Our Story

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I never thought I would be one of these people to have to tell a story of being taken advantage of in Florida thru renovation of our home, but…
We bought a home in Gulf Cove on the Myakka River. We flew down for a day I had set up appointments with four different contractors. One showed up and he was only there for the LVP flooring. Don Brammeier from Footprint Floors in nearby Nokomis. He did mention that he had a ‘professional contractor’ that may be available to help us with the whole home restoration. Flooring, paint, complete kitchen and baths replacement, plumbing, electrical, etc. As Don said ‘a full service contractor’. We then flew down another time to meet with Don and Doug McClellan owner of Elite Custom Floors and More in North Port.
They gave a great pitch and we decided to us Doug for the project. Doug’s estimate was $60,000 plus $14,000 additional for painting the entire inside. On December 31st of last winter I sent a $30,000 deposit to start work. Due to supply chain issues the cabinets for kitchen and baths would take 14 weeks. So for near four months Doug did nothing! No kitchen or bath tear out, no floor removal. No nothing.
 

When work finally did begin (not until we actually moved down here in late June) the work schedule started out with five hour work days for him and his son and two workers (Doug’s only savior were two incredible workers in Harry and Josh). He may have had more workers, but another son has a history of crime that leads him to a fair amount of time in the Charlotte County jail. We also found out that Doug is a continual liar. He lies about his past, his families careers (everyone but him is a doctor or lawyer)and his work experience. Then it went to three hour days. And not showing up for days on end. I will admit though that one of the four day MIA stints was because of Doug’s tendency toward gun violence. He pulled a gun on a wrecker driver one night that was trying to repossess his car. So three days in jail so far.
His work is incomplete. Near total on the job training since his only adequacy is laying floors for Don. I found that he has never applied for a permit on any aspect of the project. He did the plumbing himself as an unlicensed and incapable plumber. And has no State tax permit so pays no work taxes. Calling the State tomorrow for that.
 

Oh did I mention that he stole one of my garage door remotes so he has access to my home and refuses to return it. Thought to self… Call the Charlotte County Sheriff. Doug has spent time in their jail as well as Sarasota County facilities so they know him by name.
Lengthy texting and phone calls has gotten me nowhere, but called names and other nasties. Don Brammeier of Footprint Floors refuses any responsibility of the labor of his products or not saying a word about Doug’s inabilities while standing beside Doug as he expounded on his super hero like work qualities on all aspects of home construction.
 

So, I too have been duped in Florida for several thousand dollars and now need to find someone to complete the work still not done after 11 months of time. So I suggest you may want to avoid Don Brammeier of Footprint Floors and Doug McClellan of Elite Custom Floors and More..

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