Budget Builders

Quote was more than 20% off because somehow the new roof and electrical panel didn't make it on to my 12 page quote. I looked at what was there, didn't think that some of it would be missing entirely. No precautions taken for lead, sanded over vinyl flooring which more than likely contained asbestos. I paid an additional $2800 for leveling of my 1940 floor so they could install new wood flooring and my floor is like a skate park. I was told that it wasn't his fault my house was not level because it was so old and that to completely level it would cost 20-30,000. I was not told this before the floor was laid down so I didn't even have the choice to have it done correctly and even so no way would it cost that much. The transition between my wood living room floor and tile bathroom floor has a 3/4 inch lip (tripping hazard) on one side and and a 1/4 inch lip on the hinge side.....even though the issue was brought to his attention a few days earlier, the tile guy went in a poured self leveling concrete. Their so called solution was going to be to cut one of my 20x20 inch ceramic floor tiles diagonally so one of the triangle pieces could lay at a slope where they would chisel away some of the concrete that was there. Can you say ridiculous? That is why I have the "lip". I was told that he would redo the transition, a custom fabrication made of same wood as floor, and the next week was told he wouldn't do it but that he would lay a cheap aluminum transition that would bend over it. Again ridiculous. Subcontractors routinely drove over my newly planted hedge, at one point I found a truck that was parked directly on top of my three foot hedge. They were replaced but again, ridiculous. Contractor hardly ever came to the job site. My house was left unlocked and in some cases the door was even left ajar. My house was robbed three times during construction. After the second robbery a security alarm was installed, but again the guys kept forgetting to set it...I was told that they weren't used to it. My shower faucet was installed improperly so that hot is cold and cold is hot...noted and recommended to fix by inspector. It was never done. Installed new trim around windows but not window sills...so they only painted the new trim. Never painted the old sill to match. Cut a six panel door four inches off bottom all the way to lower panels but none at the top so that it looks like a child did it and there is a two inch gap at bottom of door. Refused to fix it. Replace a porch fascia board that had an inch of rot at the end of it (not in contract, didn't ask for it....I thought great!!) then refused to paint it leaving the whole board exposed to the elements. ( I was going to just cut the inch off the end and seal it). I could go on and on...I will say that the finished job looks great at first glance but the details are lacking. I have places where the drywall was patched (brand new drywall) that had been punched out for purposes of finding the electrical but the texture over these patches doesn't match the rest of it so they look like patches. The most obvious flaw is the unlevel floor. My entertainment center sits at a slant of probably 4 degrees....we have shimmed underneath the other furniture but I am still trying to figure out what would look worse because I would be able to see the shims on this piece (that holds our tv.) It drives me crazy to sit in my "new" living room with a crooked tv....although we shim the tv it is constantly sliding off the shim so it is an ongoing frustration. There is so much more. I will say the cabinets and back splash look gorgeous. Again the overall look I am happy with but I live here so the little details are very frustrating considering that it was a lot of money. After a year the electrical was finally finished (I waited five months for the electrician to come back and finish what was a half an hour to put two more original contract outlets in). I finally gave up on trying to get the rest finished. Over budget and not even remotely close to on time.

Roman Anderson of Budget Builders came to our house promptly after our initial call. He looked over the project and listened to our ideas and gave us a few ideas about ways to go about it. We decided on expanding the east wall of the kitchen and extending it up to the second floor. The second floor addition became a baby room. Because of the way the design affected the roof and intersected with the garage add-on, the job required a structural engineer. Once we agreed on how e wanted it, Roman offered to arrange all the necessary planning, drafting and design to submit for a permit for $280. Then we could take the plans to whoever we wanted to get an estimate. The plans took longer than expected. That was the one thing that did not happen promptly with Budget Builders. Everything once we started building happened well within the given time frame or sooner. 
After we go the plans, we shopped around. Roman's estimate was $16,470 for foundation through envelope. This included excavation and pouring a new foundation, framing on two floors and a new section of the gable roof, sheathing, windows, subfloor, new roofing and house wrap. We would do the plumbing, electrical, drywall, flooring, exterior siding, painting and new cabinets ourselves. We had set aside $20,000 for the whole job so we negotiated to do all the excavation ourselves as well. Roman gave us a revised estimate of $12,060. Nobody else could beat that, not even a friend of a friend. Also none of the other contractors I spoke to gave me the feeling of confidence I got from Roman. They either sounded too busy to really pay attention to my particular wants or else they sounded too inexperienced to really get the job done. Roman was professional, reasonable and attentive. So we went with them.
Construction got underway in May while I was finishing up my school year as a teacher. Permits and foundation work both came in under budget and Roman passed that savings on to us. The framing team worked with me around my excavation schedule. I would put in a bunch of work on the weekends and then he'd come and frame the next bit. He was very good about telling me exactly what needed to be removed when and he handled all the inspections at that part of the job. He even went to bat for us and got the city to reduce the insulation requirements so that we could use batting in place of rigid foam.
Once school let out, I got to work in earnest putting in electrical and mechanical (we didn't really change the plumbing). The roofers came and went in a day, doing a beautiful job that you can't even tell was added on. Roman and his crew stayed in touch with me every step of the way. Then everything ground to a halt when I went away to a training for two weeks in July. We were waiting for rough electrical to be approved. It took us longer than we expected to do our part getting all the insulation in and we were running out of time to get the drywall on. So I called Roman on a Tuesday and asked him how much it would be additional to have him do the drywall. He told me that we were coming in so far under budget, he could throw in the drywaller and we would still be under. So we said go for it and he had his guy out on Friday and Saturday of the same week. They did a superb job, exactly what we wanted and better than I could have done it even if I had the time. 
My next step was to put in new tile flooring over electric radiant wiring. Roman very generously loaned us a tile saw for the job. That made it go much easier. Roman had technically completed his part of the contract but he was willing to wait until we had the final inspection before receiving final payment. The baby came right on schedule on Sept 2 just five days after the counter installation. We are so pleased with our new kitchen and the baby addition ended up being where most of the labor happened.
I would heartily recommend Roman and all of his subcontractors. Marty the foundation guy did neat, quick work. David the framer is very competent and threw in extras to help us out like additional blocking and scrap lumber that I used to finish out the attic space. Todd Davis is a top notch drywaller who takes pride in his work. He also threw in extras like patching up the spot where we had removed a chimney. They really lived up to there tag line "Well-built, under budget".

