Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  04/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Youssef Y. from Student Works Painting led a piece of work to get the exterior of our house painted. This was meant to be completed by mid-July at the latest. We experienced repeated mishaps, no-shows, and meaningful damage to our property until we finally told Student Works to leave our property at the end of September (after three months of not being able to fully use our back yard). The Student Works team meaningfully damaged our roof, using various solvents and wire brushes, and they letft major splotches of white all over the roof. We used the roof repair company sent by Youssef and paid them out of the amount quoted he paint job....though the paint job was never finished, and further damage still needs to be repaired. Youssef then made threats to put a lien on our house and has created a massive amount of paperwork by trying to file a claim in the Small Claims Court (which clearly has no merit). Youssef did all this while refusing to answer calls. I have used many contractors over the years and pretty much everyone else I have ever used I can recommend. However, Youssef Y. and Student Works Painting is the worst I have ever seen or ever heard about. We remain hopeful that this is an issue with one bad operator and that the leaders of Student Works will take action and ensure we will be full refunded for costs and damages. To date, Patrick L. and Tyrus R. seem to have some integrity and my interactions suggest that they may indeed rise to the occasion. This has not happened yet, but if it does, I will be sure to adjust this post. I will attached as many pictures as I can for everyone to see the quality to expect

  Business response

  07/12/2023

  Student Works is currently in the process of conducting its own internal audit of the job. Unfortunately, due to the holiday season, some of the key management partners are away on vacation and cannot review the investigation in order to approve a resolution.
  
  Student Works will be providing a clear reply to the issues submitted by Youssef’s client **** as soon as we have conducted our internal and accurately assessed the claims of both parties in January.

  Thank you,

  Student Works

• Initial Complaint

  29/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Was quoted $1076.03 to complete siding painting on my property. Was told my work would be completed in early June during my April 23rd quote dated. After having to continually text for updates which usually no response (at one point blamed on this person camping) I had SW out to my property in August. I elected after speaking to the painters on property to not paint the vinyl quoted as it would warp, this was 2 sides of my home and represents 20% of the overall area to be painted. Once thé painter left after a short 5 hours I also discovered the entire back of my home. The largest surface (approx 55%)- not completed due to lack of appropriate équipement despite an on-site evaluation at time of quote. I was told despite these areas not being painted I still owed an additional $505 for the 25% of my property painted with one coat of paint. Touch ups from the previous years brick paint job done by a different Student Works franchisee were also to be completed and were not done. I have asked for a breakdown of how this $505 is càlculated and have yet to receive anything from Zach. Poor communication, terrible estimating, incomplete work and ********** as well as zero business acumen.

  Business response

  30/08/2023

  Zach was in communication with Sarah and from our understanding, the final payment has been issued in the contract has been completed.

• Initial Complaint

  14/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 30/06/23 I agreed to have my window frames painted and shutters stained for $2,300.00. Although students, I expected a professionally guided job yet they only hand buffed without much scraping, leaving a lot of areas that had to be redone. Afterwards, they power-washed the shutters which sprayed water and debris across the freshly painted frames. The owner could not provide any professional input regarding the desired look of the stain (knowing my concern about the end result). The worker appeared without my knowledge (the owner complained that he could not reach me for approvals yet I work from home!) and instead of showing me what the stain looked like on an indiscreet area, the student went ahead and did an entire shutter, admitting it was too orange. I told him the stain would have to be darkened. I was then told I would be charged for redoing the shutter and was instructed to go to the store myself to buy (or darken) a new stain. The store is a 30-minute drive away. I told the owner that if I have to go fetch the stain I may as well complete the job myself and get it done right. I was paying for a service and it was costing me time and grief so, the owner slightly adjusted the rate to compensate for my dissatisfaction. When I complained about the $530 expected to be paid for shutters not done, he said he would come to the store with me, complete the job, and inspect the peeling paint for the full balance owed. My son offered to get the stain and do the job due to sloppy work, lack of service, and no interest in client satisfaction. The owner explained that the fee for service was to cover his liability, insurance, infrastructure and reusable materials. These students are not trained or supervised and the owner knows nothing about paint or customer satisfaction. Clients think they are supporting students and pay way too much. The paint is already peeling yet the contract says the warranty must be requested by July 1 (one day after my agreement date).

  Business response

  16/08/2023

  We have been trying to get in contact now for some time to move forward with a solution without receiving a response. Our agreement states that we will brighten, scrape, sand (by hand to get in the cracks) and stain the shutters, we did follow those steps. We agree that power washing usually comes first. With all of the rain, we did it according to the weather and after seeing the issue we sanded again and redid a coat on the frames and washed the windows after. The worker arriving without your knowledge was not an intentional event, we called with no reply and the worker knocked with no reply, later on the same day the worker knocked and still got no reply and thought you were out of town. They decided to do the work of washing as we needed the windows open to do the painting. 
  
  As for the colour, we provided the colour that you requested but you did not like it. Therefore we can suggest potential options and will never choose the colour for the client as it is all based on personal opinion and our staff cannot choose a colour for you that you will like. After the application of the first colour, you expressed concern and we offered to go with you to the store to find a new colour. You were not open to this option and we cannot choose for you. We have been reaching out on multiple occasions throughout the project and this week with no response. 
  
  When we were made aware of potential peeling areas we offered to come back and take a look and are still open to this option.
  
  We value our clients and want to make sure that every one of them is fully satisfied, that includes you and your home and we would still like to come and finish the job at your earliest convenience. 

