The Improvement Source

I hired The Improvement Source to replace shingles on my house this July. I trusted them to do this as I had hired them to also complete a full renovation on a basement suite for myself. As this was a small project, it was not hard to mess up. I asked it be completed while I was home from work but was in no rush to complete it. Mark showed up and was instantly in a big rush to get the roof started. He stripped one half of the roof in an afternoon. What I didn't know is that The Improvement Source hadn't done their homework and checked with suppliers about the accessibility of the shingles. My house sat for 3-4 days without shingles on it. Luckily enough, we didn't experience much rain over period so no hurt no foul right. I had to leave out of town for work and while I was away the replacement was finished. At that point Dedric demanded payment in full, even though eavestroughs were not completed. I requested a dedric invoice or receipt before I sent payment and he responded he would have to get that information from Mark. Eavestroughs were completed and payment was made. Receipt was never sent. I'd be hesitant hiring this company as communication is horrendous if at all. Ensure they provide all legal documentation before signing contract or providing deposit.

As Conrad from Edmonton says this individual CANNOT be trusted......there is a lot of information about him and his companies online and also quite the history of questionable dealings! He also filed for bankruptcy to the tune of $800,000.00 (also information online) and was turned down by the Judge who felt he was not a believable and honest person. Too bad we didn't do more research upfront. Conrad if you see this review, would you please get in touch with me.

He ripped me off and can't be trusted. - See article here for more info on this individual.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/bbb-ratings-queried-after-consumer-loses-money-to-a-contractor-1.2158674

I really appreciated The Improvement Source as they were timely with doing an estimate, which was competitive, and were always friendly and addressed concerns.

The painters were great guys and did a good job, cleaning up nicely and even leaving some extra paint for touch ups.

I would recommend them and use them again, for sure!

Brenda

I had Mr. Dedric Robinson of The Improvement Source in my home on June27, 2013 for an estimate to do removal of wall paper on my landing, to repair damages on my landing walls and other walls and to paint my landing, living room, hall way, 2 bedrooms, and master bath ( walls and ceilings). I got an estimate of $5565.00 from Mr. Robinson and gave him a $2500.00 deposit. Mr. Robinson told me the paint they used was Dulux Life master. The job was to start on Monday July 8, which it did. What a fiasco. a painter by the name of Greg Ricker showed up 1 hour late (both his helpers were waiting for him for and hour.) I could not get hold of Dedric or Gregg. It took 2 1/2 days and damage was done to my ceiling on my landing, the paint that was used was Glidden construction grade paint. No repairs were done and the paint job was poor quality (missed areas). These guys could not remove my spare phone and some storage bags I missed from my hall closet, they just painted over these items and on top of that, they did not even paint the top of the shelf in my hall closet. It is still the same colors as was originally on my walls. No clean up was done, they left my house in a mess. I tried phoning Mr. Robinson several times, got no response, After this Gregg Ricker left on Wednesday as to the very poor quality of job these painters did in my home. I took pictures of all the defects in the painting and have documented all emails sent to this man. It took many e mails to finally get a response from Mr. Robinson. He finally came to inspect the paint job on Monday, July 15, 2013 and did admit that is was poor and revised the estimate for total repair and repainting at that time. I have not heard from the man since then. He does not respond to any of my emails. I have now put in a complaint with the BBB and am in the process of getting estimates from other more reputable painters and Dry wallers, to have the work done properly and professionally. I will be taking this to small claims court if the BBB can not get a total refund of my deposit from this man.

I would warn people away from this Company. They are not reliable or professional. If you need work done do not use this company. Your are better off doing it yourself, wont cost you as much and you would probably do a much better job than I got.

On July 2nd, 2013 I contacted Dedric Robinson of the Improvement Source to do some bathroom plumbing. I asked that he install a tub, and move some vanity lines. I originally requested that he do this by the end of that week (July 5th the latest), as I was having help come to install tile. He said that yes, he could do the work, but would require a $400 deposit to secure the time in their schedule and for any parts costs they may incur during the work. I was wary about giving him money before work was done, and sent him an email about my concerns. He replied that it was standard for his company to do so, and so I email-transfered the money to him. During this correspondence, I asked him if he had accredited plumbers working for him, as his website suggested they do mostly drywall and painting. He told me yes, an accredited plumber would be doing my work.

Friday the 5th of July came, and no one came to do the work. I tried contacting him numerous times to see what was happening, but could not reach him. Later that day, I was contacted by one of his so-called plumbers, who said he would come on Sunday to do the assess the work. This employee came Sunday, and took some measurements. He told me he would do the work Monday evening. This "plumber" did not arrive Monday evening, and so I called him on Tuesday. He told me he no longer felt comfortable doing the work as he was not really a plumber. He told me a plumber from the company would contact me to do the work.

It wasn't until later that week (July 11 or there around) that I was contacted by another employee of the company, who said he was a plumber who would come to do the work on evening that Friday. I agreed with this employee that I would leave work that Friday around noon to meet him to assess the project (once again). He texted me that Friday at approximately 11 am, and told me he was on the other side of the city and probably couldn't make it for noon. When I didn't hear back from him by 1:30 or so, I texted this employee to see if he was still coming, and I have yet to hear back from him. It is now July the 27th.

