Schaffer Construction - Designs for Life

They didn't contact me.

Unresponsive

We were very impressed. After contacting them they did an initial assessment of our home and made some sensible recommendations about various things we could do to prevent trips and falls. They did very good work and were very easy to work with. Highly recommended.

I am extremely pleased. I have mobility issues and need handrails on both sides of our 2 floor-to-floor staircases (where there was only 1 inadequate rail) and 1 two-step staircase from the garage to the house. I wanted a certified age-in-place specialist to be sure the rails were ADA-compliant. Becky and Ben came out and assessed my situation, including making sure that the rest of the house was adequate for my needs. They were professional and friendly, explained what they were going to do, and accepted my questions and suggestions. This was not a normal handyman job. The cost seemed high when I got the proposal, but watching them work and seeing the result made me realize that I got my money's worth. The finish on the new railings closely matches the railings already there.

Chad was the interface who came with a proposal and then did the installation. I have nothing but praise and admiration for Chad as well as the Company. There were very clear and transparent which helped in establishing trust. The job was done with great attention to detail. Very professional indeed. The took a good part of a day to complete the job, and I must say it is a job well done. We are very satisfied with the work and the quality of professionalism. As we age, and have any future need, we know that we will go straight to Schaffer Construction. Chad was also a very pleasant individual and an ultimate professional. We wish the Company the best of success.

The price was reasonable but the work was high quality. Chad who provided us the estimate also did the work. Overall I am very satisfied. The work was high quality and Chad was very professional. Chad was very nice to my son who uses a wheelchair. Chad told my son he was here to make him happy and he is. I have some more work that I need completed and I will be using Schaffer Construction again very soon.

Great job! Service was excellent!

very responsive

Excelllent. Highly recommend them. Always help on short notice. Evenone is extremely likable, friendly and very professional.

It always is an amazing job… Regardless of whether it's been a small task like a grab bar or a larger more complicated one like us to stander poles. We have also use them at my office to install special modifications . I always know the task will be done right the first time... I love being able to recommend them with great confidence to my friends !

Excellent work and service. I highly recommend using this company.

Poorly

BECKY AND TONY HAVE BEEN MAINTAINING MY CHAIR LIFT SINCE 2010.  EVERY TIME IHAVE A PROBLEM THEY HAVE BEEN HELPFUL, CONSIDERATE AND QUICK IN THEI SERVICE FOR MY PROBLEM.  WE RECENTLY HAD A FIRE IN OUR HOME AND THEY WERE RIGHT THERE TI TAKE OUT CHAIR LIFT FOR SERVICING.  THEY RECENTLY HELPED ME GET A NEW CHAIR LIFT AT QUITE A SAVINGS AND INSTALLED IT QUICKLY.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE IN NEED OF A CHAIR LIFT AND SERVING.  THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE.

During the course of two visits, I was impressed with the installer's professionalism, courtesy and friendliness.  He seemed genuinely interested in making my wife's recuperation period safe and comfortable for her.  He was punctual and clearly knew his business. Discussions with the owner prior to the installation provided some excellent suggestions on possible safety modifications.  All in all, a most satisfactory experience, and well worth the cost.

We are pleased with Schaffer Construction.  Owner Becky Schaffer was efficient in coordinating and explaining the installation of grab bars and other work.  Tony Schaffer came to our home for an estimate, and took time going over various options and suggesting other aging-in-place possibilities.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.

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

We are pleased with Schaffer Construction.  Owner Becky Schaffer was efficient in coordinating and explaining the installation of grab bars and other work.  Tony Schaffer came to our home for an estimate, and took time going over various options and suggesting other aging-in-place possibilities.
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.

I signed a contract with Schaffer Construction on October 15, 2013 for the renovation of a bathroom in my condominium.  The contract also called for the installation of a threshold ramp to the patio.
           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.

unknown

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I used schaffer construction in 2009 to remodel my kitchen and basement in my townhouse. They did a great job and were very friendly.

Installer came on time and was very professional and neat.  would recommend him anytime and hope to do business with this firm again in the future.

They did a great job.  The product looks great.

They came and were very thorough about assessing the job and delivering a detailed quote. They presented their business license and their certificate of liability insurance.  They were clear that they would be seeking a building permit which was something I wanted to get the city inspections as work went along. I would have hired them but my wife passed away instead of coming home. I may still hire them soon to do a modified version of what they proposed originally.