INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Our roof needed repair and had developed a leak into the master bedroom. Contacted this company as a result of searching online. We were trying to get a couple of different estimates in order to compare project proposals and costs. The rep set a date and time to come over to do an estimate but never showed. He didn't call, email, nothing. We don't do business like this so we took our business elsewhere. We won't bother trying to use this company for any future projects.

*** Update Jan 24, 2012 *** Another "surprise": We found water on the floor on the closet which backs up to a sink. It seems that the person who installed the cabinets did not know what was behind the drywall, and ran two drywall screws right through the water supply pipes. It took almost 3 years for the holes to expand to the point that the water leaked through. Several hundred $$ later it is now fixed. *** Update Feb 4, 2011 *** We just got a "surprise" from this job: The faucet FELL OFF THE SINK in the bathroom. It seems that the plumber, for whatever reason, did not fasten the faucet the normal way, using washers and nuts on the supply pipes under the sink. Instead, he simply glued the fixture to the top of the sink with caulking. Naturally, it was only a matter of time until it gave way. *** Original Report *** I had read earlier reviews with praise for Darren Holokai, but I think he's no longer operating hands-on the way he supposedly did in the past. In our case, "Innovative" management meant NO management. Crews worked essentially unsupervised, and often did not bring up problems which needed to be solved (e.g. move a pipe so that a bulkhead wouldn't take up 1/3 of a room.) Crews also ignored explicit instructions (e.g. pattern for tile, or where to run telephone wires.) With other contractors we've worked with who were on-site themselves, if something came up which should be brought to our attention, they would call immediately, explain the problem, explain the options, with plusses and minuses, and then help us decide, or brainstorm for a better solution. With ICM, the crews would just try to finish on their schedule without consulting anyone, and not care if the results were really what was best for us. Crew failed to properly drape before jackhammering, and EVERYTHING on the other side of basement was completely covered with dust -- tools, framed pictures, linens, etc. NUMEROUS inspections were failed & work had to be redone, because crews didn't know code. While the crews didn't know WHAT to do (i.e. lacked management) at least their skill levels were pretty good, so in a number of cases the wrong thing got done neatly, and then the right thing got done neatly after we complained. Carpentry, drywall, painting, plumbing were all acceptable. The Electrician did just fine -- except that he was asked to do the HVAC as well, and he had NO idea what he was doing. His one AC return vent got redone once because it blocked a large section of wall; redone a second time because it failed two inspection items; and redone a third time because it was draped obstructing our main walkway to the workshop area. Furthermore Darren's HVAC design also failed to provide sufficient combustion air for our furnaces -- a quick way to Carbon Monoxide poisoning, except that it was caught & failed by inspectors, who told us that we would have to put a louvered door on what was supposed to be a private area. Fortunately, my husband my husband thought of putting the louvered door at the top of the basement stairs instead, which the inspectors said would be just fine. We could say more about why we think these things happened, but we'll just leave it to the facts to speak for themselves. We would say, however, that the fact that Darren (in his own words) never worked any of the trades, and thinks of himself exclusively as a manager, was a big factor. I didn't mark that we "paid to much" because the price was pretty low, and the net result (other than the piles of dust) were pretty good. We're just sorry that we didn't get the service we expected, and we suspect that if we had been less vigilant, a lot more problems would have been left behind.

He did a great job! He had very competitive prices. His estimate stayed absolutely in line with the final bill that we paid. He monitored carefully upon any additions to the work with us as they occurred. I was very impressed with his work and would recommend him to anyone!

It went great. Darren has exceptional customer service skills. He listens carefully and makes useful suggestions for planning and scoping the job. His workmen are prompt, courteous, competent. One workman made a mistake that damaged a new cabinet door. He pointed out the mistake and insisted on replacing the door at his expense rather than just repairing it. Darren ensured that he and his people met all commitments; schedule, price, quality of work. Compared to some horror stories we have heard about renovation contractors, it was a great relief to work with these guys who, so far, have earned our trust. They were not the cheapest alternative, but there price was very competitive.