Our experience with Coastal Life Design was excellent and we give them an unqualified recommendation.
CLD did a to-the-studs renovation of our late-70's beachfront two bed/two bath condo, one with excellent bones but that presented significant challenges that would have stymied most general contractors. We knew the moment we walked into CLD's studio that Sondra and her team could convert our complex vision into a stunning reality.
Sondra's turn-key design-build approach to project management was the secret sauce. We have completed six major residential building and remodeling projects in PA, NJ and MA, and know how unseen obstacles can present major time delays and significant budget overruns.
Our HOA has a tight off-season construction window, and we had a hard stop on December 15. CLD's team met with us in January to discuss our vision, which they brought to life in three-dimensional computer renderings. When they encountered several fixed structural roadblocks using methodical investigation, CLD modified and tweaked the plan and met our budgetary and time constraints.
Overseeing this from 1300 miles away in Boston, distance was a concern for us, given the time and expense of travel for meetings with CLD. Employing web-based technologies, in-person meetings were kept to a minimum.
Cris rapidly secured required permits and a rigorous but attainable project schedule was drafted, with a series of hard completion targets built in. All town-mandated inspections were scheduled and passed like clockwork, thanks to Steve's excellent relationships with his subcontractors and his ability to creatively solve problems. We needed to approve only two minor change-orders for highly unusual and unanticipated structural issues they encountered.
Cris regularly updated us on progress, sending phone images we requested after demolition and during several stages of reconstruction for future reference. He coordinated timely delivery and installation of new appliances with GE- the final stage of the plan- on December 14th. He even accurately allocated space for an under-counter wine fridge we had in storage but for which we had no make/model number. The punch list was minor and flawlessly executed by Steve and Ryan in just a few days. That's the value experience brings to the table.
Our community's HOA board told us stories about other owners' stress-filled experiences renovating their homes. Our experience with CLD was easy and collegial. Sondra worked her magic in design and project/logistical planning. Cris executed the plan flawlessly. Steve managed the project so well that our HOA president and property manager commented on how respectful the team was and how effectively and efficiently the project ran. Rounding out the experience, Janet and Debbie in administration were also a joy to work with.
As Sondra is fond of saying- no drama! read more
