Hughes Contracting

My experience was very similar to Charles' and Jane's experiences. The addition to our house took twice as long as it was supposed to. What's even worse is the criminal over charging and the horrible quality of workmanship. One of my biggest regrets in life is paying that final invoice because at the time I was so fed up with Hughes and just wanted to be done with him and his crew.

There are two things in particular that need to be shared. One week, Jay went to the beach and had his crew pour the cement for our new car port. The cement didn't show up until midweek but there were 7 workers lazing about for the entire week. He billed me for $2,000 in labor for a simple concrete pad, stating that they worked on it for days when it was really only 1 day (and it did not require 7 workers, either). Thankfully, I work from home and was able to witness firsthand the lack of actual work. And when I contested this with Jay, he didn't deny it and then adjusted the invoice.

But the worst offense by far was when the new bamboo flooring was installed. He completely scammed me on it and left me with a horrible floor that had massive gaps on the day they left. I'm talking about many gaps that you can put a credit card through, and some that were even nearing 1/4". He then charged me $8,000 for the flooring even though the material was $2.50/ft and the new room was less than 500 square feet. I should never have paid him for this and I frankly should have taken him to court over it. I tried for years to get him to make it right and he always deflected those attempts. Every time I clean that floor I am haunted by this (Charles nailed the feeling perfectly).

Avoid Jay Hughes at all costs.

I am writing this review to caution anyone considering hiring Hughes Contracting. I wish I had read the review by Charles G first. I had had a previous spec house building experience in 2000 that was extremely good. In hindsight my big mistake was not vetting Hughes Contracting as my current experience was completely the opposite. I signed a contract with Hughes in June of 2017 to build a custom house and the end date was March 28, 2018. Due to poor scheduling, communication, oversight and countless delays I am still working to finish construction and complete many repairs due to poor quality work. The first red flag occurred in early July 2017 when with one days' notice Hughes called to say he could not meet the foundation contractor. He asked would I meet with him since Hughes had to go to the beach. This became a pattern of moving meeting times with me or contractors due to Hughes over scheduling. By November 2017 the framing was still incomplete and not the quality I expected. I was so frustrated I began to take over the building of my house by bidding, contracting and paying many sub-contractors needed to finish the build. I had hired Hughes so I would not have to be involved with contracting but with countless delays and broken promises I had completely lost trust in Hughes. I was also extremely fearful of the total lack of concern for the budget and the mismanagement of our money. Most of the completed work at that time was over budget as much as 30%. Hughes response was a refrain that any overage could be made up with the rest of the build. And, any repair could be made at the end. I also had the shocking realization when at the end of the build I needed a final as is survey to obtain the CO. The surveyor told me he could not do any more work until the last invoice is paid. I had paid that invoice to Hughes Contracting in August of 2017 ten months prior! Weeks after moving into the house on May 30, 2018 I was verbally presented a cost overrun amount due of just under $18,000. I requested an itemized invoice which I never received. I disputed Hughes accounting. We ended up in arbitration unresolved until November 2018. During this time Hughes placed a lien on the house and I could not obtain a mortgage or perform any work which led to another delay totaling 5 months. The final disturbing event occurred during the arbitration proceedings when I had to correct statements from Hughes who numerous times distorted the truth while under oath. My mistrust was warranted. I wish I had never hired them or totally terminated the contract in November 2017. This is my first negative review. By relaying my experience my goal is to alert anyone considering Hughes to fully vet before entering into a contract that could be the beginning of a nightmare as it was for me and Charles G. In summary my recent experience with Hughes Contracting was that they over promise and under deliver the poor quality of service they are selling.