RRS Construction Services

We had so many problems with Randy Stringer at RRS Construction (and RRS Design + Build) that it is hard to summarize it without writing a mini-novel. We had a TERRIBLE experience and if I could give him 0 stars I would. Our project was left unfinished, with all kinds of errors, and damage to our property. We had to hire another contractor just to fix the mistakes Randy made and to get the project completed. We met Randy and Cara at a home show in Austin and they were charming and seemed capable. (we had been given Randy?s name by another builder who ?knew? him through the builders association ? but hadn?t worked with him - so we went to meet him to see if he was a good fit for our project.) At the home show, Randy touted his designer and that she would create designs for us. Which never actually happened because she was ?too busy? per Randy. Did I mention that his designer is actually his wife and she had a full time job with a medical company we later learned from Randy? The problems and red flags with Randy surfaced very early on however we trudged forward thinking that, in the end, it would be a successful project. I actually documented every single day of the project in writing (and many photographs) for my own use ? what Randy said would happen, who actually showed up (or didn?t show up) to do work, how long they were here, what they accomplished (or didn?t accomplish), the errors that were made, the damage that was done, the items that were missing, etc. First warning signs should have been Randy not documenting anything and then forgetting every single conversation we ever had. And the accusing us of changing things on him. And Randy not showing up (sometimes weeks at a time) to inspect the work of his sub-contractors ? instead he told us they were ?texting? him details and photos. Really, you can?t find the time to stop by and inspect your jobs and ensure your subs are doing a good job? Instead telling us you were kept in the loop via text messages with photos from your subs? In a small town like Austin when you have another job less than 8 miles away per your tile guy who was working both jobs? (and who told us that you had loads of problems at that job as well). We then experienced Randy doing some of the work himself and doing it with major errors ? framing out of alignment, repeated mis-measurements, moving plumbing fixtures without plumber?s knowledge (which then required a complete tear out of sheet rock by plumber to fix and left us with different textured walls) and many other problems. Randy and his team did not show up for days and then weeks at a time due to other jobs then accused us of delaying the project. When we asked him to give us examples of the supposed changes we had made he couldn't and didn't. Damage to our property by his people that was never addressed ? his tile guy dropped a box of heavy bathroom tile on our living room hardwoods and damaged them but never replaced the flooring or made any attempts to fix the damage. Damaged our deck when they performed tile cutting work outside, broke our alarm system sensors. His people took some of our tools ? perhaps by accident ? but when we asked for them we never got a response or our tools returned. Still do not have them. Randy left the project unfinished. Sub floor exposed in closet, no closet doors, out of alignment sheet rock (we later learned he fired his sheet rock team after they did a terrible job at another property however he never fixed the crooked wall he left us with), unfinished walls, hole in ceiling with insulation exposed, caulking job that we had to fix ourselves and on and on. His tile guy constantly complained to us that he wasn't getting paid by Randy, he couldn?t pay his bills, his truck was being repossessed, etc. all while we had paid Randy directly for the work. His tile guy (who owns his own flooring and tile company) didn?t show up when he said he would, always asking us for money when the agreement was for us to pay Randy, complaining over and over about the stairs (didn?t you notice the stairs when you came to bid the project given that the project was clearly on the 2nd floor??), damaging our hardwoods and our deck and not fixing the damage, etc. I could go on and on with more problems and details (remember when I said I documented it all?) however you get the gist. We had to hire a reputable contractor to finish the job. And by the way, we found the reputable contractor through Randy?s plumber who saw first-hand the issues with Randy?s work and recommended someone else to us to get it done the right way. I would advise that STEER CLEAR of Randy Stringer at RRS Construction (and RRS Design + Build). With so many good contractors in Austin there is no need to work with this company.

2/2/15 - Update to review: Be careful if you review Randy. I wrote a review in September 2014. Then in January 2015 had problems with work they had done and contacted Randy. He said he would not assist/correct unless I changed my reviews. Said this in voice message and in email. My review was honest and even his wife/partner acknowledged on Angie's List that they had dropped the ball regarding the communications. Randy...how completely unprofessional to try and coerce rather than standing behind your work. This is quote directly from the email he sent to me: "...As I mentioned in my voicemail we will do no work until corrective reviews are done on both yelp and Angie's list. We have not taken your recent reviews lightly at our company at all. If you are unwilling to do so I'm afraid John's recommendation will all I'll be able to offer you... Randy" Side note - at least the plumber that did the work was ethical and came out despite being told not to and re-attached the shower faucet that had fallen out of the wall. ********************************************************************************************************************************************** September's review info: Now operating as RRS Design and Build Beware! His last name says it all...he will STRING you along! Saw Randy and Cara at a Home and Garden show and made contact for an estimate for a kitchen remodel. They came to look at the kitchen the 3rd week of February. While looking at it they suggested also doing the master bath which was next to the area. Thought that made sense and so we started with the bath because it was a small job. Problems with master bath remodel included: 1. leaving demo debris in the front yard and driveway area for weeks even though told it would be picked up numerous times during that period. 2. sub in charge of framing and tile work took out existing insulation saying it was in good shape and he would put it back in, but forgot to and only got excuses from Randy - not really needed (though not true it helps with sound reduction) and then said he would put it in when kitchen work was done...never happened. 3. He bought crappy shower head unit. For $300 you would think it would have had some adjustment feature - but no - nothing to adjust the flow at all. And the plumber took out the filter for it, so it just blasted out. Instead of agreeing to replace it was told I had to buy something else myself and when I couldn't remove the one they had put in on my own (it was really tight) - it took them a month to get the plumber back out there. 4. Left back of shower/drywall that backed into kitchen completely unfinished. With screws showing and gap around the edge. Was led to believe they would do it when the kitchen was done and never would have allowed that to be left in that condition if I had known they would never come back. Problems with kitchen: 1. Well actually it never happened. They never gave a proposal for the work but kept saying they would. After the bath was completed (about 2 1/2 months from when they first came to see the space) Randy said it would be two more weeks. 2. A month after that still no proposal. 3. So at 3 1/2 months I sent an email asking about it and said if they were too busy or just weren't able to do it, to let me know. 4. Instead of just being honest Randy again said they wanted to do the work "if I would have them" and would get me the proposal the following week. 5. On the day it was supposed to be ready Randy sent a text at 6pm saying Cara had to go out of town the day before and would be back on Thursday (3 days from when she left). 6. It is has now been 3 additional months and 7 months since initial look and not a word! Nothing! Why he wasn't honest when given the chance to say he couldn't do it - I don't know. Starts out talking a good game but his interactions, customer service, and follow through have been AWFUL.