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Design Scales

2.0(
1
)

Architects, Homebuilders, General Remodeling,

... +24 more

About us

Design Scales is a residential construction company focused on early design and drafting through finish work, including custom cabinetry and built-in furniture.

Business highlights

15 years of trusted experience
Emergency Services Offered

Services we offer

Design, Drafting, Scale Drawings, Residential Construction, Remodeling, Permitting, Cabinetry, Built-in Furniture, Basement, Garage, Bathroom, Kitchen, Closet, Attic, Alterations, Additions, Flooring

Services we don't offer

Drywall Texturing

Amenities

Free Estimates
Yes
Emergency Services
Yes

Accepted payment methods

Check
PayPal

Photos of past projects

Reviews

2.01 Reviews
Write a review
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
0%
4
0%
3
0%
2
100%
1
0%
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
3.0
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
3.0
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Showing 1-1 of 1 reviews
Jeromey G.
05/2012
2.0
contractors, decks, egress windows, remodeling, home builders, architect
  + 4 more
Issues and what he did: 1. CAD · - The first warning bells started when we asked Shad to create CAD drawings for our basement remodel. I would send him detailed, color coded, scanned drawings of the changes, but each time he would send me back the plans wrong and charging us for his mistakes in reviewing what I had wrote. 2. Egress Windows: · - Took 2 weeks, 2 main guys, and him to dig 3 egress window holes - After being asked by my neighbors and us early on why he did not rent an excavator he communicated "I did not think of that and well it is too late" - Should have fired him then, but was like let?s give him a third chance as he is a nice guy. ? · - Side Note: He was given detailed instructions on each type of window well purchased and window that would be installed. · The dirt was taken out by a hauling company, while on vacation hauling crew called and communicated that I would be charged 1300 dollars for all the dirt he authorized to have removed. · - Since we have fired him and 8 professional construction reviews later, we will have to have dirt delivered to us to fill the hole?s - Yes, you read correctly - I know have to pay for dirt to come back, that if he would have calculated or kept some for fill I would not be out more money. · - Fired before cutting my concrete - so only dug the holes for the windows 3. Staircase ? · - after the 8 construction reviews of his work each one communicated that the stairs are so bad that you need to tear them out and redo them ? · - He did not use the correct type for carpet and each stair was nu-level / slanting at an angle / we also counted more than 1,000 nails were used in the creation of the stairs ? · - When asked he said it was normal for the stairs to slant and that you cannot get stairs level. 4. Beams ? · - He started the first beam and used the wrong nails, cut into my water proofing on the edge of where the beam meets the wall ? · - The second beam he thought it would be a good idea to have a post that is outside of our house. I communicated that this would not be needed as the beam will be sitting on a wall and not need to be outside of my house. After 8 construction firms review ? they agreed with me that the beam does not have to be outside of the wall and engineer approved ? so no beam sticking outside of my house. 5. Framing - - When framing he put untreated wood "shotgun nailed" into the concrete. - He did not put down a membrane or treated wood on the concrete for framing - New construction firm had to rip out framing he did to correct the issues
Description of Work: We were referred to Shad from a friend and should have known better. Shad is a very nice person and easy to talk with. The list of major issues we had is below. We have fired him, lost $20,531.70 on him, and have to pay another construction firm to redo what he did. List of Work: CAD and PermitInstall two new flush mount beamsBuild new staircase Dig 4 egress window wells and install new windows (cut concrete, frame, etc...)Frame Basement
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
3.0
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
3.0
$20,531.7
Response from Design Scales
This job started in March 2011, when I was referred to the members* by another client. JLG* had no drawings of their recently purchased house. They needed “as-built” drawings documenting the existing conditions with plans, elevations, and a site plan. I also did drawings for their proposed remodel which included the basement and main floor. I finished these drawings in April 2011. When JLG called me in October, 2011 to take care of the engineering and permitting, JLG decided to do just the basement for the first phase of construction. I updated the drawings so that we could engineer the whole house remodel proposal, then adjusted them so that we could permit just the first phase of the project. The permit number is, 6299430, if you would like to see the permitted scope of work. It was an over the counter permit, so we were able to get all this taken care of in October. During this preliminary phase of the work, we were doing things based on time and materials. There were no problems with payments, and we seemed to all be on the same page. The member's have remodeled before, and were planning to just have me do the structural work, the stair, and two windows with window wells. They were going to do all the demo, and interior framing after I did these other more technical jobs. They were saving money by doing much of the project management themselves. We discussed on several occasions, the pre-construction list of things to do. The hot water heater under the existing basement stair needed to be moved so that I could quickly come in and re-frame the basement stair at a less steep pitch. There was asbestos on some of the pipes going through the area that we were putting the new beams, but these things were well known, and to be taken care of before Design Scales came in to help with the construction phase. As is common with remodels, things happen that are unexpected, therefore, scheduling is commonly an issue. JLG contacted Design Scales at the beginning of March 2012 to start work on their project for the third time. We discussed the list of things to do, including framing the basement stair, installing 2 windows with window wells on the south side of the house, and doing the