RemodelWerks

Terrible experience. Almost textbook bait and switch, rude as well. We needed our basement remodeled. Joe was one of several contractors we asked to provide an estimate. After visiting the basement, taking measurements, asking questions etc., Joe gave an initial estimate of $135-145K. Not cheap but seemed reasonable. The catch? Joe requires you to pay $9K up front, for the "Design Phase". Should have walked away at that stage...but when we ask what if the quote suddenly gets jacked up, Joe promises this never happens, since they are very experienced, unless customers ask for very specific/expensive selections or added features. Fast forward 6 weeks later: Joe serves us a new estimate, which is a whopping 186K + extra 13.5K for some extras. This is not a typo, $46K or 33% above midpoint of initial estimate. We try to work with Joe but bringing down cost within budget appears to be impossible...other than making DRASTIC cust (removing bathroom, kitchen etc). Adding insult to injury, we ask Joe to refund us whole or partial amount of the 9K due to a very poor estimate....which he refuses. Left 9K poorer, with basement drawings we cannot use, and to top it all rude comments from RemodelWerks. Stay away and saves yourself money, time and headaches. Unless you are just looking for design services and 3D drawings, perhaps.

Horrible experience. Project was a complete remodel of the single bathroom in my condo. Initial estimate was 6-8 weeks for completion. Since it is my only bathroom, time was of the essence. The job took just under 5 months to complete. I picked out all of the materials well in advance and told the contractor to make sure everything was ordered and received prior to starting the job. I experienced several lengthy delays for materials. Work was done sporadically and not in the proper sequence in some cases ( vanity and toilet installed before the walls were plastered and painted for instance). These "out of sequence" tasks were performed because they generated payment points per the contract. I sent several scathing emails, and never had personal contact with the owner after the initial contract template review. The project was handed off to a Project Manager. The primary sub-contractor for the all of the tile and other detail work quit before his portion of the work was completed due to reimbursement issues with Remodelwerks. My bathroom was an afterthought for this company. The required payments were front end loaded. Although the final product is very nice, the whole experience was very stressful and a tremendous inconvenience. I was without a functioning shower for months. I would strongly discourage hiring this contractor unless you are able to put some "teeth" into the contract for delay penalties.

We had been in contact with Joe for over 3 years before we ultimately decided to go with RemodelWerks. In all honestly, we were skeptical at first at the "sales pitch," but the design-to-build process that RemodelWerks touts really does work and their process is the best we've encountered. I can't even begin to describe how pleased we were with the team from beginning to end! The communication was outstanding, way beyond any other contractor we've worked with - they always kept us apprise of what was happening when. We had a close-to-full first floor remodel, which included a complete gut and relocation of both the kitchen and bathroom. The team was outstanding and always made sure that they had a RemodelWerks rep meet any new subcontractor at the house before the sub started their work. From the design, to the demo, to the carpentry - everything and everyone was so professional. We could't be more pleased!

It was over what I could afford, so have been doing it step by step myself. I may call upon him again to help me finish the project.