Foster Remodeling Solutions, Inc.

Not yet finished

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The only problem was the sound-proofing for the theater. That was significantly less than desired. But everything else was well-done, it looked very nice, and they were very professional from start to finish. They also kept it within the budget (although the budget was more than we had originally planned), and handled the few problems well.

The job was done PERFECTLY. It was done professionally and completely. The workers were superb. They really have the best construction workers in the business. One guy, Mike, the head technician is a gem. He is not only courteous and friendly, but he is truly a craftsman of his trade. He even did some finishing touches to make the job even nicer. The work was done quickly and efficiently for an extremely reasonable rate.

My husband found them on the radio. We spent about $3000 for their service. They were great. They listen to you. They did what was asked. I had a good idea of what the price would be. They cost a little more than the mainstream organization, but they did nice work and I am very happy with it. They were very responsive and did good quality work. They were expensive. I would use their services in the future too.

It went well.

It went almost flawlessly.. Started and finished on schedule. Excellent preparation including schedules, plans, & estimates. Staff is friendly, cooperative, & highly competent.

This was our first major remodeling project for our home. It seemed like it was going to be decently affordable. We had gotten 3 estimates. Once we started work there were a lot of change orders and the price kept going up and up and up when we were getting the work done. It was hard to find contractors at that time and they were more expensive than now. The cabinets and everything went up a scale and they had great vendors to help us pick the tile. They have a good array of moderately priced and style of cabinets. They offered architectural services but I kinda laid it all out. I felt like we were charged too much for architectural services when there was only so much we could do with our square space. We got more bids subsequently and they paid almost double. They never came back and fixed anything. The guy was always here on time while doing the work. They did not cover my hard wood floors and they ruined them. We had an issue with them fixing them as well. I would not use them again in the future.

We requested an estimate from Foster based on work done in our home by the previous owners. Foster was very responsive - came out for a review of the project, follow-up in a timely fashion in getting an estimate, and providing a fairly detailed estimate. However, the price quote was double that of the other contractors we got estimates on. In addition, the proposed project did not meet the specifications we had discussed in our meeting, and the follow-up meeting to present the proposal/estime was in their offices (which was an inconvenience). While we appreciate the quality of work Foster's does, we decided not to pursue them for this project based solely on the high price we were quoted. While I understand that there will be some variation in price between contractors, the fact that Foster's price was double what several others quoted us was unacceptable.

Everything was top notch until I saw the estimate. It was more than double other estimates. I eliminated Foster from consideration on this basis only. Given the work they bid was the same as others bid on, twice the price is inexplicable. too bad - everything was great up until then.

Work was conducted in two phases: Repairs first then bathroom remodels. All work was highly satisfactory and professionally done beginning with estimating, design assistance, and product selection through installation and finish work. Foster's Design Center and design staff were extremely helpful offering advice and consultation in product selections and their real world experience of what will "fit together" as well as be most likely more satisfactory to our taste. We received detailed drawings to be able to visualize the result. Design specifications were very detailed and as an example showed the exact pattern for the workers to lay the tiles. This helped ensure we knew what we were buying and that the on site team delivered what we had been promised. The attention to detail is unmatched and included ensuring that all items matched down to drain covers, handles on fixtures, and screws and bolts. This provided a uniform look and feel and made the work complete. It also made us aware of the difference in quality we got compared to other work we have viewed done for other customers by other contractors. David Foster took the time to get to know us and our taste and expectations. He was therefore able to provide both personalized and expert service in areas we needed it without burdening us with trivial items or details that were not meaningful or important to us. ALL work was done timely according to schedule or in many cases ahead of schedule and in some cases came in under budget -- except for changes we made to substitute some higher end products we selected after the contract was signed. Changes were kept minimal and the on-site team reported other possible areas of improvement they encountered while doing the work without any pressure to increase the scope of the job. The price quoted was higher than some people would expect and for other work we had done years ago. But, prior work done by others was shown to be not professional at least and in some cases in violation of code and/or sound practices. This was in stark contrast to the high quality of work and warranty/commitment to customer satisfaction Fosters provided. The work done was well worth the expense. We never second guessed a dime of what we spent. David Foster himself visited the site frequently and again about 30-45 days after work was done to review it and ensure our satisfaction. Minor things we were willing to or had been required to "live with" from other contractors were fixed without hesitation or cost. He also delivered a well organized set of operating manuals for all items and completed all warranty submissions. This is a highly useful service not ever discussed by other contractors which ensures we will always be able to find the manuals and instructions long after we "forget" how to operate some of the systems. Fosters approach also included professional project management services rather than relying solely on the on-site workman to manage the work. This helped ensure quality and delivery according to the contract terms, schedule, and budget. We are considering other work and will call David Foster first. We have no doubt that the work will be done right and be fairly priced. We have learned the hard way that you get what you pay for and cutting budgets often results in shoddy work and a disappearing contractor who won't finish the job. We never had those issues with Fosters.

