I was on hiatus for about a year. I decided to pause from my personal blogs to give time for what was ahead when 2018 greeted us. Though this post may fall under the "New Year's" category or as a year ender blog, I decided to make this now because of the downpour of negativity and the outpour of random emotions caused by it.
Why 2018 an Awful Year---
In my years of existence, I've encountered people with personalities of all sorts. I made friends with them, I accepted them for who they were and they did the same with me, which I truly appreciate. I seldom experience rifts with anyone. But I still do yes, no relationship is perfect and for the reason that I may have to let go, that is because it was becoming bad for me.
2018 became the most awful in my years of existence because of one incident. An incident that changed the course of life itself, an event that changed people and a moment that brought out the true colors of the people we trusted. We, meaning my whole family which includes my parents.
2018 became the most awful in my years of existence because of one incident. An incident that changed the course of life itself, an event that changed people and a moment that brought out the true colors of the people we trusted. We, meaning my whole family which includes my parents.
Middle of 2017 my parents asked me if my husband's close friend/ best man who owns a construction business would be open to renovate and do a minor build-out for our house. My husband was in the US when this request happened, so I was the middle person who brought both the client and service provider to meet.
If there was something big to be considered in this project, that is the build out of a swimming pool. The rest were minor work, installation, minor repainting and few add-ons that came along the process.
I was present during the initial assessment and quotation of work needed to be done, and I was also present when the actual and final quotation was presented. With great trust, considering that the engineer is/ was our close friend, my parents did not hesitate even with the absence of a contract. In this case, the hired construction company should have prepared a contract as an option at least to protect both parties, but for some reason they didn't, so my family looked at the circumstance that we are going to work with a "close friend", and TRUST was the only thing binding this project from start to finish.
If there was something big to be considered in this project, that is the build out of a swimming pool. The rest were minor work, installation, minor repainting and few add-ons that came along the process.
I was present during the initial assessment and quotation of work needed to be done, and I was also present when the actual and final quotation was presented. With great trust, considering that the engineer is/ was our close friend, my parents did not hesitate even with the absence of a contract. In this case, the hired construction company should have prepared a contract as an option at least to protect both parties, but for some reason they didn't, so my family looked at the circumstance that we are going to work with a "close friend", and TRUST was the only thing binding this project from start to finish.
Like any build- out, the project started well... Work officially began April 2018, estimated time for it to finish was within 78 days. Come June, our family, I personally, started having doubts as work moved forward. Almost all that was in the quotation that was agreed upon was not met. Cheap materials was used. Cheap that you can find those materials and fixtures in the palengke (Filipino wet market) or a local market.
For instance:
Market price for bathroom fixture, a shower head with/ and faucet made of plastic (at least that's how it looked to me) is at 450php, but we were billed 1,500-2,000php. Other fixtures weren't even stainless steel, we needed to change the fixtures with top of the line brands so it wouldn't look so bad.
For instance:
Market price for bathroom fixture, a shower head with/ and faucet made of plastic (at least that's how it looked to me) is at 450php, but we were billed 1,500-2,000php. Other fixtures weren't even stainless steel, we needed to change the fixtures with top of the line brands so it wouldn't look so bad.
We asked for 100% tiling we were given 70% cheap tiles for the garage (which I doubt can hold 5 cars) and the backyard and 30% was cement. As work continued, it became worse. The quality and design was the cheapest I've ever seen, it's a lawsuit waiting to happen.
50% of the electrical system of the house bogged down because of faulty wiring done by the electrician of the said company.
Roofing and engineering of everything was awful to a point that just by looking at the mess they did, will make you think, "how did this guy even get a license?".
The doors that was supposed to be hardwood was replaced with nothing but crap wood and the carpenter doesn't even know what he was installing. For a freaking crappy door, we were billed 65,000php for the main door and 26,000php each for the remaining doors.
The storage room of my dad was one of the last things they finished and they complained about the junk laying around. When it was agreed on that the storage room was the first or second in line after the pool so the items can be sorted immediately.
They did not follow what was in the quotation, and for every time my dad will question or ask, they will open and say that there should be an additional payment when in fact, it was in the original quotation. I experienced when that friend of ours even consulted me about the tiles. I openly gave my full on suggestion to make it outdoor if its going to be for the storage room of my dad for safety purposes. Both agreed on it, paid for it, and we didn't get any tiling done for the storage, not unless we pay again.
There are items that were not done which were included in the billing statement, items that was already paid for which were still included in the last statement. (the billing statement is questionable)
It seems like this friend of ours doesn't know what he was doing... it seems like he got overwhelmed with the amount of money he can get in this project. Regardless of who, the most unbelievable part is that, even if it's the father-in-law of his bestfriend, he will do anything in his power just to desperately earn from people who trusted him and his business.
In all of this, that friend of ours had the nerve to act like he was the victim. You see mister, if you feel degraded of what my father told you, it's hard to say this but, YOU DESERVE IT!
We don't even look at this mess on a "client" perspective anymore. Let's say, it's just really about deception. No respect, no consideration, just proceeding disgracefully with whatever it takes to survive both in business and most probably in life.
If we were different, or if we didn't know you, with what you have done, a lawsuit is already headed your way.
If we're going to talk about budget? Oh man, we have money, we have the funds. Let me also clear some things here. For the additional work outside the first quotation, we consulted the construction company and they said yes, and as usual they billed my family like we spit gold.
Those additional work was an opportunity to get things done properly, to straighten the damages made. They accepted the work load, but left the house unfinished. A visit from that friend of ours was never made since July, not a single visit at the site (and he said he is running a business). Talk about being a true professional. He may have used these mistakes to prove himself or learn from it at least, but he didn't, he became prideful instead and acted he was the victim. With that attitude sir, no growth will ever be gained.
We don't even look at this mess on a "client" perspective anymore. Let's say, it's just really about deception. No respect, no consideration, just proceeding disgracefully with whatever it takes to survive both in business and most probably in life.
If we were different, or if we didn't know you, with what you have done, a lawsuit is already headed your way.
If we're going to talk about budget? Oh man, we have money, we have the funds. Let me also clear some things here. For the additional work outside the first quotation, we consulted the construction company and they said yes, and as usual they billed my family like we spit gold.
Those additional work was an opportunity to get things done properly, to straighten the damages made. They accepted the work load, but left the house unfinished. A visit from that friend of ours was never made since July, not a single visit at the site (and he said he is running a business). Talk about being a true professional. He may have used these mistakes to prove himself or learn from it at least, but he didn't, he became prideful instead and acted he was the victim. With that attitude sir, no growth will ever be gained.
These are just some... just some... and I haven't even mentioned the damage you caused in our personal lives, especially between my husband and my father! Not only you use people, but you feel so entitled.
My parents had high hopes for you... they hired you because they want to help you and your business...
-Updated-
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