structural work called out on the engineering including 2 new beams, 2 new posts, and 2 new footings. I consistently estimated 3 weeks of my time for that work, plus 2 laborers and the cost of materials. There was no discussion of making a hard bid, or getting a deposit, as time and materials was working and often does work well for projects with lots of potential changes. One can spend lots of time writing contracts that then have multiple changes by the end of the project. If that is what a client wants, I often do offer hard bids, but the members had been fine with time and materials for more than a year. Once the project started, they added things to the project scope, which Design Scales gladly took on as a full service design-build company. - - They added a great deal of Demolition work as they didn’t have time to finish before the construction start. They also didn’t move a lot of basement storage items as we discussed. - - They added earthquake retrofit plates to be installed every 4’ o.c. around the entire basement, which we recommended and took care of. - - They ordered windows for the south side of the house that were 5’ wide and 4’ tall, and though they arrived with the correct invoice/order, the manufacturer sent windows that were 4’ wide and 5’ tall. After going back and forth for a couple days, the members decided to add these to the north side of the basement, with 2 additional window wells. This added some to the engineering, and did prompt some debate about the best way to frame this section as one of the new beams landed between the new windows and below a cantilevered section for the dining room above. I know it is my word against Laura’s, but I can assure you I never suggested “a new post outside the house.” - - They added interior framing as well, though we stopped work after framing only 3 of the interior walls. - - I also took care of their dog while they were on vacation for the week, including medications, long walks in the park, and special trips to the house over and above the full-time construction schedule. This new work implies a lot of other work and materials, so I’m not sure where the project got off track. The member's didn’t pay their invoice when they got back from vacation so I suggested that we stop work for a week until we could get the finances worked out. Design Scales was giving them a sizable construction loan at no interest based on our year long history of work, and their reliability about paying invoices. While they were on vacation, Design Scales purchased materials and pushed the job forward not based on a deposit they provided, but based on this agreement to handle the job costs based on time and materials and payments being due upon invoicing. This work stoppage pushed the construction schedule, and is ultimately what I think led to the unfortunate end to our 14 month working relationship. I understand their desire to go with a bigger company if they have time constraints, but everything was clear going into this. As for the other accusations in this review: It would be impossible to dig the holes with machinery, see link below for project images. There is a 5’ side yard setback on each side of the house, and each is terraced beyond that. In terms of the dumpsters and dirt removal, I didn’t authorize anything, but I did talk to the dumpster company while the member's were on vacation to request another dirt box once we had filled up one. The member directed me to do this before leaving as clearly we needed to keep removing dirt. The window well holes for 4 windows were dug to the specifications of the manufacturers, with room for ⅝” minus rock, 18-24” below the well and at least 12” around the well. There should be no need to bring dirt back to the site, as there was more than half the dirt from the holes still in the yard when DS stopped work. Most of that *should be removed as well* since more rock is needed according to the window well manufacturer. We discussed putting treated wood down as the base plate of the interior basement walls, but since what we were removing wasn’t treated and had been fine for 60+ years, *they decided* to save the cost of treated wood at the base plate. I didn’t object to this since they decided to use a vapor barrier under the new basement flooring to be done by others. The nails in the Simpson Joist hangers are 16d Simpson Nails. All the framing was done according to the engineering and would have passed inspection. I have passed many framing inspections with that type of nails in that type of joist hanger. The total project cost they are citing includes the cost of materials, as well as costs from earlier phases in 2011 such as permit fees and engineering costs. These things were all handled quickly and professionally. There was some natural back and forth as we translated their ideas into the drawings early on, but the rates didn’t change throughout our 14 month relationship. The members received a full array of design and construction documents, including consistently updated proposed plans, proposed reflected ceiling plans, electrical & low voltage plans. High quality technical drawings at a reasonable price, are among the very first and the very last things I did for the members during this project. As for the stair not being framed correctly, it was rough framed, and ready for what ever type of flooring they ended up choosing. You can see images of all this on the Design Scales Blog by following the link below. My relationship with the members dissolved only after pushing the project forward from a napkin sketch through most of the structural renovation. We were in constant communication, and everything was moving forward. I showed the members respect, and conducted each transaction with the utmost transparency. I provided flexibility, commitment and advocacy to each and every one of their ideas and requests. I think each of my clients deserves this, and it is part of the Design Scales mission to make sure these things characterize the experience. I am more than disappointed left such a scathing, misleading, factually incorrect review in return for all my and my staff’s hard work. I have photos, emails, daily task lists and invoices of the work requested and completed. These are available upon request. Thank you for reading my response to the member's review of Design Scales. If you would like to see images and get more information on this project, please follow the link below: Shad Minshew, CEO Design Scales, LLC 3600 E. Marginal Way S. #25 Seattle, WA 98134 206.745.0284

