Bruce's Handyman Service

Please appreciate I am a building & engineering contractor (surety bond renewal number year 35 with license in good standing and no complaints, also a Texas Public Insurance Adjuster background check-cleared by the FBI and State); and I provided judicial services to AAA on a number of cases ranging to $10 Million plus over a period of 17 years; that is, I have the credentials and understand the issues from the perspective of a contractor and a consumer. I recommend you do not hire this gentleman for just cause. Aside from refusing to provide an invoice and Tax ID, I represent to you as the Public at Large having taken an Oath of Office, I found he was not an otherwise an honest person doing the right things for the right reasons. I note as a Tax Expert, my wife gave him advice at no cost and we paid this guy to get him off our property without further incident or scandal. Here are details: 1) The appliance was delivered and the plug in installation generally went OK, it remains fine as of this date. He removed and reinstalled it as he did not get a solid connection the first time and I requested the do-over while he was right there. 2) Our home is semi-custom with a Decra Metal-Tile Roof and numerous interior improvement. For the Guest Wing we had family coming for Thanksgiving and decided to enhance privacy (Bedroom, Den and Full Bath) by installing an extra door leading to this area. I had a custom Solid Oak (Stained), 15-lite beveled crystal glass door with Schlage Brass Hardware and Hinges. In order to install this custom door, a full 4" Hardwood frame had to milled to size and put in the existing opening. I ordered the Hardwood (not him) and he did nothing but complain and cause problems over simply picking it up, even complaining about some inconsequential road fee (I paid him the $100 for this 1 piece 2" x 4" so I guess he cannot complain about that. But then he did not call or show up for weeks, or return our calls or email. We actually figured we got ripped off then one day he called and said he would come in a week or so, and that he would call the day before to let us know. Bruce had cross cut the hardwood 2x (it was a full 2" not 1-5/8") at 7' for a standard door but he did not mill it to the correct width (meaning rip it down length wise to 4" to fit our opening). So when this carpenter showed up to do his job he could not do his job. I must tell you he had been playing subtle games in discussing the prices and I realized he had not actually stated the total price when he stopped by to pick up the money for the lumber yard (so one might question if the material I paid were included or excluded). OK, I pulled our cars out, got my 2hp Craftsman Table saw and set up the Rip Fence and extension. The Carpenter ended using all my tools and equipment EXCEPT for his own drill motor with its' screw tip. Some contractor, I doubt most people have a workshop like we do. My wife sat him down for lunch where he stayed an hour consuming about 37 tons (humor intended but know all these little things lead to my frustration with this gentleman). Once the Jambs and head had been milled he got that installed (also using my liquid nails adhesive). Then he installed the Hardwood Stop around the opening that I purchased at Lowes and Stained. He did not like the Anchor type Screws I purchased so he used a total of 8 of his own screws. He did not have a Door hinge template so he used my Chisels to carve the hinges into the frame (that also upset me as he promised to use a template and router he did not have &/or bring). It was one thing after another and thankfully, he had the Door in the opening, would not apply the stain finishes, carved a hole in the jamb to receive the Schlage Latchset without setting the pocket shield and said he's done. All tolled, it was just under 5 to 5-1/2 hours (including lunch), with his walking back and forth from my workshop and all the wasted time looking for this and that as well as the 8 screws in his trailer. Appreciating this was not my first Rodeo, I was not pleased by any suggestions of $800 excluding everything I paid and furnished, as his handyman service was not valued at $200/hour (even if we got an invoice and issued a 1099 like happens with any contractor paid $600 or more). So given our situation, why did we hire him in the first place you ask? As a carpenter by trade many, many years ago, I know my limitations; and used Bruce Bunning Handyman Service as he promised to hang our custom Oak Door with a Door Template and Router that I do not have. Imagine my upset when I came to see him using my Chisels.

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