  Customer response

  16/08/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: as per our agreement re my availability and necessity to be present while labour is to be done at my home, I have been home as indicated. I have noted, the business owner consistently claims he cannot get in touch with me, which is inaccurate as I have absolutely no record of him leaving a phone message for me.  I had  informed the business owner that I have a landline and an answering machine that picks up if the line is in use. I work from home therefore often use my phone for business calls - something I explained more than once to him due to the nature of my work-from-home status. I also use my computer for zoom meetings. I have a doorbell, which was never activated. The business owner did not offer to bring me to the store to decide upon a new stain; he directed me to go there myself. * ** *** ********* **** ******** ***** ** ********* ** **** ** ********** *** *** ************* I want nothing more to do with Student Painters because of the lack of honesty, the lack of quality service, lack of quality work, lack of effective communication, the delay of attempting to respectfully resolve the issue, and the numerous interruptions it has cost me (literally) to have to supervise the work, check and double check the efficacy of the work, and to now have to spend time to have the work completed. This has been one, big headache, disappointment and inconvenience.  I will be happy to pay the owner  the balance of a revised amount considering all of the above, including my own lost wages due to this unfortunate exchange. 
  
  Sincerely, 

  
  ******* *******

  Business response

  21/08/2023

  Different people within the organization have called you multiple times, at different times of the day, leaving numerous voicemails. We have not heard back from you. The owner came by your house on Tuesday August 15th at 2pm to try to get a hold of you. No one answered the doorbell. ******** *** time stamped photos of the visit, as well as *********** ** 3 of the many missed calls and voicemails left with no response or return call.
  
  The balance due was $1792.14, which we adjusted to $1673.38. The dispute is in regards to the shutters. Of that amount, $1234.28 is for the window frames and the door frame, which have been completed. 
  
  The above 1234.38 is owed and the owner is open to discussing a discount for the shutters.

• Initial Complaint

  13/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Contract was written up May 6th cleaning of Windows in eavesdrops to be completed by mid June started calling June 20th to the student Works individual three calls with messages left emails and texts along with calls to head office student Works left messages still have not got a reply. It is July 8th and I just now received a text from the students works student. He said he has had some issues, I had mentioned that it's really not an excuse to have no correspondence as I have left messages emails and texts and it is over a month later than what states on my contract to be completed he replied there is no refunds. What? You don't do the job but you want to get paid for it I'm not sure how that works?. This is not how business is played out I should have known better but I thought that the company was going to stand behind the students I thought I was doing a good thing never again will I be dealing with this company and I will be telling everyone iny business circle not to deal with them as well. I demand my refund of my down payment I will not go away, or back down. It is all about principal here and proper business practices I am not going to be pushed aside. Student works please contact me to resolve this.

  Business response

  13/07/2023

  Deposit refund is currently being processed and the customer will be refunded her deposit of $190 that she provided May 10. 

• Initial Complaint

  22/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We contacted Student Works Painting to paint our cottage as they had previously painted 2 of our other buildings. On this project (deposit ~$6300) they severely underestimated their ability to complete the project in a satisfactory and timely matter. After 25% of the job had been poorly completed we had to terminate the process. They were unaware that many steps (including priming) had to be completed before the painting of our colour could be started. They assured us that only 2 coats would be required. At present if they continued it would severely devalue our property. We asked for a morning meeting which they did not comply with. Nor did they respond to a text and telephone call. I have now begun a search to correct their errors and complete the project. The quality of their work has severely suffered and the supervisor said the job was satisfactory.

  Business response

  27/06/2023

  Matt Y.met with the clients last Friday and agreed to a $5,000 deposit return for incomplete work. 

  We will be returning the money and they will go their separate ways.

• Initial Complaint

  13/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I have been trying to get them to honor their work guarantee/warranty for two years and no one is getting back to me and when they do get back to me, they set up a date and time and then stand me up. They didn't prepare my house properly, they did a horrible job on my windows and the more time that goes by, the worse it gets. I've been trying since April 2022 to get someone to fix it.

  Business response

  30/06/2023

  Our operator Tyson has been in touch with the client and is going today (June 30) to assess what needs to be done. He will be returning on Monday, July 3rd (weather permitting) to complete the warranty work for the client.

  Customer response

  07/07/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** ******

• Initial Complaint

  21/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On April 22 I signed a contract with Student Works for window and eavesdrop cleaning. The representative called and said he would come on June 28 for the service. He did not show up and I tried calling him. I left a message and he did not return my call until July 7. He said he had a family emergency and came on July 12 to start the work. He only cleaned the eavesdrop and gutters and would come back 2 days later to finish. He never came back. I called the representative a number of times and he has not returned any calls. Called the head office three times and have not gotten a response.

  Business response

  26/07/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/07/22) */ Luke has been out of integrity with the company and is wrapping up his season with us shortly. In regards to Mr. ******'s project, it has been transferred to another one of our operators, Adriana. Adriana has been running a very successful business and will be able to schedule Mr. ******'s project within the week. We apologize to the client, our intention was not to ignore him. We were figuring out what was happening with Luke. Adriana will be in touch with Mr. ****** shortly and she will go to his house and finish the project to his satisfaction. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/07/26) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)

• Initial Complaint

  05/04/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Student Works Manager Danika L. was running a 500$ giveaway which i won the manager now has refused to answer any questions or give me my prize on top of giving prizes out to other winners but has completely stopped communications with me after confirming my win.

  Business response

  20/04/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/04/07) */ Hi *****, we are sorry that this has happened. Danika's social media was hacked. Ultimately, this person is an imposter running a ****, not the real Danika ******* and has been reported to ********** We don't know how the **** works or how it involves a giveaway. Unfortunately, it has caused some confusion as there are no giveaways on Danika's end, this imposter is not affiliated with Student Works in any way. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/04/15) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) This person is claiming her ********* was hacked which is untrue she has been running new scams on her other accounts. Still using the student works name. I will continue to pursue the issue further. Student works did not do an adequate investigation and were quick to sweep it under the rug.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