ROOM 2 ROOM RENOVATIONS/ DEKS REMODELING

Project was nearly paid in full but only about half complete. Contractor stopped responding to numerous attempts to contact. Buyer beware.

We scheduled our first visit for a Monday at 9:00 am. However, R2R representative Duke did not show or call. We then called the office and were told that no one at the office was aware of Duke's activities that morning. Shortly thereafter we received a call that Duke had an emergency that morning and but could come over that same afternoon. While inconvenient, we accepted the explanation and apology and rescheduled for that afternoon. Duke came over and was professional enough. However, after being promised a prompt follow-up with an estimate, we heard nothing for over a month. We then called the office to inquire whether there was interest in the job or not. We were told that Duke had been out with the flu, was interested in the job and would promptly follow up with us. We've again heard nothing for many weeks. The total lack of communication, professionalism and customer regard is startling, particulalry in comparison to our past experiences with highly rated Angie's List providers. It is clear that R2R either has little regard for customer follow-up, or is unwilling to be upfront that they don't like smaller scale projects than large home renovations. For all of the positive reviews we'd seen on Angie's list, we were very disappointed to have a terrible experience. We would not recommend R2R.

During the project design phase everything seemed to be going very well. Duke, the owner, was very involved and helpful. We signed the deal around Christmas of 2012 and the project started on time in late February. During the demolition of the kitchen bulkhead, his crew punctured a hole through the drywall into the next room. Unfortunately, that next room had a custom paint job on the wall, which they destroyed. While they repaired the drywall, they were not able to reproduct the color or pattern on the wall. They did a terrible job leveling out the ceiling, it was lumpy and wavy. A few days later, when most of the demolition was done, they discovered that there were manufacturing defects on the at least 4 or 5 of the new upper cabinets. The cabinets were a frameless style with a recessed bottom so that no rail was necessary along the bottom of the cabinets. Except the the wood pieces which were used to create the recessed bottoms along those cabinets, were installed backwards and updside down (rough/unfinished side out). The pantry cabinet was the wrong size. One of the bases for the peninsula was too big because it was not properly planned in the design. (It would not have allowed the fridge back into the kitchen). The manufacturer replaced that base for a smaller one at no cost but still had to remake all the cabinets with the defects. So we were once again waiting 6-8 weeks for the cabinets to come in, except since Duke and crew did not check the original cabinets BEFORE starting demolition, we were now left with absolutely no kitchen and living with a demo zone! Also, when he first resubmitted our defect claim to the manufacturer he went ahead and ordered the cabinet type that didn't have a recessed bottom and we would have to have the traditional rail installed. That is not what we paid for and he went ahead and changed this without getting our agreement or telling us until I figured it out when he started asking me about rail type we wanted. I understand his intent was to prevent the same defect from coming to us again, but that was not the cabinet type we wanted. So he had to cancel that warrenty claim, and then once again create a new one. So were delayed again, and starting the 6-8 week wait all over. Waiting about 10 weeks now!. Our old kitchen was dated but fully functional, so this made us extremly upset at both the quality of the manufacturer as well as Duke's lack of foresight to check the product before tearing everything out. Under the circumstances, he did act very professional and attempted to do everything in his power to get us the replacements we wanted. The cabinets which were done right, were absolutely beautiful and everything we had hoped for. Quality hardwood, no styles, soft close, all the bells and whistles. So while waiting for the replacement upper cabinets, counter top people came out did the template for the counter. We chose to do a Wilsonart HD laminate countertop. It was because and the incredble cost was 1/5th of the stone. Since we spent so much on the cabinets it was worth it. Also I really don't like my glasses and dishes clanking against stone surfaces. In addition, I could get the no-drip edge with a laminate,which I couldn't get with a stone. We received a forwarded sketch of the countertop from Duke/counter company, everyone agreed and we went back to waiting for the replacement cabinets to come in which expected mid April. A few weeks later we get a new sketch from the countertop company, saying they needed to build a triangular raised shelf in the corner of the countertop where the two pieces met in the kitchen corner. They said because the edge style and seams would look funny if they didn't do this. We said WHAT? We didn't want/expect this at all. If we didn't choose the 'shelf' then their would be a baseball homeplate shaped piece of countertop which would have to join the two larger sections. What? Both options ridiculous and they could not explain to us why it was necessary even after we spoke to the counter making company ourselves. We did eventually figure out the reason, but sadly it was by talking to a home depot worker, because neither Duke nor his counter people could explain why a normal seam wouldn't work there. So the only option to avoid either of the ridiculous looks was to choose a different edge style for the counter, which meant I wasn't getting my no-drip edge. Annoyed and frustrated, we agreed to choose a different edge style. While waiting, Duke also discovered the sink which was chosen was now discontinued so we had to choose a different sink, again, annoying, but not a big deal, we chose a different sink. Finally in May, the cabinets had come in and he found a new crew to finish the job. They seemed a little more competent. First they had to redo a 5ft area of the ceiling which was left lumpy and uneven because they could't even hang the cabinets there straight. They also found the manufacturer still messed up the recessed bottoms on a few of the cabinets, they actually re-made those small pieces on-site and replaced the badly installed ones from the manufacturer. They looked great and we were ok with that. They worked hard to hang and adjust everything to our liking and worked out any minor details I asked them to do. Unfortunately, they scratched an entry way wall when bringing in one of the new cabinets, so they had to repaint that area for us, which turned out ok. They also had to repaint around the ktichen entryway where the first crew got primer on the living room walls just outside the ktichen. So then the countertops were brought in and one of the pieces wasn't done right, so it had to be remade. Waiting again... A week or so later, that piece came in and we were good to go again. Sadly we noticed later that while installing the countertop, they managed to scratch the side of the one cabinet that went all the way from ceiling the the counter. We felt so weary with this project at that point, we didn't say anything and just let it go. When they crew moved the fridge back into the kitchen, a nearly brand new stainless steel $3K fridge, they left 3 small dents on the fridge door from the strap they used when putting it on the dolly. They refused to own up to causing the damage. We asked Duke to simply cover the cost of the replacement door, he not only refused us, but told his crew they need to get us a whole new fridge! We never asked for that but that is what the crew guy told us when we talked to him again. We said we only asked for the door to be replaced and Duke was giving them misinformation. Either way, it was never done, we still have a dented door. Nobody took care of it. Part of the redesign involved putting the fridge in a new spot in the kitchen and running a new water line. They removed a copper line and refused to put in a new copper line for the new location, only a plastic flexihose! A plastic line deteriorates and leaks much faster. We only asked to replace with same quality of product as he removed, he refused. Plus, it was several feet shorter. There was also an air return in the wall where the fridge was moved to. We asked to simply put the air return vent in the floor directly below/behind the fridge as the main return duct runs directly below the fridge, he refused to do that, after tearing out the air return from that wall. He said he never agreed to do this, but we never agreed to lose our return competely.. so this was never done and we are left at a standstill on the issue. We found that there were dings along the edges of some of the cabinet doors, he said these would be replaced under warranty. We never got the replacements.They also never installed the hardware on these doors either, so several doors have no hardware still. His guy installed a handle on one door where the drawer next to that door was hitting the handle, so that door had to be replaced because it now had holes on the wrong side. We never got the replacement. We also have one cabinet which is still missing shelves. There is still a half inch gap between the upper counter and half wall of the peninsula. His first crew destroyed our side-wall exhaust fan by using it to draw out drywall dust. Duke was unable to find a replacement fan. I spent several days scouring the web and found a company who makes replacement parts for the old fan. I paid for it and had it shipped to our house. Duke has refused to install those parts even though his second crew was capable of dissambling and re-assembling the old fan. The kitchen sink plumbing was done wrong. The water wouldn't drain. I posted images of the plumbing on an expert forum and had two licensed plumbers confirm it was done wrong. Duke wouldn't acknowledge the issue. I needed a working sink so I had to call and pay a real plumber to come redo it. We also paid him to install a proper copper water line with the correct shut-off valve. In late June, I sent him a list of 10 tasks which were unfinished that he totally ignored and did not respond to. He's also refused to provide us with our proof of purchase on the cabinets, so we can't deal with the warranty claims ourselves. In early August he emailed me that all the warrenty parts arrived, and he would let me know when he had someone to install them. I September we had a baby, so we decided not to bother Duke for a few months because we were busy with a newborn. On January 1st 2014, I emailed him and reminded him we are still waiting on our warranty parts. I got NO REPLY. It has now beed OVER A YEAR since the project started and we're still missing parts and have unifinished, unresolved work. We used our own flooring, electrical, and tile contractors that worked out great and were half of Duke's cost. Duke threatened if they cause delays, we owe him $! Ha... how many delays he has caused us! Next step, submit this same complaint to BBB.

