Ben's Gates And Doors

Sep 2023

If you're looking for an unlicensed, uninsured, incompetent "contractor", then Ben is your man! If you are looking for a "contractor" who lacks at least decent communication skills, skips appointments or shows up late -if at all--then Ben is your man!We hired Ben in June of 2023 to install a vehicular gate. Since we never had a vehicular gate before, this would be a completely new install project. The completed install would require a gate operator, gate guidepost, stop post, track, and, of course, a gate. All new stuff, not a replacement. By the end of the project, we realized we had made a huge mistake in hiring this incompetent, unlicensed, disorganized so-called "contractor", who also lacks good basic communication skills! So, what was the problem with his "workmanship"? Just about everything he did! In fact, his work was so bad--and let me emphasize the word "BAD"--that we ended-up hiring a licensed, qualified, experienced gate installer to review his install and make recommendations as to what needed to be fixed/replaced/repaired to make this a safe, correct, properly installed product. So, we first sent Ben a text message (see attachment entitled "Redacted printout of sent text message"), then followed-up with a demand letter (which consisted of a cover letter that reiterated our demands and a reformatted print-out of the original text message) sent via USPS (see attachment entitled "Redacted sent cover letter").Ben was required to complete ALL the items on the demand list by August 26, 2022. By the time August 26th came and went, the ONLY item he completed to our satisfaction was item #5 from the demand list.So, we now had to hire a licensed contractor to redo most of the sloppy, crappy job Ben did. Thus, we hired the contractor that provided the original analysis of Ben's work. It took some doing but he got it done--at an additional expense--and the gate works great! The new contractor clearly new his stuff and was also recommended by the manufacturer of the gate operator. We couldn't be more pleased with his work!But we weren't done with Ben just yet!I ended-up filing a complaint (see attachment entitled "Redacted complaint filed with the CSLB1,2,3,4,5") with the Contractor State License Board (CSLB) due to the fact that he is unlicensed and is required by law to have a license when engaging in contracting work. Nor is he insured, bonded, does not pay workman's comp, pay the appropriate taxes related to wages, doesn't seem to have a business license, and is probably paying his workers "under-the-table" (which also means he is probably paying less than minimum wage).After receiving my complaint, the CSLB decided to investigate. Upon completion of its investigation, I received a letter from the CSLB, dated 6/29/2023 (see attachment entitled "Redacted response from the CSLB"). Basically, the CSLB found him in violation of operating WITHOUT a contractor's license and one or more sections of the California Business and Professions Code. He was ordered to pay a fine and to CEASE all work related to unlicensed contracting activity.We have not yet filed a claim against Ben in small claims court to recover the additional cost to have the gate properly installed. As far as we can determine, it's not clear as to what assets he has that can be used to collect if a judge does rule in our favor. So, unless you want or are okay with a sloppy, crappy gate install/repair/replacement done by Ben of Ben's Gates and Door, I--and I cannot emphasize this enough--suggest you TOTALLY avoid this idiot! Otherwise, you'll be the idiot for hiring him, even after reading this review! But, then again, he's been ordered by the CSLB to STOP all activity related to "all unlicensed contracting activity".

Apr 2023

Ben never show up to give us a quote after cancel on us 3 times got tired of giving him opportunities being understandable that things happen in life and maybe the 1st time they really broke into his car the night before. I will not waste my time reaching out to this business again ... Find someone else that will be moretones, reliable, and respect their business.

Jan 2023

Local to Downtown LA, the owner, Ben, handled the service I needed immediately. Ben responded to my inquiry, explained the issue to me after reviewing the gate opener, and provided a resolution. The job was done professionally, as it did not impede the driveway traffic, left the area clean after service was rendered, and provided pictures of the completed job.