Neil Kelly Design Build Remodeling

Do not use Neil Kelly in Seattle for remodel work. May 2016 -Sales & Design person Bruce began promoting Neil Kelly to me as a full service remodeling company. Project management and quality construction from beginning to completion. It is not. We met every week or two at various suppliers around Seattle & Bellevue selecting materials. Two months in I was given a floor plan with errors. Bruce would come back a few times with the same uncorrected plans. A first red flag. Received a project quote. Subsequently the quote was revised to exclude; electrical, plumbing, floor material and installation, cable railing, painting. ‘Full Service’ did not include scheduling these people. I should have cut my losses here. Red Flag. I was given a 2-3 month construction schedule; July to October 2016. July 2016 Demo began. From the beginning The Project Manager and ‘workmen’ appeared incompetent and disrespectful of me and my home. They had a variety of people dropping by inconsistently to do work. They didn’t seem to know the design concept nor were they craftsmen. The ‘project manager was rarely on site. The job had almost no oversight. I observed issues like incorrect framing and when I approached the workman he would respond as if I had no place in discussing his work. I was living in my home while under full construction. The site was like a dump. Trash cans with odor permeated my home. Clean up was not part of the daily work. I had to call the main office and request someone come and haul away debris many times when I could no longer stand the mess and odor. Delays were ongoing. Mistakes in the framing of closets made getting doors almost impossible according to the ‘project manager’. Doors that were ordered were not the style I specified from the beginning. It was appearing that the incomplete floor plans had been indicators that no-one was paying attention to my requests on style and finishes. One day I came home to find that a leak caused by the workman in the bathroom had caused the powder room ceiling below to fall down. It was a mess of old sheet rock stuck everywhere in my powder room. Ceiling had to be replaced. Inspections happened without a workman on site. I had to take inspectors through the project unable to find Paperwork that was necessary. Code violation; two balcony half walls were removed and left without a rail for over a week. Passing the October completion date the project labored on. Rarely seeing a workman. Purposeful damage to my front door. Late fall the workman was on site and I heard him hammering my entry door. I noticed later that my door was warped. It was not shutting and sealing properly. I approached the workman about this. He explained that a squeak in it had been bothering him. I asked for someone to fix the door and it could not be done. Extreme cold in December of 2016 was flowing in around my door. My home was freezing. This went on for several weeks. I finally bought a new door myself and made them install it. I was wearing thin. More sub quality work when the workman hammered in white pressboard shelving that had to be ripped out. I had to put my own shelving in. My costs were escalating. The scheduled end date had come and gone and we were into the holidays of 2016. I had plastic everywhere and had to call in for someone to take it down. 2017 I was left without several doors. Construction dirt covered everything. Again they did not clean up. I waited for months to have doors put on. It took all summer to figure out what they were going to do. I was not their priority. Finally they had to custom build doors to fit the closet the workman had built too large. September 2017 sliding doors were installed. A week later one was sticking and not able to open fully. I contacted Neil Kelly to come out and fix it. They did not respond. April 13, 2018 I received an email wanting a final payment to close the job. I had made all payments prior to the last 10%. The work was so unacceptable on every level and incomplete I was not agreeable to an additional payment. A manager in Seattle explained that they had lost money on the job. I’m sure they did because they had to make repairs, rip out work done etc. The project manager was most certainly not managing my account. Neil Kelly threatened me with collections. Having taken a toll on me, July 2018 I made a final payment that they did not earn. I’m writing reviews of the Neil Kelly Company as it relates to my experience. It is my intention that the public be aware that this company is concerned with customer service and is not equipped to provide the construction services they are promoting. I remain an extremely dissatisfied client.

My husband tried to fix things - and made a bit of a mess. The electrical contractor - Fenter Electric, LLC - came in and saved the day. In just a few hours, they managed to reverse most of the damage. I will need a follow-up appointment to install a transformer that needed to be ordered. Other than that, they whipped through all the small projects quickly and efficiently. I would definitely hire them again.

