COMPLAINT: Joan Butzine, Schaumburg, Ill.

I hired Hitec Group Inc. to perform a complete kitchen and bathroom remodel. It was a very poor experience based on several aspects of the job. The tile work that was done in the kitchen and bath was just horrendous. I requested 1/16-inch grout line on the bathroom walls, and they gave me everything from 1/8-inch to 3/16-inch.

I had requested the tiles to be done in a diamond-shaped pattern, and no corners matched. The marble tile on the floor was very uneven.

I advised the owner that I was unhappy. He agreed to redo the bathroom floor, but he was hesitant to redo the wall due to the price of tile. He came up with several excuses to justify the quality of the work.

There also were unfinished edges on the crown molding. When it was brought to his attention, he stated that he would redo the work, but that it would just look worse. He was also supposed to use waterproof drywall in the bathroom, but instead used green board, which is not waterproof.

For the kitchen flooring, he put down brown paper over the newly laid tiles, so I could not see the quality of this job in the beginning. It appeared to be a good job until I removed the paper and realized that the tile was yet again uneven.

The cabinets were also installed incorrectly. Two cabinets are 1/4-inch higher than all of the others. The cabinets are also nicked.

He refuses now to come back and redo the faulty work. He also has been unable to supply receipts, saying that it would be too complicated since he purchased materials for other projects in addition to my own.

DESIRED RESOLUTION: I would like a refund of $3,679.

STATUS: Penalty Box

Chicago Penalty Box

1st Choice Painting Company
[Glendale Heights]

Didn't respond to Anna Simeon's request to replace a shutter she says is missing from her home painting project.

Hitec Group Inc.

Didn't respond to Joan Butzine's request for a refund for remodeling work to her kitchen and bathroom that she says was uneven and shoddy.

Rightway Blacktop Paving

Didn't follow up on Michael Longo's request to fix defects he says he found in the paving job performed on his driveway.

Carpet Mill Outlet [Morton Grove]

Failed to respond to Claire McCormack's request to correct errors made on the installation of carpet on stairs, or else refund $400.

All Appliance Repair Co.

Never responded to Kalajine Anigbogu's request to fix a noise problem with her refrigerator that she says started after the company handled another problem with the unit.

Glazy Tub

Didn't respond to Cathaline Gray Carter's request to honor the seven-year warranty on the glazing in her bathtub.

Earth Inc.

Didn't respond to Femi Oyesanya's request to pick up 10 cubic yards of unusable soil she says was left in her yard and to refund the price of the soil.

Fletcher Jones Automotive Enterprises

Failed to respond to Kathlyn Johnson's request for a refund for repairs she believes might have been unnecessary, as well as for the cost of a rental car and towing her car to a new service provider.