They did kitchen and bathroom remodeling works for us. We are very satisfied for they provided us quality works. They were very helpful and very efficient.

Overall the project went well. We had one issue with the shower door, The sub for the glass door, Crescent Supply, were a problem, but Duke managed them as we expected. The problem did cause a delay in finishing the project. We would not allow Crescent Supply again. We are very pleased with the final product. Terry, Dukes project lead, is wonderful and did most of the work.

Installed flooring in kitchen and removed out old flooring in bathroom and installed new tile there as well. The work was done in a very timely manner. They cleaned up after each day. Duke's operation is a completely professional organization from top to bottom. If you want work done correctly the first time then don't hesistate to contact Room 2 Room.

Work started on date suggested. This company would be considered a General Contractor as they have numerous and quot;specialty contractors working for them. Inclusive of Professional Plasterer, and Professional Painter. We're going to have Central Air installed, but cost was prohibitive, so this company did not push. They provided two different AC Suppliers/Contractor bids but again cost was a bit high, and a bit too labor intensive. All in all we felt a very professional job done with pride and care for the customer's ideas.

Overall - great! Duke knew an electrician - Chris McGivern - who jumped right in and moved some wiring from the walls to be removed to the floor and installed new lighting for me. Duke then came and knocked down the walls and installed a new partial wall for my cabinets. I'm putting in a pantry plus 2 other cabinets - which will have granite countertop on it. Granite is going on the other countertop, as well as an undermount sink - which I'd ordered from Home Depot. They need a 4 week lead time. Duke said he could've gotten granite in 2 weeks - wish I'd gone with him on that! I'll try to post photos when it's all done!

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The whole job took a full month, because of plastering procedures needing to cure, before painting. All crew members were pleasant to work with and arrived at an appropriate time each morning, some even coming on Saturdays to complete a particular portion of the job.

I first used DEKS to prepare a property for sale. They did a complete kitchen renovation including installing new cabinets, flooring, ceramic tile and the associated plumbing and carpentry. They also replaced numerous old style windows with modern new replacements. This included some tricky metal work to finish the exterior and assure the house was fully weatherproofed for the coming winter. In each and every task there was an attention to detail that set their work apart from the traditional remodelers. Their work was so superior that the property sold quickly in a depressed real estate market where property was not moving. I think the quick sale was, in a large part, due to the great job DEKS / ROOM 2 ROOM did in getting the property ready for sale. I was so impressed with their work that I hired them to update the kitchen in my own home. This job went as flawlessly as the first and I was totally satisfied with their level of professionalism and the quality of their work. I can think of no better endorsement than to say that in the future I will use DEKS / Room 2 Room every chance I get and I am confident that I will get top notch service from a AAA+ company.