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I was surprised by the charge for bid, but once I saw the details of the proposed work and the engineers plans, I felt fine about it. I also "bought the plans" which I was told I could present to any other company making a bid to save them/me time and $.
We're waiting for a second bid before deciding who to hire.

We approved the design plans and paint colors of Neil Kelly and then the team got to work. We had crown molding, chair rails and decorative panelling installed. Then everything was painted to our specifications.
The workers were prompt, courteous and professional. The only glitch was when the painter was through, we noticed extensive amounts of paint dust on the entryway to our home that was just outside the work area. Although the workers had covered the opening to the adjacent room to the remodel room, they had not screened off the area at the bottom of the stairs. When we brought this to the attention of our project manager, Nate Ewen, he immediately sent out someone to clean everything up. The cleaner even cleaned all the surfaces in the upstairs living area and hallway that had just smidges of paint dust in a few places.
The resulting remodel was fantastic and brightened up the previously dark room considerably. This project took one week as promised.
We've used Neil Kelly before and have been very pleased with the results.

A renovation that was contracted at 16 weeks took over twice that long because of poor oversight by Neil Kelly. The initial project manager was let go by Neil Kelly mid project, and replaced by a new project manager who was ineffective and inexperienced. Finally the General Manager of Neil Kelly Seattle stepped in at week 20 . It still took over 16 weeks from the time the General Manager assumed control. The General Manager agreed that there were a multitude of errors with the renovation (eg lipstick on a pig), and attempted to correct them. However it was another 16 weeks to achieve a product I could tolerate.

All parts of the contract were not completed because I finally lost my patience. Essentially everything in the renovation had to be redone at week 16. Because of the lack of attention to detail by Neil Kelly management, my renovation was a 32 week nightmare. The errors included carpentry (framing of walls), tiling (uneven cuts, bathroom benches uneven), plumbing (shower re plumbed x 2), electricity (incorrectly wired for bathroom lighting),hardwood flooring (agreed to additional work order to even floor and wasn't done correctly so needed to be pulled and evened) and on and on and on.

The most frustrating part of this renovation, if the continual incompetence was not frustrating enough, is that Neil Kelly would blame the "sub" for errors. This is quite astounding given that the whole reason I hired a company like Neil Kelly is that they are supposed to manage and have direct oversight of subcontractors so that errors and sloppy workmanship does not occur.

Overall, I received suboptimal service, responsiveness, and quality of product. Neil Kelly performs high end renovations, and in my opinion, were not able to achieve the experience they advertise.

Overall project went very well.  Sales and project managers were accommodating of my schedule and were punctual for all appointments.  Communications were very good as to delivery of materials and working conditions during the various stages. I was living in the house during the project. I knew what to expect.  During the window installation they reassured me that although wall work was not yet finished, the windows were secured in place and the house was safe to occupy.  One pet in the house, they were careful and considerate of him.  I permitted use of my house, garage and driveway for storage of incoming project materials, workspace needs and storage of construction debris.  Clean up was very good all around.

Approximate cost stated above is higher than final invoice.  There were rebates obtained through Seattle City Light coordinated by Neil Kelly that reduced the final cost.

The electrical and heating systems both were nearly 60 years old.  Replaced knob and tube wiring with Romex.  Updated electric panel, mast and wiring.  Installed ductless heat pump and indoor air handlers. Installed hard wired smoke alarms. Provided electrical connections and coordinated permits. Installed bath fan to ensure proper indoor air quality.  Removed gravity oil stove.  In addition to the energy efficiency of the new ductless electric system and cost savings compared to oil heat, these upgrades eliminated a great deal of danger from antiquated equipment.  The indoor air quality is substantially better. The temperatures in the house are comfortable in heating and cooling modes. They spent quite a bit of time going over the functionality of the equipment to make sure I was familiar with operations.  They answered a ton of questions. 

