Blue Dolphin Restoration

Do you work for this business? Unlock this free profile to update company info and see who's viewing your profile.

• By Harvey L.

  October 2, 2023

  We had a small kitchen leak which damaged about 12' of cabinets by the kitchen sink. Our plumber recommended Blue Dolphin to do the cleanup and restoration and to work with our USAA Insurance company. We have not had any leaks or claims for over 24 years and we are super seniors (my husband is 89, I am 76). Greg, with Blue Dolphin, arrived and assured us that they would take care of everything. He had me initial on a little tablet or phone that I agreed to let Blue Dolphin represent us in our claim and to do the cleanup and teardown of our damaged cabinets. He did not mention the fees or other stimulations in the agreement. I was not able to view the document until I printed it out the following day. It turned out to be a Work Authorization and Direct Payment Agreement. They required that we get asbestos testing because they said it was required when you file a homeowners insurance claim. Our home was built in 1997 and has no asbestos, but that test cost $1650. Luckily, our insurance covered that cost. Greg and Kevin, from Blue Dolphin, came on Monday to discuss the claim and damage. Kevin assured me that we would not have to pay for any of the repair costs because they work directly with USAA and that everything would be covered after our $5,000 deductible. They put several hot fans in the house to dry the wood. We were given an estimate from Blue Dolphin of $17,050.80 to rebuild our damaged cabinets and to paint all the cabinets and the kitchen and the adjoining family room. This estimate was overblown and insurance approved it for $15,400. When we initially signed up with Blue Dolphin we were requested to pay $1,000 towards the rebuild as a deposit. That deposit would be forfeited if we didn't agree with the written contract for the rebuild. They wanted the entire $17,000 for the rebuild of our 12 feet of lower cabinets and the painting. When I questioned the very high cost, Jim, one of the owners of Blue Dolphin reminded me several times that he needed his 20% profit for his company. I told him that our son just purchased all new cabinets for his entire kitchen for $7,000 and he told me that the doors would probably fall off within a few years. He was very insulting.
  Blue Dolphin sent in 3 different claims to USAA for payment of the cleanup and removal of our cabinets. They started out asking for $7795, then lowered it to $6,719 and finally lowered it to $5573.47. USAA paid off the claim in the amount of $4004.39. Included in their charges was $1,544.23 for Personal Protective Equipment (PPT) - like hazmat suits. Our claims adjuster said it was being billed like a sewer leak, not a Class C kitchen leak that didn't even include water on the floor. He stated that is was in no way, shape or form warranted for the leak we had. My husband did not see Blue Dolphin workers in hazmat suits, but the company claims they have photos of them in PPT. Our agent said that $1500 would cover suits for about 30 people. USAA refuses to pay that charge. Now Blue Dolphin is threatening to put a lien on our home for the $1569.08 not paid by our insurance. They received $4004.39 from USAA plus $1,000 from us that we had to forfeit because there was no way that we would use them for the rebuild.
  Beware of this company that promises one thing and then over bills for repairs and reconstruction. Just last week Kevin Gomez, the Operations Manager assured me that we wouldn't be billed for any thing and then, Jim Caller issued the invoice for payment and the threat of a lien. I filed a complaint with the BBB. Blue Dolphin is rated C with the BBB. I would never recommend this company.

  Read more
• By Lauren H.

  August 13, 2020

  Super nice guys. Very professional and bent over backwards to make things work and had great workmanship.