Help needed, ID want to stop work halfway.

[mvpscott 0]

Hi all,

I engaged a interior designer firm back in march.

What happened along the way:

1st incident- 1st May 2018, Tuesday
Was at a lighting shop shopping for lights and ceiling fan, messaged ID to give me the amount of lights to buy, ID replied with incorrect amount (only telling me after I bought it few days later).
ID asked for 29 inches/72.5cm of LED strip,  salesman told me he can only give 75cm. Called ID to check, ID hang and replied with a message telling me he's in the cinema. So I got the salesman to voice chat his message to him since I don't know what's going on, there's a bit of tension between them as both are getting impatient with each other. Mainly because ID insist on me wanting 72.5cm but salesman keep telling him can only do 75cm. I then apologized to ID telling him that I can't help but needed the salesman to talk to him instead of myself since I am not sure of these things. Then it ended with me buying the LED strip at 75cm.

2nd incident - 3rd May 2018, Thursday
Messaged ID for update on progression of renovation works, told me tomorrow (4th May, Friday) will do flooring works. ID then tell me to arrange all the stuff to deliver on 8th of May. And also told me that there are some changes to the T5 Tubes needed (basically, I over-bought at the shop the other day because of his incorrect information given to me), told ID that I have already made the purchase but will check with the salesman from the lighting shop whether can make the changes. But I only check with salesman on 7th of May.

3rd incident - 5th May 2018, Saturday
Bought a Bosch brand cooker hood/hob earlier at Harvey Norman. Salesman told me to be sure to get my ID to connect the ducting pipe from the motor of my cooker hood to the roof of my kitchen cabinet, otherwise the filtered air keep circulating within the cabinet will shorten the cabinet lifespan. Sent ID the dimension of my cooker hood/hob.
Few days later, on stated date, I went back to Harvey Norman to enquire more about the connecting of ducting pipe part, this time is a sales lady who attended to me. Sales lady showed me what the salesman meant by showing me a display set that is similar to my purchased model. I then took a photo of it and send my ID to let him know what I need him to do with my cooker hood, ID then told me they only install cooker hood, all these additional works should be Harvey Norman settle one. And also asked me why did I go purchase extra motor for the cooker hood, just the cooker hood itself is more than enough for a home kitchen. I told him the motor is included in the set, it was not a add-on. He also mentioned that out of so many projects he did, this is the first time he encounter this situation. I told him that since the motor is included, then just go ahead with the Harvey Norman's staff advice. He then keep insisting that Harvey Norman should do the connecting works, they will only install the cooker hood because he has never done this before. I then told him that it's fine, I will find 3rd party to settle this, which was recommended by the Harvey Norman's staff with a cost of $200. He then tell me why waste the money and insist that they should do it for free, I then passed the phone to the sales lady to talk to him. Sales lady were quite patient in the beginning, but got impatient not long after. The sales lady rolled eye before passing the phone back to me, and then my ID told me to buy the ducting pipe for them to try, if can't then see how. I could tell he was not happy that I need to find a 3rd party to settle a work which he should be doing. I then get the contact of the 3rd party from the sales lady so I can head down there to purchase the ducting pipe.

4th incident - 6th May 2018, Sunday
Messaged ID whether if it's possible to install a ceiling fan in dining area, ID replied saying can, but need add-on a point as the current point was agreed to relocate it for dining area's hanging light. And also remind me to make up my mind on all the electrical points as it's best to settle it before carpentry work to avoid dirtying them. Went ahead the next day to call up salesman from lighting shop to place the order.



7th May 2018, Monday
Called up salesman to place the extra order of ceiling fan, and also informed him of the changes in the T5 tubes order. Salesman was kind enough to offset the refund from the purchase of my ceiling fan. 

4th incident - 8th May 2018 <-- Date of delivery of stuff (Lightings, ceiling fans, cooker hood/hob, toilet accessories.)
ID messaged me telling me that I can't add ceiling fan in dining if I am also installing hanging light at dining area. 



Say I tell him last minute...



Now push to salesman fault.



I gave up arguing with him, decided that I'll just have to decide between ceiling fan and hanging light to give up at dining area.
I then proceeded to my new house to wait for the items to arrive.
Upon reaching, only electrician is around settling electrical works.
Discovered that my vinyl flooring have been installed, BUT no layer of protection was covered on it in spite being quoted on quotation.
Vinyl was already dirty as **** as electrical works was ongoing.
Went ahead and took a video around the house to show my wife, wife noticed that someone might have used the aircon in master bedroom.
I went and took a closer look



