La Quinta homeowner says handyman did “shoddy” work; wants her money back

At quick glance, the white kitchen cabinetry in the La Quinta home looks beautiful.

But, if you take a closer look, cracks appear from a job that was completed in October, 2017.

“I think its sad you pay somebody that much money, and they don’t stand behind the product,” said homeowner Rhonada Marsland.

Marsland says cracks appeared on renovated cabinets throughout the home, particuarly the kitchen.

It was a job she paid Palm Desert handyman Gilbert Becerra $6,700 to complete in October, 2017.

Becerra does business under the name “The Kitchen Pross”, with an extra “s” added to “Pros”.

“I stand by my work. If somebody doesn’t like what I do, I’ll fix it. I’ll make it right no matter what, even if i lose money,” said Marsland.

The designer says shortly after she paid for the work, she noticed cracks in the paint, and cupboard doors and drawers that were not closing as smoothly, or fitting as they did prior to the job.

She also say handles were left “loose” or “stripped”.

“We had to go to the hardware store to get longer screws. Every single screw was stripped, and every knob was stripped,” said Rhonada.

Marsland says she has made repeated calls to Becerra, leaving messages that have not been returned, asking for her money back.

She says she even went to the Kitchen Pross on Julie Lane in Palm Desert, only to see Mr. Becerra “run out of the back of the business” on her arrival.

Not getting anywhere, she contacted the Contractors State License Board, and filed a complaint.

“I mean, I should have thrown my money away. I could have done a better job,” said Marsland.

We stopped by the Kitchen Pross office and spoke with Mr. Becerra.

He said he “did not want to appear on camera”, and did not have a comment about Marsland’s complaint.

He did acknowledge the state fined him $4,000 as a result of Marsland’s complaint.

Marsland later discovered that Gilbert Becerra is not a licensed contractor, even though the van in front of his office features signage, which reads “licensed, bonded, insured”.

She acknowledges her mistake.

“Make sure they are licensed,” she said.

Marsland says she is not optimistic that she’ll get her money back, and might have to chalk it up as a tough lesson learned.

For anyone wanting to hire a licensed contractor, be sure to check with the Contractors State License Board to check their status.

Also, know that it is against the law for a “handyman” to bid on a project valued at more than $500.