Allison from Whitby

I hired Claude (Handi4U) to replace three posts (one on the veranda, two on the balcony). He assured me that he had 35 years experience and that it would be no problem for him. The contract stated that he would be done within 5 days. He started on a Monday, and he did not show up Wed, Thurs., Friday. When it became apparent that he was not coming on Friday to finish, I called him and he said that his supplier ordered something in the the wrong size and he would be back the following Monday. He did not call me to let me know this. On Monday he returned and capped the posts. He then told me there was a problem with putting the balcony railing back as it didn't reach anymore. The posts he installed were skinnier than the original ones so my current railings were now too short. Also, the aluminum ceiling now had cutouts that were too large (see pictures). When asked about fixing these issues, he said he "didn't do that". He did quote me ANOTHER job for putting in a brand new railing though! When I asked why he didn't predict that this would happen because of the skinnier posts, he proclaimed "how am I supposed to predict that?" The upstairs posts still had a wooden box around them that needed to be capped. Claude decided (without asking me) to put a "drink ledge" on both posts to keep water out. When I asked if that would make it more difficult and expensive to cap, he said No. He was incorrect and now I have to have those ledges removed or cut off before they are capped. I have since had two contractors come out to quote the job that Claude left unfinished. Both contractors were baffled by the job he did, stating that it was very sloppy work. One asked me if I got the "handyman special". In summary, Claude, although he constantly claimed to be one of the "last honest contractors", left me high and dry with an unfinished ceiling, boxes that were difficult to cap, and NO railing which is very unsafe. Would I recommend him? Absolutely not.