Sent ID the above shot, ID then insists that his workers won't use it. I told him if they didn't use it how to explain why the latch was down and bubble wrap was meddled with?
ID insist that most likely it's the painter who wanted to touch up the door frame and that's why it was like this. I gave up on arguing with him.
Went around the house to continue checking the condition of all the renovation works, mainly was concerned with the vinyl as it was not protected in cupboard sheets or whatever.
Called ID to check why it was not despite being quoted, ID vinyl was just installed (earlier he said 4th install) so not so soon yet lay the cupboard sheets.
I also highlighted my concern regarding the vinyl possibly being installed poorly as after walking around barefooted (despite the floor being very dirty) there's hollow sounds and uneven surface, despite me topping up cement screed beforehand which the contractor clearly told me that he had also helped me to did smoothering together with the top up of cement screed.
(I understand the surface won't be 100% even despite topping up cement screed, but there are areas which was too noticeably higher than the rest of the area.)
I also discovered that my vinyl were already full of drinks stains, paint stains and scratches.
I then informed the electrician that the point in dining won't be needed to relocate as I will give up hanging light for dining area for ceiling fan.

I then went back home after all the stuff has been delivered. My worry for the vinyl being installed poorly kept bugging, so I keep messaging my ID to tell him about it. And he keep telling me that it's normal, as the cement screed was not done evenly. I then asked him if he could come down to take a look the next day on the 9th May, he said no as the installation of carpentry works is on 10th May, he will only be present on that day.

5th incident - 10th May 2018 <-- The day we fell out with each other
We agreed to meet at my new place at 2PM. I was late a few minutes as I went to buy the ducting pipe for them to try connecting it for the cooker hood.
Upon arriving at my new house, I saw my ID covering the vinyl flooring in cupboard sheets, I didn't say anything. His workers who I assume were all his friends were there too to settle the carpentry works.
I left the ducting pipe at one corner and went on to check the renovation works, I then highlighted to my ID on touching up the paint of the door frame. 
We then discussed about the vinyl flooring, he together with a guy whom I was informed was in charge of the vinyl installation works told me that after installing vinyl in the beginning, all the hollow sounds, uneven surface are normal to experience and a month or 2 are needed for the vinyl to be fully set in before things get better. They event went to the extent of telling me that they have just completed a BTO project which is a few blocks away from mine and the homeowner also experienced the same thing, and told me that if I don't believe them they can bring me up to see for myself. I told them that was not needed as I'm busy.
I then go through with my ID on the arrangement of placement for toilet accessories and left home after that.

My strong concern for the vinyl was still bugging me the whole time even after I left, so I checked with a few friends and even one of them whom BTO flat was just renovated and told me that they didn't experience this all with their vinyl flooring. One of my friend who was quite knowledgeable with renovation works told me that my ID and his friend were bull****ting me, and proceeded to tell me that vinyl usually won't have these kind of problems only until years later. It definitely was due to poor installation of the vinyl planks.

As the night approaches, I messaged my ID, and the conversation were as follow...



Kept insisting it's normal, so I suggested engaging floor specialist to be the judge.

He then accused me of repeatedly not trusting him.

Now trying to tell me that even if the house were completed, I will sure nitpick all sort of things.

I then call him but he hang up on me. 



I realized that we were on the verge of falling out, so I called my friend for advice. He told not to put up with this ID anymore, he is obviously taking advantage of me. He advised me to report to CASE and also ASAP go change my padlock and don't let them access my house anymore. I heeded my friend's advice and went to buy a new number lock and immediately change it at my new house. 

Once I am home, my friend called me and told me that he just went up my place to take a look and saw two person trying to open my number lock. I told him to pass my phone to them and one of the guy who I saw earlier at my house doing the carpentry works picked up, I asked him why is he trying to enter my house at this hour, he told me that he was informed by his boss (my ID) that works will be on hold and told him to get his stuff. I then told him to pass my phone to my friend whom I gave my number pin to and told him to monitor him lest he take more stuff than he should. 

There were a conversation between my friend and the carpenter. More on this later...

While I was out trying to rush as fast as I could to get my lock changed, my ID messaged me a few times, but I didn't respond only until I was done talking to my friend on the phone after I reached home.

I replied my ID telling him to talk over the phone if needed, as I am done arguing with him over text messaging.

My ID then called me up, we had the most heated conversation ever. (He had not realized that I changed my padlock yet at this point.)

I begin by asking him why was he so easily agitated about my worry for the vinyl not being installed properly. He then told me that he had repeatedly told me that the touching up for the vinyl will be at the end stage when the carpentry works is done, I then told him I have already mentioned in the earlier messages that if there's a need to redo the whole flooring, wouldn't it be best to do it before all the carpentry works is done?

He then got very agitated and being to criticize me as a very difficult customer to handle, quick to nitpick all sort of things.
(he was implying the highlighting of touching up the door frame paints and aircon incident) 

He also kept making snide remarks at me such as "childish", "naive", "low IQ".

