I am a home improvement Contractor in Charlotte, NC. In January 2011 I was contacted by a representative of Zon Walk-in Baths. She informed me that the president of the company, Terence Smith was in Charlotte. She asked if I would be interested in meeting with him to discuss having my company install walk in bathtubs for them.
Since I specialize in bathroom remodeling I agreed to meet with him. He informed me that they pay $850 for a basic installation. I was told that all materials would be supplied by Zon. I was told to invoice them for additional work beyond the basic install. We agreed that a basic install would be; removing the existing tub, installing the walk-in tub, connecting to existing plumbing, install end-fill panel, installing their wallboard and caulk around the tub. Terence Smith informed me that all of these materials would be supplied. I was told that I would not have to buy any materials, if I did I would be reimbursed.
On 2/9/11 I started the first instalation in South Carolina [they had sold 5 tubs with no one to install them] They had what they said was their installation instructor with us for this install. I was told that he would be with my helper and myself for 3 installations.
I quickly found out that they do not supply all materials. They don't even supply the correct fittings to install the faucets, diverter and handles they do supply.
The "installation instructor" went with us to show us what I would need to purchase. It became quite obviouse very quickly that he did not knoww what we needed! He walk through Lowe's with a shopping cart and started spending my money like he was on my bank account!
It took 6 trips to Lowe's to get everthing. He just kept coming up with stuff that needed to be purchased. The wallboard that Terence Smith told me that they would supply [listed on the customer contract as Zon Wallboard] turned out to be FRP [fiber reinforced paneling] that I had to buy at Lowe's. The endfill box that was to be supplied [again listed on the costomer contract] did not exist. They don't even make one! I again had to buy materials to build one. I ended up spending $444.38 on materials.
After I finished with the install I called their installation coordinator, Shelly Jones and talked to her about having to buy all of these materials. She informed me that since they were a new company they were still working out the bugs. I was originally informed that this was a basic install with just widening the bathroom doorway. We actually had to take the tub through an exterior wall. I informed Shelly Jones that this was way beyond a basic install. She told me to send them an invoice.
I sent the invoice charging my standard rate for one skilled labor and one general labor which is $70 hour. I originally got this rate from Means Residential Repair & Remodeling Pricing Guide 2005. I billed for 7 hours. With all of the trips to Lowe's it should have been more.
Terence Smith agreed to this rate and payed the invoice in full[I have the invoice and check stub].
I decided to give them a chance to work out the bugs. I know how it is when starting a business. I did 2 more installs and bought materials. I spent $987.08 on materials for these 2 installs. I sent the invoices for these 2 jobs. They only pay every 2 weeks so I did the next install.
After I finished the forth install I received payment for the 2nd and 3rd installs. Terence Smith had altered my invoices. He had marked through the agreed on $70 hour rate and wrote $45[I have the invoices]. He had deducted $33.30 from the materials he said were tools. He had deducted the mileage for the travel to pick up the materials[originally I was to be reimbursed for this].
I was informed that they only paid $45 hour for additional work. We had agreed on $70, I have the invoice and check stub from the first install. I was informed that widening doorways was included in the basic install. I have their price list that states they charge the customer $395 for this. I only carge them an hour, $70! They charge the customer $995 to remove the old tub. They tell me it is part of the install. The information I am giving you now can be found at
www.walkinbathtubdirectory.com . Also see
www.zonwalkinbaths-truth.com Zon Walk-in Baths owes me $3571.72 that they refuse to pay. I have one of their tubs that I informed them I would return when they pay me. They refuse to pay.
They only pay $1000 to $1200 for these tubs.
www.walkinbathtubdirectory.com .They charge $14,000 to $17,000 for them installed. They only want to pay 2 people $850 to install them. These people are greedy! I can supply and install walkin bathtubs in North and South Carolina for half of what they charge and I have to pay retail for tubs. They get theirs from the manufacturer.
www.goodtydingsconstruction.com .
Their word is useless! Walkinbathtubdirectory.