Best Austin Handyman & Remodeling

What I got: A contractor that at every step of the way led me to believe I was getting a completely new deck built to code, but was ultimately only intending to replace the surface of the deck and “shore up a few of the posts” to structurally fix the deck**. - The architects plans which I received on Dec 22nd were designed to essentially replace the same design / shape with a new structure and deck surface that met or exceeded the current permits / codes. There were pages that showed the difference in existing structure with the new structure (all the posts were in different positions). There were details on how the deck was attached to the posts etc. It was fairly detailed. At this point to be clear I was unaware of the role engineers played in this and what an engineers stamp was. - I had some questions regarding the railing system on the new deck and the pergola. I decided to swap out the railings to match the original hotwire. - I finally approved the plans on Dec 29th. BAH confirmed on Jan 3rd that they were going to submit for a permit that week. - I had been mostly exclusively dealing with the main owner of BAH - Barrett Criscoe via email (sometimes phone calls). Now Jonas Criscoe was handling the permit directly. It quickly became clear something was up because I was getting two different stories regarding the permit submission process. On Jan 27th, I was helping Jonas fill out paperwork (via email) for the permit. - The permit application was filled out digitally (not hand written). It was printed out and signed. The description of the project was “Replace existing deck with same. No increase or change in size of new deck from existing.”. The architects plan that was part of that permit included the structure changes as well as new deck. - I heard from Jonas Criscoe that there was a problem with the permit and they had to make some modifications. I repeatedly asked for the updated plans but did not succeed in getting an update. I finally heard from Barrett Criscoe and he assured me there had been no changes to the plans. - I received a photo of the permit receipt from Jonas. The receipt is dated Feb 22 2017. It includes the permit number. This can be used to look up your permit application online. - On March 13th 2017, the permit is approved. - On March 30th 2017, I was meeting Jonas Criscoe and two of their deck builders to "walk through the project”. At this meeting it quickly became apparent that something was not right. The builders were asking me how the posts should be secured. I repeatedly had to point out - look at the plans; I’m pretty sure it says to use concrete. When I pointed out that none of the existing posts were in the locations on the new plan - they said that the current deck was “completely safe” and they just needed to shore up some posts. They then stated the scope of the work was just to replace the top / decking. The railings would not change*** and surprise the pergola*** that would not be built due to not being included in the original work scope would now be untouched and remain as is. At this point I informed them that there was something wrong here / expectations were not being met and that I would contact them later. I told them to not proceed with building (which was due to happen the following Monday / April 3rd 2017). Investigation: On April 1st I started looking into the permit and trying to figure out what went wrong - an no, this is not an April fools joke. - If you look at the original application you can see the permit application that was digitally filled out and signed; has been modified with a change to the project description. It reads “*Only deck boards to be replaced. No structural components to be replaced or modified.”. I was never informed of this change. The “problem” that Jonas was referring to was that in the original submission if you look at the architects plan you can see a new structure / foundation. The city wasn’t going to approve that because there wasn’t a demo permit / and the plans were not stamped by an engineer. This “problem” was rectified by re-submitting the architects plan, with two of the pages removed (i.e. the pages with the foundation / structure changes). So, when you look at the later modified permit, you’ll just see a new deck (no new structure or foundation). As a layman that makes no sense to me - if you look at page 1 of the architects plan, you will see an index referring to pages that don’t exist. Why would someone in the permitting office approve that? - If you review the email exchanges and attached documents you can clearly see (IMO - without a doubt) that we were discussing a completely new deck. From the plans I was given to approve (which clearly show a new structure / foundation) to the emails discussing the pergola (how I wouldn’t have one on the new deck - that on April 30th Jonas informed me that the existing pergola would be left intact.) BAH / Terminating their service: I parted ways with BAH at the beginning of April. I asked for a full refund of the initial down payment ($6900); but only received a portion of it ($5244). BAH will claim this is because they paid for the architect and permit process - i.e. $1500 + tax for services that don’t get me what I need. - The architects plan was never stamped by an engineer and cannot be used as is. Most engineers ultimately need to redraw the architects plan themselves before they’ll stamp it. I never personally contracted with the original architect and unfortunately they won’t provide access to their CAD files that engineers need to make changes. - The permit is, as it currently stands worthless, I need to spend a lot of time / effort of my own to submit paperwork for revisions and also apply for a demo permit. In conclusion I paid $1500+tax for something I cannot use. I recently hired an engineer to provide the necessary stamped plans for the deck. This cost me $1800. Links to documents: Main email thread with BAH: [*** Link removed ***] Architects plan is ready for approval: [*** Link removed ***] Architect emails plan directly to me: [*** Link removed ***] Original deck foundation: [*** Link removed ***] Proposed deck foundation: [*** Link removed ***] Permit application: [*** Link removed ***] BAH explanation email after I demand return of money: [*** Link removed ***] Notes: ** Even though the submitted permit would not allow any structural changes. *** See main email thread for railings style and pergola discussion.

