DSS Design Group is a general contracting company with over 40 years of experience in planning, designing and delivering construction services for a wide range of establishments throughout the Greater Toronto Area. As a company built entirely on referrals, DSS Design has established a solid reputation as being a customer-focused company dedicated to read more...
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Worst experience with a contractor, and I've dealt with >30 contractors over four major renos.
Stan Seto took a $3,700 downpayment from me over a process that lasted 6 months. He wasted my time, failed to provide what I needed (ie, storage space that was essential for me to fully move into my place) and left me living in limbo.
After hundreds of texts and calls, during which I felt that he was stringing me along, he ultimately failed to deliver anything.
I would avoid DSS Design Group (BIN# 1000319769; OCN# 2732143) and Stan Seto (peeltrim@gmail.com) at all costs.
Please don’t make the same mistake I made. Whenever dealing with a new contractor, demand references (ie, past clients) and check them. Get a formal contract. Always get an official receipt when handing over a downpayment.
Here's a timeline of what happened:
• April 4, 2023 – Stan provided an informal quote via email (screenshot included). He also visited and discussed the work. I accepted the quote. Stan began working on filling the order before receiving downpayment because he was too busy to come by a second time right away.
• May 5, 2023 - Stan came by for a second visit and took a 50% downpayment—$3,700 in cash (screenshot of SMS confirmation included). He also requested that I provide him with final measurements of the space, which I did.
• Mid-May 2023 – The projected project completion date on the quote. This date came and went.
• June, July 2023 – Over this period, I had many conversations with Stan about issues with the wood stain, dimensions of the units and painting. Apparently, the units needed to be rebuilt twice. Once because of an issue with the dimensions (I’m really not sure what the issue was, as he never came back to our place to measure anything! This was strange and seemed unprofessional). The second time was due to his team painting them incorrectly.
• Mid-August 2023 – Stan indicates the units are done and can be delivered.
• August to November – Over this three-month period, I sent Stan 97 texts inquiring about delivery and installation. His various responses provided various delivery windows that came and went, while relaying issues with his installation guy. After demanding that the process be moved forward, he searched for other installers, who also never delivered the product.
• Mid November – I let him know that I would like to cancel my order and asked for my downpayment back. I’m am now waiting for him to return my downpayment.
Painful Experience and Lesson Learned:
Recently I engaged a contractor for a small bathroom vanity, mirror and lighting replacement project for my 87-yr old Mother's residence. Project was quoted and negotiated as a cash sale and had great faith in Stan.
Initially the vanity and lighting replacement portion went well and cash payment was provided. The final piece of small project was mirror replacement and due to special measurements, contractor was dealing with a glass co to special cut the mirror. Initially we were advised that glass co's cutter was down and no word as to when cutter would be serviced and ready for pick up and install.
Since then we have been attempting to obtain an update on install and continued to hear from Stan that checking in with Steve (not certain if an employee or not?) however never got a date. Finally this week, after so many text messages and no response via tel phone, a refusal to respond from Stan. Not certain what has occurred with Stan and DSS Design Group, however this cut off in communication is horrific service and terribly stressed out an 87-year old woman, who has money taken without job completion.
Shame on them and supposing I will never hear back?
In the mean time I have had to go to another source to complete the mirror replacement. While this is a small amount of money my Mother is out, never the less it did not diminish the stress caused, especially when we have guests coming from out of town this weekend.
Please stay clear of Stan Seto on your small jobs. While DSS Design Group's website claims their three core values are Integrity, Expertise and Leadership, my experience is failure on all.
Purchased a home and the backyard was bad. The stone deck had weeds three feet high growing, grass dead and a shed falling apart.
Stan listened and came up with a budget to fit our needs. The new deck looks fantastic and the flower bed along the fence plus new grass. He also set up lighting outside to make everything look fantastic.
After hiring several different people do renovate, Stan is definitely the best and most honest. His budget is also precise.
