Alta Builders And Cabinet Makers, Steve Pokras He's a smooth talker. He'll entice you with his words, and draw you into his deception. You'll believe what you hear because he thinks he's above you and you won't catch on. And guess what, I did catch on, but not until it was too late. Ripoff Los Angeles California
This guy is a used car dealer if I ever met one. The only difference, he isn't selling used cars, he's selling his skills. Or, in this case, his lack of skills.
He preys on women. Single women, women not saavy in the construction/contract world. He tells you he can "build you anything you want, I want you to have what you want", "I'll pass on my contractors discount to save you money". Read between the lines, what he is really saying is, "you are a stupid homeowner, you have lots of money to spend on your remodel and I want it all. I'll make you believe I'm giving you a good deal, and then tack on ton's of extra charges to make up for it." "Don't worry sweetie, you won't get what you want, because I have no idea how to do anything you are asking for. I can only build what I know how to do, and not very well".
Yup, I fell for it. Hook, line and sinker. After the project started, I began to see some red flags. He bragged about past clients that tried to complain about him, sue him, etc. and how he had a brother-in-law lawyer who scared the women away. Hmmm. When I tried to put my "creative ideas" into my own home, he shot them down faster than I could recite them. He continued to do his own thing. Hmmm. He started to insult me, send me arrogant, rude emails accusing me of all sorts of stuff. Here's my favorite one from this egomaniac: "you try to STEAL my sub contractors, get busted for it, and then try to sabbotage your own job". The truth, I spoke with one of his subs (he was never ever on the job site) about the project he was involved in. The sub went to ego boy and reported "she tried to hire me on the side". Why would I want to hire him? He's lazy, he's complained all the time, and the work he did was second rate. Well, now the contractor is pissed at me, won't hear me out, and bada bing, my weekly invoices have charges going through the roof. When I question him, he accuses me again of trying to steal his hung over subs.
He's fired. Plain and simple. I have a new carpenter here working. He's amazing, he's fixing all of rip off boys' bad karma, literally removing his handy work (most of which is not to code, ugly, or un-functioning), and giving me my dream house.
He not only owes me money, but he owes all the women he's ripped off.
He's a craftsman alright, but certainly not in the field he claims.
By the way, he's ugly too.
No longer a victim
Dogtown, California
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Jerry
Los Angeles,California,
U.S.A.
Contractors' dirty deeds have earned him numerous citations with the Contractors State License Board.
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, December 13, 2006
IN repsonse to Steve Pokras who stated "that some people just don't like to pay their bills".
Some contractors - like Pokras - also like to bill outrageos amounts illegally for work not yet performed. This is a HUGE problem in the State of California with unethical contractors AND the Contractors State License Board has cited him for this and much more. It's not an easy task to get as many citations as Pokras has levied against him by the the CSLB, but he d**n well earned them through deceit, greed and arrogance, all traits of a smarmy, unscrupulous contractor.
Steve
Los Angeles,California,
U.S.A.
Some peple just do not like to pay their bills
#5REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, August 07, 2006
Funny after 20 years of remodeling, one customer takes the low road, defames an established craftsman, all in the name of not wanting to pay her bills. Being a father of two minor children, these are the people that you try to protect your children from. Revenge is never the answer, these people wake up with themselves every morning; how sweet it is!
Steve
Los Angeles,California,
U.S.A.
Some peple just do not like to pay their bills
#5REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, August 07, 2006
Funny after 20 years of remodeling, one customer takes the low road, defames an established craftsman, all in the name of not wanting to pay her bills. Being a father of two minor children, these are the people that you try to protect your children from. Revenge is never the answer, these people wake up with themselves every morning; how sweet it is!
Steve
Los Angeles,California,
U.S.A.
Some peple just do not like to pay their bills
#5REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, August 07, 2006
Funny after 20 years of remodeling, one customer takes the low road, defames an established craftsman, all in the name of not wanting to pay her bills. Being a father of two minor children, these are the people that you try to protect your children from. Revenge is never the answer, these people wake up with themselves every morning; how sweet it is!