Joe Sykes

Joe was a door to door vendor working the neighborhood. He explained that he was experienced in deck staining and what his work would entail. We made an appointment for the work to begin. I did a better business search after meeting him and found a report di regarding a dispute regarding a refund of money from years ago. I dismissed that as possibly an isolated incident and proceeded with the work. He requested half payment when he power washed the deck. When the deck was power washed it was not done by Joe Sykes. He dropped off a helper with the equipment and left. I noted that he didn't uses any detergent to clean in but I figured he knew what was best. The worker machine ran out of gas, so he sat there and waited. His helper was very nice gentleman. The worker had no cell phone or communications to Joe (a cell phone of his own). I ended up driving the helper to the gas station and buying the gas to put in the power washer. Joe never reimbursed me for the gas. When the power wash was done I paid him half as he asked. It took days and a few calls to get him back to do the staining. I remember thinking I should cut my losses because I felt he was dodging me and chasing new work. He finally came to do the staining and had promised to nail down loose planks. I had to prompt him to replace a few slats. When the staining was done, it was a very hot day. I expressed concern that it was too hot to do. Joe dismissed my concern and again he dropped off his helper with stain and 1 very worn paint brush. I asked the helper was Joe joking there's no way he can stain a deck with one brush. He didn't have a sprayer or anything. His helper said he was only d*** to do the railing, but I still felt that he needed a new paint brush at the very least. The next day he came with a sprayer. Joe did not provide anything to protect my siding so stain got on the siding of my house. I paid Joe the balance when the work was done, but pointed out the problems. Joe promised to come and do the clean up and address my concerns, I saw him on the block working as I stood on my deck but he didn't come and do the clean up. I did some but there is still stain on parts of my siding to this day. He's is back on my block this 2011 season putting out flyers. He was supposedly moving to another state last summer so I thought he'd be out of sight.