Alvarado's Painting Company

DO NOT USE THIS BUSINESS!! Ramon Alvarado was referred to us by a friend who had utilized him for painting and other small home remodel projects. He was initially attentive with a quote and we signed a contract to paint our townhome. Here are a few issues. Ramon offered to install bathroom mirrors and lights for $30 each and said that they often do these types jobs during the remodeling projects they do. Ramon stated I needed more paint which he purchased without my knowledge and never provided a receipt. Two days in, Ramon asked if I could pre pay him the remaining balance of our contract because he would need it over the weekend. I MADE A MISTAKE AND SHOULD'VE NEVER DONE THIS! Ramon mentioned how behind he was on his contracts due to the recent inclement weather and would be finished with my painting two days early. Given several things were not completed, I began noting touch ups and missed areas at this time. Ramon became very angry at this and said he knew everything that needed to be done and it would be completed to my satisfaction. They did not finish on Wednesday, but couldn't return on the next day due to another job. While painting my front door, Ramon again offered to complete changing the locks for less than the locksmith. The new knob was clearly off center/crooked but Ramon stated there was a bolt in the door that prevented him from drilling so the knob would be slightly right or left. This didn't sound right, but he's a contractor who does remodeling projects every day. Ramon called me the following day and stated he felt badly about not completing my project and would like to come back on Friday and finish before we left for vacation. I appreciated his offer and agreed. It again became clear they would not have time to complete the job. As they rushed around, I mentioned that none of the bathrooms had the lights or mirrors installed as we had agreed. Ramon brought in more "employees" to finish and the problems began. He stated the lights were taking more time than expected and couldn't be centered (heard that one before with regard to door handle). He was also experiencing difficulties with mounting the mirrors. One was installed, one improperly installed (it dislodged and cracked while we were on vacation), and the last one they drilled into PVC pipe and stated it was impossible to install individual mirrors over dual sink in the master bath. I told Ramon we should agree to have him return once we were back from vacation. Needless to say, my home was left in shambles from an incomplete painting project. I immediately contacted Ramon when we returned and he could return to finish on Saturday, 8/18, and agreed to complete the exterior prior; everything was supposed to be complete on 8/3 per the contract. When I mentioned the cracked mirror we discovered, Ramon stated they are "not experts" in this installation and he was "trying to help me out" but never should have agreed to do so because the lights and mirror set the project back. Remember, he offered to install them. When Ramon departed on Saturday, he stated I owed him and additional $120 for paint purchased and lights installed. We had previously agreed he would buy a half slab of granite I had for $150. He said he still wanted the granite and I agreed we could call it even at $120; we even shook hands! On the following day, I installed a bathroom mirror without issue. I also removed the front door handle and lock to assess the bolt issue and determine if I needed a new door. I immediately discovered there was no bolt in the door which caused it to be off center/crooked; Ramon simply drilled a hole without measuring or leveling. When questioned, he lied to his customers instead of admitting the error and fixing the problem. I can't say I was shocked, maybe more disheartened, but I repaired, reinstalled, repainted and now have a straight door handle like everyone else in the neighborhood. I wasn't even going to address the issue with Ramon and just relieved to have no further dealings with him or his business. Yesterday, Ramon called me and stated he no longer wanted the granite and would need the $120. Given he reached out to me, I told him about the door and that I considered him dishonest and wouldn't recommend him to anyone I knew. Ramon once again said they weren't experts and he could've fixed it if he wanted to. Ramon said if it was that big of a deal, I didn't have to pay him. As I told him, it's not a question of money, it's a question of integrity and he lied; I no longer could trust anything he said to me or did within my home. At this point, Ramon said "F*ck you, you son of a b*tch" and hung up. If Yelp allowed zeros stars, this business and Ramon would've received that rating. He is dishonest and his business lacks integrity. I will never recommend his business to anyone and ask that my close friends do the same. DON'T TRUST RAMON ALVARADO!