Andrey in Montreal
Posted: Nov 20 2011
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5

We would like to share our unpleasant experience working with Essette Construction. We signed the contract with Essette Construction Inc. and Shawn was hired on October 15th this year to finish inside of our country house with tongue and groove wood paneling. He looked very professional upon arrival on the job site (expensive tools, company's truck and etc.), but after a day of work it was clear to us that he had no idea how to work with wood (all the paneling on the walls were crooked with 1/2" gaps everywhere). We wanted to terminate the contract this very day, but he reassured us that the job will be done according to our needs. Couple days later he asked for full amount as an advance payment even though the job wasn't half way through. We were very hesitant to pay him in advance for unfinished job, but Shawn swore that he was very honest contractor (unlike "others") and that he would had finished everything on time. Unfortunately, we made the payment and a couple days later we left on vacations, hoping that Shawn would finish the job according to our mutual agreement. He stopped replying to our phone calls and text messages the next day we left. Later, we have found out that Shawn was gone, the job wasn't finished. It's been a month since we've been trying to get in touch with Shawn without any success (phone calls, letters, messages and etc.)
P.S. Dear Shawn,
In case you are reading this letter, please find the courtesy to answer for your deeds in front of all handycanadian.com community. Please note that we are proceeding with RBQ complaint as well as we are filling a court case against you and Essette Construction.
By the way, we would like you to know that you've got a contract with us only due to the positive reviews on this reputable website.
Dear Handycanadians and "future" Shawn clients, please note that Shawn could make a great first impression but in fact there's a lack of professionalism and honesty, so be aware!
Hoping to find justice customers.
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Added comment to Essette Construction:
Hi Shawn,
We are glad to hear from you. We knew that the only way to get your attention was to write the truth that you wouldn't like. Unfortunately, for you the facts stay the facts: we have the contract for $3942.50 and you've got paid $4100 and the job isn't half done!
How could you say that we are deadbeat customers if you've got paid 2/3rd of the total contract amount right after you started, to be exact 3 days later? I guess that you've forgotten your own words that you needed an advance payment for your 1st subcontractor from Ottawa for his accommodation in Quebec province.
For your information, you were paid for the extra job of installing strapping and vapor barrier in advance as you requested and guess what - you've never done it!
We don't deny that we are picky customers, but how come your second subcontractor Daniel was able to install that "crooked wood" in the right way without gaps? Maybe Daniel just knows how to get it done and unfortunately for us you don't, despite your advertising pictures of wood siding that you have sent us.
Anyway, I would like to keep it short: please contact us immediately to deal with unfinished work by our contract, otherwise you'll be legally punished for what you've done!
Best regards,
Andrey
Essette Construction added comments:
As there are stories of deadbeat contractors, unfortunately there are deadbeat clients and this is one such case.
I should have realized that these people were problem clients after finding out that I was at least the third contractor to work on this job. I took the job expecting that all of the preparation work would be done be the homeowners when I started the job. Unfortunately that was not the case. There was still strapping, insulation and vapour barrier to complete and were told to go ahead and do the prep work and that we would be paid. We did the prep work as requested and started the finishing. Our contract stipulated that we were to be paid at the end of each week. After we submitted our first bill and requested a progress payment at the end of the first week we were met with a reluctance to pay and did not receive the full amount requested. Obviously alarm bells started to go off but we continued working for another week as we had committed to doing the work.
The client mentioned the they were concerned about gaps in the paneling and we explained that it was because the boards were warped due to improper storage (wood supplied by the clients) and that we would have to either nail through the face of the boards or screws would have to be driven in certain areas and later concealed to bring the boards into alignment. This can be confirmed by the other contractor who they hired to do the exterior as they were using the same material. They insisted that this was absolutely not an option and to proceed anyway.
By the end after the second week and more charges for work that was not part of the contract we were again met by a reluctance to pay and were not paid the full amount. The homeowner seemed to expect any additional work to be free or almost free as we were bargained down for every last item. We were then told that they would be going on vacation out of the country for 2 weeks but could continue to work while they were gone.
