Barry Smith Construction

I contracted Barry Smith Construction (BSC) to remodel my bathroom, including bathtub, toilet, and flooring replacement. I signed the contract mid-December, with verbal promises of being done by Christmas. My contract had a stipulation that work would be complete within 28 days of project start. I paid about 50% ($5,000) before any construction work happened. The initial tear-out happened the week before Christmas. All flooring was removed to expose the subfloor. Then, I was told the new bathtub would take 4-6 weeks to ship. So my only bathroom had no proper floor from the end of December until present. Once the tub and surround arrived, damage was noted on the panels that would surround the bathtub once installed. BSC offered to repair the damage and install the repaired material. I insisted that a new panel be used. We went around and around for several weeks on this point. At one point, I was told that he was "...looking at a replacement panel tomorrow. If acceptable, we can get to work early next week." When I requested a picture of the panel to ensure suitability, I was then told "This is the original panel we would be installing.". Very sneaky, in my opinion. My last request to order a replacement tub/surround was submitted before I left town for 2 weeks on business. I was hoping to use that time to get the tub and surround en route while I was traveling. Once I returned, Barry Smith himself asked me to come to his office in Eureka to meet with him, to discuss my project. I was hoping they would tell me they had expedited my shipment to help make up for the prior delay. No such luck. Instead, Barry Smith acknowledged receiving my request, but not following through on making the order. So, I asked him once again, to please order a bathtub and surround. It took 6 weeks for the tub to arrive. Work began again on 4/17, about 4 months after signing the contract. On 4/18, I got a call in the early morning, to let me know the workman couldn't come to my house due to a family emergency, but that he would be there tomorrow. On 4/19, I got a call in the early morning, to let me know that the workman still couldn't come to my house due to his emergency, but that Barry Smith would be coming by to do an assessment. When I asked what the assessment was for, after only a day of work, I got no answer. When I asked for another worker to keep my project going, I was told nobody else was assigned to my project. I told BSC that my site would not be available, since I had not scheduled any time to meet with Barry that morning at 9; I had to go to work. Barry Smith called me back, and after a heated discussion, told me that he was done, that he quit. When I told BSC that our contract obligated us both to attend mediation, I was told that my options were 1. Walk away from the $5,000 I had already invested, or 2. Attend mediation during which BSC would be seeking an additional $1,400 for time/materials they say were used on the project. When I asked for an itemized invoice, I was presented with a semi-opaque list. I ended up picking Option 1, I would rather spend my money on my bathroom than pursuing true justice. An interesting note from the itemized invoice, is that the fan unit which had an initial allotment of $200 was quoted to me at ~$300 in March, but the final invoice priced that unit at ~$495. When I asked about the discrepancy, Debbie told me it was for installation. That's a joke, since the unit is still sealed in the cardboard box it came in. Misc. Complaints. A large signboard was installed next to my property line, on city property, advertising BSC. When I asked BSC about this, they said the building permit allowed them to place the sign. After inspecting the permit for the project, I found no such allowance, and the building inspector didn't know about it either. Initial floor allotment (Alterna Flooring) was $600. After a while, they changed that to a $1,200 charge, with the first explanation being that the alterna flooring prices had gone up, and a later explanation that the initial $600 quote was for vinyl. I never considered vinyl. They were just trying to rip me off. Workman left nails sticking out of the subfloor after floor removal. I made BSC aware of this on 1/23, and they didn't remove the nails until 3/7. My 3yo son cut his foot on a nailhead at one point. Very unsafe. BSC was not aware of local codes which required the use of a humidity-controlled exhaust fan unit for the bathroom. I deeply regret my participation with Barry Smith Construction. I did not get my moneys worth, and I did not get my project done. They quit on me. I will never contract with BSC ever again. Stay far away from this company. Barry Smith Construction does not serve its paying customers, it only serves its own interests.They are very disorganized, and have very poor follow-through. I am very disappointed in my experience with them.

Needed ramp built quickly and wider door for wheelchair within the next week of so. Fair on price, reviewed exactly what was to be done. Followed through on promise. Would recommend to anyone.