Renovations By Darren

Description of Work: installed 5 fans and a light fixure outside.

Description of Work: Exterior house painting with repair stucco and cracks, replace whole house water filter.

Description of Work: Added filters to the whole house plumbing system

Description of Work: We had originally contracted and paid money to Darren , who passed away before he could start the job of retiling two bathrooms (floor to ceiling) and replacing all fixtures,retiling the floor and putting in a glass block window.. Wayne, his brother, who took over said he would honor our investment and could do the job....fine. Originally I had written a glowing recommendation of him on Angies List. There are some things that I still think he (Wayne) did well. I think he followed my design idea pretty much to the letter. This part thrilled me (maybe too much) because the design was a little different and alot of tile contractors wanted to do it their way instead of mine. Plumbing in the shower was difficult and he did this very well. He also put in the sinks and toilets perfectly. I think Wayne really is a plumber. Probably a good one. This was in April. It was the first job that he had done (I think) since his brother died. It took two and a half months to complete the two bathrooms. This job was estimated by Darren to take two weeks. We pretty much realized that he was taking advantage of our laid back good nature. He would come every day, promptly at 7 and then be gone by 11 or 12n usually. At first it was ok because we realized he had to do some stuff for his brother. In the end we saw that he was just taking advantage of our being understanding about his brother passing, The first bathroom was done by a helper that I now realize probably had never done tiling before, Or if he had, not much, George. Now it's October. Hardly a tile in either bathroom is sticking to the backing floor. Grout is falling out and cracking all over. We hired Universal Tile (also from Angies list) to fix the problem. Now they are skilled but we had to pay them 1000 dollars to fix this horrible tile job. We had wanted the bathroom floor to be even with the hall floor so Wayne took out the tile rather than put more tile over existing tile, He busted out the concrete underneath and put down plywood and versabond . From subsesquent research and the million people that came here for the estimates to fix this problem we learned that concrete was supposed to be under the tile. This gives your tile a solid back. Not one that moves with each step. This was a really difficult job for him. I remember that day . He worked hard and it was one of the days he worked a full day. He obviously didn't know that it was unnecessary and, in fact, detrimental to remove all the concrete without replacing it. From this I also realize he didn't know what he was doing or just didn't want to take that extra step to replace the concrete. Every tile contractor that has come to give us and estimate on redoing the grout says the same thing . This is a really really horrible tile job. Not only was the consistency of the grout wrong (hence the cracking and no adhesion) but the tiles themselves were set really sloppy and haphazard, probably trying to cover too large an area at one time, causing the grout to get too dry and then overwetting it to make it look good until it cured, no attention to detail. Grout is totally uneven. Plastered thick between tiles in some spots and thin almost non exsistent in others If you put your head against the tile and look along the wall it looks like ripples in a stream . Wayne did come back twice to touch up some places. By that time I had started my research (it's hard to lie to customers in the computer age) and knew what caused most of the problems but he kept saying that "all grout cracks". This was so obviously wrong from every source I investigated (check it out yourself) that it made me mad he would try to bs me. Or he really believed this (in which case further evidence he was totally unequal to the job - doesn't even know that not all tile grout cracks - although I'm sure all of his does). Universal Tile is in my bathrooms now , injecting an epoxy into the floor. A special epoxy that hopefully will adhere the tiles to the plywood. We are hoping that this will make up for the lack of concrete under the floor. Next step is to tear up the floor and replace the concrete.........Lesson : You really do get what you pay for Hire Universal Tile they are really professional, clean, know tile, and as a bonus don't smoke so there is not that run for the door every half hour to smoke. Then back in stinking up your house. Cost a little more but remember the lesson. The guys who did my tile Juan and Carlos. So clean and polite. Totally knowledgable. Juan was the only guy that did the filling of the bathtub like it said in so many places on the internet and on Holmes on Holmes on HGTV. These guys are real 'old school' when it comes to skills.

