Distinctive Bathrooms & Kitchens

Kitchen Planning & Renovation
Ottawa ON K4A 3V5
Write a Review
Write a Review


HomeStars
Kitchen Planning & Renovation
Distinctive Bathrooms & Kitchens
Star Score
Learn more about how StarScore uses a complex algorithm which considers a company's review ratings, responsiveness, reputation, and recency.

91%

This is the average rating based on homeowner reviews.
This indicates how long it's been since the last review.
Indicates how well a pro reacts to reviews and review-related interactions with Homeowners.
How well a company responds to Service Requests and Reviews.
Reviews by rating (past 12 months)
Verified by HomeStars

Reviews for Distinctive Bathrooms & Kitchens

Average customer rating:
9.3 10 (72 reviews)

Sort by

Rose from Ottawa
Rose from Ottawa
1 review Ottawa, ON
2/10

Master Bath, powder room, full Kitchen

EXTREMELY disappointed in final products! Was a full time job (with zero compensation) to report shortcomings so they could be "fixed", not to mention all the mishaps and the request to "speak to my husband" when asked if I would compromise on design due to contractor error and I would not. While DBK is willing to correct all errors, they should be noticing, not us. Customer service was horrible, expecting us to compromise on quality because we were too picky-which we totally are not! ...in tears now because of this bad experience with seemingly no end... DBK please don't respond, I'm still waiting for a return phone call from the owner.

Approximate cost of services:
$60,000.00
What could this company do to improve their services?
Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
Was this review helpful?
Sean M
Sean M
2 reviews Ottawa, ON
10/10

Kitchen Renovation

My wife and I recently took on a kitchen renovation in which we wanted a company that was able to do everything and that there was one main point of contact between the customer and the company. Distinctive was above and beyond the best option we were able to find. We looked at 5 different companies and the service we received at Distinctive was the best out of them all. Vida Kiani was our designer and she was fabulous. We had some challenges with our design due to low windows however, Vida never hesitated and made it very clear that she could make a design work that we would love. The attention to detail by Vida and the workers was great. Our project started earlier than we thought, was completed on schedule, and stayed on budget. There was some slight frustration experienced due to the plumbers but it was extremely minimal and did not affect the outcome of the project. We would definitely recommend Distinctive to others who are interested in doing a kitchen reno.

Approximate cost of services:
$50,000.00
What could this company do to improve their services?
Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Hi Sean,
Glad to hear we were above your expectations before and after the project. Thanks for the review on more than one website! : )
For the water line fridge, we now have it standard to have it recessed in the wall as opposed to come from the floor. (unless obstacles are in the way!)
Hope you had the chance to entertain a lot over the past year. Enyoy and thanks from the team

Diane & Pierre L. from Ottawa
Diane & Pierre L. from Ottawa
1 review Ottawa, ON
10/10

Kitchen, Foyer, Powder Room Renovation

Super happy with our renos. Highly recommend Distinctive for quality of work and products and especially Design Consultant Vida Kiani. Highly professional quality of work done for kitchen cabinets, flooring, granite countertops, etc. Expensive but worth it. Project completed on time and as per budget. Great follow-ups for post-project minor adjustments or issues. Have already recommended to friends, neighbors and colleagues.

Approximate cost of services:
$50,000.00
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Happy new year Diane and Pierre,
Thank you for the kind words and the recommendations.
We are always happy to please.
Enjoy : )

Pat from Ottawa
Pat from Ottawa
1 review Orl, ON
10/10

Kitchen renovation

Excellent experience! Kitchen renovation started July 7/14 finished July 18/14. Renee Marcil great designer knowledge, courteous & professional staff. I like the fact they use all their own staff. Would definitively recommend to family & friends!

Approximate cost of services:
$30,000.00
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Hi Pat,
Thanks for the exact timeline, we do our best to manage the intrusion in customer's homes. We like to do the job as well and as quickly as possible.
We always appreciate referrals.
Happy new year
Thanks!

Judy Logan from Ottawa
Judy Logan from Ottawa
1 review Orl, ON
10/10

Kitchen Renovation

In the fall of 2013, I went to Distinctive Bathrooms and Kitchens' showroom on Lantier Dr. in Orleans to get ideas for a kitchen renovation, and met designer Vida Kiani. She was very helpful, explaining how the company used their own people rather than hire other contractors, as well as the various steps in getting a project underway and completed. When I made the decision to go ahead, Vida understood my needs, respected my budget and never put any pressure on me regarding decisions. She made several suggestions that I would not have thought of, and those made a huge difference in turning a tiny, cramped condo space into something that feels much larger and spacious. My friends all say "Wow!" when they come in the door. It is truly lovely.

