ARES-2K Asbestos Removal & Environmental Services

remove asbestos in one of my commercial property 700sf reasonable prices…

Summary: Ares 2K drastically under-​performed, under-​bid and was over schedule (by double/​100% over) in our residential popcorn ceiling removal project. His poor workmanship costed us twice as much as originally anticipated (by an additional $ 6K+) by having to hire a second contractor to come in and completely re-​float and re-​texture our entire ceiling. We solicited 4 opinions from experienced contractors to come in and complete the job and every contractor could not believe Ares 2K’s poor workmanship and unprofessional behavior in leaving our house in the condition it was in. The poor attention to detail in the removal and disposal of all asbestos-​containing material was alarming and put our family, our neighbors and his workers at risk of exposure and contamination.
Details:
Here are some details as to why I am discouraging potential customers from using Ares 2K’s services.
Context for reader: Ares 2K (owner «CW») claim they are a licensed Asbestos Abatement and Asbestos Transporter contractor by the state of Texas. Our house contained an above average amount of Asbestos (average is ~3%, ours contained ~10%) in a tested sample. That said, our goal was to hire what we thought was a contractor that would re-​texture our ceilings but pay special attention to the removal and disposal of the hazardous material in a professional manner. Before we signed the contract, CW told us that he would ensure every wall, floor, fixture and closet would be tightly sealed with plastic to minimize contamination throughout the house. He also told us he would use an industrial-​grade ventilation system to further minimize contamination for the health and safety of our family and his workers.
1. Poor aesthetic/​appearance at completion
— Orange peel texture was inconsistent and dis-​colored (not enough mud was used) across the house
— Multiple corners and spots where original popcorn texture was left and spackled over
— Light fixtures and smoke alarms were painted over, instead of being taken down
— Windows and window sills had an excessive amount of residual paint
— Some wall fixtures were un-​installed, then re-​installed in a worse condition
— Doors around the house were chipped and paint on doors were damaged
2. Poor attention to health/​safety
— Asbestos-​containing popcorn texture remained on ceiling and was spackled over*
— Asbestos-​containing popcorn texture was found in our closets, our outdoor city waste bins and our front lawn (verified by professional asbestos cleaning service hired after second contractor finished the job)*
— Workers did not wear protective haz mat suits to minimize exposure to asbestos, as CW had promised
3. Poor professionalism during and after project
— CW under-​bid the project, causing his team to rush, cut corners and work all through the night without sleep (contributing to poor workmanship)
— Project schedule slipped 3 – 4 times and ended up taking roughly twice the amount of time as originally bid (from 1.5 days to 3 days) even with multiple corners cut and his team working all through the night
— CW and his team drastically under-​performed (see points 1 and 2 above)
— Additional scope of work realized throughout the project was poorly communicated and poorly managed
— CW realized his workmanship was very poor, saying «you only have a few more years in this house anyway»
— CW would not return any calls, voicemails, text messages or demand letters (from lawyer) sent to request assistance in fixing or returning our ceilings to a normal condition
It was our mistake in paying CW in full at the end of the project when we should have withheld payment until the ceilings were completed to our expectations. At the time, we just wanted CW and Ares 2K out of our lives. Lesson learned.
* I will be filing an official complaint with the state of Texas against his Asbestos Transporter license. In Texas, contractors are not required to have a license to perform residential asbestos abatement. If that was a requirement for licensure, I would be filing a complaint against that license as well.