Complaint Review: Joe Garcia Construction

JGC Pavers installed a patio for our home. The estimated time was 3 days. The job took over a month, and we are still dealing with the fallout.

Our experience: Gil, a subcontractor from JGC estimated the job, took our drawings, and wrote up a contract. A week later, another, unknown worker showed up to "look at the job site".

He was unsure of the contract, but Gil assured us that the job would be done "correctly". The patio was to be a circle, and when we came home it was a square.

The first problem was aesthetics, but as we went along we realized that Gil had been off site, and had not seen the job. Other things were missing.

1. No drains for the patio

2. There were no lights, electrical conduits, nor garden lights as specified.

3. We had specified adding a sprinkler valve to connect and run under the patio, so the lawn could continue its watering care.

4. No sealant on pavers as specified. Despite the incorrect shape and missing items, we noted severe damage to our patio pergola, which had been hit by the bulldozer, and our trees.

There was also cement sprayed along the house. We requested the lines be fixed, as were specified. Gil would not return our calls. After a week's time I found a person in my yard. I had never met him before, and he stated he was there to "fix the lights". He dug a trench in my yard and added a few Malibu lights, but still not as many as specified. We paid the company for 12 and he brought 7. Petty, I know, but after all of the trouble it was getting annoying to have these little things wrong everywhere. He was unable to find the sprinkler piping, and it turned out the crew never laid the lines under the patio.

Gil finally came to see the job and agreed that the shape was wrong. He had his guys come back to relay the edges. It had now been two and a half weeks. They re-laid the patio, but, again, forgot the sprinkler valve and pipes.

The damage was unremarkable to Gil. He did not care that they didn't put drains in the patio and the water was collecting in puddles. He never mentioned it in my emails.

We asked to have money taken off the final installment for the missing sprinklers and lights. Gil wanted to charge us more for "relaying the patio", as it was "more square footage". We measured and it was the same footage as the contract price. He took 50$ off for sprinkler valves, piping, and lights. He wanted me to pay for the labor of those items, as he had sent his people out several times. It had now been a month.

Twice, unannounced, workers showed up in my yard the following week to try to "fix the sprinklers". He wanted the full amount of final installment. He sent threatening emails that stated he would put a lien on our home. We finally got him to take 100$ off the final price, although adding a sprinkler valve and lights estimated at over 500$, and paid him the final installment.

We were tired of his bullying and showing up unannounced to "collect our money". "I know where you live."

We received a notice in the mail today that they didn't pay the ORCO paver company for the pavers anyhow. We now owe the paver company $2000 more dollars, or they will put a lien on our home.

As far as I understand, Gil bullied us into paying him, and decided not to pay for his supplies. We now owe the supply company for the supplies we already paid for.

Thanks JG Construction!

 P.S. I did ask to talk to "Joe Garcia" the "owner", but he was never produced. I also am filing a complaint with the contractors board; however, we are still dealing with the fallout.