Praise Remodeling AKA Randy Collins Hack job on basement didn't pay his workers Ballground Georgia

Randy Collins advertised on 104.7 The Fish.  His company is Praise Remodeling.  He began work on our basement in March 2013.  Everything seemed fine in the beginning.  We were writing the checks a little quicker than the work was being done, but we believed him when he said he needed the money for the materials and workers.

Well, when the project was suppose to be done a month later, it wasn't done.  he asked for more money for various things that should have been told to us up front - electrical panel, a new HVAC system for the basement.  Previously he told us this wouldn't be needed because he could tie into the existing electrical panel and HVAC in our home.  Mistakes happen, right, so we were fine. 

Then he came to us asking for the last payment.  Well, according to the contract, the last payment wasn't suppose to be made until after the work was complete.  He said he needed the money because he had to get more materials and pay his workers.  We refused because so much was not complete.  So, we were at a stand still and he asked to take a break for a little while, like 2 weeks, finish a project some place else and come back to our home.  We were fine with this. 

Soon after, we had a worker come by to say he didn't get paid and he wanted to pick up something he left in our basement.  Then, we realized that he had different workers in our basement.  It was never the same people.  I thought they may have been day laborers.  The last set of workers also told us they didn't get paid and would not be completing the work on our home.

Finally, in June 2013, almost 2 more weeks after the additional extension, he was not done.  But, me and my husband was done with him.  He asked us to pay his subcontractor.  We refused!  We didn't have a contract with the subcontractor and we were not going to take that chance.  The subcontractor called us saying Randy owed him over $5,000 and asked us to pay him. The subcontractor was Fred Bush - and guess what, he is on Ripoff Report!

Well, here my husband and I sit, with an unfinished basement.  Some parts, on first glance do look nice.  But, then you take the time to look at the finished portions, it is not good.  The paint job is streaky.  You can see the nails from where the dry wall was put up. He promised us a custom shower, and at the last minute, said it wouldn't fit (mind you, our bathroom in the basement is bigger than our upstairs bathroom). 

We actually have a crooked wall in the basement.  It is almost laughable. They ripped up the carpet in the living area (they said it was defective).  The padding is not the cushiony padding I requested, but, a cheap builder's grade.  Randy same it was the same, but from a different company.  I am no contractor, but, I do know the difference between the 1/4 inch padding he put down and the 1/2 inch padding that I picked out.

We had a plumber come out, and the plumbing was done incorrectly.  The hardwood floors are uneven; an electrician came out and said the live wires hanging out the walls (where lighting was supposed to be installed) was dangerous and should have been capped.

So far our estimate to have things fixed and done correctly is over $6,000; so it will probably be another year.  He has been paid over 90% on the contract.  We actually just spoke to a lady who saw our basement in the initial stages and hired Randy.  We wasn't able to save her, but, she and her husband had very similar problems and will not allow him or Fred Bush (who she also dealt with) back on their property.

Last thing - he never used a trash receptacle for the wood, trash, etc, so we have a large patch of dead grass from where things were just left there.  We have a video we made and our basement as proof of this work.  We just thank God that it isn't worse.

Spare yourselves.  Talk to your friends, get references, go see the work, and view the permits that companies are suppose to file.