Aluminum frame windows were replaced with energy efficient double pane windows. Temperatures near windows are comfortable, no drafts or moisture. Wood window sills that were viable were reused; new sills were fashioned where needed.  Custom siding was ordered where needed, it matches nicely, and a sample was left with me. One window was reframed to accommodate a smaller size.  After installation, the new signal hung window didn't open smoothly.  They rechecked measurements and determined the installation and framing was correct.  They offered to have the manufacturer take a look.  Coordinating this did take a fair amount of time.  The window was installed in May, manufacturer's rep came out in Aug, made some adjustments. The issue has been resolved. Some of the standard siding that was replaced was installed crooked.  This was reported prior to the close of the project and did not get addressed.  Reported a leak in a slider window prior to the close of the project.  This also did not get addressed.  I called after a storm when a second leak occurred.  Issue has been resolved. 

They did a very thorough job patching and priming the interior walls, and priming exterior siding, for work related to the window replacements and the electrical work.  Repainting was not within the scope of this project.  They also patched a hole in a bathroom wall that was due to a household accident and not related to the project. Above and beyond, and much appreciated.

Insulation subcontractor was coordinated by Neil Kelly.  Documentation of payment to the subcontractor was requested but was not provided.  The work was done quickly and efficiently, crawlspace lining, insulating exterior walls and attic done in less than a day.  An additional work order was requested from Neil Kelly to repair a roof leak prior the installation of the attic insulation.  Scheduling got out of sync.  The insulation was installed but the additional work order had not been provided to me.  Work order was provided after the insulation work was done, it was signed immediately and repair was quickly completed.  Repair has proven effective.

Drywell/drainage field was installed to mitigate flow of groundwater into the crawlspace.  This has been effective in helping to prevent runoff from an adjacent property from getting into the crawlspace.  Repair of yard was per contract, clean up was good.  Clean up/removal of surplus gravel fill was also good.

good. The project last a bit longer than projected, but done and we are happy with the work and the customer service is great with Neil Kelly. Wish clean up was a bit better and I would advise future customers to make sure that a solid timeline and clean up plan is in place before hiring.
I would recommend them whole heartedly.

The estimate was way out of line, had no details on products or people that were going to be used.  Didn't bring in the subs to give cost bid on the work that needed to be done, the prices seemed to be pull out of the air.  Drawings were done which were nice but very lacking of what was going to be used,  They wanted another payment of $2750.00 to proceed, when all we new at this time was the price we were looking at would range from $45,000.00 to $55,000.00, I feel I just blown away $700.00 for very little in return.  I could of done what they did for nothing?If you are a type of person that needs someone to take complete control of you project and need to hold someones hand to get it done, these are the guys you need, provided you don't mind having a $10,000.00 variable price range in your estimate

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Rick, our Neil Kelly expert was just that, an expert. Having just had flooring put in we needed to have all our base trim done. Rick did an excellent job and wasted no time while working. The baseboards look amazing and I haven't seen better work anywhere. It took less time than we thought and there was little to no waste. We would not hesitate to use Neil Kelly again for any work needed.

My wife and I wanted to remodel a large bathroom and jettison a seldom-used soaking tub. We learned of Neil Kelly at the Seattle Home Show. Designer Diane Foreman got our attention with her cool confidence. During our first meeting she asked some very good questions that we had not even asked ourselves. Once we told her our must-haves, she never lost sight of them. Because Neil Kelly is a one-stop shop, we met with their designers several times until we had design drawings we liked. Diane was with us every step of the way. She is a consummate professional. Initially, my wife and I asked lots of questions and Diane patiently listened and answered them fully. She always had responses that made sense to the novice remodeler. As we got further into the design phase, we developed such a high level of comfort with Diane that we let her make a number of decisions on accessories and other details. She never steered us wrong. The lead carpenter on this project was Joe Robinson. Joe was at our home almost everyday. We can't say enough about Joe! He always responded to our questions in a timely manner. Even though we moved out of the house during the project, he always left the work site clean. He is a true craftsman -- the type of person who measure twice and cuts once. He was honest and forthright throughout the project. When we thought something needed to be done differently, he responded like true pro. Joe is as laid-back as Pat Boone (for those over 50). Neil Kelly made a good hiring decision with Joe. We feel like he is part of our family now. We have nothing but good things to say about Neil Kelly. We should also mention the project manager, Debbie Thorpe. We did not see much of her after the project started. But she told us up front what her roll would be. We had no problem getting in touch with her when necessary.