During all this time, I have attempted to contact Dedric numerous times by phone, text and email. I have left multiple messages on his phone requesting the return of my $400. I have told him that I no longer wanted his services. When I did not hear back from him, I wrote him a lengthy email explaining that I would be filing a complaint with the BBB if he didn't return the money in 2 days. I also told him I would give him horrendous reviews on all the websites I possibly could. Even after all this, I have yet to hear back from him. As far as I'm concerned, he has pretty much stolen $400 from me. I have now filed a complaint with the BBB (Case # 1649509).

I wish I had as good an experience as some of the other reviews, but unfortunately for me, I have not.

Based upon the positive reviews on this site, I contacted Dedric about a drywall taping job. We met on June 24 and agreed to on a contract and price, for which I paid a 50% deposit. I was contacted the next day by a contractor and work was scheduled to start on June 27.

No one showed up and calls to Dedric went straight to voice mail.

(COMMON THEME - PHONE CALLS ARE NEVER ANSWERED, ALWAYS STRAIGHT TO VOICE MAIL AND SOMETIMES UNABLE TO LEAVE MESSAGE - BOTH PHONE NUMBERS)

Yes, it was the long weekend, but calls were made June 27/28, July 1/2 before I received a call back, only after threatening to contact the Better Business Bureau due to lack of communication.

Dedric said that he could not get a hold of the contractor and that he would try to find someone else. On July 4, I had two contractors contact me about starting the job, one who came to look at work site. I confirmed with one to start on July 8 and left a voice mail for Dedric that he might have an issue with his contractors about who would be doing the work.

The contractor who was supposed to start on July 8 left a note for me stating that he was unable to open the door despite being provided with a working code for a keyless entry door. Rescheduled with him for work to start on July 12.

Contractor does not show up on July 12 and communicates to me that Dedric or Mike (business partner?) will send someone else. I am upset with the situation but at least this contractor would communicate with me promptly. Voice mails to Dedric on July 12/13/15 receive no reply until, AGAIN, I state that my next call would be to the BBB.

After my voice mail on July 15 @ 5:45 PM with BBB threat, Dedric calls me back and tells me that he can have someone start July 16. I give him a chance and he tells me that he will call me in the morning with an ETA. I state to Dedric that it is very difficult to get a hold of him and he gives me his direct cell number. I call it a few minutes after our conversation to request a copy of the work contract because I still don't have it and multiple previous calls did not produce it, and I get directed to voice mail, which is the only time I can leave a message since calls to the cell number since tell me that I am unable to leave a voice message.

NO CALL RECEIVED FROM DEDRIC ON JULY 16.

I receive a call July 16 @ 4:45 PM from a different contractor who tells me he will be at my house July 17 @ 10:00 AM. He calls in the morning and shows up but he is not there to start the work. He looks at the work site (3rd person to do that - Dedric, other contractor, him) and tells me that he will get someone to start and he will call me. No call the rest of the day. I call and leave a voice mail and text him wanting to find out when work will start. He texts back and tells me he is waiting for a taper.

On July 18, I call Dedric (both phone numbers) and text at 8:05 AM. NO RESPONSE.

I receive a call from a different contractor, the taper, at 2:00 PM. 3 levels of separation (Dedric-contractor-taper) - SKETCHY! He tells me that he will be able to start July 19 and that he wants to come and look at the work site. I schedule for him to come later in the evening as I will be out of the house and he says will confirm with the job with the other contractor, who came to my house on July 17.

@ 6:40 PM, the taper calls me and tells me he is negotiating price with the contractor who is trying to get a hold of Dedric and that he is not confirmed to start the job. At 7:00 PM, I call Dedric (both numbers-no message on cell phone) and leave a message stating that I want to be contacted with when and where I can get a cheque for my money back. I also text his cell phone. NO RESPONSE BACK - so I have initiated a BBB complaint.

I would urge caution to anyone choosing to do business with Dedric. I found 4 different addresses for 'The Improvement Source' online.

Great guys and great service! Thanks so much for being straight up with price and timing! Highly recommend!

After a bit of a plumbing fiasco in March, we hired The Improvement Source to do the required repairs and renos after the Restoration guys did their thing. At first things seemed great, the quota was reasonable and things started to happen. Somewhere along the lines, things began to fall apart. We were being asked to pay at times that contradicted our contract, and the flooring in particular, was not done according to our appointed time frame. We are still waiting for our invoice as of this very second, which we need to finalize our claim from our insurance provider. We have called once a day for the last few days looking for resolution and to pay the final bit we need to pay but have not been afforded the courtesy of a return call. All in all, a very disappointing experience. Would not recommend to anyone that wants a quick resolution to a renovation need. It has dragged on for us for 3 months now and it is not even finished.

Did the job immediately, fast friendly & great work.

After having a hole cut in my ceiling due to water damage, I had a hard time finding anyone willing to do the repair, until I contacted The Improvement Source. Dedric was out for an estimate within a couple of days and the work was done only a couple days later. I had concerns that the patch would not match the rest of the ceiling, but after it was done, even knowing where the hole was, I cannot tell the difference. The work was done fast and with great quality. I would not hesitate to recommend The Improvement Source or hire them again.

Definitely recommend this company to anyone. They were prompt, and very professional. You are paying for quality here! Interested in trying them out for different projects should the need arise.

Dedric was very professional. He was always available to answer any questions I may have had. I love my new bedroom. I have recommended his company to my friends. I will use him for all my Reno needs. Very happy with him

Dedric and his team were professional from before I received a quotation until the last touch up was made. I feel like I received excellent value for my investment.