Roman came out and gave me two bids, one for the backyard and a second bid for another project. He was very creative in his ideas and I was impressed. It wasn't the normal "what do you want?" He offered suggestions and let me know what would and wouldn't be feasible. I decided on the backyard project (since I couldn't afford both). I thought the price was reasonable compared with other bids I had received and what would be included.
My backyard slopes about 30 deg down to a natural pond. The hillside has shifted over the years and last year we had to create tiers and retaining walls, each about 35' in length with a staircase in the center. My family and I had gone as far as we could and needed help to create a path/stairway on the west end of the retaining walls, and connect the center stairway up to the existing deck on the back of the house. There is an existing cement patio that runs along the pond. Roman had a great idea to create a path, then retaining steps down to a small patio at the west end of the cement patio. Alongside this path/steps/patio would be a new water feature - a creek flowing down.
Roman brought in a good friend of his, Jake, to create the path/retaining steps/patio and water feature. Jake is fantastic! His attention to detail is awesome. He's one of the hardest workers I've ever seen and if he isn't completely satisfied with how something is turning out he'll redo it until he's happy. The water feature alone is absolutely beautiful and more than I expected/envisioned. There are two small pools and the creek cascades down to the existing pond. I know there's a liner because I saw Jake put it in, but you can not see any liner at all!  The pathway at the top matches my existing pathways and then retaining blocks create the steps down to the new 8 x 8 patio area at the end of the existing patio. It's simply beautiful and I couldn't be happier.
The other part of this project - connecting the wood steps we built up to the existing deck on the back of the house - started off badly. I was working out of town and didn't have a chance to really inspect the progress on the steps until the 2nd or 3rd day. The guy building them was very nice but I wasn't happy with the foundation, how the steps were connected to my existing steps (no joist hangers), and that they weren't level. I sent Roman an email right away and included pictures of the things I was concerned about and that needed to be corrected. Roman came out personally and took everything apart, used sono-tubes to create the foundation for the structure, and rebuilt everything himself. Roman's attention to detail matches Jake's and the stairway with the rails is just beautiful!
I would highly recommend Roman, Jake, and Budget Builders for any project. They are professional, have creative ideas, great attention to detail and work hard. I found their bids to be very competitive and reasonable. Wish I could post a before and after photo!

" Bottom-line: Roman, of Budget Builders, was an invaluable asset in evaluating, estimating and executing on this entire home project - even before breaking ground! Expectations have been exceeded and it would be a pleasure to work with Budget Builders on any future projects."

I cannot express how happy I am with the work that was done for us by Budget Builders. Roman was thoughtful, communicative, and very effective as the Project Manager. Roman worked tirelessly in creating the final kitchen/exterior rendering, proposal, and estimate. Additionally, Roman was very supportive in giving us space in the project schedule to complete DIY projects (i.e. backsplash install, range hood install, duct work, and sink install). David, the Lead Carpenter, was also a pleasure to work with. Our final job amount was more than 1K below the original estimate.

The overall job took between 6-7 weeks. The first phase was the porch. The original, smaller porch was demoed and an exposed aggregate, concrete slab was poured with an inset area for slate tile. Next was electric, framing, and roofing for the new, vaulted, covered porch. The door and windows were also installed during this time. Slate tile was installed and the installer made sure the multi-colored slate was not randomly placed but all tiles complemented the adjacent ones. Attention to detail, by integrating the roof soffit from the original roof to the porch and wrapped support posts that match the original siding, gives the illusion that the porch is actually part of the original house. The roof of the porch changed the roof-line, adding dimension to an otherwise bland front. This job updated the appearance and increased the curb appeal of our tired looking 1960s ranch home.
 