It went very well.  We had already chosen our furnace contractor, but they located the insulation contractor.  In the process of preparing to put in the insulation, the electrical inspection revealed that we could not put insulation in our attic over the original knob and tube wiring.  They found us an electrical contractor, and coordinated the rewiring of the house, the plaster repair of the wall and the re-painting.  It was nice to have someone taking care of all of this.
They followed up every step of teh way to make sure the work was to our satisfaction.
At the end of the year, they sent us information on income tax credits for which we might be eligible as a result of the remodeling project.

Deb Thorpe from Neil Kelly visited to learn about the scope of the project and to make suggestions.  She researched the products needed and contacted sub-contractors.  She visited Sutter Hearth and Home with me to help to make the best choices for the fireplace.  She advised me of the need to have a chimney sweep clean the existing chimney and gave me a list of reliable vendors.  She visited again with the carpenter, the cabinet maker, the tile workers and the electrician to gather data for the estimate.  She managed the visits by Sutter Home and Hearth and the workers who would install the new gas line.  She provided an accurate estimate of the work.
The carpenter from Neil Kelly who was the on-site manager the project was excellent.  He was punctual, highly skilled and helpful.  He was careful to limit the mess of the work.  Customer satisfaction was a high priority for him.  He answered my questions and gave me choices when it was appropriate to do so.  He managed the on-site work by the subs including the city inspection of the new gas line.  He completed the work on time.
Deb Thorpe returned for a visit after the work was completed.  She asked the carpenter to return to finish a few minor details.
I have work on many home improvement projects in the past, but none was as well-done as this one.  The work was done on time and on budget.  I couldn't be more pleased!

Thomas and Irie were exceptional to work with. They kept me updated every step of the way on my project. 
They were also very responsive to working around my crazy work schedule and to answer all of my questions.  I had an
issue with a squeaking noise coming out of my ducts after the new heater installation.  The next day the contracted heating company
came out and resolved the issue.  Great company to work with.

Used the online link from the Indo Windows web site to inquire and request a bid.  (The Indo windows are thermal window inserts that can be placed inside an existing window and are basically used as an interior storm window.)  We wanted to keep the original 1919 multiple pane windows in our house  but did not want to keep the drafts.  We had three bathroom windows that we had Indo Windows built for.  
The Neil Kelly Co. representative came and measured our windows.  We asked that we keep some space in front of the Indo windows for the existing curtains, a request which they honored.
Then the windows were made and several weeks later the representative came and installed the windows.  We could not be more pleased.  Formerly the curtains would blow if the wind was blowing hard outside.  No longer; no more drafts.
Two positive ratings here:  1.  for the Indo Windows themselves.   and 2. Neil Kelly Company which handles orders for Indo Windows in Seattle and  which will soon have a showroom on Corson Ave. in south Seattle.  One of Neil Kelly Company's three areas is weatherizing which I used.  

They were the best contractors I ever work with, the price was a bit expensive but I would use them again.

It was very well coordinated and managed!

Good response in getting the estimate & order placed. Slow response time getting the windows repaired. I rated responsiveness & punctuality good because our experience in prior years the service has been good.

They made sure that we approved and they were very prompt. They were always here when they said they would be. It was a very good experience. They were a little more expensive than others.

Its my fathers house. The downstairs bathroom had a pipe ruptured from an outside root and it damaged the bathroom and surrounding area. We had a plumber (EM Plumbing of Issaquah - report already submitted) repair the damage, a speciallist cleanup company (no report yet - I thought they were very expensive but i'm comparing notes with others) do the clean and dry. When all that was done the area was all torn up, but clean. So Seattle Design Build came and looked at it. Roger suggested some easy fixes (which saved money), and we scheduled it. Michell was the worker assigned, and never slowed down. We'll use them again.

