If you're considering working with this company, my advice is to meet with the owner before signing anything, and you'll quickly see why.
Initially, our engagement seemed promising when we met with the design consultant, who happened to be the owner's daughter. The design phase went relatively well, but it quickly took a nosedive after we signed the contract.
Right from the start, we had to pay for numerous upgrades to achieve the desired look and feel we wanted, which was quite disappointing. The real trouble began after signing the contract, and we had the misfortune of not meeting the owner beforehand.
Substantial changes to our plans were made without our consent, and we were forced to pay additional upgrade fees to match the original design we had agreed upon. To make matters worse, my wife bore the brunt of the owner's belittling and condescending attitude during discussions, purely because she wasn't the contractor. The owner seemed to think he could make any change he deemed necessary to save costs and subsequently charge us more, leaving us with a final product that didn't remotely resemble what we wanted.
The treatment of the workers on the job site was far from ideal as well. Many of them complained about their working conditions and how they were treated. Materials were left in our yard, exposed to the elements and rain for weeks without any attention or care.
Additionally, the company used its own inspectors, which felt like an attempt to cut corners and get a passing grade on the work, despite it not being done correctly. They incessantly demanded bank draws before the work was even completed, making the process incredibly frustrating. My recommendation is to withhold the draws until the work is finished, as this may reveal a whole new side of the builder. He made threats to leave our job unfinished as long as the permit could remain open, causing unnecessary stress and uncertainty.
Despite this franchise being family-run, it's disappointingly poorly managed. They seem to profit primarily from change orders, as we were coerced into signing a total of six throughout the project. My experience with GJ Gardner Tampa was nothing short of a nightmare, and I strongly advise others to think twice before engaging with this company. read more