What was presented to us as a three-week kitchen remodel with Canyon Construction became an…read moreeight-week ordeal marked by preventable mistakes, inadequate communication, and a persistent sense of dismissal that made the entire process far more stressful than it should have been.
From the beginning, the owner, Calvin Ates, established an uncomfortable tone. Each time we attempted to ask a reasonable question, we were met with condescension. He repeatedly reminded us that our home was "old," even though it was built in 1998, and the implication was that our concerns lacked legitimacy. It is difficult to feel confident in a project when the person responsible for overseeing it responds to basic inquiries as though they are inconveniences.
The mistakes themselves were significant. Before demolition, the electrical outlets on either side of the stove were perfectly level. After installation, one outlet was noticeably higher than the other, and the backsplash had already been installed over it. We were the ones who identified the issue, and we were required to prove that the outlets had been aligned originally. This should never occur in a professional remodel.
The countertop presented another major problem. Once installed, the bar became unlevel. The proposed solution was to remove the countertop and wedge a piece of plywood underneath rather than address the structural issue that caused the imbalance. Although the bar appears level now, the plywood remains in place, and I have no way of knowing what the weight of the granite has done to the internal structure of the wall. Prior to this remodel, we had laminate countertops, which are significantly lighter. The sudden increase in weight makes the lack of a proper structural correction even more concerning. Because of these mistakes, the backsplash had to be redone on both the stove side and the bar, which extended the timeline even further.
The cabinetry introduced its own set of problems. Several cabinet doors already have paint chipping, which should never be present in a newly completed kitchen. The cabinet design in the corner where one wall meets another is especially poor. The space is so difficult to access that retrieving a single pot requires getting on the floor and reaching deep into an area that was clearly not designed with functionality in mind. The area surrounding the refrigerator is also problematic. The top portion is squeezed tightly by a side panel, while the bottom portion has a noticeably wide gap. The result is an uneven, unfinished appearance that draws attention immediately.
In one section of the kitchen, the cabinets, countertop, and backsplash would have looked a lot better if they all had been aligned. Unfortunately, they are not. The misalignment in the original layout would have been an ideal issue to correct in the new design, yet it was repeated instead. This was a missed opportunity to improve the space and demonstrate a lack of attention to detail.
Material selection was equally frustrating. I originally wanted a porcelain sink. Mr. Ates recommended on a different material, assuring us that it would not chip. I trusted his professional recommendation in the same way one trusts a surgeon to understand the procedure they are performing. The sink that was installed looks like a laundry sink, stains horribly, and is extremely difficult to replace due to the way it was mounted. Based on my experience, I would strongly caution anyone against selecting this type of sink for a kitchen.
Communication with the crew was nearly impossible. They did not understand us when we attempted to point out issues, and once they began working, they would not stop. We had to watch problems unfold in real time without the ability to intervene or clarify.
Although the kitchen is technically finished, the process left a lasting impression of frustration, disappointment, and a constant sense that we were fighting to have the most basic elements completed correctly. If you choose to work with this company, I strongly recommend taking detailed photographs of everything before the project begins, documenting each stage of the remodel, and recording the condition of all appliances and machinery, including what is functioning properly and what is not. Preparation is essential.
Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Canyon Construction.