Not recommended - Bathroom reno
Unfortunately, I can't recommend A&K Construction Inc. 3 weeks over estimated time (including working weekends), wrong tiles installed, tried to tell customer grey tiles were white, left cigarette butts all over lawn, some details left unattended to and have not returned loaned power cord. Details about problems below.
Approx $18,000 reno of 7 x 6 ft bathroom:
-remove and replace floor and shower tiles
-remove and replace bathtub
-new shower hardware and glass door
-new vanity (supplied by me)
-new door
LENGTH OF TIME
When Arnold first came for the estimate, he said it would take a week. I had scheduled in an extra week because I understand that delays happen, but it ended up taking over four weeks, including working on weekends. Two weeks into the estimated one week job, Arnold finally mentioned that he couldn't fit two workers in the space. The reason it was taking long. An experienced contractor would have known that when he first visited for the estimate. Being upfront with a customer goes a long way in building trust. He could have told me that on the first day when two men showed up and he realized it was tight. After the 1st day, only one worker came for most of the time.
WRONG TILES INSTALLED
I asked for white bathtub tiles. Grey tiles were installed. When I spoke to Arnold about this, he tried repeatedly to convince me that the grey tiles were white. When he failed, he said there was no such thing as tile that looks white against a white tub. I showed him the white tiles and tub in my other bathroom. He tried to tell me that they aren't white. I pointed out that they have water film and shampoo and soap film on them. He finally agreed to re-do the grey tiles, but asked me to go buy them. I had to tell him that he needed to go get tile samples and match them to the bathtub. I can't recommend a contractor that tries to manipulate the customer into believing something that is simply not true. I respect someone who can admit to a mistake and make it right. Someone like that would get an excellent review and referrals.
SLOPPY AREAS
Some paint drips were on the floor outside the bathroom, some sticky substance like adhesive dried on the new floor tiles, some substance left dry and encrusted in the new bathroom sink, some spots on wall left unfinished that should have been sanded and painted and a spot on the new door that Arnold pointed out and said I could take care of it. Faucet on the vanity is not aligned when turned off. Cabinet doors are not aligned. I'm surprised at the sloppiness considering he said they usually work on custom jobs. I would expect a company that does work on that level to have more attention to detail.
POST RENO PROBLEMS
I found tons of cigarette butts on my lawn left by the worker who was there daily. One day the worker asked to borrow an extension cord. I left it with them for the rest of the job in case they needed it. It was packed up and taken when they finished. I contacted Arnold about 3 weeks ago asking him to return it. It has not done so.
A&K had so many positive reviews, Arnold came across as knowledgeable when he I first met him, he is friendly and showed up here to check the work regularly so it was a big disappointment to have these problems. Maybe things have declined recently. It seemed like they bit off more than they could chew. I very much wanted to support this business and referred a friend and neighbour who were looking for contractors, but had to go back and tell them that it would not be a good idea to work with A&K.
To his credit, the job was finished eventually, he agreed to re-do the tiles after quite a bit of discussion and Arnold is polite. His workers are generally pleasant.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $18,000.00
