Complaint Review: jcj construction - Minneapolis Minnesota

Someone else first reported Chris Johnson (JCJ Construction) as a "manipulative liar with a low moral compass" and I couldn't agree more. He lied from the beginning, saying he'd done great jobs with a local architect which he hadn't, and said he had "8 crews": he has 9 employees, of various abilites  -- 2 excellent and honest carpenters, one of whom he said would supervise all the work, but didn't.  The person in charge was a great guy but had no skill and no ability to oversee the substandard subcontrators. Johnson said he could do *anythng* (so I didn't spend an initial $800 on an architect as I should have done to make sure things really would be done correctly). Rather, Johnson emphasized constantly that "detail is my passion, detail is my passion (!)".  But the work is all utterly substandard except for the tiling and final window trim.  But that trim had to be redone: I finally called in an architect for help! (against Johnson's request that I not) to design proper trim and the work was re-done by Johnson's best carpenter,  who was brought in at the last minute to do the tiling, and turned out to  have the same design in mind after I'd complained to him about the awful trim that was first put up.  I was "consulted" about the bad trim but in a rushed manor with no idea how awful it would look and how badly the work would be done. Johnson was hired specifically to, among other things, seal the top of one wall because there's a water leak from the bathroom above (not done) and reframe (not just trim) those windows because they'd been dangerously installed by a previous contractor, but he didn't.  I only found out about the windows when the project was "99% finished" and the trim had to be redone: when the bad trim came off, I could see that the central column was as it had been and not straight but bowing out and cobbled together. His excellent and honest carpenter/tiler--who was there during the last week really just to do the tiling--could only put a metal brace at the weakest connection point after consulting with the architect. The architect subsequently said keep an eye on the windows, if they settle badly they have to be re-done from the outside! The plumbing all has to be redone to the tune of $1000 (what he charged for disastrous work): the hot and cold are completely reversed (I could make hot tea with the water coming out of my fridge!) and no shut off valve for ice maker (the inspector said "we don't check for those things"). The disposal's a cheap noisy plastic thing that leaks because it was incorrectly installed and gushes like a fountain if the other sink is plugged so the disposal waste doesn't overflow into it.  My house is old so the floor tilts, but the tilt can be "arranged": it used to be by the door where there's nothing and was flat under the cabinets and appliances; now the (steep) tilt is under the cabinets, fridge, and range. It's so steep that the appliances will have to have platforms built to right them (which will make them almost impossible to move out and clean behind, and we get mice!) and the cabinets surrounding them uninstalled and readjusted.  Johnson lied, he charge rip-off rates (my real estate agent was amazed), every time I complained he came over and placated me with "we're not done yet" until I just gave up -- I have asthma badly and the kitchen was essentailly out of bounds for me, so I needed to trust him and he came very well referred, which he absolltuely took advantage of.  None of the floor trim matches (I wasn't consulted).  Everything was done quickly and put in place before I could consult or complain, all the painting is poor even after being redone and yes I had to pay for that redo.  He painted some existing cabinets but didn't prep them at all (what professional painter doesn't prep torn up old wood?). During the last week when his excellent carpenter came on the job I had someone truly professional and knowledgable and detail-loving to talk with, and he said Johnson wouldn't charge for him to redo the window trim. Johnson agreed to that but I was no longer allowed to talk with that carpenter about any other problems. Even his "crew" said, during the last week when the kitchen was clean enough for me to move around freely in and inspect to my dismay, that he just rushes to get things done, doesn't attend to detail at all!  I'd had enough! We parted ways with him not finishing the remodel and therefore not legally responsible for anything. My real estate agent/friend was just here and said I should write this complaint.  I was definitely ripped off! He lies, he manipulates, he charges outrageously and doesn't itemize work done; gives you one estimate, then comes back with another higher one, jollying you along all the way. Utterly untrustworthy.  Yes: stay away!