House Calls Renovation Advisors

We wanted to renovate our en-suite bathroom and our kitchen in the condo where we have lived for 14 years. I am challenged changing a lightbulb. My wife is little better with technical stuff. My solution: let’s move. My cousin is a neighbour to Jay and introduced us to him. Without Jay we would never have started the renovation projects.

To begin with, living in a condo any significant renovation needs to be approved by the Board of Directors. Jay has extensive experience with such submissions and has the equipment to draft and print the plans (before and after) as well as advise us on the wording of the submissions.

The renos were to be done in two stages to coincide with extensive travels plans. Jay managed the projects while we travelled. He managed the contractors, inspected the site from time to time, sent us photographs, handled interim payments to contractors and provided liaison between the contractor and the two of us. Without Jay, it would have been impossible to have the work done while we were travelling.

As we developed our plans, Jay kept us focused on what was required vs. what we were considering (in other words: don’t waste money); the classic need vs. want. We would have spent significantly more had Jay not provided this sense of focus. Once we had finalized the design, Jay helped us with Board approval, developed a clear scope of work (to send to proposed contractors) and provided names of potential contractors with experience in condo work.

Jay also helped with selection of materials (shower doors, plumbing fixtures, tiles, etc.). He was unstinting in his willingness to accompany us to showrooms and advise us on materials and fixtures. (We did not know, for instance, that if one selects natural stone for bathroom tiles, you have to seal the tiles every year or two. We certainly did not know that. We bought porcelain tiles instead.) Jay also suggested we request contractor pricing from the vendors. This saved us a lot of money (and more than paid his fees!!).

At the appropriate time Jay introduced us to two contractors with whom he had worked. Jay helped us analyze the bids/proposals and select the contractor. We have nothing but praise for the contractor’s work and the contractor’s willingness to go above and beyond without thought to additional charges to us. Without Jay’s experience and assistance we would have floundered on this selection process.

While we were away Jay resolved most of the issues arising during construction. We had spent enough time together that Jay knew what we would have chosen given the available options. Jay also stick-handled unexpected construction requirements which involved entering the condo unit below ours. Without his intervention this issue would have stopped the bathroom project until we returned (four weeks later).

We are thrilled with our new bathroom and especially the shower and with our new kitchen. Without Jay these renovations would not have happened.