Sterling Group DKI Steve Hartman, President Poor quality work, billed for work not performed, items not delivered, over-charged, left a mess Tacoma Washington

The company is located in Tacoma Washington.  Sterling Group DKI.   We had a fire that resulted in a total loss.  On the recommendation of our insurance company, we hired Sterling Group.  They did start the work in December 2015, and I went to see the progress in early January 2016, but nothing else had occured.  I was assured the repairs were underway.  I returned in early February, nothing had been done.  The house was still the same as it was in December.  The did put in a electrical panel, without a permit.  They did put in a fiberglass tub, over a rotted floor, the did put in some framing, which didn't pass the City's inspection and had to be torn out and redone.  They billed us $33,000 for work and material that was either wrong, not delivered, had to be re-done, or was done so poorly that it would have been better if they never did anything.  I am now doing the work since Sterling has placed a lien on the house.  In short, they want money for work they didn't do or work they did perform that was so bad it had be completely removed and replaced.

The scam works like this:  They start work to a point where they feel the homeowner can't take over or hire another contractor.  Sterling then stops work and says they won't continue until they have received full payment for the "Work".  However, they bill for items not delivered and over bill for those items the did deliver.  An example is the fiberglass tub.  These can be purchased for $379.  However, Sterling billed me $1,600 for the tub, and another $579 for refurbishing the tub.  How much "refurbishing" does a new tub need?  None.  The windows were being billed at $2,900, but these are available for $1,100.  So, I suspect in most cases they "Blackmail" the homeowner into paying, doing shoddy work, and leaving a disaster in their wake.  I looked into this company, after the work started of course, and found they had their bond pulled in May 2015 and found others that had serious complaints about they business practice.  So, I am not the first to have a serious complaint and problem with this company.  So, be warned.  It will not end well if you hire Sterling Group DKI.