Description of Work: jRenovate two bathrooms - one from the concrete out. Renovate kitchen - new lighting, flooring cabinets, countertop, backsplash.I hired Wayne Chicka based on his Angie's List recommendation and am very satisfied with the results of their work. My house was built in the mid 1960's and needed work done on both bathrooms. I was worried about possible plumbing problems with the larger of the bathrooms so the work on that one was more extensive- On the basis of the work they had done on the bathrooms, I had them upgrade the kitchen - new kitchen cabinets, flooring, counter-tops, back-splash and lighting. I also had them replace my gutters which were badly in need of replacement.

Description of Work: We requested an estimate for a lot of remodeling in an older home we just purchased.

Description of Work: Had some cracked floor tiles in two rooms that needed replaced, and some drywall & baseboard repair.

Description of Work: We needed a concrete extension in laundry area in garage in order to accomodate a new washer and dryer.

Description of Work: Innovations by Darren is now owned and operated by his brother Wayne. On Wednesday, June 16th Wayne came to do an estimate of remodeling work I wanted done in my two bathrooms in my condo here in Weston: New tile in both bathrooms. Shower walls and bathtub walls replaced with "durorock". Plumbing behind the walls had to have some work done on it for the new shower heads and faucets. Vanities in both bathrooms were replaced with new faucets. Toilets had to be replaced. Wayne started work on one bathroom on June 20th, Monday, and basically finished on Friday June 24th. His assistant, Alex, was there to work side by side with Wayne throughout the whole week. They tore down the old bathroom walls broke up the old vanities, put up the new walls, and laid the new tile. Wayne consulted with me as the work went on to be sure I got the what I wanted. Wayne started work on the second bathroom on Monday, June 27th and finished on Thursday, June 30th. While all of this work was going on the vanities were delivered and the toilets had to be picked up from Home Depot. Wayne and Alex gladly accommodated me by picking up the toilets and delivering them to my third floor condo. Actually, one of the toilets was not what I had paid for. Before I discovered that one of the toilets was not what I had ordered, Wayne had already installed it. Once I realized it was the wrong toilet, Wayne, Alex, and I returned to Home Depot and exchanged it for the correct one. Wayne had to take out the "wrong" toilet and install the "correct" one, which he gladly did. I certainly appreciated his flexibility.

Description of Work: I called Wayne SOLELY based on Angies list recommendation. I should have paid attention to the first F this person recieved. I figured I would give him the benefit of the doubt, surely he wouldnt leave someone high and dry TWICE and NEVER call them back nor answer phone calls after coming out to do an estimate and telling me "I will get back to you with the estimate in a couple of days, but he DID just that" The first appt. he made to come out Saturday at noon was forgotten about by him. Noon came and went. I decided to be understading of this "superior" guy. I called around 1pm and mentioned he was supposed to come out to do the estimate. He said "oh" acted slightly surprised then said he would come around 3 or 4pm. I stayed home and waited (by then all day) Then he called back two hours later and said he was finishing a job and that he couldnt possibly leave and would come anytime I said the next day. He came over the next day early and listened to me tell him I had gotten other estimates, had the demo done, and the previous contractor started having strangers call me demanding money for work he hadnt even begun yet! I was very nervous about this behavior of the old contractor and knew I needed a new contractor I could trust and who was professional. He knew I was sick, possibly from the black mold found during the demo, and since my bedroom was demo'd I was sleeping on the couch, in other words totally waiting on him to get my life back!. A week went by, I called and asked where his estimate was. No answer, no response. Another week started I called again saying he told me that he would call me back in a couple days ad I was still waitig. 0 calls, 0 responses. I know realized aother uncaring, unprofessional peroson has wasted my time, and to boot made me angry I had ever singed up for angies list or his services. Absolutely uncalled for. His behavior showed he didt care at all, about me or the work. Do people get complacent once they think they are a TOP PROVIDER ON HERE? AM considering getting my moey back from Angies List.

