Barry Munsell of Mat Su Valley Carpentry was recommended by a trusted friend. We were told that this person could do a good job at a fair deal to build our 16 X 20 shed at our remote site.
Unfortunately, Barry was given confidential information that our budget limit was $10,000. His verbal estimate for this project, was $9,950.00, but may be less. Imagine that! Since the project was estimated within our budget, and he was recommended as a trusted person, we agreed to proceed. We paid him $5,000 up-front to start the project.
We never received a written bid/estimate until we requested one before we would make our final payment. We couldn't figure out why a 16 X 20 shed, built on cribs, with a metal roof and T1-11 siding at a remote location with generator power, on a site that was cleared the summer before, would actually cost $9,950.00.
After the project was completed, we received the detail bill and there it was; The labor cost alone, for this 16 X 20 shed was costing us $4,800. He estimated that it would take 4 days with 3 carpenters at $50.00 per hour. I questioned the high cost of the labor cost, but not being in construction, out of true faith and trust, I wrote a check for the balance and posted dated it for two days later.
The next day, I showed this bill and photos of the shed, to a couple different people who have been in the construction and carpentry field from 20 years to a life-time. I was told we were way over-charged. A job like this should take only 2 - 3 days with 2 - 3 carpenters. Labor costs ranged from $1,600 - $2,800.
I called my bank and voided out the check before it's activation date, than contacted Barry Munsell to tell him that the check was voided and my reasons. I continued to do more research to verify that I was actually over-charged. I obtained legal counsel and a total of 6 resources, for a grand total of 7 resources, all saying that we were way over-charged by a minimum of $2,000 in labor costs.
Barry Munsell took us to court to get the balance of his money. He tried to charge us with a Bad Check Civil Penalty which didn't fly with the Judge. We had sufficient funds to pay, the account was never closed and Barry was told the day before that the check was voided and the reasons why. The judge also understood.
However, since I, as an honest, trusting and fair person, wrote out a check for the balance because I didn't wanting to cause harm or delay to Barry, incase I was wrong with my opinion about the labor costs.
Barry Munsell, didn't care or wish to negotiate with me. He wanted his money even with my evidence of the 6 resources I used in court. The Judge ruled in his favor and I had to pay him the balance.
Barry Munsell ripped us off. He and the Judge knew it. Barry is not a moral or honest man. He will not give you a fair and honest deal. If he found out that you had a $20,000 limit, I wouldn't be surprised if your 16 X 20 shed would cost you $19,950.00 when a shed like this, at a remote site, ranges in the $5,000 - $7,000 range.
Beware of this person and his company. I recommend you go to other companies who are honest, reputable, fair, and moral.
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