We needed a few simple odd jobs to be taken care of around our house (fix closet doors, sand room doors). Les came and although he ultimately fixed these simple issues, we will not call him again. He did not take his shoes off when arriving in our home, and did not put down any protective sheets when sanding wood in our home. He then did not thoroughly clean up all the wood shavings and dirt he left. He sweated profusely, dripping sweat on our floors and not cleaning up. He spent more time talking to us about various issues then actually doing the work we requested. Then, for the work performed, we feel we grossly overpaid. Not a good experience.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $300.00
- Company Response
I only do excellent work and I would never leave a household without cleaning up. I know, for example, I am one of the few trades people who carries a broom and a dustpan and even carried his own vacuum and always cleans up. Always. After a job. Sometimes customers tell me that they will clean up and I should not bother, but I would rather stop the clock and vacuum up, then leave a house with mess in it because it always reflects back onto me. That is why I insist at times to clean up because I know how important it is. But Sometimes I am told that the maid is coming in the afternoon or something like that and I still reluctantly leave the mess behind. Maybe it was a trick, or maybe the customer just forgot. Who knows. That is why it says “LESS STRESS AND MESS WHEN YOU HIRE LESS” on the sides of my vehicle. Sometimes when sanding, I tell my customers that even after I clean up there will be some dust that may appear. And sometimes I do not put a drop cloth down when shaving a door in a very tight spot because it keeps getting in the way. It is just easier to vacuum the carpet. If I was painting, that is another story. In that case I would have taped the drop cloth down. and I would have had another drop cloth going all the way down the steps and out the door. Would you like to know how much paint I have spilled on someones home in 22 years??? Not one single crop. When I am done painting I don't have paint all over my clothes. I have served over 187,000 customers. Probably more than all the other trades people on this site, in Toronto, combined. Not me personally, but my site as it does referrals. 99% of my customers are satisfied but you cannot satisfy all the people all of the time. Sometimes a 5 minute job to a customer may take two hours and they think you are ripping them off and I have been to many jobs where the customer thought it would take all day and it took hours and sometimes minutes then they get upset when it have to pay 75.00 The reason why they hire us is because they don’t know but then to become an expert afterwards, give me a break. I do not overcharge anyone in-fact I think I undercharge them. I Spent thousands and thousands and thousands on my web sites just so it would be easy for you, my customers.
When I use power tools I always leave my shoes on, for safely issues and always tell my customers that because if I were to drop a tool on my foot it would be much worse and messier an a little dust. It is a judgment call, some people do not mind if you walk in with shoes and those who do, say something. You never did. I never walk in someone house with shoes if it is raining or snowing or if they are wet or if the customer has white carpet. In that case I bring them to where I am working and put them back on again. You cannot do construction in socks I am sorry to say.
And now that I had someone complain about it, I will now add it to my site. If a wood chisel slips out of your hand and lands in your foot. That translates into two months of being off your feet not making money.Unfortunately for me because I am a very successful HANDYMAN many other trades people are extremely jealous and do some pretty fantastic things to try to ruin my reputation even a number of years ago posing as me and taking money from people. I think the guy is still in jail but it just amazes me at the lengths people will go to make life difficult for someone else.
If you don’t say anything to me and write it here instead, tells me a lot about your character too. If you are untruthful when I am standing right in front of you, as I ask every single customer if they were happy before I walk out the door, then how can I know what you said here, is the truth? It is so easy to make something like this up and despite the fact that HomeStars does a very good job of investigating these things. This time, I have no idea who was in this your house Nov. 20th because it wasn’t. me. And I would sure like to know who it was. You see, my dad fell ill and I had to go to Europe. So I haven’t been here for a while. Unless this happened quite some time ago. And if that is the case, why didn’t you say something about it then? Hey… there is even another testimonial here from someone what a great electrical job I did but I do not do electrical, so that wasn’t me either. I always refer jobs to other people for the things I do not do.
Also my customers talk to me and I try to keep an open channel of communication between us. It does not cost anymore to talk. I need to hear that they are displeased about something. That is the only way it can get fixed. I even changed some colours on my web site because it was bothering them. Yes…Colours - people can be a little over-sensitive these days.
I fixed a gate for a customer a number of years ago and they told me that the gate was sticking 2 months later. I guarantee all my work for 30 days but I can show you a gate in installed 20 years ago….so I went out again wondering how it was even possible because I left a ½” gap between the gate and the post it was on. When I arrived, I found that their neighbor piled up all kinds of wood against the fence which pushed the gate over as well. Not my fault at all. I found a small 2x4 in my truck and fixed it anyways and I didn’t charge the customer. because I believe that customer service is very important.
I also carry an assortment of aftershave, so I always try to smell good when I show up at at customers place, I even have an electric shaver so when I show up to the 6pm appointments, I never have a 5 o’clock shadow and also have gum too so my breath is also fresh. i try everything I can to make the customers experience the most positive it can be.
But I sweat, I am sorry that I work so hard to my customers. When I notice a drop or any sweat falls on the floor, I always wipe it up. The only time sweat ends up on the floor, is when I am at the gym doing push-ups because my head is facing the floor. I have seen my sweat on people floors and I have always tried to wiped it up. All I can say to you is that I am sorry that I am not perfect but I do excellent work and I always clean up after myself and the work speaks for itself. I don’t have letters on my web site www.LestheHandyman.com I have actual video customer testimonials. Not 10 but 30 and I could put another 200 on there if I will wanted to. I have been around doing this for over 22 years. The fact that I have even been around this long with the same phone number and address says something about who I am and what kind of a business I run. I have been on TV, had my own radio show on CFRB – the Les the Handyman hour where 350,000 people wanted to hear what I had to say and help them with their construction woes. I know my stuff. I am sorry “Allison” that you felt that way and next time make sure you tell the person how you feel rather than playing games with them. How would you feel if I went and told 20,000 people, on line, you didn’t know, about what I thought of you, without talking to you about it first? Then you go to a site where almost everyone admires you to read it? What would you think of me as a person? I would never do such a thing. I don't play games with people. Thank you for using Les the Handyman. Did I get the 1 point for showing up on time. Geez thanks!