Tell Projects

Tell-Projects Kitchen Renovation - Feedback The theme of this feedback would be a "Tale of Two Contractors" or The Good (Tell-Projects), The Bad (Krystle Kitchen & Bath Design Studio), and The Ugly (factors). We embarked on what would we hoped would be a fun, or at least rewarding, kitchen remodeling project April 2018. From various bids, Krystle's Kitchen & Bath Design Studio (KK&BDS) and Tell-Projects (both Angie’s List Members) were the most competitive. However, the winner KK&DBS, had a closer showroom for visits and sample viewing. The Bad -- Krystle Kitchen & Bath Design Studio (KK&DBS) KK&DBS started demolition the last week of April 2018. Although otherwise assured by Krystle, the project manager never actually showed up to our job site. Beginning May, electrical/wiring work was started but not completed. Same for drywall installation and texturing. Then, cabinet products were delivered and the cabinet installer worked a few days, only to be taken off our job to service another KK&BDS customer. Never to return. Granted, smaller contractors require diverting some resources to other projects, but temporarily. However, the only trade work in June resulted from an electrician to install a highly-sought outlet. Suspicion, and a hunch, prompted a visit to KK&BDS office on June 30. The result was a jolting, but not surprising, discovery. The Krystle's Kitchen & Bath Design Studio operation was locked out by the strip center landlord for lack rent payment back on April 30. The timing adversely affected our project. Obtaining legal consequently ended any further contractual dealing with KK&BDS. After much deliberation, we turned back to Tell-Projects. Despite having passed on them previously, any concern about any residual offense proved unfounded. Ellie was quite gracious and understanding because they have seen this way too many times. The Good – Tell-Projects In July, Zach's second bid version was reasonable and they were available to start the project within a short time. Zach found the floor-cabinetry foundations, installed by KK&BDS, lacking in many ways. So, the Tell crew set them aside to install the flooring first. A level foundation would effectively anchor the floor cabinets and ensure substantial support for a heavy quartz countertop. Otherwise, over time, the cabinetry would have sunk or collapsed from improper construction by KK&BDS. Several trades came into build the rest of the kitchen in prompt order. The countertop specialist and assistant showed noteworthy artistry in the way he was able match the seams of the quartz countertop with the same quartz backsplash. There were some dings and defects that also had to be addressed. But ultimately, Albert provided the right - almost magical - touch in finishing some potentially troublesome nicks on the countertop surface. Next, the electrical trade crew displayed impressive acumen in correcting the unwieldy mess left by the previous electrical contractor. Observing their troubleshooting reminded me of scientists researching complex problems and reasoning workable solutions for them. They were able to implement the necessary breakers and fabricate plugs to make the new oven/range work. These same electricians were able to adequately finish the under-cabinet lighting and plugs/light switches. My spouse appreciated the Tell-Project carpenters’ cabinetry and trim work, despite missing some materials from the previous job. Their deft improvisational skills might have made for a better cabinetry presentation than what the missing original materials might have provided. The Ugly.... That KK&BDS contractor quality control was laughable was evidenced by what Tell-Projects had to correct to finish the kitchen project. This was typified by the aforementioned lack of proper anchoring for the floor cabinets and the challenging Rubick's cube of wiring left for the electricians to decipher. Lack of finishing materials in sheetrock, cabinetry and trim temporarily added to the problem. Additional plumbing work had to be performed to meet the standards of Tell-Project management. KK&BDS left gaping holes in the ceiling upon abandonment. The lack of sheetrock replacement and constantly falling insulation caused undue strain on our air conditioning system. This resulted in having to repair the AC condenser. For our part, a person was always present at the house site to support the whole project, negating any no-show excuses by KK&BDS project management. For their part, the only time an actual project manager, KK&BDS-owner Paul Barboza in this case, turned up, was to obtain the initial check, with the designer and partner, Krystle Barboza. Furthermore, lack of returned phone calls and test messages by Krystle, who took this responsibility was all too frustrating. So, the realization and confirmation that the contractor abandoned our project with little, or actually, no warning did not surprise but disappointed. It was little consolation there were other known victims of KK&BDS project abandonment other than us. Consulting legal counsel revealed that the business entity, Krystle's Kitchen & Bath Design Studio, was dissolved only to take a new entity. The good thing is this new business is not in the home remodeling/design niche as old KK&BDS, luckily for others. Tell-Projects commitment to quality and detail helped complete what turned out to be over three months of remodeling. Had we gone with Tell-Projects originally, the project would have been done in less than 3 weeks. And, there might have been a little providence because, had KK&BDS completed the project, the floor cabinetry would have collapsed from the sheer weight of the quartz counters. For quality assurance and reasonable price, Tell-Projects should be a great choice.