Stan and Jeff from DSS just finished the deck in our backyard. We met with three contractors before settling on DSS. We informed Stan at the first meeting that there is a comfort level with him and his team as our "would be contractor". He promised to do a good and timely job. He lived up to his promise, despite the constraints imposed by the Covid 19 pandemic which limited the availability of lumber wood. He went the extra step to travel as necessary to procure the lumber.
All said, we are very happy with the work done. We are already arranging some other project with DSS. We will recommend Stan and his crew at DSS without reservation.
We did a bathroom/ kitchen Reno with DSS recently with a full demo. I must say the quality of work and service is impeccable. These guys were awesome- they showed up when they said they would, finished their work early as per schedule. They also did a great job on trim work. Through communication with the lead guy, they also saved me a ton of money on sourcing/ picking out materials.
I’m just amazed at what these guys do. I would hire them again on my next projects as they are my first and only choice.
DSS has a TrustScore™ of 2.1. The average TrustScore™ for other businesses providing similar services in Brampton and the surrounding areas is 2.8. For detailed information on how TrustScore is calculated, click here to learn more.
The following elements are used to calculate TrustScore:
Customer Reviews | Last 12 Months | All Time |
---|---|---|
Total Received | 2 | 6 |
Approved | 2 | 6 |
Unverified | 0 | 0 |
Suspicious | 0 | 0 |
Overall Rating | 1.6/5 | 3.8/5 |
Complaints Received | Last 12 Months | Last 3 Years |
---|---|---|
Suppliers & Creditors | 0 | 0 |
Employees & Sub-Contractors | 0 | 0 |
Questionable Affiliation/Association | |
---|---|
Busines Name(s) | Millstone and Associates / Mississauga (Rated 1 / 5) |
Transparency | |
---|---|
Posted License Information | Available upon request |
Posted Liability Insurance | Not yet provided |
Posted Workers Compensation | Yes |
Company Website | Yes |
Social Media Profiles | Not yet provided |
Endorsed by Peers | Not yet endorsed |
In Business Since | 1990 |
Member of TrustedPros Since | 2019 |
TrustedPros does not validate certain information provided by contractors and vendors in conjunction with the creation or maintenance of their profile and we cannot endorse or guarantee the performance of any contractor. TrustScores are provided for informational purposes only. We urge you to use the TrustScore™ in conjunction with the tips provided in our Hiring Guide to maximize the probability of hiring the best professional for you project.
DSS Design Group is a general contracting company with over 40 years of experience in planning, designing and delivering construction services for a wide range of establishments throughout the Greater Toronto Area. As a company built entirely on referrals, DSS Design has established a solid reputation as being a customer-focused company dedicated to success.
DDS Design possesses the passion, expertise and know-how to seamlessly take any project from planning to execution. With a team of highly skilled tradesmen, we are able to manage multiple projects simultaneously without compromising quality. Over the years we have successfully completed a number of projects for commercial, industrial and residential clients including retail, health and wellness, professional, industrial and hospitality facilities.
We have worked with numerous companies such as Marriott Hotels, Nature Clean, The Sheraton, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Ryerson University and operates as a certified partner of Home Depot Pro Referral.
Main contact(s) | Stan Seto |
Affiliations or other locations: | Millstone and Associates / Mississauga (Rated 1 / 5) |
Listed with TrustedPros since: | 2019 |
Residential work | Yes |
Commercial work | Yes |
Warranty | We offer 1 year warranty on all work. |
Accepts credit cards | Yes |
Year established | 1990 |
Offers financing | No |
24 Hour emergency service | No |
Legal structure | Incorporated |
Licensing information | Licensing information available upon request |
Insurance information | Contact DSS to request insurance details. |
Check local laws pertaining to license requirements and verify license and insurance details provided by the contractor prior to hiring.
DSS has contributed 1 responses to the following questions posted in the 'Ask the Pros' forum