Despite a promising beginning, it's clear that Dalen Bakstad does not do what he says he will do, nor prepare his "expert" subs. The result is a job not done.
A good friend in the design-build-remodel business referred me to Dalen, citing his expertise and work ethic. I need three very tall wood and glass exterior doors (varnished on the outside, stained on the inside) replaced in the living room and kitchen of my 1913 Craftsman. Dalen visited on July 18 to assess the job, take measurements and photos, and talk about the project. When I had not heard back from him after several weeks, I e-mailed to ask for a proposal and received on on August 18th, a month after his visit. Because I was out of town for the latter part of August, we agreed to wait until after Labor Day to get started on the project. Labor Day came and went and I e-mailed again to find out when it would start. Dalen called back and scheduled his "door expert", Craig, to come at 8:00 AM on September 22nd (two months after the first visit) to take measurements and start figuring out the details of removing and replacing the doors. On September 22nd, Dalen sent e-mail at 7:30 AM to say that he was also coming and they would arrive at 10:00 AM. No explanation for the sudden re-scheduling, but things happen. When they began looking at the doors, it was quickly clear that Dalen had not briefed Craig on what was needed nor on the scope and timelines for the project. While Craig took his measurements and examined the door frames, Dalen started talking about putting storm doors and storm windows on the house, and showing me photos of same for other Craftsman houses. I asked if the stormdoors had to be part of the door replacements that were the job at issue, and he said they did not, but he continued to talk about doing them even after I asked him to stick to the job that he had proposed in writing. Once we got to the kitchen door, Craig the expert talked about completely replacing the type of door closure and door frame, and proposed having it become a door swinging open to the outside instead of the current opening by swinging inside. He and Dalen clearly disagreed on what to do, and when I tried to find out why they disagreed, and why we were talking about work that was well beyond the written proposal that had been sent a month earlier, I felt belittled for asking the question. Yes, I want what's best for my house, but I also want to understand what they are now proposing and why it is different from what was discussed two months ago and put in the written proposal one month ago! No answers. Then Dalen wants to talk about adding some fascia boards under the front and rear eaves of the roof. What does this have to do with the door job? "It's what I do" was the only answer. Finally, Craig the expert decides he doesn't want the door job, and Dalen says Craig is his only door guy! WTF? When I talked to Dalen about why this was disappointing and upsetting and how unprofessionally he handled this visit, his only comment was "I did nothing wrong." Hubris.
Despite my good friend's recommendation, and knowing that he will continue to have to work with Dalen on other projects, I cannot recommend that anyone call Bakstad Construction for a small but meticulous job like replacing my doors. Maybe the job is just too small for them, but I wish I had been told that two months ago instead of losing the second half of summer while waiting to get my exterior doors replaced. After his July visit, I really believed he was interested in helping me, but clearly that was not true. read more
