May 2019 by Tori T.
Tom Koester, dba Accurate Estimates, in Copperopolis, CA, was paid a $2,500.00 retainer in November 2017 to provide a scope for fire repair to my home. He charged T&M @ $285/hr plus mileage, food, etc. The balance he later charged for the scope is 29,544.45 - Mr. Koester did not bill me the rest of his $29,544.45 work fee until a year later. (He threatened to sue me if not paid within 5 days.) He wanted to aerial drone the burnt out roof and scan the interior with 3-D imaging to up his fee. The house was an empty shell, and my architect deemed Mr. Koester's added costs unnecessary. The appraisal process took a year because Koester put my appraisal on the back burner when he was awarded a $4MM Tubb's fire appraisal. (He was unethical and didn't let me know, so I could find someone else.) Koester didn't begin his scope until the umpire called him on it July 2018. It took Koester a year to provide said scope. His scope suspended my ALE rent and housing. Koester didn't compensate me for all my out-of-pocket payments for permits, architect, three engineers, or Granny unit abatement. He didn't include the landscaping, driveway, carport pad, patio and steps, pool cleaning/repair, etc. He used the photos I provided him as his work product. Koester was sanctimonious whenever I asked him for a heads-up on his progress which he would not provide me. Instead, Koester sent me his religious blog. He blames the umpire for his year-long delays. He takes no responsibility for setting me back a whole year. He suspended my rent and ALE, and he got me a low and inadequate award. He is lax, unprofessional and very expensive, to say the least. BEWARE to all fire victims. Zero stars! #TeflonSanctimoniousKoester
