Alberta Restoration Specialists

Vera Schuelke reviewed Alberta Restoration Services — 1 star
7 mins ·
Frustration and stress sums up my experience. We had a sewer backup on July 2,2018. I contacted ARS on the 3rd and was assured I would be called back before 11:00 as I had an appointment. I called back the next day as I was not contacted. I set up an appointment to meet Gabriel at 11:00 and he was late. He gave me an itemized break down for the cleanup and tear down. He informed me it would take about 2 weeks to complete the clean up. They got to work right away. I also had to hire a trenching company to repair the sewer pipe. They quoted me a price and that it exactly what I paid. The job was completed in one day and there was no evidence that Lavender's Construction was even there- ultra professional. As ARS was doing the tear down, more issues arose and an additional $2000.00 was added. I had a similar problem a few years earlier and had a different restoration company do the work. Gabriel and his crew took pictures and informed me the other company had done some illegal things as well as take short cuts with the clean up. Gabriel promised me at the time he would provide photos and a letter detailing the work that was not done correctly. As the work progressed the hot water tank was leaking and had to be replaced, which was done in one day by Always Plumbing. They too were very professional. Then Gabriel informed me of a crack in the foundation that needed to be fixed prior to any restoration being done. He informed me that this fix would be $750.00. I received an invoice for $1700. A few days later I went to the house and found my backyard a mess. Gabriel had no idea what happened and said the trenching company must have done this. They were at the property in July and this was the beginning of September. I contacted the trenching company and they knew nothing of this. A few days later I received a call from Dave asking for payment for the foundation repair. I told him he had already been paid. Apparently this was a second foundation repair man that Gabriel had contacted. Gabriel claimed he had asked Dave not to come, but Dave had a different story. Dave told me that the mess in the backyard was due to the work he had done. Gabriel wanted me to pay half of the $1300 cost. I refused to do this as it was his mistake. Gabriel said he would clean up the mess. He shoveled some dirt and placed some cinder blocks. After several weeks I ended up replacing the edging, solar lights and cleaned up the remaining dirt. The foundation was repaired by the 7th of September. Gabriel assured me that the work would be completed in a week and a half. His workers were often not at the house or would arrive later in the day. Then I was called as they had removed some wood panels going down the stairs. There was mold on the walls and Gabriel wanted $1200 cash. Again I gave him more money and the house was still not done. I was preparing to sell the house and based on his promise set up a time with a realtor. This meeting had to be cancelled as the house was till not done. The house was finally finished October 17 and he was paid in full and he gave me a receipt with the total, but no break down of what each item cost. He told me he doesn't do that. I informed him I needed a breakdown as I was selling the house. I finally got the list, but no money value was behind each item. I met with the realtor on the 18th and Gabriel was to meet me there at 4:30 to sign some papers and bring me my photos and the promised letter. He still had not arrived by 6:00. I called him and he was sleeping. He told me he needed to go to Staples and print my pictures but he would be there. Fifteen minutes later he called me and said he couldn't make it. We arranged to meet in Spruce Grove, where I live, at 4:00. I was there on time and Gabriel did not show up again. I called him and he told me he had an emergency. He promised to send the photos, letter and paper work that day- October 19th.I have sent him several emails and called in regards to the photos and letter. Without these items I will not be able to recoup any money from the previous job. I do not understand why he refuses to provide these items as he promised to do so. I paid him over $30,000. The work that was done was nice, but I was not given an opportunity to select the flooring. I was promised that they would send pictures so I could make a choice, but it never happened. I am saddened by the unprofessional way I was treated. Nothing but excuses, broken promises. If you have lots of money, time and like aggravation this is the company for you.