Husband and I vetted eight contractors for our first condo renovation. Looking back now, we definitely would have done things differently and would have gone a different route. Upon meeting Yousef, he was very personable and seemed willing to help meet with our request. His quote initially was the cheapest out of the eight we received. With that said, you pay for what you get! Even though Yousef's quote was initially cheaper, we now believe it was a tactic to ensure he would get a job.
Project was initially noted to finish by three weeks, but there was a delay due to miscommunication and cost changes during the project. Project delay was also due to late start times. Most days, the team didn't start until 1-3 p.m. and they did not work on Sundays. With that said, they would sometime work until 8 p.m. because of the late start. It was an issue for us as we live in a condo complex. Project took approximately one month to complete.
The project included: two bathrooms, kitchen, recess lighting, electrical wiring, change of vanities, paint of entire interior home, and plumbing for a 850 sqft. space. He originally noted all materials would be included, but we would soon learn, he only meant "construction materials", so be prepared to pay out of pocket for your own items. He also charges for pick-up if he has to rent/borrow a truck, even if it's his friend's truck. Note: this was not on any of the estimates. On one evening, we found beer cans from painting crew which was very upsetting and unprofessional. We notified Yousef immediately which ultimately resulted in the painter being fired/removed from our project.
One of the first red flags, official contract: scope of work, insurance documents, requirement of signatures was not provided. He only provides estimates and changes estimates as his "change order", in other words, nothing is official/legit, so he can change cost at any moment. Therefore, make sure you document EVERYTHING! Save all text messages, emails, and do your best to get everything in writing. Documents should be signed by both parties to show good faith. Also, read thoroughly through what work is being provided and ask for updated estimates with clear line items. Our renovation cost estimate changed five times during construction and 4/5 times the budget went over. We were hit multiple times with surprise charges and later found the material was NOT included as he originally mentioned.
Another strategy we believed he did during the renovation was not completing one project at a time. Instead, everything was being worked on little by little, all at once. This means, even if we wanted to fire Yousef, we couldn't. Other contractors do not want to come in the middle of someone else's project + cost would be more than originally planned. As first time home buyers, we pretty much got bamboozled. Overall project was mediocre for the price tag. Initial quote was $27,400, second "change order" (not official) quote was $38,500, third price change was $36,000, fourth time was $35,000, agreement $33,000 + out of pocket expenses $8K+ for all materials we had to buy ourselves (this increased after job was completed). We had to rehiterate multiple times that the budget was going over.
Changes would include line items being moved everytime a quote was updated. For example, quotes would later add: shower doors installation, appliance hook-up, plumbing changes, etc. It was initially included, then taken out and separated for charge. Is it really a full bathroom remodel without a shower door? Is it really a full kitchen remodel without kitchen appliances being hooked up? Items were bought on our own, all that was needed was installation. Instead, he wanted to charge us per installation and noted there would be a 15% mark-up if he had to purchased the items. Another thing he wanted to charge for was put back of washer/dryer. His team When removed these for painting and tiling placement, yet he wanted to charge is for put back. his team did not put it back. You would think if they moved something, they would put it back, right? During our last walk thru, my brother and husband asked him one last time to put our washer/dryer back, but it was still a big ordeal until they just took initiative and moved it, that's when Yousef jumped in to help. Before placing washer back, we found sunflower seeds in the washer. *SMH*
We had to hire additional help after Yousef was done because of the mistakes/short cut done by Yousef and his team. We hired a cleaning team and a handy man to complete fan installation, master shower door, kitchen appliances installation, rewiring of electrical for bedrooms, cabinet trashcan pullout, and final touch up areas.
We had PTSD from our experience, so we decided not to have RLR back. Consumer be WARNED, it may be best to hire a specialized person per project. Avoid this contractor if possible as there may be delays and promises that cannot be delivered. read more