Description of Work: We are all saddened by the sudden passing of Darren Chicka of Rennovations by Darren. We had just contracted Darren to remodel two bathrooms in our house. Both bathrooms needed total demolition (right down to the studs), Extensive plumbing and electrical and then retiling from floor to ceiling also replacing all fixtures, faucets and toilets. Darren told us that he would call us in two weeks (as soon as he was finished with his current job). Two weeks came and went and then it was three weeks. We grew concerned because Darren and his partner( who is also his brother), Wayne, had never failed to call us for anything when they had worked for us before. Darren and Wayne had installed an air conditioner and rennovated the old A/C location. They did it on short notice and on a Saturday because our daughter was coming for a visit unexpectedly and the old A/C sounded like a hurricane. We called them because our neighbor was so pleased with the work they had done in her house and the positive recommendations they had received on Angies List. They are really nice guys and highly skilled in so many areas. I digress. We called Darrens number and Wayne told us the sad news. After accepting our condolences, Wayne told us that he will be continuing on with the business and honoring fees collected by Darren on pending work. That was about two weeks ago. We now have one of our bathrooms completely redone!! Wayne is indeed carrying on the tradition of Darren. Professional work at a fair price. He comes EARLY and ON TIME. Two things worth their weight in gold if you've ever tried to get things done down here in Florida. Works like a demon all the time he's here. Communicates clearly ( had some really great design ideas for my 1945 pink and maroon bathroom) His expectations (for example his fees and the time frame of expected completion) all clearly stated. As well as our expectations. So we are all always on the same page. Wayne doesn't even bat an eye when I ask him to change things back (after I asked him to change them in the first place!). This actually happened when I asked him to swap two huge mirrors that I had originally wanted on opposite walls! This bathroom is fabulous. I wish I had taken pictures. I'll make sure that I do for the next part of our rennovation. The other bathroom. I would recommend Wayne for any home improvement or remodeling task. He's reliable , professional and skilled.

Description of Work: Moved to a new condo and needed a wide variety of misc handman and light contractor work done on the place. Considered Derek and decided not to go with him after 3 visits and discussions with him. Comments below.

Description of Work: We contacted Darren to see if he could repair the installation of a wood floor in a physician's office. It was a terrible job and it was dangerous for patients. He came out quickly and explained all the options we had. We chose to replace the floor and it looks great now. It was done quickly and it is exactly how we wanted it.

Description of Work: A quick face lift of our condo kitchen including replacing an old, fluorescent dome style ceiling, taking our a breakfast bar and accompanying wall to make a walk through from kitchen to dining room, putting up some glass mosaic backsplash tile, painting, and a few other touches.

Description of Work: None

Description of Work: Old bathroom stripped to the studs, including floor and ceiling, this is in an 80 year old house so the plaster and lathe was a job by itself. New floor walls an ceilings put in, completely rerouted the plumbing and electric to my specs. Installed tub Toilet and double vanity on new tile. Redid the plumbing in this house from galvanized to copper improving water pressure in all rooms. hanging medicine cabinets,shelving door etc.

Description of Work: Bathroom renovations, electrical updates, installed all new doors and hardware, installed glass tile backsplash.

Description of Work: No services

Description of Work: Painted the interior living room, dining room area, hall area and four interior doors on both sides. My house is not very large so the work was completed in one day. The price was for the labor and included purchasing the paint which he picked up for me. The work was neat with no spills and looked very nice upon completion.

Description of Work: cut out the ceiling to move the shower head, caulked bathroom tub and painted ceilings and one bathroom wall.

Description of Work: darren and his brother ripped out an remaining kitchen wall and some half tiles, build it up again tiled floor and wall, installed new electrical outlets, installed kitchen unit with plumbing, fixed misc. outlets in the house

Description of Work: The door leading into the house from the garage was replaced. A new frame, hardware, and hinges were installed. Repairs on an existing patio screen door, including a new door closure, weather strip, and sealing, were also completed.

Description of Work: I phoned Darren to set up an appointment for him to come by and take a look at what needed to be done, and told him I wanted to start with a few things(doors, closet door, maybe some sink repair) and that I had more that needed to be done in the future..He was busy, and I said that's all right as I was thinking of having him come by in 1&1/2 to 2 weeks to get an estimate.He said he'd phone me that weekend to set up a day and time to come by.He phoned that weekend to tell me he'd call later in the week. He never contacted me.

Description of Work: Removed ceramic tile from garage floor and replaced with epoxy finish and then sealed.

Description of Work: N/A