Since it was nearly impossible to collect progress payments while they were in town, it only seemed logical that there was absolutely no way we would get paid if we completed the job while they were away.
To clarify there was absolutely no advance payment made to me. All payments were progress payments based on work completed and there are still outstanding amounts. As for the subcontractor, he left with tools belonging to us, which he has yet to return which is why there is an amount outstanding.
This client is a deadbeat who does not pay his bills! He will look for any excuse to whittle down your price and has no intention of paying the full amount for anything.
There is a reason I was the third contractor on the same job. There should be a list on this site for deadbeat customers as this one would belong at the top of it.
Regards,
Shawn Lafleur
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Andrey,
If you find that my work is not up to par why would be insisting for us to come back to finish it?
You seem to be forgetting that there was more than $2000 of additional work added to the original contract.
I WILL REPEAT, I WAS NOT PAID FOR ANY WORK THAT WAS NOT DONE.
I can handle picky, but you were being unrealistic. Your unwillingness to understand that you need to actually pay to have things done correctly is why the work was stopped. I will also be sending you an additional invoice for moving materials, that were to be cleared out of the way by you before starting the work, which was also not part of our job or our contract.
I will gladly see you in court.
Perhaps you would like to post the names of the other contractors who also supposedly left with your money before completing the work so we can get their side of the story.
Debbie in Hudson Heights
Posted: Sep 15 2011
5 /
5 
Groupe Essette installed a brand new bathroom in my basement. The concrete had to be broken up to install a pump, as we are on septic system, the pump was installed in such a way as to reduce the noise of it, as well as part of the plumbing had to be run and berried in the concrete floor. They did a fantastic job, they designed the layout of my bathroom, installed heated flooring, created a beautiful tiled shower with glass door. The end result was amazing and the quality of the work is obvious, along with their friendly service.
I will definitely be calling Essette for any future projects!
Thank you,
Mrs. Letourneau
Craig in Orleans
Posted: Mar 28 2011
2.5 /
5
Shawn was hired to complete a major home renovation for us in August 2010. As the work progressed we mutally agreed on additional work, including some covered by an insurance claim that we made.
The workmanship was good, however the project was paid for in full, as a result of the insurance settlement, and the work was not completed. There was at least $3000 worth of work that was paid for but not provided.
Essette Construction added comments:
This letter is in response to the feedback written below.
We began work for the client as indicated in August 2010.
There was an insurance claim due to a flood - unrelated to the work that we had done - at which time we provided estimates to repair the damage. The check from the insurance was issued to us as well as our client jointly. Upon reception of the insurance check we issued a certified check to the client for the same amount as we were unable to commence the new phase of work immediately due to prior bookings. Upon our returning, the client decided to change the scope of work as they deemed some of the repairs non-critical and decided to allocate their funds to other renovation projects. Our client was made aware that due to previous engagements with other clients that the work would be broken down into stages based on our availability. We always respected our engagements only to find the door locked and no one home and to find rooms in which we were to install flooring still full of furniture after being told that they would be cleared out the night before.
We have at no time collected money for work that was not done. In fact there are many repairs that were done which remain un-invoiced.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Regards,
Shawn Lafleur
Essette Construction
514-886-2422
Royce in Montreal
Posted: Jun 2 2010
4.5 /
5 
Shawn and his painter from Essette did a great job on building a new wall to block off a room in my condo. He was very thorough for the estimate and gave great suggestions since I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted in terms of a window/door on the wall. Shawn was very friendly and professional throughout the whole project and kept me updated during its progress. His painter also did a fantastic job, with a flawless painting job! I would definitely recommend Essette for anyone needing construction done at a fair price and in an efficient manner.
Ronald in Wendover
Posted: Apr 13 2010
4.5 /
5 
Shawn Lafleur from Essette Construction did a great job on our backsplash for our kitchen. His work was detailed, meticulous and thorough - a true professional. We would have no hesitation in requesting Shawn and Essette Construction for any future home improvement jobs at our property. Thanks Shawn.
Dave Syme