Kirk Remodel and Design Inc.

Charlie H. Charlie _{on Google}

Feb 6th, 2018

Super-friendly Contractor with Final Invoices within 10%(+profit, +tax) of Estimate.
But, the work will spare every expense and you will learn you are your own best employee and contractor and that remodeling a 100 sq ft. kitchen well costs $40k if you want quality work to spec.
This was my first time hiring a contractor. I'm aware of 4-5 projects in our building over the last 2 years that have been run by this contractor. I viewed this experience as an ideal match for work compatible with our living situation. We were verbally quoted $16-25k for the work as described prior to work beginning with certain requests being agreed as "common sense:" that some effort would be taken to remove the previous floor adhesive, that leveling compound would be applied.
We performed some of the demolition work (80% cabinet removal and disposal) and material supply (flooring, adhesive, paint, etc.) prior to work commencing to save costs. We were presented an invoice on the day work was set to begin. This invoice came in at the maximum quoted: $25k. We communicated, as work began, that this was beyond our ability to afford and were re-assured that multiple "Allowances" and "Prices not to exceed" were far over budget and actual costs would be around $18-20k.
Daily work was noted and concerns were expressed and dismissed. ie. the subfloor was not resealed or leveled and no effort was made to match adjacent floor heights, when the sink cabinet was installed weighted on the drain pipe with significant shimming, "uneven floors" were blamed. Another cabinet was installed covering half a wall vent.
At this point we halted work for a week, commuted from a vacation destination and hired a friend to help install the cabinets ahead of a countertop install. We oversaw countertop measurement and asked contractor to complete project. Subsequent installation of a non-functional In-Sink-Erator, poorly mixed grout (cracked and subsequently separated from tiles), dishwasher installed without vapor barriers, and cracked outlet covers suggested the work was done rapidly and sparing absolutely every expense.
Kirk is really friendly and this negative review comes on the heels of receiving a final invoice at 10% above initial estimate. We negotiated a final payment and with that payment made were informed a lien would be placed if we did not remember to pay state taxes on the work (clearly marked on the new invoice, but not the final agreed payment). The kitchen as described is 70% completed and several areas remain in disrepair.
I mean, maybe Kirk is as helpless as we are, he's only contracting out the work and it seems the companies he is selecting are failing him and he's no longer able to be involved enough or detail-oriented enough to notice and call it out.
Get every detail agreed to and in writing. Be confident enough to back out at the last moment before work begins if you can't afford full price (+10-20% Profit on top of the Labor and 20% Profit already included).