Phil’s Foundation Screens

I was having trouble with animals entering my crawlspace as the covers I had were old screens that were slowly falling apart. Phil came over and took a look at them and told me he could make metal screen doors for both spots for $ 320.00. At first I thought that sounded a bit on the high side, but then I realized he was going to customize them and decided it was reasonable. He was able to do the work right away and I was very happy with the results. After a couple of months, I noticed that one of the doors was falling open, or maybe being pulled open by animals. I called Phil and he was happy to come back over and add safety latches to both doors at no charge. I think that’s great customer service! I highly recommend him.

The crawlspace beneath my house was the home to a Mamma raccoon and her litter making a lot of disturbing noise at night, not to mention the potential for all kinds of problems. I hired the really wonderful, professional Animal Capture Wildlife Control (Jeremy) for humane removal and relocation of the critters but needed reinforced screens on the foundation crawlspace to protect from further nesting.
When I called Phil suggested he come to the house and look at the crawl space entries «because,» he said, «he was nearby». When he got here he asked if we’d discussed the 170 dollar inspection fee. We had not and I told him that had I known I would have had a more substantial discussion before having him over. He told me that what I needed would «cost about 500 bucks» then did some measuring and came back and told me it would be 800. I was stuck with holes (temporarily sealed in the foundation) and told him I felt he was collecting his inspection fee by upping my price but that I was over a barrel. I didn’t do a work order with him (note to self. Do a work order when you strike a price). He then called and said the screens were done but that it would cost 930. I told him off and said he had been completely dishonest. He said, «you’re making me feel bad,» to which I told him that he should as what he was doing was entirely disreputable. But I needed the screens so I told him I was going to reluctantly finish the job but that I would also doing so under my own reservations and instead out of need.
He was here for several hours and did a terrific job — there is no way the raccoons will get back in under the house. So while the review for the services is favorable, the review for business practice– and particularly honesty– is EPIC FAIL. If you need foundation screens, first, there are other services but second, get this guy in writing or you will get hosed on the other side.