I then questioned him by asking among all the customers he had served, did ever a single customer not highlight even the slightest small of detail to him from the start of the project all the way to the end?

He then told me that he had enough and wants to end the project with me, he will proceed to do the necessary calculations cost of works done till now and charge me accordingly.

I then told him, wow, you want to stop work halfway and expect me to cough more money out? No way, I am taking this to CASE. I then hanged him up.

I then called my friend again to update him on the situation. My friend told me not to worry, now he's the one being irresponsible, and advised me to go ahead to report to CASE.

After I ended the call with my friend, my ID messaged me the following and also forwarded me a photo and some audio chats from his carpenter:

*A photo of my friend back view locking up my main door*

ID: U changed the lock pad..  Swee..

Me: Seeing your attitude towards your customer. Of cos need to change, play safe.

ID: Play safe?  I really don't know what to say

Me: it's ok. U already say stop work. I will also write in to case. That's it. Don't need say anymore

ID: OK can

Content of forward audios

(Forwarded Audio #1) Carpenter: The middle aged man is the owner's friend, he was the one who changed the padlock.

(Forwarded Audio #2) Carpenter: He walked away earlier to the lift, then he kept looking our way, then I walked towards him to ask who is he, he said he is the house owner friend, I then told him to call house owner, I need to take my stuff. Then he called, then house owner asked why did I want to enter, I said I need to take my stuff. Then owner asked the friend to open the door for me, then while I am picking up the stuff, the friend keep saying we did a poor job for his friend, vinyl not properly done never touch up also, and "ID NAME" was too much. I then told him I am only a sub-con.

(Forwarded Audio #3)  Carpenter: He say "ID name" lor, guailan to his friend, then say the vinyl a lot of problem, bouncy, full of hollow sounds. A bunch of stuff.

(Forwarded Audio #4) Carpenter: Nonono, he only mentioned floor... then say the price your charged is exorbitant lor, not worth it for the service his friend received. 

(Forwarded Audio #5) Carpenter: He say his friend not happy (ID name), not happy highlight problem already but don't want settle for him.

(Forwarded Audio #6) Carpenter: He then told me to just act like I know nothing, I then told him I only sub-con, just want to my stuff and don't care also.

ID message to me: Why did u chosen us if u find ours price are high?? 

My reply to ID: I never say that.

ID voice chat to me: I will verify this with my worker, then your friend tell my worker... we charge you 40k, not 25k... I will also verify this. Then we come out talk.

(Forwarded Audio #7) Unknown person: Ah Seng (I presume the name of the carpenter guy) say the friend told him this house do until 40k leh... not 25k

My reply to ID: Believe all you want. I never say all these.

My reply to ID: U said stop work, end. I will report to case then we let them handle. Don't need say anymore

My reply to ID: Give u  business still must see your face, dont know who the customer now. Speechless

My reply to ID: U really need to self reflect.

My reply to ID: My friend dont even know your name. Pls... ask your worker dont anyhow spread things that are false.

My reply to ID: U want believe your worker, you go ahead and believe. I not there so I not sure what conversation took place between them. Thanks.

If you have read up all the till here, I thank you. 

I never thought I will be among the poor homeowners who have to go through the horror experience with IDs.

As of now, I have made 2 x payment to my ID totaling about $15,000 plus. As per quotation I am still left with about $10,000 unpaid. This is before factoring the additional works along the way and also electrical works which I believe can total up to anywhere from $6,000 - $8,000.

Works completed I believe are:

• False ceilings
• Floor tiles in kitchen and bathroom
• Electrical works

Works done halfway are:

• Cabinets for bomb shelter, kitchen, wardrobes (fabricated, halfway installing)

Works not done are:

• Installation of Tempered glass shower screen @ M. toilet
• Supply & install Fixed clear glass panel above the low wall
• Supply & install Clear glass swing door
• Supply & install Half Height window grilles @ Whole house
• Supply & install 3 panel Ba/Na Sliding window @ service yard

Most if not all of the installations of ceiling fans, lightings, toilet accessories were not done yet, and also the toilet bowl and sink at bathrooms were previously dismantled to overlay tiles at toilet, were not installed back yet.

I will be going down to my house to do a thorough check and what's the progression of the renovation... so I can have a more clearer picture. 

Meanwhile I will also write in to CASE to see what they say, I don't think I can carry on working with a ID with such attitude and work ethic

Can anyone who have faced a similar situation advise me:

1. Is it possible to get a refund?
2. Will other IDs/contractors be prone to take and carry on a project that's halfway done already?
3. What should I do best now? 

Advice will be greatly appreciated... 

Thank you...
 

 

Edited May 10, 2018 by mvpscott
Accidentally submit earlier.