Schaffer Construction - Designs for Life
About us
Certified Age In Place Specialist (CAPS). Home safety/access modifications for seniors and families w/ special needs. Barrier free wheelchair access. Modifications for unexpected hospital and rehabilitation stays, injuries due to a fall, spinal cord injuries, stroke, traumatic brain injuries and age-in-place modifications for those planning to stay in their homes. We work with the Veterans Administration housing grants Special adaptive housing grant (SAH) and (HISA) We provide egress by widening doorways and installing ramps. Wheelchair accessible bathrooms with roll in showers, roll under sinks and transfer aids. Initial consultations are free. We offer Home safety assessments . Lic in VA and service Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William.
Business highlights
Services we offer
(CAPS), Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Safety assessments, Wheelchair access, aluminum), automatic openers curbless showers, concrete, consulting and design for access, decks, grab bars, handrails, immediate need services for hospital and rehab releases, incline lifts, kitchen access, platform lifts, ramps (wood, safety modifications. Veterans Admin accepted builder for the Specially Adaptive housing grant (SAH)(2101), stair lift, stairlifts, stone, tub cuts, widen/reverse doors
Amenities
Free Estimates
Yes
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
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| 67% | ||
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"Mr. [Member Name Removed], Elevator maintenance is not a service we provide. I have no record you contacted Schaffer Construction for this service."
We wish there was more choice in the actual grab bars. Schaffer offers one choice, a very sturdy ADA compliant grab bar, but it is brushed stainless steel. Our master bath has Kohler gold fixtures so we ordered the grab bars ourselves.
Jack, the installer, did a very thorough job. We are happy with the work, but it did cost us $398.31 (includes tax) for the 4 grab bars and $500.00 less the Angie's List discount resulting in $450.00 for Schaffer's installation. Although $848.31 seems pricey, we have other bathrooms that should be less expensive as far as the grab bars as we will use polished stainless steel grab bars. We would recommend this company to anyone needing work to facilitate aging and modify their homes.
At the signing, I was told by Becky Schaffer that construction could begin in mid November and was expected to take four to five weeks. I was lead to believe that the project would be finished by Christmas 2013.
I was made aware that Schaffer Construction was unfamiliar with the Fairfax County permit process for this type of building. The plans are stamped November 11, 2013. Becky e-mailed me on December 4 to alert me to the permit problem and to apologize for the delay. She e-mailed again on December 19. At that time she stated the work could be finished by the end of January.
I trusted Schaffer Construction was diligently pursuing the permit. However, it was over one month before I heard from Schaffer Construction again on January 30, 2014. At that time Tony Schaffer detailed some of the problems they were having with the permit process and praised the County for not rejecting their efforts and charging for resubmission. More importantly, he promised to give me a status report, ?tomorrow?.
I did not hear from Schaffer Construction again for over four weeks, until on March 3 I received an e-mail from Becky only after e-mailing her questioning if this project was of any importance to the company.
On March 27, Becky e-mailed me that she had the package to resubmit and would do so on the 28th. The permit was was issued by Fairfax County on April 10, 2014 approximately two weeks after they received proper documentation.
Obviously, the delays were not caused by the county?s failure to act on properly formatted plans as I was led to believe but, on the failure of Schaffer Construction to hire a qualified architect or engineer to submit the plans in accordance with County codes in a timely fashion.
Work commenced around April 21 and Becky told me in writing that it should be completed four weeks later on May 16. After permission to drill to install the shower drain was obtained from the condominium management, I asked Becky for a new completion date and was told in writing to expect work to be done ?the last of May?.
The project was finished and my key returned on July 2, 2014.
I am disturbed by the pace of the work but, moreover I am at a loss to understand why Schaffer Construction did not hire a qualified architect or engineer to submit the necessary plans in a timely manner. It is apparent this project was shelved over the winter only to be revived when I inquired about it. I was not kept updated as promised. I cannot describe their customer service as anything other than horrible. Note that I conveyed to Becky all of my choices of tile, fixtures and paint in a timely fashion. I paid the company promptly in accordance with the payment schedule in the contract and its change orders.
I requested compensation from the Schaffers as I feel the project was delivered six months late. They refused to negotiate with me and told me to file a complaint with the state licensing board, which does not have the power to order compensation. I filed a complaint which is currently being investigated.
Note that I did not comment on price. I hired Schaffer on the advice of my realtor and did not obtain other bids, so I don't know if the price was fair or not. Because my realtor tried to intervene on my behalf and get this project moving, the Schaffers have apparently discontinued their professional relationship with the realtor. She tells me she has not seen the Schaffers at any of the forums and board meetings they typically attend.
The work itself is well done with the exception of the floor under the washer. The new tile was laid in such a way that an drain pan cannot be fitted under the drain pipe located on the wall. I did have an issue with a towel bar which came loose. It was promptly repaired under warranty.
The two gentlemen who did the work were very pleasant, It is the management I have a problem with.
"We regret that [member name removed] feels that he had a less than positive experience with Schaffer Construction. This was a commercial project and expected to take longer than a standard residential remodel. We were assured when providing timeline updates to the client that he was in no hurry to move from his current residence and childhood home he was sharing with his father. He could have moved during the construction process as the area was kept clean but stated he was in no rush. This did not delay our timeline in completing the job. It did surprise us to hear some of his negative thoughts when the job was complete. We wish him the best and know he is enjoying his new space."
"We did receive a phone call on Sept 4 at 8:15am. I called back on Sept 5 at 3pm and on Sept 10 at 11am. He did not answer and there was no option to leave a message both attempts. I could have sent someone over the following day to install the grab bars in his bathroom. I did not receive any email from (removed member name)to reply to or I would have requested another phone number to contact him. He may be unaware that his phone does not accept messages. We are glad he was able to get someone to do the work for him."
There was some difficulty with the supply line for the one toilet. But the contractor put in a new line through the garage ceiling. Some drywall had to be cut, but it was replaced and is barely noticeable. The contractor left the worksite clean and always responded to my change in direction
Licensing
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