Space Down Under LLC

If you're planning to build a new foundation PLEASE look somewhere else! Our experience with Space Down Under and with its owner Michael Musumeci has been an unmitigated disaster, and Mr. Musumeci is perhaps the most despicable, dishonorable, mendacious, and truly frightening human being you will ever encounter. I'm a reasonably normal person - a college professor not usually given to hysteria, but our dealings with Space Down Under has been the most horrifying experience we've ever had. Not only did the project end up costing THREE times as much than initially estimated by the company, it also took THREE times longer than it was supposed to take and we've been subjected to everything from verbal and thinly veiled physical threats from Mr. Musumeci, to his refusal to finish the project (our house stood on stacks for four months because Mr. Musumeci told us straight into our faces that bringing the house down onto the foundations simply wouldn't pay off for him) to threatening phone calls to the new contractors who took over the job after we fired him. There is no point recounting all the horrors, the levels of deception at every step of the process, and the specific technical failings and mistakes during the process, but please be aware the Mr. Musumeci is a master manipulator and I believe a truly dangerous human being. He will never fail to tell you the he was "the best," he'll compare himself to Leonardo da Vinci (really), he'll spin the most fantastic stories about his life and his work, and give you the most detailed and unhinged lectures on everything from structural engineering to raising children to his alleged involvement with the Special Forces in Central America. Don't walk away - RUN for your life!!! Should you still want to consider him, please do your research, (be aware that he sometimes gets his permits under a name of another company i.e. Michael A Bruno Construction), contact every homeowner he's ever worked for (we did that only when things went south and we encountered a family that implored us never to tell him that we talked to them because, and I quote: "we have children"), and in general just stay away. I'll gladly tell you the whole story and show you stacks of documents, transcripts of conversations with Mr. Musumechi, etc. My email is "simek@lclark.edu," please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Michael was referred to me by another contractor on the area who was unable to take on any more jobs at the time. I contacted him and explained that the issues was with a new house of my mother's that had some questionable/potential structural problems with ut the current stacks or 'piles' the house sits on. We were interested in retro fitting the little house with either shoring up the existing cement footings that the piles stood on, or adding a new foundation altogether. I happened to be out of town at the time of the consultation appt, but he showed up on time and discussed the issue with my mother and said he would forward a bid for the job. No bid was forthcoming and after a month I called back and left a message requesting it. Another month went by and I called yet again and left a message with no return call. At this point, the best weather for this work (summer) had passed and we now have two more homes with foundation issues that will need to be addressed but we will obviously be working with a more responsive and responsible company to complete these projects. The courtesy of a timely return call, whether interested in the work or not, speaks volumes about character and integrity.

I initially contacted Michael in May after a poor experience with a competitor (I won't share his thoughts on that). On two separate occasions between May and July, Michael came over and spent an hour and a half talking about his service. The first time he came, his estimate was 50k for a basement lift/excavation/pour, on the higher end but within the ballpark for the 750-900 square footage and the project. The second time he brought his partner and talked about the job being 50-70k, she was going to excavate, etc, etc. I had significant difficulty reaching him during the summer (I think there were some family health issues out of state). I was repeatedly clear that the project was a priority and that the timeline/budget needed to get firmed up. in August he showed up with several additional personnel and started talkng about the project approaching 100k. I said it was out of the question, 70k was the ceiling with an understood fudge factor of 10%, or 80k total. At the time I thought the additional folks were subcontractors, but they each had me sign a separate agreement. Michael requested a $500 deposit/consulting fee. I asked why I was signing two agreements and was told that was how each of them handled things to protect their own businesses. Turns out Michael had transferred the general contracting to this other company and had chosen only to complete the actual lift (which I found out AFTER terminating). The final bid for the project came in NOVEMBER at $140k. Completely outrageous. I actually burst into tears. This also came with monies owed to the other company of $6800 for house drawings and engineering (which I never would have done if I'd known the project was going to be almost three times the original bid, 2.5x if you take out the drawings I requested and the engineering I foolishly agreed to). By the way, there were no surprises that came up or anything that in any way justified not telling me the minute it was clear the project couldn't be done within my budget. While I was only out $500 to Michael, following his lead ended up costing several thousand dollars, several months' time wasted and rental income lost for a project that won't be completed. During a final call with Michael, he offered to return the $500 deposit. He was a bit sarcastic when asking if I'd like it returned, but I said I would. I never received a check, never received a response to my email stating I hadn't received the check and never heard from him again. He actually requested on more than one occasion that I write a review of the first company that came out. Karma can be unpleasant, and I'm sorry to have been put in the position of writing this one. I will certainly update this review if something changes.

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They were easy to work with, on time, worked quickly and knew what they were doing. They explained everything they were doing and were respectful of the property. It took approximately 7 working days start to finish for about 28' of foundation and the dry well. The bid was firm, and there were no add ons necessary.

Everything went expectantly slow but well. We figured 2-3 months, but it ended up taking almost 4. The city was to blame for the hold ups though. Otherwise; It went quite well. They raised the house and tore out the foundation in no time. The framing, plumbing, and electrical went in fine, then the city played their role. Once that finally occurred the foundation was poured, the house set back down and wallah. Mike was excellent as he new every answer I could ask, and did exactly what he said he was going to. Its a lot of money but the apartments almost ready to start paying it off..:)