Big Tyke Construction

Description of Work: I recently had a remodel of an existing garage & workshop into a guest cottage. I hired Big Tyke Construction to handle the project handle.

Description of Work: Remodeled an existing garage and workshop into a cottage.

Description of Work: I was somewhat new to the area and after renting for a while, I purchased an older home that needed total renovation. I had been given a referral for Rafe Teich, owner of Big Tyke Construction. After contacting him and looking at the house together with ideas for remodeling plans, he gave me his opinion and ideas for possible room layouts, materials and the work I would need to have done. We discussed plumbing, electrical, roofing, drywall, stucco and many other things. His ideas were much better than anythingI had been able to come up with and have since proven to be well-planned and practical. I got an estimate for the work and decided to go ahead with the work. The estimate was inclusive of things that the normal homeowner does not think of, but when it isn't performed - you know it - and then the contractor usually wants you to pay more!!!! I found out from a couple other bad experiences, that if the estimate is very short and doesn't spell out things in detail, then you will not get anything but that which is written down and signed BY the contractor. I found out from those other experiences that they want YOU to sign a contract, but don't bother to sign one for you! So, we entered into an agreement to remodel the house with a 3-month date of completion. This was met within a 7-day overage due to changes on my part. Work that Rafe did included demolition, removal of construction debris (dumpster), moving of two exterior door placements, addition of windows, replacing all windows with new and better ones, exterior stucco and new metal roofing. Two complete new bathrooms, relocation of kitchen, addition of a gas fireplace (stovepipe, etc. were new), replacement of old baseboard heat with a new gas furnace and AC, drywall as needed with texture of my choice, interior paint, new lighting, all new interior base and trim, installation of interior doors which I had purchased. stone tile flooring and shower walls, with some areas of Pergo flooring. That was in 2010 and in 2012 I had Big Tyke Construction add a room partition with insulation and drywall and shelves in my garage for storage. It is wonderful and I also had my garage repainted by Rafe and a Trex deck built off my back door. It opens up the house and turned out exactly like described. I only wish I had gotten my sprinkler system put in by him. I can't stress enough how important the estimate/bid is to YOU. spell out exactly what you want. Take before pictures so if there is damage and they deny doing it, then you can prove it. This is from other experiences of mine that I regret doing this.