Horrible and very unprofessional. I wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy.

After I made the purchase and selected times for the appointment. The service provider called and told me they did offer the design service in my area. They are in Austin I am in Round Rock. They told me to apply for a refund.

Timely work completed adequately at a reasonable price.

Numerous e-mails back and forth, slow response.

The project that we did start, was completed very satisfactory and that was why I purchases a "Full Day" of labor from them.

john arrive on time and expertly installed my two chandeliers with in the two hour window i purchased on Angie's List

I don't know. They failed to show up for our scheduled appointment in order to get a quote. Called to confirm that we had an appointment set up for 1/27 at 10:00 and they confirmed it so it was on them. Wasted my time.

This project took considerably longer than the company originally estimated; and, within weeks of completion, two plumbing issues occurred that required some of the work to be redone. During the design phase, the architect went on vacation. While the estimated project completion was not impacted (the estimate did not include the design phase), it did lengthen the time we'd allotted to have the project completed. Also, during the project, there appeared to be a problem between the company's project manager and at least two of the subcontractors. During the shower "tiling phase", the company's "project manager" actually did some of the tiling work himself. The work was then transferred to a subcontractor. In fact, we are pleased with the final product; however, a minor plumbing issue (behind the tile) remains that we have not had corrected. Further, prior to the tiling phase, Austin Handyman referred us to several local sources from which to chose the specific tile we wanted. After visiting all locations, we selected tile from one. As the actual date for the tiling approached and we were well passed our target completion date, I agreed and picked up the tile and associated work material, transported it to the house, and staged it for use by the tiling subcontractor. Had I not done this, the project would have been further delayed. Also, the company subcontracted out the glass work associated with the shower. Again, we are well pleased with the final product; but, the subcontractor had to be recalled to correct a leak/leaks. A final annoying fact was that Austin Handyman sent us a final invoice for payment prior to the work actually being completed. When I called the company, the billing department was unaware that the project wasn't done. The company apologized and retracted the billing statement; but, I didn't feel it was professional for the billing department to not confirm work completion before sending out the final notice. Please note, this work was done during 2014, nearly three years ago. While we are generally pleased with the final outcome, we have deferred other renovation work due to the challenges we faced with this project.

Their responsiveness, their pricing and the quality of the work was done real quick and everyone was happy. They way they left the job was in perfect condition.

It didn't go well. The design was fine. I expressed interest in going forward with the design to that company several times but they never got back to me. I do not have any issues with what they charged me. The design team is great and responsive but the construction team were not responsive. I would not use them again.

