The project Wonderman completed for us was, at its core, a re-piping project for the 2nd floor of…read moreour home. Two years ago, we had a leak on the 1st floor that educated us about the fact that the pipes inside our walls were all PVC, a cheap option used in the 1990s that is doomed to fail. Our homeowner's insurance covered the three-month remediation when the leak occurred but did not cover replacement of the PVC plumbing - that cost was ours alone. We didn't have enough $$ to re-pipe the whole house then, and we didn't want to extend the time we were in a hotel with our 2 cats. So, we only re-piped the 1st floor during the original remediation. Now, two years later, it was time to re-pipe the 2nd floor.
We intended to re-hire the same company that our insurance adjuster hired 2 years ago to finish the re-pipe project and to add a couple of upgrades while the bathroom walls were open. But, when we got the bid estimate from that company (a general contractor), the re-piping project cost was so high that not only was there no way to pay for any upgrades, but also the bid cut corners on the re-piping method to meet our budget. For example, it proposed that some of the new plumbing run along the ceiling on the inside of our home, not between the walls, so that there was less destruction and repair of walls to do, and so that a tub/shower surround did not have to be replaced by a new tub and tile surround.
That estimate was so disappointing that we decided to seek other bids. After combing through dozens of reviews on Angie's List, and meeting with 3-4 possible options, we found what we wanted in Wonderman.
Raoul came to bid the project, and my impression was that he is a strong combination of capable, no nonsense, knowledgeable and articulate. He offered to handle the project either way - as the construction subcontractor (and he would recommend a good plumber), or as the general contractor. He said it would cost more to act as the general contractor, because coordination takes time and time is money. But it was clear that we could save money if we bought any parts and hardware we wanted to have installed (other than the pex pipes that would be provided). His bid to complete the re-piping project as general contractor did not involve any corner-cutting and was substantially less than the other company's bid. So much so that additional upgrades were affordable, which he was willing and able to do. For the same price the other company was charging to do the job halfway, Wonderman would do the job 100% right and also complete upgrades that would let us SEE some improvement, not just have invisible improvements inbetween the walls.
Raoul was willing to restrict work days to the days my husband does not work his graveyard shifts - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday -- so my husband could sleep days he had night shifts He and his workers and subcontractors were on time, clean and respectful. (One minor concern was that no one wore masks, but we never insisted on it, either.)
The project lasted from July 14th through August 27th, with a total of 22 work days. Raoul, Gus, or the plumber or tile subcontractor (or a combination) were always reliably at our house between 7:30 - 8:30 AM. They took only a 1/2 hour lunch, always at noon. They typically left at 3pm, but on some days when they had to stay late to complete something so that the next thing could begin the next day, they stayed up until 6pm. They worked hard the whole time they were there.
There were a few notable challenges that they met superbly. One was matching our hand-brocaded ceiling pattern when they repaired holes made to insert new pipes. Gus figured out how to match a pattern that even real estate appraisers in the past had said would be impossible to match. Another challenge was my request for a pass-through window in a partial wall in the master bathroom. When the drywall was torn off, it was apparent that the partial wall was filled with closely placed studs, pipes, and electrical wiring. It appeared impossible to fit a pass-through in that would allow for any standard sized glass shelves. Raoul figured it out, though, and made it very beautiful.
While I can't say that communication was perfect, I can say that it was immensely better than the communication we've had with other contractors and subcontractors, both ourselves and on behalf of our parents. I got about 75 - 80% of my email and text questions answered, usually the same day. Raoul was always professional and friendly, and accommodated add-on requests for work up to the very end.
We are beyond thrilled with the final results. See the before and after pictures. I recommend Wonderman whole-heartedly. If you are seeking an honest, reasonably priced, skilled person for anything from handyman work to general contracting, I don't think you can do better than Wonderman. We will absolutely hire him again for all of our future projects.
