Pittsburgh area's best and worst contractors of 2008

Published on January 1, 2009
by Brooke Reynolds

In addition to our nationwide list, here are the Pittsburgh contractors who have earned the distinction of being the best or worst in the Pittsburgh area.

The Best

A to Z Quality Electric
Pittsburgh

Owner Jim Christopher says three years ago he started A to Z Quality Electric “one tool and one job at a time.” From those humble beginnings, he’s amassed many happy customers — more than 10 Angie’s List members have praised Christopher’s work. “I don’t mind doing what it takes to please the customer,” Christopher says.

A to Z often does more than expected, not only for his customers but also the community by volunteering for muscular dystrophy fundraisers. Pittsburgh customer Aparna Brown says A to Z employees brought back pizza for her and her toddler after their lunch break. “They were very pleasant guys to have around the house,” Brown says.

JM Skarupa
Pittsburgh

Seven Fields residents Steve and Lisa Fowler’s furnace had sucked up a plastic ball, reducing its efficiency, but JM Skarupa owner John Skarupa saved the day. “This heating problem baffled the previous homeowners,” the Fowlers say. “John’s a true pleasure to work with.”

Skarupa says he believes in the pay-it-forward method. “It’s not unusual for me to reduce prices or do a no-charge item,” he says. The “A”-rated contractor stands behind his work and hopes people will pass on the favor to others in need. “With me, you get one-on-one service from someone with more than 30 years in the field,” Skarupa says. “I’m not perfect, but I’ll work as hard as I can to give customers the best comfort, energy savings and most reliable product.”

The Worst

Marcus Remodeling
Export

Marcus Remodeling is prohibited from doing business with homeowners 60 and older after the attorney general’s office received numerous complaints from senior citizens.

Judith Broz, 63, gave Marcus Remodeling an “F” on Angie’s List — one of three failing reports filed on the company — for allegedly doing shoddy work and because owner Mark Bechler kept asking for more money. Broz says Bechler left her a phone message, allegedly using ethnic slurs and discriminating remarks about her age.

According to the attorney general, Bechler failed to honor promised discounts, didn’t document work changes, provided confusing estimates, didn’t notify customers about work cancellations, and failed to register his business with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

“A consumer settlement was reached in April for $16,628 to be paid to consumers,” says Nils Frederiksen, attorney general deputy press secretary. Bechler declared bankruptcy in November, two days before Broz was scheduled to take Bechler to civil court. “Bechler does good work,” says Bechler’s attorney, Dennis J. Gounley. “I’ve had him work on my roof and gutters.”

Ronald J. Day
Pittsburgh

The Pennsylvania attorney general successfully sued contractor Ronald J. Day, who performed shoddy work or failed to do any work he was paid to do.

“A consumer settlement was reached in April 2008 for $6,700 in restitution,” Frederiksen says. “Day’s prohibited from operating a home improvement business in Pennsylvania.”

The attorney general says Day, who did business as Ameritech Home Services, falsely represented that he was affiliated with a company that had previously completed home improvements on the customers’ houses.

Day targeted widowed homeowners, says Derek Clepper, Cumberland County’s senior assistant district attorney. He was found guilty of theft by deception-related charges in 2006 and 2007 and served jail time. Day couldn’t be reached for comment.