It started out great with Scott and Brian before we started running into issues with unforeseen…read moreupcharges and bad workmanship. It started when I walked in the house while the subfloor was being installed and found that the crew had installed undersized floor joists. I had to ask that they redo the work correctly. We ran into similar issues down the road with poor framing and terrible communication from the project manager. I, in essence, became the project manager making sure that their subs came back to do the work they needed to do (and do it correctly) while paying Riverbend to do it. I hired Riverbend to GC this job and they essentially just let their subs run the job - no quality control whatsoever. If their subs cut corners, they don't do anything about it. I was forced re-do large portions of the house framing because the drywall couldn't be put on. We are currently in process of the job and Scott and Brian stopped communicating once I told them I'd like compensation for the reframing I had to do.. It's pretty disappointing..
If you understand elements of construction and are willing to double check their work, Riverbend might be for you. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend working with them.
Updated:
Scott, you're account of history is inaccurate and highly misleading. I hired Riverbend to handle all of the upfront work minus permits and material sourcing. Our agreement was that Riverbend would complete the rough in, electrical, and structural work and I would obtain the permit and order materials. It's also strange to me that you are recounting history when you weren't involved through most of the renovation.
Below is a response to each point you listed below.
1) Scope: RB was hired to compete the structural, electrical and plumbing up to rough in. I told you that I wouldn't have time to manage the front-end work. I did not change the scope at all with the exception of adding a few lights here or there once we saw the lighting situation with the installed windows. In fact, Brian was trying to expand the scope throughout the project. Offering additional (extremely costly and unnecessary) repairs throughout the project. At one point, he recommended that we remove all of the siding on the left side of the house to repair a bow in the wall which wasn't even the correct approach - the bow had to do with the foundation/sill. I had this repaired correctly for 1/10th the price. Then, once we got to the plumbing work, your plumber doubled the rate and I was forced to move very quickly to find a new plumber. I had no issues with the electrician's work, so let's set the record straight on that.
2) At no point did anyone from your team tell me that there were any defects with the materials. If they had, I would have ordered different material. I ordered the #2 stud grade pine from a reputable lumber mill and given the amount of wood, it came in bundles. If your crew saw defects while unpacking, we could have returned and replaced the material, but again, not a single issue was raised. Also, I'm not sure why you believe there were many discussions about anything. Brian and I had a few discussions about the work but there was limited communication throughout the project. I would get very last-minute requests for material or something to be done before an inspection that I would need to react quickly to. It seemed like there was little forward thought about coordinating the project to make it move smoothly.
3) Work that exceeded code requirements: What are you referring to here? Was this related to fixing the hallway which was poorly framed and too narrow in order to meet the 36" hallway width minimum? If you can clarify that would be helpful.
4) Workmanship: It's easy to blame issues on material I suppose but I've shared some pictures to show what I saw and sent to you and Brian to repair. The pictures don't show the dimensions of these walls which were also not correct in many locations. For example, both smaller bedroom closets were not square or plumb. It would have been impossible to install a closet door and have it look correct. I had to tear them out entirely and reframe. The entire hallway wasn't square, plumb or the correct width. It narrowed from the front to back to a point where it fell below hallway minimum width. I had to reframe the entire hallway. Brian came and saw the issues and said the crew would come back and fix it. They came and did almost nothing to fix it.
I've included pictures so you and everyone can see what I was dealing with.
