Paradise Restoration

I had an emergency black mold issue in a Condo on Maui. Coming from a cold climate originally, I had no knowledge of the restoration process or what it entailed. John (owner) estimated the job to take 2 weeks totalling $9000. The invoice I was required to sign before he began any work listed labour as a bulk total of $7000, with no breakdown. John was very secretive about the entire process and did not outline a 2 week plan. Removal took one day and treatment of the contained area took a few hours. The area was then left to dry over the weekend. The entire remediation process took a total of 43 man hours, which was not disputed by John during our final discussion.

Upon completion I approached John about the 7000$ labour cost. I assumed he originally thought the mold was much worse than it was, and he would adjust the initial labour estimate. John refused to adjust the amount claiming 'that's just how much it costs' and 'you already signed it.' I reminded him he was billing at $162 per hour and originally he said it would take 2 weeks not 3 days. He assured me that was simply how the business works.

I sent John's 'breakdown-less' labour invoice to my insurance company as they were covering the damage. My insurance adjuster located on the island immediately responded advising me to ask the contractor for a breakdown of the labour cost. I sent this request to John and he responded "We do not work with insurance companies." I realized this is not 'simply how the business works,' but a typical case of a scam artist with elementary invoices.

I DO NOT recommend this company or the work of John, unless you would like to pay $9000 for the removal of 227 square feet of drywall. Our insurance adjuster, who has been in the business on the island for 25 years, explained the labour cost should never be $7000 for 43 hours. When a contractor is unable to explain how he arrived at the numbers on his invoice, I advise all future costumers to run the other direction.