MASTERWORKS ATLANTA LLC / Cabinet Café

He came out to the property; we told him what we wanted and what we were willing to spend. Together we came up with a plan to get the unit looking updated and newish. We wanted it done rather quickly and it was...3 weeks. It was easier since no one was living there. The unit is rented out! Yeah! It looks great and we couldn't be happier. Already looking for another rental property...we would use Masterworks again.

In general, all workmanship was first-rate and exceeded our expectations. Plumbers, for example, managed to tear out a cast-iron drainage system on the first floor without damaging a delicate plaster ceiling in the rooms below. Carpentry and framing were superb. Tilework is excellent, floor refinishing is beyond perfect, painting is perfect. The quality of materials (flooring, carpeting, plumbing) were limited only by what we were willing to pay for and fully met our expectations. The initial permit process was lengthy and was driven by the city process, but was completed before any work began. Comments: 1. The schedule as provided by MasterWorks is abstract and falls completely apart when work begins. 2. Our final cost was far beyond the initial budget, but we feel this was entirely caused by changes we requested along the way and unforeseen challenges. (For example, excavating for the foundation we ran into solid rock, and that understandably increased the cost by $3,000+ -- no one's fault.) 3. Errors, mistakes, and flaws (inevitable in a job of this scope) were all corrected promptly and to our complete satisfaction. We found the company to be extremely responsive and easy to work with. This type of work requires patience and close cooperation on all sides, which is something we knew and expected before we began. Overall, we are pleased with every aspect of this work and would go back to MasterWorks if we needed anything else in the future.

My first introduction to Bernie Smith from Masterworks was very positive. He returned my call immediately and he and his designer came to our condo to submit ideas and an estimate. After interviewing several remodelers, we chose Masterworks. I felt their designer knew exactly what we were looking for. It was a pleasure to work with Chantal. However, everything else was downhill. The company went through three Project Managers in the six months we worked with them. We were first told one date, and then another, and then another to start. They frequently left trash piled in the dining area. Made errors and had to redo a segment. They didn't respect the rest of our home and made a mess of our carpet. A project we were originally told would take 90 days, took 6 months. And Mr. Smith insisted the project be completely paid for even before the project was finished. Our contract listed a simple item included in the price: a touch-up pen. I never received it and called asking for it. I was told it had been given out. To Whom? After putting up with Masterworks contractors for six months, a great company would have apologized and put one in the mail immediately. At the first meeting, I asked Mr. Smith when throughout the project I would see him again. His reply: Never. No kidding. However, when it was completely finished it looked very nice. We have received compliments on the cabinets, floor and design.

When the project started, the three people I spoke with and worked with were all let go, and another young man took over the job with incomplete information. I come home one day to find them starting the work already, with a different set of plans than what I agreed upon. After several days of miscommunication and him telling his workers to do work that was not in the plans, nor that I had approved, I said that I wanted to be released from the contract. Things just kept getting worse and worse, and I know that he inflated many of the prices that were agreed upon previously. I ended up taking this company to court to resolve the situation, which I ended up loosing due to very suspicious circumstances.

They did the remodeling of our kitchen. A lot of things we agreed upon did not seem to happen. When we ask questions, they took a lot of time to answer. We started the work in the month of July and the work was not finished until January. Some of the work was nicely done by them.

Excellent

Very smooth renovation. Masterworks was here everyday to oversee the work. The subcontractors were all very professional and trustworthy. I am extremely happy with the results and would highly recommend them.

Overall the experience was great. I have used Bernie before on 2 much bigger projects(kitchen and masterbath...both look fabulous!),so it was a no brainer to use C.C. again. I picked everything out in their showroom...3 weeks later they started...they were in and out in 4 days. Yeah!!! Bathroom looks modern and fabulous. I'm in love with my new "boulder" sink...found it in one of Cabinet Cafes catalogs(I highly recommend checking it out:). Everyone was great to work with...easy,breezy...as far as renovations.

Cabinet Cafe is a great company to work with. They had a wide variety of styles and colors. Their prices offer a great value. I couldn't believe we got such beautiful cabinets for the price. It was such an easy system. We selected a designer finish and the hardware to go with it. It was installed right away. The employees were very helpful. They were on time and they were respectful of our house, making sure everything was clean. The cabinets look fantastic. We are very happy with the look and the service provided by Cabinet Cafe.I would highly recommend them.

The overall project went extremely well, and we are very pleased with the look of the terrace level. Masterworks Atlanta did a very good job of staying on time and on budget. They were easy to work with, and their craftsmanship was excellent. The employees were polite and knowledgeable. The process was easy, and the work was very good. Masterworks Atlanta helped us with advice on the best way to create more space. They also helped us select materials. We feel confident recommending Masterworks Atlanta to anyone who needs renovations.

I have gone through major remodels before - you hope for the best and prepare for the worst - I must say we are completely satisfied with the new kitchen The time frame that Bernie gave us was right on schedule, the only exception was a small delay in getting the Granite counter tops installed. - even with that the project was still completed within the original time frame . The workers/installers that came to our house were courteous and professional. Masterworks will be top on my list should we find ourselves in need of additional renovations.

Make sure you let them guide you on making the selections for your project. I made the mistake of shopping my own plumbing fixtures and one of them did not work....I ended up spending more to resolve the issue than I saved by getting my own fixtures.

