
Renovations Group Inc
About us
Owner Assisted Remodeling, Preservation Homes, Sweetwater Builders and Renovators LTD are divisions of Renovations Group, Inc and a full-service residential and light commercial design, build remodeling contractor and new home builder. The mission our team lives by is: We will provide, through the eyes of our clients, a great design, build & remodel experience. This focal purpose within our team ensures the desired results for our clients. 10 employees. Uses some subs. Cost is determined by the job. No travel charge.
Business highlights
Services we offer
Attic Conversions, Basements, Kitchen & Bathrooms, New Homes., Remodeling, Room Additions
Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
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80% | ||
7% | ||
3% | ||
10% | ||
0% |
"It is nearly impossible to respond to a review seven years after the work was completed. All we can say is we vaguely remember the project details, and Ms [Member Name Removed] was quite pleased with us at the time of the repairs. Further, we offer a 12 month warranty with all our work, and not once during that warranty period, or any time thereafter, were we notified of any issues related to the work quality. Ms [Member Name Removed]'s statement that we did not use enough insulation is presumptive and highly unlikely. We had done other window replacements in this same condo complex, done by the same project manager, without issue. This condo complex seemed to have some serious issues with water infiltration, and we assume draft/air infiltration as well. Had this been brought to our attention we could have possibly determined the actual cause of the cold air drafts, but we were not afforded that opportunity. We are proud of our 30 years of delivering quality workmanship and project management to our clients, and it disappoints us to receive an unwarranted review such as this."
We were looking for a framing contractor to frame our project for us as we were going to do the general contracting work ourselves to save money. We worked with Jeff who presented to us several proposals with different levels of completion. Throughout our meetings we had thought that Jeff and his company were doing the work on our home. The proposals that were presented to us only had the roof and engineering subbed out. Not true at all our whole job ended up being subbed out and once the project started Jeff was only around to collect the checks. When we met in the spring we were told that material costs had gone up which lead us to shop it out as well. Our cost quoted by OAR was $11,250 and our bid from a lumber yard was $5,500. Be careful as the contract we were asked to sign stated that ? Any excess material delivered to the Project site, but not needed to complete the Work will remain the property of Renovations Group, Inc. unless supplied by the Homeowner.? We decided to purchase our own material at this point and then ran into contract issues. In our contract they slipped in a penalty of $500 a day if any material was not on site. I asked for a material list of which I would have on site prior to start of construction of which Jeff was not willing to provide. We offered to have the whole load delivered prior to start and they didn't want it all there at the same time. This clause in the contract was only removed after we said we were going to walk. Because we purchased our own materials we also paid a consulting fee of $2500 over and above the original bid of which we paid the full quoted amount of labor not negotiated down. Structural issues with our current home were pointed out to us and how they were going to fix them. Bottom line was the new addition that they were contracted to build did not pass framing inspection as the birds mouth in the rafters were cut too deep and were not structurally sound with out providing additional bracketing. The load points in the basement that carried our new main beam were left without blocking and the newly installed beam had to be jacked back up and shimmed as the house was already starting to sag. This was pointed out to us by another tradesman. Our house did end up passing inspection but beware passing code does not mean straight, plumb, or level. When drywall came and trim was installed we had to shim rafters 1¼? in order for the ceiling to be installed so that it did not look wavy. One of the bedroom doors was not able to open without hitting a wall that was built 4? closer than what the plan called for. When bedroom cabinets came, the new wall that was built was 7/8? out of square in 1 foot and adjustments had to be made in order for the cabinet to fit. We understand that problems come up during construction but to pay a general contractor and consulting fee?s for someone to manage the project and then be left to fix the problems on our own did not sit well with us. The cost to fix issues was paid by us out of pocket for time and material to the carpenter we hired to finish the project for the quality job that we were originally promised. When the final payment was made no one from Renovations Group or OAR had even been through their finished project to make sure that things were done right. All the time was spent on the sales process without the follow through and supervision once the project was started. If you can?t do it yourself and you need assistance this is not the route to go.