The kitchen was done concurrently with the porch. Electric was performed by adding 7 can lights, 2 island pendant lights, additional outlets, dimmers and under cabinet lighting. The dry waller not only patched the walls but skim coated over the popcorn ceiling. Beautiful white cabinets with frosted glass doors and crown molding were installed. Light-colored Silestone counters were installed within a week of template. We were planning to DIY install the sink but when it got too complicated Roman was able to fit in a plumber the very next day. The paint job for interior and exterior were done quickly and all paints matched our existing colors.

As expected in any home project, there were a few unforeseen complications and challenges that arose. What makes Budget Builders an exceptional company, is their willingness to communicate and find solutions to all challenges thrown our way. Each and every issue has been resolved with satisfaction on both sides. The other huge value add is Roman's ability to manage and work with any sub-contractors; making sure jobs are done correctly and on time.

Bottom-line: Roman, of Budget Builders, was an invaluable asset in evaluating, estimating and executing on this entire home project - even before breaking ground! Expectations have been exceeded and it would be a pleasure to work with Budget Builders on any future projects.

The principal in this business, Roman,  was very professional on the phone and provided a reasonable bid for the work very promptly.    The person who was sent to do the work arrived 5 minutes early - GREAT!     I discovered in the first 10 minutes that he was not prepared to do the work required (did not have the tools required).  

It became clear that there was a pretty big communication gap between what I thought I had contracted for, and what the workperson was expecting to do.    I had the counter-top laminate at my house, and he had to take it to a different business to get it cut.   I thought he would be cutting it to fit at my house.   He had to go and get a trailer to transport the counter-top material to the cutting place, and back.   He arrived at my house at 9:00 a.m. and was back with the cut pieces at 2:00 p.m.   Roman came to help him with the install, which I had thought would have been completed by noon, and they finished about 5:30. 
My house was built in the 1940's, so nothing is level.   Roman did not think it was necessary to check the top of the counter supports to see if they would produce a level support.   I could see by visual inspection that they would not.   He said  "The cabinets are put in and leveled from the bottom, so it will be fine".  It was obvious that the cabinets had been in place for years (not new), so this was a ridiculous assertion.   By 5:30 I was so anxious to have them out of my house that I just let them leave the new counterops with support issues (more than 1/2 inch gaps underneath between the counter and the support.)  I was able to push down the part of the counter in front of the sink 1/2 inch with my hands, and also the end of the counter over the dishwasher more than 1/2 inch.   I then spent an hour underneath the counter, putting in shims to make the support correct.
I waited for the bill to come, thinking I would not write a review until after it was paid and I had cooled off.   After more than a week I started to wonder if perhaps it would not come.   I checked my e-mail, which I only check about every 10 days because it is not my preferred method of communication, and found that the invoice for the work had been sent electronically.  I let Roman know that if the only method he used for invoicing was electronic, he should have made that clear up front, because that is not the expectation of most people (including me).    I have paid the bill.
Needless to say it is now over 2 months later and I have not cooled off.   I have no idea how this contractor got a "5 star rating" as he put it.

It was our first experience with a contractor for work  inside of our house. It was a learning experience for us but Roman was patient and we are very satisfied with the results.

I have worked with contractors on three kitchen remodels.  This was by far the most organized, efficient and pleasant experience of them all.  They worked with me to allow me to do some of the demolition (yeah!) and the finish work such as painting and caulking to help cut down the price; I love doing this as it gives me a sense of ownership. 
There was one minor incident in that one of my cats got out.  This poor p**** is 14 years old and has been an indoor cat all her life.  It happened when it was raining heavily one day and everyone was working including the electrician and plumber, popping in and out of the house.  Budget Builder team has always been very careful with my cats, always watching the doors or checking with me to verify that the cats are "locked-up", but the subcontractors were not as diligent.  I found her after 24 hours of walking the neighborhood and calling. Everyone was very upset and concerned; I understand that the electrician was spoken to about the incident.  I think if we had noticed her absence earlier in the day I would have had all the fellows searching for her.  But it ended well.  This group of people are always so accommodating when I have one of those "can we change this?" moments. They frequently make the correction, so long as they can fit it into their schedules, which is a good thing as we have had some surprises given the age of the house...like the aluminum wiring. I am also impressed that their work is warranted and they are fast.  They started on the Monday of Thanksgiving week.  Worked Monday thru Wednesday, returned on the following Monday and were finished Tuesday....5 days!! and I had a new kitchen, wall-to-wall wood flooring and stayed on budget.  I very strongly recommend Budget Builders for any remodel you need.