Home Renovations

[T-Dog]

Hi,

We are considering doing some home renovations and looking for recommendations for companies or contractors in Calgary that you have used and had a positive experience with. We are just in the initial stages, but would be looking for assistance with design/planning/ideas and likely doing bathrooms, doors, casings, fireplace stone, staircase railing, ceiling finish, some cabinets, lighting, etc.). Does anyone have any names or experience they would like to share?

Apologies if there is a better thread for this question, but a search didn't turn up anything recent or exactly on point.

Thanks!

[PaperBagger'14]

Reimagine builders finished my basement and did a fantastic job. They have done my basement as well as 2 co workers and overall it was a very positive experience with them. We didn’t go as fancy as what your reno sounds like(no fireplace stone or cabinets in the basement) but their price was middle of the pack, the work was fantastic, the extras we had added on (extra gas lines for bbq / stove) as well as additional closets for basement storage were all accommodated.

Their sub contractors mostly hit their deadlines (I believe we ran a week later than our estimated finish date) but they have a policy where they pay $x per week of late construction after a month post finish date passes.

Biggest downside was the occasional spotty communication with the PMs. They asked me to move my existing stove out of the way at 8am because the plumber was showing up at 9am, well quite honestly I’ve already been at my works office for 2 hours lol.

Overall I’d give them an A, not quite an A+ but I would use them again for more renovations if needed.

[jwslam]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Reimagine builders

Reimagine did my whole basement. I'd put them closer to a B- or C+...

Points I agree with:
-Pricing was mid
-Schedule was also late
-Spotty communications

Points docked:
-Honestly a lot of the handiwork looks like I did it myself (that's not a compliment)
-Chasing resolutions on some things was a PITA
-Anything we asked for outside of the "basic package" became a case of me having to chase things because they didn't do the coordination. For example, we added a dishwasher and instant hot water line into our wet bar. Their plumber didn't plumb for these, and their electrician only pulled enough power for one of those two things.

[The Fisher Account]

I had reImagine do my basement too.

Pros and cons. I'd probably rate them a B+.

[T-Dog]

Thanks all - it looks like reImagine only does basements (at least that's all they mention on their website). We are looking to do other parts of the house as well, so not sure if they are an option.

[Bill Bumface]

We used a guy that used to be with Foothills before they went under and has now started his own business: https://www.kenlyr.com

He's done a two story addition for us, and another one story addition of a boot room. He also did some work for other family to add to their garage (shown in his portfolio).

Pros:

- He's never left any issues unresolved and keeps showing up even after the job is "done".
- He's fairly honest about schedule, some places were hopelessly optimistic
- He was under his quote by a decent amount every time

Cons:
- Pricing will be high compared to others, but again, he starts from a spot with room to limit debilitating surprises. Our house is 115 years old, so this was helpful to say the least
- He's a one man show on the project management front, if he's sick or on vacation, things will slow down