"This is a troubling and disingenuous review from this Homeowner. There are many inaccuracies in their statements. We contend that all work was completed according to the work scope, and at no time was anything “slipped in” to the contract. This is a case where we presented several options to the Homeowner for their consideration. The Homeowner was very budget conscious and decided to accept the contract that was the lowest price option. This “lowest price” was achieved through a contract in which the Homeowner chose to perform more of the work and provide all of the materials. Of course, when a Homeowner provides their own materials, we lose control of the quality of the product; this risk was acceptable to the homeowner for the savings they felt they would experience. Also, this home was originally a lake cottage, and anytime you convert an older cottage into a year-round home, structural problems arise, as most existing walls, ceilings and roofs are not square, plumb or level. Other factors that contributed to this situation were things like the Homeowner making changes to the room dimensions and wall placement with the framing carpenters during construction. It is unfair to demand changes and then blame the carpenters when the layout doesn’t match the floor plan. It is unfortunate that this project resulted in ill feelings, and an unhappy Homeowner, but it is important to note that much of this could have been avoided had the Homeowner not insisted on supply all the materials to produce their project and to make changes without regard for the consequences. The “owner assisted” remodeling concept is not for everyone, and we wish we hadn’t empowered this Homeowner. It’s unrealistic to expect more than you are willing to pay for."
"[member name removed], As difficult as it was to read your review, we must accept responsibility for your comments, and want to thank you for sharing them. The information you provided is extremely embarrassing for us, but more importantly, and quite obviously, frustrating for you; and for that we are truly sorry. We also want to thank you for affording us the time to visit with you last week to discuss these shortfalls and the project status moving forward. While Builders Trend has proven to be a great scheduling tool for our Company and our Team-members, there is a “step” which has been overlooked and definitely caused miscommunication on several projects. We’ve since learned that if we don’t select the “Notify Homeowner” option for changes we make to the schedule, it doesn’t allow the homeowner access to the updated schedule, and the homeowner only sees the original schedule. We’ve made this correction, and you’re now seeing the actual schedule. We assume this explains much of your frustration about “not-showing-up when they say”. The delay caused by the inadequate hidden beam condition, which required engineering and additional permitting was frustrating for all of us, yet an unfortunate requirement in our commitment to safety, regulations and compliance; and we moved through it as quickly as we could, from engineering through permit procurement. We certainly realize how inconvenient a dumpster can be sitting in the driveway. Beyond it being an obstacle, they are typically an eye-sore. Here, again, we feel our team should have explained that we cannot place construction debris in the municipal containers, and therefore, dumpsters are left onsite throughout the duration of a project to facilitate neatness. We’ve also had conversations with our Project Manager and entire production team regarding communications. Our carpenters always want to help, but most times the best help they can provide is directing your questions to the Project Manager, as he is the best one to respond to project questions and scheduling. During our meeting last week, we truly did appreciate your sharing how pleased you are with the quality of people, craftsmanship and attention to detail we’ve displayed on your project. While time will ease the pain of this moment, the quality of what we delivered will stand the test of time. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any reason. Our Company’s mission is to provide, through our customer’s eyes, a great design-build-remodel experience. While we fall down on occasion, as we have here, we accept full responsibility, and will work diligently to deliver what we promised. Sincerely, Renovations Group, Inc DBA: Renovators Ltd & Owner Assisted Remodeling"
"We thoroughly enjoyed working for this client. Members, thanks for your continued support."
"We have done large jobs and small jobs for the Member. They are a great client to work for, and they know the value of working with a professional contractor. Thank you Member for your kind words."
"The member is a repeat customer and a joy to work for. His projects go smoothly in part because he is very good at making his decisions. Thank you for your continued business."
"We have had the opportunity to work for this client several times. We really appreciate their trust and confidence in us. It has been our pleasure to work for them, and hope we have an opportunity to do so again."
Very poor service and not a value investment. We were charged 1500$ to provide a detailed floor plan and estimate for a major remodeling project. Floor plan was done using a computer software though not accurately to the scale. Glad that we did not hire them to do the whole job.
"While it is very disheartening to read this report on our services, it is necessary to reply for both personal and professional reasons. One of our obligations as a Design/Build remodeling firm is to listen to our Clients’ requests, and help guide them through the design portion of their project. Our goal is to help draw out the personality of each Client, and try to express that in the design and materials chosen for their home. Some of the magic involved throughout that process is to both listen to the Clients desires, but also to push their comfort zone in the suggestion of various design elements, and at the same time incorporate as many fundamentally sound design guidelines as possible. Unfortunately in this relationship, the Client had an extremely strong vision that we did not immediately agree with, and subsequently made too strong of an effort to provide alternate design options. Ironically, most folks won't tell us their ideas for fear that we will simply draw what they have in mind, and not provide our own original thoughts and ideas. We will continue to strive everyday to achieve 100% satisfaction of every Client we are blessed to serve; and if successful, continue to be an award winning design/build residential remodeling contractor serving all of Southeast Wisconsin."
Licensing
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