Glenbrook Remodeling

Though we were timid at first about choosing Glenbrook Remodeling, We decided to go with Glenbrook Remodeling because they gave us the confidence we needed towards moving forward. They helped coach me on a reasonable amount to budget towards my kitchen remodel and helped me put together a reasonable budget range worth investing in (understanding how much to spend was the hardest, yet they made it easy for us to see how budget influenced our kitchen remodels overall outcome through a 3D computer model). After having agreed with a total budget range, they took the time to put together a Good Better Best design and proposed all of the materials needed to achieve the transitional look I was aiming for. What we really valued the most about the Glenbrook Remodeling team is the fact they put in all of the upfront work to make the process super easy and really dedicated themselves towards us while always displaying genuine sincerity. They not only help you to save time and money, but also help to save you from stress and headaches! Thank You Glenbrook Remodeling for our wonderful Kitchen Remodel and all of the great cups of coffee we have shared!

Here is the short version. The work was not completed. The work that was completed was not satisfactory. Here is the long version: I'm writing this in a manner that simply tells the facts and my experience with this business. You can decide if this sounds reasonable. We approached this project carefully and with high hopes. We wanted to use and support a "local business". The contractors office was clean and orderly and the showroom was professional looking. The representative in the showroom was friendly and knowledgeable about the process. The online reviews were good. This was a kitchen and bar counter-top and back-splash remodel. The owner came to our home, measured and inspected. A contract was written and signed later. There were no changes or add-ons. Every element (appliances and layout) in the project was known in advance to the business. We experienced the following: Broken water pipe and flood, damaged waste drainage pipe, leaking main basin drainage water, leaking disposal, and waste re-hookup not to code (according to a certified professional plumber we later hired and brought in), scratched sink, broken antique during demolition (the damage was not admitted to until discovered by us several days later) and an unfinished project blamed on us, the homeowners. Poor communication and disputes over their obligation to complete certain elements of the project unfolded early and continued until the end. For example, while I thought removing the microwave appliance would be included in the project--they felt otherwise. I took care of removal and remounting of the microwave so as to permit the replacement of the back-splash below it and beside it. The single most major issue involved re-hookup of the kitchen waste drain and disposal. While the contract stipulated that they were to reconnect the kitchen water and waste drain the owner made it clear that doing the hookup was too complicated and I should be paying extra for the work (I refused). In the end his plumber tried but failed to hook up a proper functioning waste drain. It was not a code legal connection according to another professional licensed plumber we hired afterward that corrected the problem. I tried to discuss what is reasonable and fair with the business owner. I perceived that the business owner becomes annoyed and defensive if flaws are pointed out. He claims that you, by pointing out issues, have insulted him. The business owner assigned blame for failed work on us, the homeowners or even the appliances. He made it clear multiple times (emails and phone conversations) that I, the home owner, am not a professional rehabber or plumber and cannot comment or judge the quality of his work. When I did bring out a professional plumber that corroborated my assessment of the failed waste hookup under the sink, the business owner rejected his findings. Additionally, I feel the business owner gave unnecessary instructions for the purchase of a new disposal from him (I declined the purchase from him as I determined it was not suitable). I purchased a new disposal elsewhere based on the certainty of the business owner that somehow, according to him, the relatively newer prior unit, which was working perfectly before the project, was defective and could not be reinstalled. I installed the new unit myself and later inspected the prior disposal that his plumber could not install properly. I found the reason it leaked was that he had used incorrect mounting screws. This is a simple common install that his plumber failed to recognize and correct. I kept the new one anyway, as unmounting/dismantling/disconnecting the unit, repackaging it, and returning it and reinstalling the old one again was just not practical. This amounted to unnecessary additional cost and effort. When advised of my findings and experience, the owner criticized me for keeping the new unit and continued to defend his plumbers work. At one point in a phone conversation he simply exclaimed that he does not make enough profit on the project--which may explain his attitude. There are numerous other relatively smaller but still annoying problems: the counter-top is not precisely level, the caulking is inadequate, the sealing of grout insufficient, shims are left visibly exposed and faucet was twisted (he did fix that) and the pull-out extension mechanism not properly working (I fixed that). Other "optional" elements of the project were declined because of what I felt were exorbitant quotes for work. Some of the work I felt should have been part of the original project (I performed) and some of the work I felt was completely unnecessary (it was omitted). In an exchange of phone calls and emails, the business owner offered to "fix" the plumbing issues. (Some of the other issues did not manifest until after the business owner concluded his contact with me.) But because of the history of his repeated errors, denials, poor communication and his deteriorating professional relationship, it was felt based upon the experience thus far, that his "team" was no longer suitable for the project and I was not comfortable having them return to my home. Frankly, the unacceptable number of mistakes thus far made me lose confidence in his business and the skills of his workmen. Because, I stopped him from returning to my home to repeat attempts to fix the numerous unsatisfactory construction issues he blamed me for his failure to complete the contract. I hired another certified professional that solved the major plumbing issues and I remedied some of the minor problems myself. Some smaller problems remain. The counter itself looks good, nice polished quartz (other than being slightly not level--eggs role off the surface) but the tile back-splash so far looks good. His workman do "clean-up" and straighten up at the end of each work day. They did, for the most part, show up on time. In general, the workers were very polite. This was all nice in a superficially cosmetic way. In the business owners final email to me he said among other things that we are to "part ways". It is unclear to me if that means he will no longer stand behind the work he actually has performed. I've dealt with various contractors for home improvement projects for over 40 years. Some are better than others. This stands out as my single worst experience. It you choose this contractor, you will need to be skilled in home improvement projects to both recognize and remedy this outfit's deficiencies. My hope is that you will have a much better experience than I have had. Good Luck.

