Update after the response from Szykman Services: Marcelo, with all due respect, threatening me by phone to remove this review does not change the facts: the attached photos, the unsigned handover, and the expert-documented defects speak for themselves. This is about the result, not the client.
We hired Szykman Services for a full renovation (six-figure project) in a newly built house with a complete architectural and design plan — only execution was required. The outcome was a failed renovation with systemic execution issues, confirmed by an independent expert, and the matter is now subject to legal proceedings.
The project took about 5 months and was consistently stressful. After the contractor declared the work “99.9% complete,” there were ~6 additional weeks of work described as “finishing,” during which we had to live in the house with 2–3 workers present daily. Instead of finalization, this period involved ongoing corrections and rework affecting a substantial part of the project. While some items were redone, many issues were handled only at a surface level, and a significant number of defects remained.
There was no clear process or quality control: work was carried out in a chaotic way, without proper sequencing or formal acceptance at any stage.
Responsibility for defects was often shifted to the house, the project, or the materials, despite the house being newly built, the design prepared by professional architects, and the materials being high-end/premium. All issues were identified after execution.
Payment appeared to be prioritized over project outcomes: the timeline more than doubled, while around 85% of the payment was required within the first weeks of the project, regardless of progress. Additional costs were continuously charged, including minor items, as well as equipment rental for most types of work — all at our expense and without improving quality.
As a result of mentioned above, an independent expert confirmed systemic execution issues in a report containing 86 documented defects with photographic evidence; even fixing visible defects alone is estimated at ~25% of the contract value.
A significant portion of the work was carried out to an unacceptable standard: uneven plastering, incorrect painting, poor tile joints, gaps around electrical outlets, improper flooring installation, and incorrect door fitting (see photos).
After receiving the independent expert report, the contractor mentioned involving his own expert and legal support, but for approximately 1.5 months no substantive response or resolution followed. The matter is now in legal proceedings from our side.
Based on our observations, the issue was not only the quality of individual works, but also the lack of proper organization, project management, and quality control required for a large and complex renovation.
We cannot recommend this contractor.