Tell-Projects recently performed a complete remodel at our home in Missouri City, TX. 
The work was completed on time and on budget and we're delighted with the results. There were some minor exceptions but these were the result of changes or additions that were made to the original project. For example, once the project began, we found that the electric panel, siding, air conditioning and ducts all had to be replaced. In addition, we added landscaping, garage improvements and exterior work mid-project which Zach handled graciously and capably. 

Before starting our renovations, we met with and requested bids from several contractors and found Tell-Project’s bid to be detailed and reasonable, though not the least expensive. (We had prior experience using the lowest bid contractor that a friend referred - an experience that will not be repeated.) 

What we liked most about working with Zach is that he is a capable and skilled craftsman and a very good listener. He took time to discuss our project with us and was always available and receptive to ideas even when outside the scope of the original project. The home has custom built kitchen and bath cabinets which Zach restored as part of the job. He also performed work that we requested on our garage, kitchen, and exterior. When we needed outside services and asked Zach for referrals, all those that he recommended to us were excellent. 

Another reason we can recommend Tell-Projects is the quality of the entire team. Ellie and the entire office staff manage all of the communications, paperwork, inventory and billing promptly and professionally. They willingly took delivery of materials at their warehouse and picked up materials ordered from multiple retailers around Houston. They even returned unused material to the respective retailers at the conclusion of the job. When you hire a contractor it's hard to know what type of crew you'll be getting. The entire Tell-Project team was always punctual, polite and professional and seemed attentive to details. In addition, they meticulously prepped the work area each morning and cleaned up at the end of each day. 

Our job involved carpentry and painting, reframing doors and windows, installing tile flooring, wiring, lighting and landscaping. The walls and ceilings of the entire home were repaired and painted. After almost forty years in this home, it's never performed or looked better. 

In summary, we are delighted with Tell-Projects and would not hesitate to recommend them.

Excellent! - The project manager Zach and Ellie are very professional, nice and easy to work with. - The quotes are detailed and when we added things on (fixing a squeaky floor, replacing the ladder to our attic) they provided an estimate upfront. - The price was very reasonable and the quality was very high. - We had some unexpected plumbing issues when we opened up the walls and the plumber and Zach were able to come up with a very good solution. - The tiling team was outstanding - they were careful about centering the pattern on the shower benches and nooks. - The also had to move an AC vent and sheetrock over an old doorway. They matched the paint perfectly and you can't tell that there was ever a doorway.

Awesome. Very professional and did great work.