    Contact information

    3600 East Marginal Way S 25, Seattle, WA 98134

    http://designscales.com

    Service hours

    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Tuesday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Wednesday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Thursday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Friday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Saturday:
    Closed

    Licensing

    Bonded
    Insured
    Eco-friendly Accreditations

    LEED Accredited Professional
    No
    Energy Star Partner
    No
    EPA Lead-Safe Certified
    No
    Use Green Products or Work Practices
    Yes
    State Contractor License Requirements

    All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.

    *Contact business to see additional licenses.

    Service Categories

    Architects,
    Homebuilders,
    General Remodeling,
    Egress Windows,
    Decks and Porches,
    Unfinished Carpentry,
    Landscaping - Lighting,
    Remodeling - Modular & Mobile Home,
    Basement Remodeling,
    Pavers and Hardscaping,
    Sunrooms and Patio Enclosures,
    Cabinet Refacing and Refinishing

    FAQ

    Design Scales is currently rated 2 overall out of 5.

    Sunday: Closed

    Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Saturday: Closed

    Design Scales accepts the following forms of payment: Check,PayPal
    Yes, Design Scales offers free project estimates.
    Yes, Design Scales offers eco-friendly accreditations.
    No, Design Scales does not offer a senior discount.
    Yes, Design Scales offers emergency services.
    No, Design Scales does not offer warranties.
    Design Scales offers the following services: Design, Drafting, Scale Drawings, Residential Construction, Remodeling, Permitting, Cabinetry, Built-in Furniture, Basement, Garage, Bathroom, Kitchen, Closet, Attic, Alterations, Additions, Flooring
    Drywall Texturing

    Contact information

    3600 East Marginal Way S 25, Seattle, WA 98134

    http://designscales.com

    Service hours

    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Tuesday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Wednesday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Thursday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Friday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Saturday:
    Closed