?" He immediately took $50 and then took $100 off the bill. I should not have even paid that. I didn't get what I wanted, but I did have to pay a lot of money for it. The guy sounds good, but he is dishonest and does lousy work. He asked me not to call him to do any more work -- I assured him I wouldn't! An unfinished cabinet and 2 door locks that don't work -- Good grief! He was, however, prompt.

Luis is an excellent communicator. Highly professional, detailed. Stayed on tasks and did not waste time. Easy to work with. Will bring in one of six skilled specialists if needed. Very reasonable charges. Prefers hourly. While this was carpentry, he does other jobs.