This is an extremely hard review to write…read more..
You work with someone for 18 months, interact with almost their whole family, make sure their mini fridge has refreshments, bring them snacks (almost) weekly, discuss every little detail of the dream you are trying to make a reality, exchange more WhatsApp messages than you do with your spouse, then one day they just leave you... poof, gone, and all you have to remember them by is a home more beautiful and well-crafted than you could have ever imagined!!
There are truly more details than I could fit into a single Yelp review of what makes Alex and his team at Quality General Builders utterly amazing so I'll focus just on what I think sets them apart.
First my project. I like to think that I am easy-going and not overly picky; but honestly, nobody who is easy-to-please rebuilds an entire house. My dream for the past 20 years was to live in a mid-century modern home, but I did not want to deal with the challenges/compromises that come from needing to modernize a 70+ year old home. I had a long list of non-negotiable items including hydronic radiant heated floors throughout, soaring 15 ft ceilings, wood accents all over the place, clerestory windows, a large island, huge laundry room, and countless other things. My project, like me, was always going to be challenging... but worth it ;-)
I did not find Alex myself, he was subcontracted by Clever Design and Remodel and I was assured that my project was getting "The A Team" (I pitty da foo' who builds my house!) Over time I found my contractor was wrong about a few things but he was absolutely right about Quality General Builders.
First off Alex took the time to thoroughly understand the project plans, calling out discrepancies and things that, while in accordance to the code could be improved to get a better result. For example, originally the plans required 2x4s for all walls throughout, he recommended increasing to 2x6 for the main load bearing "spine" of the home. Also he recommended upgrading to LVL beams for our great room to ensure there would be no sagging in 10 years time. Both of these were excellent suggestions to ensure the long term strength and integrity of the home. These recommendations were never forced upon me and he never once went back to adjust the scope of work or budget due to the additional labor required unless it was completely excluded from the bid; I just paid for the difference in material cost! This built a huge amount of trust early on that continued throughout the project!
The next thing that sets his team apart was their dedication to my specific vision. Alex did not make assumptions but always asked, sought clarification on, and often times pushed back on decisions that I made to save money when they interfered with the goal. For example, I balked initially at the material cost for the tongue in groove wood needed for the soffit (under the eves) and in the great room. Seeing the final result, it is these design elements (and the meticulous craftsmanship) that bring warmth and sophistication to my home! He always pushed back when it mattered most to ensure I was staying true to my vision, like the Alfred to my Batman!
Lastly, his team's workmanship is impeccable! Every day I marvel at the tolerances of my cabinets, the flatness and uniformity of the level 4 finish of my walls, the seamless transitions of my thresholds, the way every appliance, fixture and hinge feels so premium and luxurious! His team's skill is truly impressive, from accommodating my request to fabricate real wood faux beams to installing a whole house fan, to accommodating the installation of whole house radiant heating, there was never a request that seemed beyond his team's capability! What's more, if Alex and his team do not meet your standard at first they are happy to correct it, showing a dedication to quality and customer service that is way beyond even my high expectations!
I was truly blessed to have Alex's team assigned to my project but if you have a choice in who builds your house do not hesitate for a moment in choosing Quality General Builders.