We contacted them but it took a week or so for them to come out to evaluate. We were anxious to get going, but the wait was worth it. Roger knew his stuff and had a couple ideas to reduce the work and our costs. He suggested a couple of changes (like to the doors) that were better than what we had chosen. The crew began on a Monday. There were 3 of them and they had two trucks with supplies and equipment. It was complete professionalism. They arrived promptly at 8 (early actually, but would sit in the trucks and have coffee till 8:00) and worked till 5. They cleaned up every day. They left equipment and supplies neatly stacked in the house overnight. We had our furnishings pushed aside in areas that they were working, but when they needed to move them, they returned them back where they were. These are minor points, but our last contractor, (Tolt River) made messes and didn't clean up until they left. When I got home on Friday they were finishing up and gave me a walk through of everything they had done so far. The exterior lights were on and there was no trace of disturbed walls or landscape to even hint that there had been construction. It was amazing. They returned on Monday and finished on Wednesday. Roger returned on Friday to do a walk through and to make sure the cement had cured properly. Great experience - This is the only way to remodel. We have a Kitchen remodel planned in the near future. We will use them.

Overall, my experience with Seattle Design Build was excellent. I felt right from the start that they would be the people I'd want to work with -- when I first met Darlene, she mentioned right away that I could continue to work and live in the house while construction was going on, which was a huge factor for me as I work at home and really couldn't afford to move out for a few months. The lead carpenter, Brent, was fantastic to work with and really cared about what he did, and didn't mind me pestering him to explain some of the things he was doing. The plumbing was one of the biggest problems in that they left an inexperienced person often on the job alone, and Brent had to check his work. At times, I felt like they would never leave. They were the one sub that made it difficult; otherwise, most of the subs used were fine except for what I call the "guy factor" -- they just didn't care if they made a huge mess. Brent was always incredibly meticulous about dealing with that, though. We also ran into a problem with the sink/faucets that I'd purchased and the soapstone countertops, and I wish that had been checked on before, we did find a solution but it wasn't my ideal, considering the cost of the high-end things I bought for the kitchen. The cabinets are fantastic, and the tile floor is breathtaking, though I am having settling problems with it in a few spots. They were able to plan for an eat-in space in a very small house, create a utility room for me to bring the furnace and water heater up from under in the dirt crawlspace, create a real working kitchen, and work with all my choices in colors, materials, and green stuff. It was a good fit. My only problem besides the plumbing sub was that a huge job in another part of the state often meant people were unavailable at times I could have used some hand-holding. It's hard to schedule around those types of things, but as someone who has never done this before, I would have liked a bit more personal assistance when choosing materials and items for the remodel. I frequently felt very incompetent, like at the snobby tile store. Hopefully the next project, I'll know to ask for more help. And if I'm really lucky, I'll get Brent again.

The original Estimate was $87,000.00 but after we signed the contract it was made clear to us that the estimate did not include interior and exterior painting, siding to match the existing structure or the labor to install it, gutters for the new structure to be matched to the old part of the building, flooring in the new room and lastly sales tax. They gave us an extra estimate for Cedar Siding in the amount of $14,000.00 and I did my own checking and found out I could get it for a much lower price. All totaled with all what we had to pay and do ourselves that were not in the contract, the total of the costs are around $119,000.00 and we still haven't had the exterior painted as yet. The final costs will probably be around $130,000.00. I didn't like the fact that they don't add this stuff into the contract and then they want you to use their subcontractors so they can take a 33% mark up on that.

For a small space, the most was made to update the bathroom and make it usable. In the end, it turned out well, and suits our home and lifestyle. While our salesperson/project manager initially impressed us with her idea of how to update the bathroom and the relatively low cost to do it, we had to double check measurements/figures and follow up on everything from deliveries to contractor scheduling to quality of work. Had we known that we were going to do so much project management, we might have considered another firm. The plumbing charge came in higher than expected and the tile guy did good work, but under-ordered the trim tile which delayed him, resulting in higher labor charges. We really wanted to work with a company & project manager who were detail-oriented and quality driven, and would share their professional experience/opinion with us. Seattle Design Build fell a little short.