Firebelly Renovations, LLC

Firebelly Renovations began work in our home in January of 2018 for substantial restructuring of our master bath, kitchen, and creation of a mudroom/pantry that took space from the garage and extended the kitchen. The contract stipulated that it would take 60 calendar days. Our expectations were for the project to be completed in April, at the latest, given change orders and construction delays. Firebelly did not complete their work until November, 2018 -- TEN MONTHS LATER!! We ended up hiring a third- party contractor to complete remaining punch list items, as we had difficulty getting Firebelly to return. While we have a kitchen and bathroom that is substantially complete and we are now enjoying, getting to this point was a huge life disruption that took nearly a year. As the months dragged on, we observed questionable commitment to the work product, unreliable business practices, and poor project management. Examples follow: QUESTIONABLE COMMITMENT TO QUALITY WORK -The new flexible vent pipe they installed through the roof for our new dryer was so flawed in design and installation that it collapsed creating a water trap for the humid air (see photo). -Firebelly installed closet doors that block the full use of our new Elfa closet system. Drawers will not fully open (see photo). -In several areas, new walls are not straight, corners deviate from 90 degrees requiring modification to shelving that will be installed in the space, and drywall compound/tape and paint were applied in a sloppy manner (see photos). -Caulking in the kitchen and bathroom has already cracked (less than six months), the toilet has leaked, the shower has leaked, the vessel sinks in the bathroom are not securely fastened in place, the bathroom live-edge vanities have started to sag and need to be re-supported to their installed level (see photo). UNRELIABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES -Firebelly failed to pay a subcontractor plumber, resulting in a lien being placed on our home. We have requested paperwork to settle the matter with the plumber, but Firebelly has not provided it. -Change orders were started and sometimes completed prior to receiving our written approval, a contract stipulation. -They often cut short their 8am to 4pm work day. There were instances of Firebelly excusing themselves from our project for an entire week, giving reasons that did not sound credible. They lied to us about a family vacation in July (that delayed our project another week). We later found out that this was really an excuse for the owner to work on other projects. POOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT -Firebelly made numerous miscalculations on the quantity of product needed. For example, bathroom floor tiling required three separate trips to the store, each time to order more based upon their calculations. Yet, when we returned in August from an overseas trip, we were informed that the tile design was not completed as planned as they did not have enough tile!! -Based on their calculations, we over purchased special-order tile and could not return it, costing us over $200. Another tile store had to make an exception to their return policy because we had exceeded their six-month limit for returns - otherwise, this would have cost us several hundred dollars. -Items, such as kitchen appliances, cabinets, tile, etc., were ordered so they would be available when needed and sat in our living room and garage for months until Firebelly made enough progress to install them. -Subcontractors were hired only as the project proceeded, introducing delays and resulting in variations in cost. Many more frustrations and observations could be listed. This was an ordeal that overtook our lives for the better part of year. We began to wonder if Firebelly had ever done a job of this size before as they did not appear to have the staff or the systems in place to address the challenges of this job. We would not recommend Firebelly for any substantial home renovation.

It didn't. While Mr. Medina did come by to assess my property and actually spoke about possibilities and noted he would contact me with prices. He actually provided good insight. However, never heard from him or his co. again. Disappointed.

The resulting work is excellent.  We are very pleased with the construction quality and attention to detail.  Eric Medina maintained great communication throughout the project, keeping us informed and gathering feedback to ensure the project did not drag on any longer than it needed to.  When we hit the structural issue, he was proactive in helping us get it resolved.  Overall, we are very pleased with the process (structural surprises aside...) and with Eric's work.  Firebelly might not be the cheapest around, but we are a firm believer in you get what you pay for.  Eric proved that right.

Firebelly did excellent work repairing termite damage in my townhouse.  He is an unusually good finish carpenter.
Firebelly did excellent work repairing water damage in the townhouse caused by tenants who flooded a bathroom.  
Firebelly did not do excellent work when he restored the bathroom and kitchen of my rental apartment.
Firebelly did not have a class A contractor's license.  Firebelly may not have had appropriate insurance.
I live in California and assumed that he would act as a competent general contractor. Firebelly seems not to have planned the work.  Firebelly may not have any of the proper permits (He didn't send me copies).
Firebelly seems not to have had appropriate insurance.
Firebelly didn't answer questions related to design in a reasonably timely manner. 
Firebelly didn't make the measurements that would have allowed me to design an excellent floor plan.  He did not check the ceiling for level--it was more than an inch out from being level.  Because I assumed that the ceiling was level, I ordered an inappropriate crown molding.  (He made an excellent installation that hid the problem.  But it was very expensive.)
His plumber and electricial did competent work.
He did not submit an understandable contract.  Hi submission was so late that I couldn't get another contractor. This job was done a  time and materials basis.

Everything went very well on all projects.
Eric Medina (Firebelly restorations) acts as my property manager for non-mechanical issues. Firebelly uses well qualified journey-men  workers.  Eric is knowledgeable and well qualified.  As work progresses, Eric consults with me by telephone and email. We haven't had any significant miscommunications.
(I live in California and need firms based in Virginia to represent my interests.  I do not use a Real Estate Management Firm because I have never found a reliable one. Although Virginia law requires e a Virginia firm to take care of emergencies, it does not require a real estate firm.)
Firebelly uses well qualified journey-men level workers on the job site, both for inspections and for non-mechanical work.  I use a mechanical trades contractor for that work.
All work is done to good building trade standards.  The prices are realistic.
Firebelly's work for me includes replacing a water damaged basement wall and baseboard trim, replacing the front door jambs, door, sill, and trim.
Firebelly replaced a rotted deck.  
Firebelly acted as a general contractor for restoration of parts of the building damaged when a tenant allowed a bath-tub to overflow.  That work included replacement of more than 400 square feet of drywall,  some trim, and painting.  Firebelly used sub-contractors for painting, carpet replacement, and plumbing.
Firebelly will replace a kitchen and bathroom in another property that I own.

Eric Medina evaluated the construction problems very well.  Successful renovation of my house required the specialized knowledge of a builder rather than just the knowledge of a competent journeyman carpenter. Eric used his extensive knowledge to describe the problems and to prepare detailed plans and lists of materials.   Eric executed his plans with excellent finish carpentry and other construction skills.  
His many specialized tools help him to work rapidly, accurately, and at reasonable prices.   An example of a specialized tool is the stand for his portable circular saw.  The stand mounted saw provides many of the advantages of a large shop saw.  Also, the saw uses a splitter which improves the safety of the operator and the accuracy of some cuts. Many workers improvise awkwardly by placing small saws put on the ground or the floor.
Eric follows the procedures of a prudent businessman who  is concerned about the welfare of his clients.  He uses appropriate insurance.  He refers specialized work such as plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and electrical services to people who are well experienced in these trades.