We had a lot of problems with Arsim. Everything started well but he gave us incomplete answers to our questions. He said the price included moving and replacing the appliances but he never mentioned that he does not hook up the fridge, washing machine and dishwasher. The day before they were returned to their spots he told us we needed to hire a plumber, which cost $500. After he removed the old tiles he said we needed levelling cement which cost me an additional $500. I was happy with the original marble thresholds between the bathroom/hall and living room/hall but he said it would look better with tiles right to the other floors. Unfortunately, the sloped tile to the bathroom did not sit evenly and there is a sharp lip on the edge. When I pointed this out to Arsim, he said that it is the best it can be because our floors are uneven. I said that was what the levelling cement was for and he just shrugged. The bathroom door wouldn't close properly and I asked him to at least plane the bottom of the door. He didn't do it. After he left, my wife and I, who are in our 70's had to remove the heavy door, sand down the bottom and reinstall it ourselves. In the hall/living room entrance, he put an aluminum transition where I had a smooth marble connection. Once again he said it was because the old floors were installed wrong- nothing to be done. next problem was with the grout that he poured down the toilet in the powder room. The inside of the toilet and the trap were completely clogged with set grout. His response was that he always does this. To free up the toilet he used a copper tube to ram the grout through the trap. Before ordering the grout, he wanted me to look at the samples. I told him that I wanted to have the grout match the tiles so the tiles don't stand out. We agreed on a colour but when it was installed, the grout colour was nothing like the shade chart. It was much lighter. I showed him the colour guide against the new grout and he suggested that I sue Mapai, the manufacturer or get used to it. I searched online and found that the company makes a grout stain that can be painted on to darken it. When he came to do the staining, he showed me a sample and said that he wanted to make
sure I didn't change my mind again about the colour which was not what occurred. There were gaps around the cabinets that had only open spaces against the tiles but he said his brother, who assisted him throughout the job, would fill them in with caulk but he didn't. He also left some baseboards and trim un-nailed. The garage was left filled with sawdust and tile pieces and garbage for me to clean up. When I told him about the problems, his response by text was: "I did my best and of course like I said the baseboard and the trim are installed wrong, but not by me." They were installed by his brother and co-worker- unbelievable. He then went on to say that: "If you are not happy after everything I did then unfortunately there is nobody in Canada that can make you happy."
We hired Arsim based on the very positive reviews. The arrogant man who came was nothing like the reviews.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $14,537.00
- Company Response
Hi Barry, I'm really surprised by your review.
I have the messages between us as proof of what we agreed on regarding your flooring.
1. You have four different types of hardwood flooring in your house and all of them are different thickness, the nosing was the highest point which was about an 1 inch and 1/4 while one room was 3/4 inch and another room was 1/2 inch and third room was about 5/8. You said that you want the tiles to be flush with the nosing which I did match it 100% and you should also post that picture since you post others. I matched two bedrooms and nosing and unfortunately the powder room was the fifth different thickness and there you had tiles on top of tiles and they were sloping down to the side of the hinges, so it is higher that side about 1 millimeter but does not bother you walking inside and out because it is on the side of the hinges, don't forget that all your thresholds were broken on the center because your floors are different thickness and are bent.2. Again I have evidences that you asked me for the grout sample and I told you that your choice of grout is a little lighter than what you need but you said "that's what I want". You picked the lightest tile veins and based on that you chose that colour. When I finished the grout you came and said to me that you don't like the colour and wanted me to change the entire grout because of your fault, I said you have to contact Mapei and check with them what was wrong with the grout which I'm sure there was nothing wrong with the grout, but rather you picked the wrong colour. However I helped you out with the colorant free of charge buying the materials and worked extra 2 days absolutely free of charge just to make you happy and all my customers know that and thank God customers like you are very rare.
3. I have pictures and evidence after I finished your job that there were no baseboards or trim that weren't nailed and caulked. Seems suspicious that after two weeks of completing the job (AND you inspecting everything in front of me) that baseboards came off themselves. You might know better about how that happened.
4. The metal threshold you said it's good as I explained to you that your floor is bending so unfortunately the tiles don't bend.
5. I have evidence on our messages that our agreement was to move the appliances but not to return them back nor to hook them up. But I did return them all and hooked up the dryer, which is not my job and I clearly explained to you that I am not a licensed plumber and I don't touch anything. Looking back, thank God that I didn't as you would probably accuse me of doing something wrong there as well. I was unlucky to meet you, but it's part of the game in this business I guess.
6. For the $500 I have evidence that you told me to go ahead to use the self levelling concrete to reach the highest point of your flooring and that was stair nosing, don't forget that It didn't cost you anything for labour so free of charge.
7. I throw the water in the toilet but not the grout, there is no other place to throw the water except toilet unless you wanted me to take it with me and bring it home?
When I last saw you, you expressed satisfaction with the job and as I let all my clients know, if there are any issues to feel free to contact me anytime, which you didn't, but in stead decided to leave this dishonest review.
All the best