So your "architect" was also a "handyman?" Architects don't typically do the actual work. You can do a stainless apron sink like that (depending on how it's braced) but it doesn't seem like that was the intention(?) The rest of it is really really awful. You don't have to defame him. He's doing that himself.
That's my opinion.

Also, I'm sorry you're in that situation.

The "archiect"/"designer"/"contractor" on this fine job was Dan Baltudis of Iguana Designs and GreenGo, Inc. He told us that he operates on referrals, and that he stands by his work 100%, so I offer the photos as one of his clients. He works in the Chicago area, and also told us that be builds luxury homes in Panama and is designing and building an unnamed celebrity's home in the Carribean. Maybe he did better work for them than this http://s1190.photobucket.com/home/husserl49

Oh horrors! My question is were you not around when all this was happening, and why did you pay him in full without a final walk thru? Was there a contract and a building permit? If so, who was the inspector?

If he has already engaged an attorney then you need to do the same. The soap dish alone is mind boggling!
Personally, I'd first bring in a qualified contractor and find out the cost to repair all the problems. I just hope this guy didn't do any electrical.

If I remember correctly, you said you were an attorney, so I'm assuming you know where to start with litigation.

I was living in a temporary residence. This all happened very quickly. The drywall and floors and yes, rough electrical, took most of the summer and then there was a long lag and in early/mid september, after much begging, pleading and screaming by us, we started to see the wood and cabinetry items going in. It was shocking. That trim just went in last week. He was working till Thursday and then hired an attorney when we announced that we demanded to be made whole and that we were going to post online. His attorney contacted me with a nasty email on Friday morning telling us that we are defaming his client and it must cease. In that same email, he said he wanted to hire an "independent" appraiser to assess the work on Monday (tomorrow). We said fine, but we need to be involved in the selection of the appraiser. He essentially would not involve us in that process and declared the name of ONE person to choose from. That person's website says he appraises real estate. I emailed the atty and said that makes no sense. He nevertheless insisted that he was their guy. After sending numerous emails throughout the weekend detailing more and more problems that we were finding, the atty remained silent. I also asked for assurance that he had assets with which to pay us. That silence made me realize that they just want to send someone into my home without credentials to assess construction to say "this looks great" and use that as a basis for me not to sue him. I told them they could come in and take pics or video before I start to remediate and they declined, stating that they don't know what I may have done to the place since last Thursday. As if I built that soap dish. . . The complaint is in process. I am a magna cum laude UofM law school grad, but this shoddy work only became apparent in the last few weeks. The floors and drywall looked fine during the summer months and that's all there was.

I'm sorry for what you're going thru, but I fear this is a scam. The fact all their work in outside the U.S. would have me very worried.
I would no longer speak to their lawyer, don't let any of them in the house, and if possible stop any payments you've made.
Find a lawyer asap since I would not be surprised if these people disappear.

On a positive note, it appears the majority of the work is poor craftsmanship and a good carpenter could correct it, but unfortunately, repairing the tile will be the most costly. I would have a licensed electrician double check their work.

When we ran into problems with a roofer, we brought in an independent inspector (not one referred by a realtor!). He went with us to court but was never called to testify since the judge was satisfied with the inspector's report.

The architect/designer of a job and the contractor who does the actual physical work are usually two separate entities, even if they work for the same design/build firm. Are you saying that the architect is the one in the field doing the hands on contracting and building here? That would be extremely odd. If not, who is the General Contractor for the job? The site supervisor? The tile contractor? The counter fabricator? Did he do all the work himself after representing that he would employ expert sub contractors?

From the bit of info that you've posted, the whole thing seems strange. The granite countertop was represented to be from a single slab that you viewed, with fabrication from the professional stone fabricator whom you viewed it with. In stead, you got bait and switch, with your contractor performing the service with Chinese blanks. If other items in this home have been done the same way, it's no wonder you have issues with the contractor. Pictures don't lie. Continue to take pictures and post them. The TRUTH is not libel.

Have you seen a practicing contract law specialist yet? Remember, even if you are a lawyer, you want someone who is expert in their field to help you now. Or you could end up paying this guy for all of his work because of a mechanics lien, and then end up paying someone else to rip everything out and fix it. You have to take the proper steps. You do NOT want to touch anything with another contractor until everything here has been fully documented with photos, videos, and inspection reports from official third parties.

Your first stop is city hall to see if he pulled the correct permits for the job and holds the needed license to do the job. And, if he represented himself as an architect, the AIA will be interested in that. If he's committed fraud by misrepresentation, they are pretty aggressive about slamming his fingers in the cash register.

You might also want to do screen captures of his website images, as it shows images of design projects that were not his own. I know the Hudson Club in Chicago was designed by Jordan Mozer, not this Dan whomever. Parker's Lighthouse was designed by Bitton Design Group. It's pretty easy to find out who the architect or designer of a public space is. If the rest of the website is full of equally false claims, then you have a good claim for intentional misrepresentation and fraud.

I'd hire a lawyer with construction experience. If you're in the Detroit area or still in Ann Arbor I have a name for you if you want it.

Bill

Thanks for all of your help! We are actually in Chicago. We videotaped the 2 units in which he did work (thankfully, he never got to the third unit which we are joining to the other two). This is expensive "Gold Coast" real estate, even though it is an old building. Here is a link to the youtube videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCeiSVuMRdo&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

I am amazed if he really did not design the restaurants to which he claims credit on his websites. All screen shots are being saved. We also notice that the addresses for his various businesses seem to change often. Suddenly, there is a Naperille address. I am thinking about calling the local consumer protection reporter to do a piece on this because it gets more shocking by the second. Thank you for your invaluable input and support. We really are truly sick about this. This man represents himself a church going Boy Scout leader and that really helped to gain our trust. I am a great attorney (I think) when it comes to my clients who mostly are large corporations but when my emotions are involved here, I am having a really difficult time not exploding.

A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client. Get an experienced construction attorney asap.

I can tell you that you need to document their refusal to mitigate before you change anything.

He hired a lawyer before we got a chance to fire him. He quit the job.

Also, there was fraud in the inducement here. We cannot by law be required to allow someone who lied to us about being an architect as well as lied about credentials and experience, to continue to do shoddy work in our home. This man was listed as an architect on servicemagic.com and also on various websites. He also told us he was an architect before we hired him, he told our board that, and throughout the project, he confirmed he was an architect. All of this is documented. His attorney finally confessed that Dan is just an "architectural designer".

"architectural designer" Any license?

I don't know/think so. He said he was a licensed architect. Then, hired an attorney and when I kept asking his attorney whether or not he's an architect, the attorney responded that he is an archiectural designer and has done all the projects to which he has claimed credit -- ie, caribbean celebrity villa, panama luxury homes, cheesecake factory, etc.

"the attorney responded that he is an archiectural designer"

Without some type of licensing he might as well be a ditch digger.

Misrepresenting being a licensed professional is a criminal offense in most states.

Have you talked to the local attorney general?

I recommended strongly that you contact the State Attorney General in another thread. PLEASE DO SO. In NYS, we don't play around with these guys!!!

~Jeana