Pheonix Contracting

(note: I noticed the mis-spelling of Phoenix here and the bad review which is why I am reposting here.)

We recently worked with Roger Varette on a small siding job at our home. We had previously been delayed by a contractor who kept us waiting for 5 weeks.

We needed work done quickly as we had been delayed by another contractor. Roger sped up the process by asking for pictures to get a general idea as to what was required. He was ready to get to work within 48 hours.

He had some transportation issues so we were concerned the delays would immediately start (we're used to that with contractors) Instead, I was pleasantly surprised by a call saying "I'm here". He checked the colours of siding and his eye for the color was extremely good, especially just from two pictures.

He had both walls done in less than 6 hours and the results were perfect to what we needed. He was great. He offered suggestions on other areas, gave us time if we wanted to replace lighting, cleaned up after himself and his pricing was great.

He delivered exactly what he promised, fast, easy and proactive! I would not hesitate to recommend him for this type of work!

The contractor, Roger Varette, presents himself under various company names (my experience is in the Ottawa market) including Bytown Property Developments and Phoenix Contracting. He marketed a roofing system for more than 2 years to us, dragged into it an honest partner who is not a roofing expert, fooled the roofing system company into presenting a credible front for a large roofing job. After 13 weeks on the job with never a full day - nor weekend - worked, he walked away from the "2 weeks, 3 weeks at most" job leaving us on the brink of winter with a heavily exposed roof, and a system installed completely wrong, as confirmed by the supplier of the roofing system. What he spent 13 weeks installing must now be mostly removed if we can find a roofing crew at this late date, and everything re-installed with a great deal of wasted materials, or the roof will have to be alternatively sealed over and protected for the winter so that the project can be re-started in the Spring. I could find no reviews on this contractor prior to signing a contract - and a contract and invoices were provided; so now having found this one, I want to confirm for the sake of others looking to hire him that this contractor is a smooth talker with enough experience and knowledge to cement your belief that he knows what he is doing. His pricing is competitive - not cut-throat or low-balling - so there are no clues on that basis that you are financing a fraud whose only interest is in taking as much money out of the project until you will no longer advance on payments, and then walk away leaving the job incomplete and the owner with the larger problem of having it resolved by somebody else.

This company is a preditor. Do not trust it with your mothers or fathers. A very courteous and persuasive person will come and convince your elderly parent(s) that work needs to be done to their house. He starts with small things around $200 then moves to $2,000 to $5,000 per activity. He determines the "price tolerance level" and keeps going back. Our parents live in houses that tend to be older. There is always something that can be done to fix it up. The list is endless, and so is his presence. He is convincing, persistent and intimidating. Even when your parent tells him that there is no more money to spend on the house, he convinces him/her that the work is necessary. If your parent has to go to the bank to withdraw money, he will be there in the parking lot to get it from him or her. He does not provide written quotations nor invoices -- it's all cash up front, on the honour system. Yes, the work is done (at high cost and not necessarily right away) so it is not outright fraud. But when he runs through the most obvious things, he creates others. Without permission, he will inspect the roof to show that work needs to be done. He will dig holes around the foundation to expose cracks that need repair. He will not leave an elderly client alone, even when they say enough is enough. No, he is back convincing him or her that further work is essential. My father has spent $70,000 on structural work that cannot be seen. But he is afraid that if he complains, this person will come back and harm the property and/or him. I am calling the police before my father is rendered impoverished.