On 08/30, We hired NAS Granite & Marble (NAS) to replace our laminate countertops with granite. We agreed on a price for the job, using my guesstimate of 57 Sq. Ft., of $3050.00. We paid a 50% deposit of $1500.00 by check, with the remaining balance due after satisfactory completion of the job. The total cost of the job was to be adjusted accordingly after the actual measurement of the kitchen. At this time, we chose the granite color, "Rosewood" and our choice for edge design, "1/2 Bevel".
Nasser A., President of NAS, offered to come to our house that same afternoon and, he arrived at the scheduled time of 4:30 P.M. With his "fabricator" to complete the measurements and templating. At this time, we indicated our choices for corner radius' and reasserted our choice of edge finish as well as indicating which edges would be "finished" and which would not. We were told that the countertops would be ready for installation by "Wednesday or Thursday" and they would call to schedule the installation.
On 09/03, Nasser called and wanted to schedule the installation for 8:00 P.M. The following evening. I explained that this was too late and it would be dark outside before the installation was complete. He called back and scheduled the installation for 5:00 P.M., 09/04.
On 09/04, at 5:00 P.M., Nasser called and said that "his fabricator was late and they would be there at 5:30 - 5:45. At 6:00, when they still were not here, I called and he said that they would arrive by 6:30 and at 6:30, I called again and he said that they would be here in 15 minutes. At 7:15 P.M. They finally arrived and promised that the work would be completed in "1-1/2 to 2 hours tops". But, by 9:00, they had just finished removing the old countertops and started bringing in the granite.
The first section of granite was put in place and I immediately noticed that the edge was not "1/2 Bevel"... It sort of resembled a "freehand" attempt at "1/2 Bullnose" but, the profile of the edge varied so much it was hard to tell. I questioned them about this and they said that it WAS "1/2 Bevel". I continued to protest about the edge and Nasser promised that it would be fixed to our satisfaction. At this point, instead of continuing to install the remaining countertops, they began installing the backsplash on the section already installed... It was supposed to be 4" backsplash but, it looked much bigger than that and when they tried to install it below the kitchen window, it didn't fit. A quick measurement check revealed that the backsplash was cut to 5" instead. Since it did not fit between the countertop and window trim, Nasser's and his installer's solution was to cut the window frame to accomodate the backsplash... ABSOLUTELY NOT, I told them and they continued to try to convince me that it would be ok. After finally realizing that I was not going to let them trim the window, they were going to install the backsplash overlapping the window trim and fill the 1/2" gap between the backsplash with silicone. I told them that they would take the backsplash back to their shop and cut it to fit properly or they could refund my deposit, take ALL of their granite and leave. They said that they would fix the backsplash and return the following day to complete the installation. It was now 11:30 P.M.
The following day, 09/05, the installers returned to complete the installation while I was at work. My wife called me several times while they were here to update me on how things were going. At one point she called after questioning the edge finish and the installers said that "nothing could be done with the edge. Once it is finished, it is finished." I asked if Nasser was there and she said that he was not. I then called Nasser and told him what was said and advised him that if the countertops were not acceptable, the balance would not be paid. He assured me that everything would be fine.
At 3:30 the same day, my wife called again and told me everything was done but there were problems... The edge hadn't been touched, the kitchen sink was installed and was not level (she was told that it needed to settle for 4 or 5 hours), and the drawers removed could not be reinstalled... She then told me that Nasser was there wanting to be paid. I had her put Nasser on the phone and explained to him that he would be paid ONLY after I inspected the work and was satisfied with it and according to my wife, there are problems. He said that the kitchen was "very, very beautiful" said that I "will be very happy" and assured me that, if there were any problems, they would return to fix them. He then asked me to tell my wife to pay him the balance on the job... I refused and told him to leave our house and when I return from work, I will call him.
I arrived home at 4:45 P.M. And immediately went to inspect the kitchen countertops... WHAT A MESS! The edge profile varied from one section to the next, every one of the corner radius' were different sizes, the kitchen drawers could not be reinstalled because screws from the old laminate countertops were backed out but not removed and now could not be accessed for removal (they would have to be cut off), the kitchen sink was still obviously not level and the debris from the job (old countertops, sink and trash) was still strewn on the front lawn. I took pictures of everything and went to work to remount the kitchen sink. I cut the silicone bead and lifted the sink out of the cutout. Scraping the remaining silicone off of the countertop, the razor blade got snagged on a crack in the granite (which had been partially concealed by the sink edge and silicone). Now the section would have to be replaced.
I called Nasser and was VERY upset with the quality of the work. I told him that this was the WORST work that I had ever seen... Sloppy, shoddy, haphazard... ANYTHING but professional looking. I told him to come and take his granite from our house and refund our deposit or I would take legal action to make him do it. He acted very apologetic and promised that he would come the following day (09/06) and "fix everything". I told him that his past promises were all "empty" and I did not need him to promise me anything, I expected him to give what we bought. He assured me that he would "make us happy with our kitchen".
Not waiting to hear from him, I called Nasser at 9:30 A.M. On 09/06 and asked when he would be here. He said that he would arrive in 45 minutes and, at 10:45 A.M. He and his "fabricator / installer" arrived.
We began with the edges... Not "1/2 Bevel" and not uniform. The "fabricator" said that the edges were done "with a machine" and were all even and the same on all of the pieces, even though it is obvious that they are not. Some places appear as though a "1/2 Bevel" cut was started and then they changed their minds and started shaping a "1/2 Bullnose". We also pointed out that the corner radius' were all different but said that nothing could be done about it now because the edges are finished. Then, we addressed the crack... At first, they said that this was just a "surface crack" and it was "ok". I said, I don't accept this and accused them of trying to hide it under the edge of the sink, now, the story changed and they said that it IS cracked but THEY did not crack it and, it wasn't broken when they left yesterday, insinuating that WE broke it when we removed the sink. The crack could not be repaired and the whole piece would have to be replaced but WE would have to pay for it.
At this point, I told them that they should remove their granite and refund our deposit because their work looked like shit and they were liars and wouldn't be paid another dime for this work. They said that they would not refund any money and would not remove the granite and would fix nothing. Nasser said (while leaving) that he would talk to his lawyer and I promised that before he did, I would have already filed a Warrant in Debt against him.
I have since conducted several searches online for "NAS Granite & Marble". A general search does not even come up with any results for them. The address and phone number listed on their business card; 7185 Kings Hwy., King George, VA. 22485. (540) 775-8005 is outdated and the number has been disconnected. The Fredericksburg address that I have listed on this complaint is the actual physical address of the "storefront" that I have met with Nasser at. The phone numbers; (540) 455-9253 and (540) 287-8048 are both mobile phones.
I have also conducted searches for records of "NAS Granite" on the VA. Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation website, www.dpor. Virginia. Gov and found no record of NAS Granite having a Contractor's license. Their business card does however mention that they are "Insured and Bonded" so, my next move will be to search out records for that information as well.
Bottom line; Dishonest, unreliable contractor who obviously has NO idea of what he's doing. Hideous work and will not follow through to fix his mistakes. Only makes excuses.
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