Contemplating a remodel for a family member Tell-Projects was 1 of 2 remodel companies being considered. We went with Tell-Projects because of their quick response on the first home visit (Sunday), great suggestions on improving layouts on bathrooms (by project manager Zach), being able to see ideas on their mobile showroom, very resonable pricing, and using their own licensed plumbers, electricians, carpenters, tilers etc and no sub contractors.. What work was done: 2 bathrooms (guest and master BR), and kitchen were complete demolition - taken down to studs; 4 new electrical circuits in kitchen, re-wiring for recessed lighting in BRs, Kitchen, Living Room; New tile wood planks throughout home (except for bedrooms); New Quartz countertops for Kitchen and bathrooms; plumbing changes in MBR and replacement of old copper valves; new insulation and sheet rock, repainted entire interiors (except bedroom); New Kitchen cabinets, and vanities for both bathrooms, new tub and and toilets. Lots of tiling in bathrooms and kitchen. Tell-Projects staff: The first day on the project Zach, myself and all the tradesmen did a complete walk through on tasks to be accomplished - very impressive. Zach was our project manager and was responsive to all our concerns either in person, call or text. He kept our project on schedule and workmen at the house every day Monday-Friday. We never had any idle days - there was always constant activity and progress. His crews were no nonsense, always busy at their tasks, professional, courteous and always cleaned up at the end of each day. Melvin was at the house almost continuous for 2 weeks and was a go between on activities back to office - and kept me informed on activities. The project was slated for 4-6 weeks and we completed in 4 weeks. We added 2 work orders during the project. Several times tradesmen or Zach had good ideas for additional improvements, the but my budget was firm. Office staff: I was in almost daily communication with Adrianna - who answered many of my questions on the contract, work orders and payment schedule. Adrianna was my go to on the business end of the project and was always courteous and worked to get answers for me. Alicia was instrumental in walking us through purchasing allotted budget items identified in the contract. She was gracious to make some last minute changes I wanted. Ellie was helpful in outlining the work orders request. We had a couple of minor hiccups that Tell-Projects made right - same day. I plan on using Tell-Projects again. Great job by all

We used Tell Project in my first house for a home remodel and it went excellently, so we hired them for a kitchen remodel in another house. The kitchen is beautiful! The result is wonderful as well as a fair price. We highly recommend them and they were very professional throughout the entire process!

Tell Projects was definitely worthwhile the wait! I was very impressed with the professionalism, punctuality and knowledge of the job needed. The quote took around 4 business days to receive it but I am very glad i decided to go with them. Price was competitive. I had a double raised panel frame and we glazed the cabinets. Looks beautiful! Countertop is on spot as well as backsplash and fixtures. What I really liked was they offered me a budget to work with for sink and faucet. I really got the kitchen of my dreams.

Tell’s quote came in over 2k higher than the person I went with. Also, instead of listening to what I wanted and building it, he was telling me he would cut pre-fab cabinets. I told him several times what I wanted, with drawings and instead he told me what he was going to do. So happy I went with a carpenter who was willing to build what I wanted. It turned out amazing.

Tell Projects was very professional and we were very happy with the outcome of our bathroom. The crew works hard and are experienced in all areas, i.e., plumbing, tile work, painting, etc. Good communication with project manager at all times. We highly recommend Tell Projects. Nicely done!

Great! Mikael was a good project manager. Did a nice job for me!

We used Tell Projects to redo our master bathroom shower, paint several areas, replace a kitchen sink with faucets and paint the entire exterior of our home. All of the work was done professionally and with excellent craftsmanship. I was updated nearly daily on progress and plans, and the job was done on time and on budget. I would use this company again.

They quoted $3,000 for our tile and min $5/sq ft for painting the house. They seemed to be more of a designer painting company not at all a budget friendly one. We had two other quotes from Angies list contractors that weren’t nearly this high. They seemed to not be interested in the job once we questioned why it was so much. He said that was the minimum and decided not to look at the rest so as not to waste any more of ours or his time - his words. I thought this was very rude and honestly once he said this didn’t want to do business with the company anyway.

Zach, Aquiles and their team did great job and my kitchen looks much better than it was before Hurricane Harvey. The team members were all courteous and diligent, well trained to deal with customers. It took me 3 months to decide which GC to retain for my restoration project because I got too careful about selection, but my decision turned out to be correct. Furthermore, Ellie’s customer service is something that I never had with other contractors. She was so responsive and patient listening to us for any concerns, I could feel at ease throughout the project. Now I am asking them to estimate repair/remodeling of my stairway because I couldn’t think of any better ones. Tell-Project definitely helped me and my family recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Pros: -Communication was very clear and the office always checked on progress. -The overall work performed turned out amazing. -They scheduled work in a timely manner to keep projects going. -Worked with my mortgage company for insurance reasons. -Quality and cost were top notch. Had several estimates and they competed or beat out all others. Cons: Not much to say here. The only project that was just average was the interior doors installation. Several of them are still not flush. When shut, there are still visible openings. Maybe some of the doors are warped, but I believe this could have been done better. I highly recommend this company and believe you will not be disappointed. 5 stars! Before pics have dark countertops-..