The only things that actually got done were the battery replacements in the smoke detectors and reattachment of the gutter guards. Light bulb still flickers. Door frame repair never happened. We were asked to provide pictures in advance which we did, however technician sent said he could not do the requested repair and someone else would need to assess. The company sent someone to look at the work, but this person was not competent and wanted to have someone else look at the project. He felt the entire door and frame would need to be replaced. He took measurements and pictures, but said a 'door person' would need to come and look at it so a door could be ordered. When we called to confirm when this person would come to review, we were instead given a new proposal for $500 that we needed to agree to before anyone else would come to our home. They also refused to refund any of the $399 originally paid even though all of the original work was never completed. We paid for 8 hours of labor and got less than 90 minutes. We declined the proposal.

I wanted to have Best Austin do some work for my kitchen remodel. They sent me the wrong proposal and didn't return my calls. They dragged out the communication and didn't get back to me. They never even every gave me the proposal I requested, the firs time it was someone else's project and the second proposal wasn't complete. I spoke to the office staff and said I didn't want to move forward because I didn't have a proposal on the work and the communication issues.

I left a phone message describing my problem on a Friday, and "Amy" phoned me back the following Monday. She informed me that they could send an electrician out to troubleshoot the problem but that there was a minimum 4-hour charge for services (about $400) whether additional work was done or not. We needed the repairs rather urgently, and I asked her to send someone to investigate and give us an overall estimate. Amy then told me that she would first need for me to confirm my understanding of the hourly rates and minimum charges in writing. I asked her to email me the required paperwork. I received a two-page "proposal" by email on Tuesday that described the Company's billing and other policies and disclaimers. I signed the document electronically and returned it the same day. Amy emailed me on Wednesday to schedule someone to come out about two weeks later. I told her to cancel the service request and that we would have saved both of us several days of wasted time had I been initially informed that there would be that long a delay. I telephoned Lighthouse Electrical Contractors and spoke directly with an electrician. At 7:30AM the following Monday they sent two electricians who fixed the problem and tested all outlets to make sure everything was working properly in less than two hours. Their total charge for labor, parts, and taxes was $196.24.

The work was done quickly, but sloppily and even though I had the repair done 5 months after I had the foundation leveled, the cracks have reappeared and the drywall tape has pulled away from the wall.

Ed was prompt, friendly and efficient. The yard looked great upon completion

Spent a lot of time examining problems with chimney/siding repair in addition to fence project. Then never got estimate emailed to us in a timely manner despite two phone calls requesting it. Finally got a call after a week and then got estimate, which did not include fence project as we were suddenly informed they will no longer be doing fences.

My experience with them was not great.

I will request a refund. The coupon was misleading in my opinion. It listed various work outside on decks, etc. Then when the coupon presented itself in e-mail and on contact with the provider, it had the term "wood rot" embedded. I did not see this in the coupon at all. I was looking for outdoor refinishing and that is how I was led to the specific coupon that I purchased. I must admit it is not a good impression for me regarding angie's list.

I did not schedule the service and no longer need it. I would like a refund, or apply it to the window cleaning service I just purchased.

It was great! I felt like he was really trying to do as much as he could within the 8 hours that he possibly could. He showed me how to do the caulking if I wanted to do it myself even. He was very efficient and very well prepared.

I didn't use it in time, it expired

They did an excellent job, however the project was too much for our budget so we decided against the remodel for purely personal economic reasons.

Picture your worst service nightmare. Friday night and water leaking steadily in your kitchen and the company paid $169 to disconnect the dishwasher refusing to take responsibility for this repair since you did not specify you needed a shutoff valve replaced or a line capped when you set the appointment. The handyman was pleasant and did a good job putting up pictures, but left saying the water leaking from the dishwasher line was due to residual water in the line. Famous last words. Call this company only if you want to spend an additional $250 for emergency plumbing when you are left high and dry - or should I say under water and in a panic - coping with A SERIOUS PLUMBING LEAK ON A FRIDAY NIGHT. BETTER YET - HIRE A QUALIFIED COMPANY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

The person who came took the time to do the job thoroughly. He also showed me places where I needed to have some rotten wood replaced to help with the weatherization. I was very happy with the job he did.