My husband and I were given Michael Hicks name by another worker who had completed excellent work on our house as he had worked with him on previous occasions. Our usual worker was not qualified to complete roofing work but assured us that Michael Hicks was. Michael Hicks attended our home and assured us that he had the necessary legal licenses to complete the work. He also provided us with some samples of roofing materials for us to pick the color of the shingle.
Michael gave us a very reasonable quote, which in hindsight should have been a red flag, but because he came highly recommended from someone we trusted and appeared knowledgable and friendly, we decided to hire his services. Michael informed us that he needed to pay for the shingle upfront, so we agreed to give him a 4k deposit. This was also to include the necessary permits that he would file with the township. Michael gave us a receipt for these monies.
A couple of weeks passed and Michael began to give us some excuses regarding the ordering of the shingles. Initially, he said that he had ordered them and that they were awaiting pick up. Further texts and phonecalls between us and Michael appeared to confirm this. We began to try and negotiate a start date for the work. Michael informed us that because the roof would be exposed he would need approximately two days of good weather.
At the time the weather was varied for approximately 3 weeks but we kept in touch with Mike through text and email. We began to think that something may be wrong when we did settle on a good weather date and he didnt turn up with no explanation or phonecall. This happened a further 3 times which began to ring further alarm bells. Mike would give a variety of excuses relating to other jobs taking longer than expected or being called away onto other matters.
At this point (in August 2017) the weather was forecast to be good for at least a week. Unfortunately, it was also the week of our annual vacation. Mike reassured us that he could do with work without us being present as he did not have to enter the home. We informed Mike we also had a house sitter who knew about the work and would be there if he did need to enter the property.
On return from our vacation we were informed that Mike had not arrived to complete the work, nor had he called us or texted to to explain or reschedule. We called him and he informed us that his sister had died and that he had had to travel out of state to be with family as it was a sudden death. We felt sorry for Mike as he gave us a rather elaborate story and almost squeezed out a few tears on the phone. We again agreed to reschedule.
After this point, there began what can only be described as a game of at and mouse between us and Mike. He would not turn up, we would call him, and then we would rearrange, repeatedly. In one phonecall my husband decided to call Mike out and put it to him that he did not have the shingle or the money and to start being honest with us.
Mike then admitted that he did not have the money and that he had spent it without ordering the shingle or obtaining the permits. Mike gave us a story that he was a recovering alcoholic and had fallen off the waggon and gone on a binge that had resulted in him being kicked out of his home, and hospitalized. At this point we didnt really believe him. My husband and Mike made an arrangement for Mike to pay the money back in 500 dollar installments on a weekly basis as we did not want to kick a man when he was down. Mike then agreed to do this, but on several occasions, for several weeks, did not show up with any money and did not ring or text to explain. When my husband did manage to get him on the phone he repeatedly assured us that 'I wont rip you off, you will get your money back.'
My husband said 'well I will come round yoour house then and Mike didnt seem to mind as he said 'I dont live there anymore.'
More and more phonecalls followed. Mike then stopped answering his phone all together when we called. We later found out that this man has an extensive history of petty illegal activity and civil suits filed against him for what we suspect are similar issues. We also discovered that Mike is not licensed to complete the work he says he is licensed for and pretty much lives his life off the grid so that it is difficult to find him, or pin him down to discuss the issue further.
At this stage (December 2017) it is clear that Mike has washed his hands of us and has not intention of paying us back or making contact. Nothing is in his name and all his work is completed as cash so he doesnt leave a paper trail. We suspect we are not the first people that he has done this to, nor will we be the last as we know know he is very skilled at ripping people off and appears to have many of his bases covered.
Mike currently owes us 4k and thinks he has gotten away with it. His contempt for us is disgusting and I am writing this report that some future employer of Mike's or potential client reads this and DOES NOT employ his services.
Michael P Hicks Reviews
My husband and I were given Michael Hicks name by another worker who had completed excellent work on our house as he had worked with him on previous occasions. Our usual worker was not qualified to complete roofing work but assured us that Michael Hicks was. Michael Hicks attended our home and assured us that he had the necessary legal licenses to complete the work. He also provided us with some samples of roofing materials for us to pick the color of the shingle.
Michael gave us a very reasonable quote, which in hindsight should have been a red flag, but because he came highly recommended from someone we trusted and appeared knowledgable and friendly, we decided to hire his services. Michael informed us that he needed to pay for the shingle upfront, so we agreed to give him a 4k deposit. This was also to include the necessary permits that he would file with the township. Michael gave us a receipt for these monies.
A couple of weeks passed and Michael began to give us some excuses regarding the ordering of the shingles. Initially, he said that he had ordered them and that they were awaiting pick up. Further texts and phonecalls between us and Michael appeared to confirm this. We began to try and negotiate a start date for the work. Michael informed us that because the roof would be exposed he would need approximately two days of good weather.
At the time the weather was varied for approximately 3 weeks but we kept in touch with Mike through text and email. We began to think that something may be wrong when we did settle on a good weather date and he didnt turn up with no explanation or phonecall. This happened a further 3 times which began to ring further alarm bells. Mike would give a variety of excuses relating to other jobs taking longer than expected or being called away onto other matters.
At this point (in August 2017) the weather was forecast to be good for at least a week. Unfortunately, it was also the week of our annual vacation. Mike reassured us that he could do with work without us being present as he did not have to enter the home. We informed Mike we also had a house sitter who knew about the work and would be there if he did need to enter the property.
On return from our vacation we were informed that Mike had not arrived to complete the work, nor had he called us or texted to to explain or reschedule. We called him and he informed us that his sister had died and that he had had to travel out of state to be with family as it was a sudden death. We felt sorry for Mike as he gave us a rather elaborate story and almost squeezed out a few tears on the phone. We again agreed to reschedule.
After this point, there began what can only be described as a game of at and mouse between us and Mike. He would not turn up, we would call him, and then we would rearrange, repeatedly. In one phonecall my husband decided to call Mike out and put it to him that he did not have the shingle or the money and to start being honest with us.
Mike then admitted that he did not have the money and that he had spent it without ordering the shingle or obtaining the permits. Mike gave us a story that he was a recovering alcoholic and had fallen off the waggon and gone on a binge that had resulted in him being kicked out of his home, and hospitalized. At this point we didnt really believe him. My husband and Mike made an arrangement for Mike to pay the money back in 500 dollar installments on a weekly basis as we did not want to kick a man when he was down. Mike then agreed to do this, but on several occasions, for several weeks, did not show up with any money and did not ring or text to explain. When my husband did manage to get him on the phone he repeatedly assured us that 'I wont rip you off, you will get your money back.'
My husband said 'well I will come round yoour house then and Mike didnt seem to mind as he said 'I dont live there anymore.'
More and more phonecalls followed. Mike then stopped answering his phone all together when we called. We later found out that this man has an extensive history of petty illegal activity and civil suits filed against him for what we suspect are similar issues. We also discovered that Mike is not licensed to complete the work he says he is licensed for and pretty much lives his life off the grid so that it is difficult to find him, or pin him down to discuss the issue further.
At this stage (December 2017) it is clear that Mike has washed his hands of us and has not intention of paying us back or making contact. Nothing is in his name and all his work is completed as cash so he doesnt leave a paper trail. We suspect we are not the first people that he has done this to, nor will we be the last as we know know he is very skilled at ripping people off and appears to have many of his bases covered.
Mike currently owes us 4k and thinks he has gotten away with it. His contempt for us is disgusting and I am writing this report that some future employer of Mike's or potential client reads this and DOES NOT employ his services.