We have been our home now since April 2016. We hired GJ to scrape and build a duplex for us (on a…read morelot we owned), to sell one side, and we moved into the other side. Having 2 other GJ Duplexes on our block, we asked their Architect to change up our design so we would have a unique elevation and a different internal layout. We have a 3BR/5BA, but opted for 2 master suites on the 2nd floor and a 3rd bedroom in the basement. They worked with us on all design requests (with their in house Design Center), and had all their trades and Project Manager (Jeff Pagano) meet with us throughout the build. I am picky (sorry Jeff ;), and when I wanted to select lighting fixtures, sinks, and flooring outside their resources, they kindly credited our contract and willingly accommodated my selections. Their high quality "standard" finishes, complemented by our upgrades, allowed us to get a semi-custom, beautiful home.
WHY SHOULD YOU BUY A GJ DENVER HOME?
1. GJ Gardner Denver (Dave and Jeff Pagano) stands behind their work. We had a 1 month and 11 month walk-through to correct warranty issues. They timely had their trades fix items as warranted. After the warranty expired, we had a plumbing issue (a gasket on the bathroom faucet diverter behind the wall, that was pinched during install, and caused water to leak through the ceiling) that their outsourced warranty provider (ProHome) denied. I contacted Jeff and Dave and they jumped right on it!
2. GJ Denver uses quality materials and finishes. We had adjustors come in after the recent Hail Storm who commented on the quality of the materials used in our build. Speaking with local realtors and doing several walk-throughs in open houses in our neighborhood has reinforced our conviction that our house is really nicely done!
3. Their subs do great work. Their electricians, tilers, HW floor, cabling, and HVAC folks are amazing! They work with you and take your requests to heart. We wanted to make our ceiling as high as possible in the basement without compromising the water table. They framed the ceiling with an extra stud and had the HVAC Tinner engineer it so we could buy more height.
4. ETHICS. Undeniably they are good, honorable, ethical people to work with. Their entire in-house team is wonderful!
WHAT WOULD I CHANGE FROM MY EXPERIENCE WITH GJ?
1. Financing our build created some scheduling and labor resource conflicts. They were building their GJ financed projects at the same time they were building ours. I felt that our project timeline could have been tightened up. In all fairness we did do design changes, their is a labor shortage in Denver, and permitting/inspecting timelines get pushed by the city all the time. It was not all on them, but we did go longer than I would have liked.
2. The walkthrough process was a bit confusing and rushed. This was due to the COO happening the week we were closing on our prior home and this Duplex. There was not sufficient time for the walk through and corrections. We were moving in 2 days after the walk through. They were doing walk-through items after we closed, the day we were moving in. I did not realize that when we walked through with ProHome (their warranty administrator) if we did not identify issues in that 2 hour walk-through window, they were not on "our list". Give yourself more time to do the walk through, and hire an independent inspector to walk through with you.
3. ProHome is not fun to deal with! They will not contact you to schedule the 11-month walk-through, and if you are 1 day over your annual move in date, they will tell you it is too late. The good news is that GJ Denver works with you even when ProHome shoots you down. That whole GJ ethics thing ;)!
4. The interior paint job. I guess it is hard to find good painters for new builds. I do believe they offer better options now based on customer feedback. Taking client comments to heart.... GJ always strives for quality work and happy customers!
WOULD I WORK WITH GJ DENVER AGAIN?
ABSOLUTELY! My husband and I LOVE our home, as does anyone who sees it!