The whole experience was great. Job was completed on a timely manner and professionally.

We thought R.V. Midwest did a great job.  Alex was professional and easy to deal with.  He showed excellent attention to detail and did a great job matching our existing cabinetry color and style exactly.  The cabinet was an end piece under our countertop, and Alex was able to replace it without removing the counter and tearing the entire kitchen apart.  I'm sure we could have found someone else to do the job for less money, but it was worth the high quality results.

We first contacted RV Midwest Construction to tile our basement floor with ceramic tile following water damage to the carpeting we had.  They came out and gave us one of three estimates, explained what they were going to do, how long it would take, etc.  They were true to their word about everything.  Their price was the best and the basement floor looks terrific.  When they were finished they cleaned up the dust and grout and were very proud of their work, which tells me good things.  After the tile was put down we realized we needed to lighten the color in the basement.  They gave a great price on that, and did it quickly so we could put our basement back together.  They put a heavy TV, couch and accessories back in their original places.  It all looks great.

We then had them estimate on our carport ceiling, which was showing signs of drywall peeling and condensation.  I tried to get several estimates, but only two companies responded out of about six. (business must be better than we hear!).  Their estimate was by far the best of the two we got and we contracted to have them do the work.  Fortunately, they were delayed on another project by having permits pending, so they contacted me about having the work done the next day.  Otherwise, we would have had to wait for them to have some free time.  They arrived a bit early and started work immediately.  They said they thought they could complete the work on one day, which they did.  They worked about 12 hours on it.  They removed the scarred drywall and insulation very quickly.  They replaced the insulation and added wood instead of drywall, and then aluminum siding over that.  They cleaned up areas of the ceiling with white paint and again, I could see how proud they were of their work.  We were thrilled.  Our ceiling looks terrific and should be good for years.  I expect our townhouse neighbors will want to do the same thing to their peeling carports when they see what ours looks like.

These are great people to work with, accessible, very professional and cost-conscious.  We highly recommend them.  When it's time to remodel our three aging bathrooms, we will definitely call them.

Last night it was hot out and we turned on the air to cool off.  My son's room is directly over the carport and he commented this morning that his room was noticeably cooler now after we had the insulation and siding done.  Great results!