Stephens Construction, Building & Home Construction in West Jordan, UT

Vincent Kerzman posted a comment

STEPHEN’S CONSTRUCTION REVIEW

This review is solely the experience that we encountered when we hired Lee and Todd from Stephens Construction.

SELLING ABLITLITY: For someone that has been in the busy as long as he been. There should have not been has so many unexpected expense that should have been negotiated up front during the contacting period. Did not explain to us what his contractor license allows him to fix. He really didn’t go above and beyond, unless there was a benefit.

CONTRACT: Prices not negotiable, what is included and what is not included. DO NOT MAKE ANY ASSUMPTION.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Loses his temper easily and can’t handle criticism. Lays blame on the homeowner or subcontractors. Not good with follow up. Does not communicate well with the homeowner or tries to play against them each other.

TIME MANAGEMENT: Starts work between 10:00 am – 12:00 noon and will stay past 6:00 or later without advising homeowner. Took numerous smoke breaks and the house smelled like smoke. He would also conduct business well working, which would took time away from us. Or promise to be on the job and doesn’t show up, but will text and say that he is will be there and still doesn’t show up. Use the excuse to extend the end date because of subcontractor or homeowner.

COST MANAGEMENT: For the quality of work he was overly paid. Made purchases of items prior to discussing with us, which were not what we wanted, then this became a point of contention/conflict. When asked for invoices of items purchased (as promised in pre-contract discussions) numerous excuses made, and many invoices never produced.

CRAFTMANSHIP:
Drywall and Painting Excellent
Floor Reinforcement Excellent
Windows and Doors Installation Questionable
Framing Questionable
Electrical Not licensed
Plumbing Not licensed
Tiling Questionable

COMMITMENT – Never finished the job. Abandoned the job after we criticized the tilework in the bathroom.

ADVICE- “READ THE CONTRACT”
June 17, 2015
Lee
Thank you for your response today. This is a great start, however, we believe we have a few more items to consider for reimbursement. Before getting into those items, let’s review a full accounting of what you have provided in your response so far:
Item Dollar amount Lump sum price per contract, paragraph II A $36,405.00 Total of change orders 1-8 $ 2,770.50 Total charges $39,175.50 Less Reimbursements Electrical Installation costs $ 800.34 Original Tile installation costs $ 1,317.00 Laminate Floor installation costs $ 1,150.00 Bathroom final finish installation $ 300.00 Shower glass allowance $ 2,400.00 Baseboard costs $ 350.00 Total Reimbursements from Stephens Construction, LLC $ 6,317.34 Plus: Additional work requested by owner $ 560.00 Grand total (prior to additional reimbursement items listed below) $33,418.16 Payments made by homeowners: First payment, check #1979, 2/16/15 $ 7,281.00 Second payment (two installments, 1st paid prior to actual due date) Check # 1981, $4,854.00, 2/27/15 and Check # 1986, $6,097.00, 2/27/15 included change orders 001, 003, 004, 005 $10,951.00 Third payment, check #1987, 4/9/15 * $10,384.50 Fourth payment, check #1989, 5/12/15 $ 5,708.00 Total payments: $34,324.50 Total owed to homeowner, per your documentation: $ 906.34
Other items to consider for reimbursement (after reviewing contract and other documentation). All items listed by contract paragraph and number:
Item II,4 – Remove and replace sliding door and change order 001: The door still has not been corrected for defect and improper installation. The door was not sealed and caulked properly on the exterior.
Reimbursement to be determined.
Item II,5- Windows and change order 002: Exterior not finished, caulked or sealed. You mentioned after installation that it was too windy to risk finishing at the time, but would be completed before project finished. Not complete.
Reimbursement to be determined.

Item II,6- Bathroom and change order 004, 006, and 008 and document titled additional work requested for by owner: HVAC floor vent was not attached, nor any venting installed to connect it to. Final pitch of shower floor not completed (pitch is essentially flat) Thinset and metal lathe to be installed on bathroom floor- not completed Reimburse for ruined tile improperly installed (inadequate thinset, excessive lippage, poor tile cuts at $4.96/sq ft, 80 sq ft) Reimburse for installation of above tile (will have to be replaced at $12/sq ft, 80 sq ft. as stated in your other reimbursement documentation) Reimburse for ruined Schluter trim (at $ 13.38 /piece, 9 pieces – see attached) Reimburse for Shower niches (see attached invoice) Framing on shower/closet wall, includes materials and labor $367.00 and lowering bathroom closet floor, $425. The framing of the shower/closet wall and lowering the floor has the bottom horizontal stud that vertical studs are attached to sticking out from the vertical studs about ½ inch, which will require repair and redrywalling.
Reimbursement to be determined $ 396.80
$ 960.00
$ 120.42 $ 142.00 Reimbursement to be determined.
Item II,7 – Electrical and Invoice for payment to date 4/09/15, and copy of check from Stephens construction to Wrightway Electrical, and Item II, 13 Materials we will supply, electrical supplies:
Contract description:
Work completed by Stephens Constr.
Work complted by Wrightway
Move and install new GFCI outlet near new vanity location x-installed outlet x-moved GFI
install new electical box and switch for vanity light x
install owner supplied vanity light
junction and re-route switches for existing ceiling fan and track lighting x
remove and reinstall 2 wall sconce lights removed electrical but didn't reinstall
recessed lights x-included in reimbursement already
change out existing indoor subpanel in basement to a new one with more service circuits, includes breakers x
install new sub-panel in upstairs master bedroom loft area (includes intalling new feeder wire from replaced sub-panel in basement and breakers for upstairs service x
run an additional home run line to outlet box in basement that was found by electrician to have installed improperly and to be in possible code violation. X
“Electrical Supplies: 2 new sub-panels, outlets and switch boxes, wiring, GFCI outlet, outlets, switches, breakers and 10- 6” recessed lights with trim and lamps”
Only supplied wiring.
All other items listed supplied by Ron, and paid by owner. Majority of electrical work provided by Wrightway Electric and paid for by Homeowner. Invoice noted above states $600 paid to Wrightway by Stephens Construction, however check copy provided shows $470.
Original contract price was $3475 for all work. Reimbursement for work already paid to homeowner to be determined, not less than $1600, in addition to the reimbursement for the $750 for the work done by Wrightway 6/9/15, requested by homeowner to validate electrical completed by Stephens.
Please review the above items and provide us with your estimates of the additional reimbursement to settle these incomplete, or previously paid issues. We are also waiting on your response regarding the plumbing and electrical licenses.
Thank you,
Ken Knapp and Vincent Kerzman