The project went very well. This was the first time I was involved with a major change to my house except for such things as the replacement of my roof and HVAC system. Thus I really did not know what to expect. Foster's staff work diligently with me to get the features and styles I wanted as well as working with me to "calm my nerves." The first step was meeting with Foster's interior designer and sales manager. They were invaluable in helping me decide what I wanted my kitchen and bathrooms to look like. (And believe me, I am very happy with the results.) This was followed by Foster's architects doing the actual design work which was submitted for my approval. The most difficult part of the process was the demolition stage where all the old "stuff" was taken out. But before starting the project, the lead carpenters were very reassuring and carefully explain how the remodeling process would proceed. It still was an interesting experience standing in my gutted kitchen and looking up through my attic and seeing the inside of my roof. From this point there was daily progress in the reconstruction of the various rooms. Thus each day I was able to more and more of my new kitchen and bathrooms coming together. Then one day, it was all done. The project was completed on-time and within the budget range given to me prior to signing the contract. It was at the upper part of the range but a lot of that was my fault because of some contract modifications I wanted as the work proceeded. Yes, you make changes after the work begins. All work passed Fairfax County inspection with no problems. A couple of additional thoughts. First, Foster's was very good about minimizing the dust and debris and cleaned-up after every days work. Foster's is also licensed by the EPA to remove lead paint which is a big deal if you have children. Second, the process to a large extent is linear. You need to do A before you can do B before you can do C. Thus, while it seems everything can be done in a week or two, it cannot. Third, the project's lead carpenters made numerous suggestions to improve a look and/or the functionality of the end product. I never disagreed with any of their suggestions. ( They also answered all of my really stupid questions without making me feel stupid.) Finally, I was very impress with all the subcontractors who worked the job. (They were supervised by the lead carpenters.) The bottom line is that Foster's did an excellent job while making a very difficult situation almost pleasant. (I want to meet the person who truly believes remodeling was the most pleasant experience of their life.) Sorry about the typos.

The whole experience from planning, demolition, to installation, and as well as finishing went according to the project plan. In fact the project was completed one week yearly. They communicate every step of the way ensuring we knew what to expect each day along the process. I hear many stories about remodeling where things don't go well. I would say a strong "do" is to have a contractor with a proving planning method up front. This eliminates many pitfalls down the road. You must have requirements up front and most importantly understood by both the home owner and contractor. Another important do is to get a project manager and site manger who clear communicates with the home owner each step of the way. (We had an excellent site manager that could be trusted to and was experienced in all aspects of the job.) Foster closed off parts of our living space when they were removing walls and ceilings with plastic walls to ensure we had as little inconvenience as possible. Do hired a company that is committed to the project and will be there when the job is finished. Our experience with Foster is one that I hope to become one of their many excellent referrals that I would make them my remodeling contractor for life. The overall value for the workmanship and process is worth every penny.

The price they quoted me was $40,000. Their professionalism was pretty good and they were not outstanding, but were horrible either. The amount of work we had did not meet with the amount that they quoted and was where the issue was. It was fine to interact with them, but we hoping for a little higher level of details than they provided.

The Company is very reliable, insured and we felt comfortable that they would do a good job. Their price range was considerable higher than some other companies that we felt comfortable with. They got back straight away.

The estimate seemed quite expensive for just two bathrooms. They were very professional. They also seemed to be organized. I'm not going to pursue the job for financial reasons.

I initially contacted Foster for a quote, and they were one of two companies that responded to the request. The production manager called me back after I had set up the date, and he asked for a variety of dimensions for the closet so that he could get a quote on the door. His quote was close to what we expected, so we went with that, and he gave us an estimate on the expected labor so we would know what the final cost should be. He then came to the house to verify some measurements before ordering the door, then set up a new appointment based on the lead time for shipment of the door. The work was expected to take a day, but it ended up being a few hours longer. Foster's charge per hour ($95) is quite expensive, so these were a costly few hours, but the workmanship was good and the job complete. When the work was done on the second day, the "Home Handyman" cleaned up and took away the trash (for a fee). The bill he left was about $300 higher than what we anticipated, and after discussing this with the production manager, we sorted out the details and came to an agreement on a somewhat lower price closer to the estimate. The work that was done was of very high quality. We're looking forward to using our widened closet door to improve the storage in our bedroom.

At the initial visit, I believed that Mr. Scott Davis, who had come to our home, advised me that he would call within a couple of days to set up a second meeting. That meeting was to be in a week to 10 days, after he had had time to work up a general estimate, but no actual drawings. Over a week later, when I had not yet heard from him, I called him back. He says it was a misunderstanding, that he was to contact me in a week to 10 days. In any event, we made an appointment for the meeting, which could not be held for another week because of my schedule. Prior to that meeting, my husband sent Mr. Davis an email asking for additional information. That email was never responded to. At the meeting, Mr. Davis presented the estimate; it was $85,000-91,000. This is $25,000-$31,000 higher than the next highest estimate--at least 33% more. In addition, Foster uses Crystal brand cabinets. We are have never heard of them and are unable to find any objective information about them on the internet. We decided not to have them do the work because of the cost and because we feel that if there are communication problems before we contract to use them, there will be greater difficulties after we commit to their company. Fosters makes customers pay a substantial design fee before providing any drawings. Other companies we have contacted have not done this.

