DCRE - Durham Commercial Real Estate LTD - Paul Howitt + Monika Howitt Paul Howitt hired our business for work then REFUSED TO PAY once complete. Oshawa Ontario
We have worked with DCRE, specifically owner Paul Howitt on many projects in the past without issue.
This project did not have the same outcome. We were hired over the phone to work on creating a custom widget coded from scratch for his website. He was involved over the phone, through email and in person every step of the way. His project was finished within 7 days from start to finish. His bill came to 18 hours x $60 an hour = $1080+hst, which he was completely aware of and gave us the "go ahead".
Once we completed the task, he magically blocked our phone number did not reply to our emails, and changed all of his website passwords. We thought this could all be some sort of coincidence, Paul was a nice man and a pleasure to work with in the past.
When we finally got ahold of Paul he said he no longer needed this widget he requested us to build and he was not willing to pay a penny (although the time had already been spent). After harrassing him for 3 weeks he agreed to make an Email Money Transfer that Friday. The EMT never happened and now we are blocked from communication again.
We are a small business and rely on clients to be honest and pay for work we complete. I consider Paul Howitt to be a theif, very dishonest and I will not stop here. In a couple minutes I will be making the same complaint to the BBB, then I will reach out to the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). The fight doesn't stop until every penny has been paid.
If you are considering hiring or working with Paul or Monika Howitt of DCRE (Durham Commercial Real Estate) please think again. You will live to regret it, like I am now.
Thank you,
Chris A. Hughes
A Nerd's World