The whole process went smoothly. No surprises or complications. These guys do excellent work!

Inspection and work was quick and painless. Very pleased with the entire process.

Super impressed by Tell Projects! They were priced competitively, extremely responsive to calls and emails (Ellie does their communication and is extremely professional and fast!), and the work was done perfectly and all within about 5 hours. The guys were going to show up between 9-11 and arrived right at 9, as I had asked if we could wrap everything up in one day. They were super professional, laid down floor covering, cleaned the kitchen after the job was done, and didn't leave a trace. Unfortunately the dishwasher wasn't turning on after the job, so I called Ellie and she sent someone out the next business day who fixed it right away! 10/10 customer service, responsiveness, and quality. I would definitely recommend and hire again.

I got an estimate for my bathroom flooring.

My wife and I decided to remodel both bathrooms in our house. They needed a fresh look and a complete update. Having seen the quality of work done by Tell Projects, I knew that I wanted them to do the work. I had Zach come by my house with his truck (the mobile showroom) and show my wife the many samples of flooring, tile, cabinets, and hardware. She was so impressed with Zach and the quality of his products that she agreed with me that Tell Projects was the company we wanted to do the work for us. Tell Projects gave us a 10-14 day estimate to finish the work. The workers were courteous and respectful of both our home and the three cats we have in the house. Like any remodeling project there were a couple of things that we added to the project. Both times Zach came by to inspect the issue and let us know how much the additional work would cost. They finished both rooms in 16 days due to the additional work we requested. The whole process was a very positive experience. None of the nightmare stories that you hear about remodeling. Both Zach and Ellie kept in constant contact with my wife and I. They answered our questions and made suggestions for every decision that had to be made from the tile, to the flooring, to the number of shower heads we needed. Each day the men worked quickly and cleaned up before leaving. I would recommend Tell Projects for any job you have from replacing a door to adding a room to your home. If I could use three words to describe this company they would be honest, respectful, and quality. Thank you Tell Projects and especially Zach and Ellie for two beautiful bathrooms!! Ken Robinson

They did an excellent job and completed the project on time. Also had some of the best pricing of the other quotes I received.

Everyone I came in contact with at Tell Projects was highly professional, courteous, and patiently answered all my questions during our recent shower remodel. The work was completed on time, exactly as promised, and exactly at the cost quoted. The crew that came to my home were all Tell Projects employees, not outside contractors; and the same crew of plumbers, painters, tile installers and glass installers worked the entire project from start to finish. The finished work is beautiful and we couldn't be happier. I look forward to working with them on my next project.

Zach and his team did a great job remodeling two bathrooms. In only 3 days they were able to demo old tile, cabinets, countertops, tubs and mirrors; install new tubs and toilets, lay new tile for floors and shower surrounds, install new countertops and faucets, install new mirrors and move wiring for new light fixtures. They came when they said they would, worked very efficiently and even cleaned up after themselves. I will definitely use Tell Projects again and have already given their contact information to a friend.

Fantastic job done. Fantastic group of guys. Excellent. Love love love our new bathroom. Highly recommend. Great price

They did an awesome job at a reasonable price and were finished on time. Everything looks great and I am very happy with the whole process.

Zach showed up promptly and was very pleasant during the initial estimate walkthrough. He told me to expect an estimate in a few days. After hearing no news for over a week, I called and requested a status. They returned my call to tell me that they were too busy to take the work, and that Zach was on an overseas trip for personal/family reasons. I understand family issues may happen and they are free to refuse work, but communication was extremely lacking, especially after stating that they could do the work.