We had a great experience. We were on budget, no surprise. Our site manager was professional, all workers very pleasant to work with. Quality cabinets made custom for us. Job took 3 months, ran on tile no delays. We now dream kitchen.

"Easy" good selections offered, many options given by on - staff design to co - ordinate with what i already bad in the bath.

Owner, Bernie, came out to house discussed our options. Came up with a fair estimate, started work on time. Cleaned up after themselves at end of work day(very important!) They were easily to contact. Great addition to our home.

We had a good experience with company before, so used them again for an overhaul of m.bath, kitchen. It was an overwhelming process, big remodels not for the faint of heart, subs usually came when they said they would. Loved most of the workers. Finish products are gorgeous!

Two different sets of 2 people came. One replaced wood post. Actually came in rain to do this. Just great. Other came a couple of days later & built other section to match other posts on porch. Did a great job.

There is not enough space on Angie?s List to explain how awful it has been working with this company. The $60,000 renovation of the kitchen and master bath took 13 months from the day the contract was signed. This contractor destroyed a dream renovation with unconscionable delays, sloppy workmanship and cheap products. There were so many problems that a 100-page complaint about this project was filed with the industry trade group ? NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry). This group, which is trying to change the negative image of contractors, has a straight forward Code of Ethics. They were so appalled at what was happening that within two weeks they accepted the resignation of MasterWorks CEO from the organization. Sadly, this did little to motivate MasterWorks. Here are some lowlights: * A building permit was never obtained until 5 months into the project when I was served, at our home, with a violation warning from the county inspector. * In violation of Georgia law, this company never informed me, prior to signing the contract, about how consumer complaints against contractors must legally be handled. By the way, these laws are very anti-consumer. * Kitchen cabinetry was so poorly designed by the MasterWorks CEO that the cabinet doors hit the stovetop hood before opening even 80-degrees. He refused to admit fault because he claimed he told me that the doors would hit the hood and that I signed the contract knowing that it would happen. Absurd. Can you imagine yourself agreeing to something like that and still signing the contract? * Workmen who were sent to our home were often unskilled with little or no guidance on the project. Over the 13 months there were 5 different project managers (they were either fired or quit), four electricians, multiple visits by the painters to fix sloppy work, tile people who didn't know how to install a shower floor (which ultimately had to be removed twice before being fixed properly) and granite fabricators who incorrectly cut the countertops. The depth of the granite overhanging the cabinetry is inconsistent in both rooms as well as around the kitchen sink. * The quality of product was mostly substandard. I ordered new stock, soft-close cabinets that were on display in the MasterWorks showroom. The CEO later admitted that he did not provide the cabinets as seen in the showroom. Instead the cabinets were installed with drawers that did not fit and had to be mounted with shims rigged with cheap plastic and wood scraps. They were also cobbled together with different woods and assembled leaving gaps at joints. * I felt I was being punished by weeks and weeks of no work or communication simply because I told them when I was not satisfied with their workmanship. * The CEO, who was also the designer, said I shouldn?t expect perfection when I only asked for work to be done right and in a timely manner. In fact, he refused to take responsibility for most of the major design and construction problems in this project. In the end, MasterWorks abandoned the job, leaving behind scratches on the new hardwood floors, interior doors and toilet not reinstalled, cabinet drawers that do not work, general touch-up items and cleanup. I will use the small amount of remaining money to hire workers to come in and complete the project. We hope to soon move from the basement, where we have lived for 14 months, bringing an end to this ongoing disaster. You should read www.RenovationHell.org.

Demolished our kitchen without having the permit in hand. Waited two weeks for the permit. Job should have taken three weeks, however ours lasted just over eight weeks. If personnel worked more than three to fours hours a day they may have finished in four or five weeks Quality of sub contractors which Masterworks/Cabinet Cafe hired was at best horrible. Had to have a door frame redone three times to bring it to code. They framed with three 2X4 then placed the door jam in place. This was on a supporting wall of a two story home. Electrical boxes all at different heights some off by four inches. Electrician caught climbing on new stainless steel refrigerator to install pot lights. Tool belts scratch door. Still trying to get Masterworks/Cabinet Cafe to pay for the damage. Cabinet installers had cabinets on opposite sides of the sink off by 2 inches. Crown molding removed and replaced at leat four times due to poor workmanship. Kitchen ceiling torn down with new stainless steel glass top stove and refrigerator sitting in the middle of tea floor without protection. Had three different program managers due to first being fired (so I was told) second quit due to lack of support from owner, third did get the job done. Masterworks/Cabinet Cafe was so slow in paying the electrician sub contractor he was threatening to put a lean on my home. When I called owner she started yelling at me. Her excuses for not paying the sub... I never received the invoices. BS. Most sub contractors and those that were on Masterworks/Cabinet Cafe payroll had nothing good to say about owner and throughout the day called her/owner every name in the book in front of my wife and me. NO PROFESSIONALISM what so ever. First PM said he would do extra work not in the contract to make up for the damaged refrigerator yet Masterworks/Cabinet Cafe owner tells my point of contact at the company it was not their fault. Actually, all three PM seen the damage and said I would be compensated. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND hiring this company.

I was very pleased with the outcome and it was exactly what was promised. There were no surprises. They promised to complete the job in three weeks, but it turned out to be five weeks. Normally I wouldn?t be bothered, but I was coming home after having a baby. They did a good job. Some days they wouldn't tell you when they are coming and they just hang around the house. I had to call them a couple of times to find out what was going on.