Complaint Review: Watkinson Custom Builders; Kevin Watkinson - Flemington New Jersey

I would like to first address a few items from the initial report I feel are not entirely true. First I never advised them to not get a permit just that I couldn't help them get one because I did not currently have a license, however, I did have the proper insurance. I do now have a license and still have proper insurance. They then decided to get a permit because there was other work going on in the main part of the house that permits had been taken out for so there would be inspectors around so they thought it best to get permits. I agreed and am currently a huge advocate of getting permits. I did several job prior to this one where i built substantial decks and all had permits pulled and passed as the inspectors came through. As the permits were being pulled there was a delay in the work and I needed to keep working so i started another job. This turned out to be a mistake of necessity as i couldn't afford to wait until the permits were in but wished I had so that momentum on that job was not lost. The second item that in not true is the statement of who i have worked for. My father who has been a custom carpenter for over 25 years is not the only person I have worked for. I have worked for a top custom home builder in NJ and also a smaller contractor in NJ. It was during my time with the smaller contractor that i went out on my own. Now the issue at the heart of this terribly situation. I admit that it appeared that I took their money and left the job unfinished. However, that was never the intention. I found myself in a terrible place and didn't know how to turn it around. I had just lost my grandfather...and was struggling with serious financial issues. I had never been there before and fully admit that at that time i did not handle the situation well or properly. Carmela, with every right to protect herself, filed this report as leverage so i would pay her money back so that another contractor could finish the job i started then remove this report. I paid her back the agreed upon amount and we learned that these reports cannot be removed. All I can do is continue to do honorable work without ever forgetting what i have learned from this experience. We all have shameful moments in our lives and i have tried to do all i can to right this wrong and move forward.

I would like to first address a few items from the initial report I feel are not entirely true. First I never advised them to not get a permit just that I couldn't help them get one because I did not currently have a license, however, I did have the proper insurance. I do now have a license and still have proper insurance. They then decided to get a permit because there was other work going on in the main part of the house that permits had been taken out for so there would be inspectors around so they thought it best to get permits. I agreed and am currently a huge advocate of getting permits. I did several job prior to this one where i built substantial decks and all had permits pulled and passed as the inspectors came through. As the permits were being pulled there was a delay in the work and I needed to keep working so i started another job. This turned out to be a mistake of necessity as i couldn't afford to wait until the permits were in but wished I had so that momentum on that job was not lost. The second item that in not true is the statement of who i have worked for. My father who has been a custom carpenter for over 25 years is not the only person I have worked for. I have worked for a top custom home builder in NJ and also a smaller contractor in NJ. It was during my time with the smaller contractor that i went out on my own. Now the issue at the heart of this terribly situation. I admit that it appeared that I took their money and left the job unfinished. However, that was never the intention. I found myself in a terrible place and didn't know how to turn it around. I had just lost my grandfather...and was struggling with serious financial issues. I had never been there before and fully admit that at that time i did not handle the situation well or properly. Carmela, with every right to protect herself, filed this report as leverage so i would pay her money back so that another contractor could finish the job i started then remove this report. I paid her back the agreed upon amount and we learned that these reports cannot be removed. All I can do is continue to do honorable work without ever forgetting what i have learned from this experience. We all have shameful moments in our lives and i have tried to do all i can to right this wrong and move forward.

NOTE... this complaint was about Kevin Watkinson Jr., NOT HIS FATHER who is also a contractor, has a good reputation, and whom we have never met. Kevin Jr. has repaid all monies due us and is making amends to everyone. I cannot remove this report due to RipoffReport's policy never to remove any report so I am updating to make it clear that Kevin Jr. had a bad time starting out and is making amends and working with his Dad who is a seasoned contractor with a good reputation. Kevin has also made the following statement via email which I wish to share.... I can never begin to tell how terribly I feel about how the whole job, situation, relationship worked out. It will forever be the darkest hour of my life. I have done nice work before and since. I am now working with my father who really is a seasoned craftsman. I am in a much better place in my life and I looking to the future with a promise to never repeat what I very unintentionally did to you and your family. I have been working with [others] and have been paying them back. I am doing everything I can to repay all my debts and try to start with a clean slate. I am hoping that my one terrible misguided time in my life will not continue to haunt me and now unfortunately my father as we try and move forward. I really do want to make things as right as I can with you whether you can forgive me or not. Sincerely, Kevin Watkinson Watkinson Custom Builders WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THIS WAS A DIFFICULT PERSONAL TIME in Kevin's life and that he is now working hard to correct the things that went wrong, repay monies owed, and continue to learn quality craftsmanship with his father.

Kevin Watkinson of Watkinson Custom Builders in Flemington NJ has returned $1000 to us. Another builder is finishing the bathroom ONE YEAR after Watkinson began. This does not cover the cost of the bathroom being finished but it's better than nothing. Much of the beadboard wainscotting had to be removed and replaced - Watkinson's work was shoddy and the boards separated in places, other places they were actually damaged in installation - so it's not just doing what kevin didn't finish, it's re-doing stuff he did. Kevin said he had bad start to his new business, money problems, personal problems... which we understand but doesn't explain poor workmanship and lack of communication for so many months.

This week Kevin Watkinson finally repaid some of the money he owes us for not finishing our bathroom, and for the damage he did to it. He promises to repay the balance next week. It is 9 months since he started, our bathroom is still not finished, we can't afford to pay someone else to finish it until/unless he repays all monies. Hopefully he will do so.