Last summer we contracted with Straight Line Home Improvement (Ray Mogensen) to finish our basement, and to complete the following work in our family room: paint, new hardwood flooring, new steps, new stair rails.
Afer signing the contract and taking a check for 25% of the total job - he called 2 times to move out the start date - more than 2 months later.
Once the job commenced, Mr. Mogensen was rarely at my home. For the most part, we had two apprentices doing the majority of the work. Generally, they showed up about 3 days per week and rarely worked for more than 4-5 hours per day.
I heard excuse after excuse for the delays and absenteeism, and the Mr. Mogensen was actually indignant when I questioned him on how long the project was taking.
Besides unprofessional behavior, the work was unprofessional too. The drywall was installed poorly and the painting was done sloppily. According to comments from other contractors, it appears that the paint was applied with dirty rollers. We also have several spots where our white ceiling paint ended up on the freshly painted walls. Mr. Mogensen told me that he didn't pay his subcontractors. Luckily, they did not put a lien on my home!
The PERGO flooring was not installed to the manufacturers specifications as we have deliberate, zipper-like seams running the length of our basement floor. Mr. Mogensen represented himself as a PERGO certified installer but I have confirmed with the company that he is not.
One doorway was framed to a non-standard size so I must now either order a custom door or have someone modify the framing. I ordered and paid for four designer doors of which I only have two. Mr. Mogensen still has the other two designer doors in his possession.
Mr. Mogensen has not been in my home since November 20. We attempted to contact him numerous times to find out when he would return to complete the work on our home. Finally, at the beginning of January, after literally screaming at my husband when we mentioned getting a layer, he told me he would return to finish the job starting March 1. He did not show up on March 1 and never contacted us to discuss yet another missed commitment.
After nearly 2 months of part-time work, less than half of the job was completed and Mr. Mogensen has more than 75% of our money.
I have had four contractors/painters come in and quote to finish the job and they have all made comments about the lack of quality in the work that was completed by Mr. Mogensen and Straight Line Home Improvement. Stay away from him - he started out being responsive and telling me how "anal" he is about professional work. I experienced quite the opposite.
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