The project started November 2015, with an estimated end date in the initial contract of April 15 2016. In retrospect it would have been easier to purchase a new house than working with Gil Arava from our perspective. One of the most notable things he has done, is install French Doors and related framing, AFTER the structural engineer and LADBS already signed off on the framing. However, after speaking to several people this apparently is against industry practice. After we pointed the discrepancy out to the inspector, we had to contact the structural engineer to draw up additional details, which included hold-downs (a major structural component) which Gil failed to install, and have the architect re-inspect. Throughout the process we felt that we had to keep on top of GiI, to actually adhere to the plans our architect provided and were approved by the city. The above was just one of the many issues we had throughout the construction. This July project was still not completed. The contractor and us decided to sign a mutual release to end our relationship.
Worst. Experience. Ever.
Edit: Now that we have final sign-off thanks to another contractor, who was fast, professional and fair priced, I want to update my review.
The plumbing for the shower system was installed incorrectly by Gil's plumber - making the handheld shower non-functional.
Luckily, Gil paid us a substantial sum to complete the release, which also included a covenant not to sue. We used the money to correct/and complete a number of items after 9 months having to deal with him. Even though that was rather infrequent as there were many days (if not whole weeks) were nobody, including Gil, showed up.
Here are a number of other items that were done we had to advise him to correct:
- crawlspace access initially framed in the wrong location despite being in the plans
- brought low-grade copper piping to the worksite, despite having specified higher grade piping specified in the contract
- installed bathroom exhaust fan in the wrong location, despite plans
- incorrectly installed shower pan (twice), once before and once after the architect/structural engineer corrected him.
- installed oversized HVAC unit for the size of the addition, which barely passed HERS test
I am happy the other customer had a better experience, even though mine is more recent and probably was a project that separates the professionals from the rest. read more