Before I get started, I want to say that Marco, the lead carpenter on the project, was the best part of the whole experience. Also without the efforts of Jennifer Austin, I would probably not have given the project to Foster. After much research and procrastination, we decided to hire Foster Remodeling to remodel our master bathroom. It is a very large bathroom which translates into a very large cost. We decided on Foster based on reviews on Angies?s list as well as the excellent service provided by our sales designer Jennifer Austin. Jennifer worked extensively with us trying to keep the costs down to an acceptable level. Unfortunately she left the company before our project started. In regards to keeping costs down, don?t expect any give on the part of Foster. They refused to negotiate any pricing. A pre-construction meeting was scheduled for Sept 23rd. and we were told that the project would begin on Oct. 6th. On the day of the meeting I was called and told they would have to reschedule because of a conflict. The meeting occurred on the 26th and I was then told that because of another project there would be a delay in the start date. They committed to contact me on Oct. 1st to give me a new start date. On Oct 2nd I contacted them to find out why they had not contacted me as promised. I received a phone call on Oct. 3rd telling me that they would get back to me on Oct. 6th with a new start date. On Oct 7th I sent an E-Mail to Mr. David Foster, President of Foster Remodeling stating my concern about missed commitments by his company and the project had not even started. I never got a response from him. On Oct. 7th Roddy Ring, our project manager E-Mailed me stating they would keep me updated regarding a start date. On the 17th of Oct. I received another E-Mail from Mr. Ring stating they would be starting the week of the 27th. I received notice on Friday the 24th that they would start the project on the 28th. I was told that Marco would be on the job starting Nov. 3rd but that did not happen. He was the original one assigned to be the lead carpenter. This is from Step 7 of their ?process? Your project begins on the scheduled start-date. ? Your on-site Lead Carpenter keeps you informed ? Routine site visits from Production Manager keep your job on schedule ? Professional and conscientious Foster crew keeps disruption to a minimum The project started 3 weeks late, the lead carpenter has only been there once and I?ve yet to see or hear from the production manager. They have kept the disruption to a minimum. The project was technically completed the week before Christmas but I have not made the final payment due to some problems with the grout turning black on some of the seams. They have been out twice to fix it but it so far it still has not been repaired. The last time I heard from them was Feb. 23rd with a commitment to get back to me.

The company was very responsive to my request for a proposal and showed up to my house for initial consultation on time. I told the representative my project budget was to start around $125,000($90,000 for addition and $35,000 for kitchen not including appliances). The company representative was very nice and seemed very knowledgeable about home remodeling. Met about a week later with company representative at their studio to get price estimates and was surprised to find the estimate for the project was $213,000. Given that the estimate was $88,000 over my planned budget, I ended our meeting immediately. I would recommend company if you have an extremely high budget and plan on spending about $70,000-$80,000 for a kitchen remodel. Otherwise the cost was just way to high and out of proportion for remodeling a 70 s split-level home.

The work was very professional. The crew was easy to work with. We didn't make many changes, but they were accommodating with the ones we did make. They cleaned up well after themselves everyday and covered everything so it didn't get dirty. We have two small kids and they were very aware of cleaning up well everyday.

I was really happy with the entire process from initial consultation through the design, demo, construction, and final walk-thru. We had the same lead carpenter (Warren -- highly recommended) throughout the entire process (about 12 weeks) who was always on time, courteous, clean, and cost-conscious (and very kind and patient with our sometimes obnoxious dog). He handled all the unexpected problems that inevitably arise in a remodel so we didn't have to worry about anything. The home office also handled permits and warranties so we didn't have to worry about that either. The quality of the work was excellent. The cabinetry and drywall is flawless, and they even milled new moldings to match the rest of the moldings in the house at no extra charge when they weren't able to salvage enough of the old stuff. Their bid did come out to be more expensive than other companies I researched, but the service and quality of the work was more than worth the extra money in the end. Since my husband and I both work full time, it was critical that our contractor be able to handle every aspect of the job for us and that's exactly what Foster's did. I would highly recommend this company to anyone looking for high quality work, and who can't be there to check every detail and oversee the work each day. I will absolutely use Foster Remodeling again. Note on questions below: while the final cost was slightly higher than the estimate, the increase was only due to unforeseen circumstances and I was kept fully informed of all the changes and reasons for the cost adjustment.

The workers on this job never missed a day for two months. The lead carpenter was a very talented person. He kept us in the loop with the great ideas everyday. If you want high end quality work, this is the company to call.

I THOUGHT THE COMPANY WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL. THEY WERE ON TIME AND DID A WONDERFUL JOB ON THE MASTER BED ROOM. THE PRICE WAS HIGHER THAN THE OTHER BIDS. I THOUGHT IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WORK.