The reno started right on time, at which point Sheilagh Crombie, the company's project manager, took over coordination of the work. She called me each evening to ask if things were OK, if I was happy with the results, and to let me know the schedule for the next day. This was definitely NOT a reno nightmare. The installers were all super courteous and respectful of my place, cleaning up and being on time. Any glitches were minor, not my problem, and Sheilagh managed to smooth those over so the kitchen was finished as scheduled.

All that was good, but best of all has been their follow-up. With any renovation, there will be things that need tweaking, and this company has delivered 100% satisfaction on those. The installers told me that if anything was bothering me, do not let it fester, call the company and they will be sent out to deal with it. Very true, and reassuring.

I will definitely go back to Distinctive Bathrooms and Kitchens for my next renovation, and have recommended them to my friends.
Judy Logan

Approximate cost of services:
$33,000.00
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Happy New year Mrs Logan,
Thank you for the endorsement : )
It was a pleasure working with you.
We are coming up on the two year anniversary, let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Thanks and Enjoy

T. Canuel & B.White from Ottawa
T. Canuel & B.White from Ottawa
1 review Orl, ON
10/10

1. Ensuite 2. First floor of the house

We have had the opportunity to contract DBK for two major renovations at our house. First in September 2010, with the renovation of our ensuite bathroom and second, in June-July 2013, with a major renovation of our first floor which included separate kitchen, family room, dining room and living room and which now offers a large, open concept, kitchen/family room and a den/library at the front of the house. This last renovation included major redesign and structural changes to our living area. Parts of the renovations were also done while we were out of the area due to work commitments. Because of this, many changes were incorporated verbally and conformed to our original requirements while respecting our contractual agreement.

We are totally satisfied with all work completed and with the professionalism of the design coordinator, Renée Marcil, and the work team who kept us fully informed. The work was completed on schedule and to our full appreciation for a job extremely well done.

We would never hesitate in recommending the services of DBK and have done so on numerous occasions.

Merci!

Brad White et Thérèse Canuel

Approximate cost of services:
$130,000.00
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Happy new year Thérèse and Brad.
You are coming up on the two year anniversary for the kitchen, let us know if there is anything that needs attention.
Thank you for the kind words and referrals. Hope you enjoyed your second Christmas in the kitchen!
Talk soon

Mark from Ottawa
Mark from Ottawa
2 reviews Gloucester, ON
1/10

bathroom renovations

How would you feel if, after paying a contractor more than $37,000, you were subjected to the following indignities? You are constantly harassed, by telephone and in writing, by a collection agency that threatens your credit rating. When you refuse to be bullied by the collection agency, you are served with a lawsuit, which you then have to defend. This is followed by a Settlement Conference, in which the Settlement Conference Judge strongly urges the contractor to settle its claim. Finally, the contractor agrees to dismiss its claim. After the $100 filing fee, the contractor comes out ahead a grand total of $113.48! (minus whatever it paid out in legal fees, etc.) to pursue its ridiculous claim.

In the summer of 2012, we contracted with DBK to install two bathrooms (the demolition was done, and paid for, separately). There were key delays in completing the bathrooms. There were numerous deficiencies that required us to contact DBK on many occasions to come and fix. Here’s a sample of other problems. DBK damaged our guestroom wall by riddling it with holes. After considerable prodding, they reluctantly repaired the damage. DBK and/or its subcontractors damaged our floor by leaving a lengthy and deep gouge in the hardwood in the master bedroom just outside the ensuite bathroom. Not only did DBK not repair this damage, they refused to acknowledge that they were responsible. In addition, we had purchased a rainshower floor model from DBK that they insisted had nothing wrong with it. After we informed DBK that the rainshower continuously squeaks every time you take a shower, and seeing the problem for themselves, their response was that the only thing we could do is to replace the rainshower at our expense.
We are not in the habit of providing reviews, let alone poor ones. We have posted one other review on this site, and gave the contractor a review of 9 out of 10.

In closing, dealing with the owner and manager of this company was an extremely unsatisfying experience.

Approximate cost of services:
$37,000.00
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Distinctive has been in business for over 25 years. We have 5 to 8 completed jobs per week. Our present survey rating is above 9.5 out of 10. This is on 14 aspects of the renovation and process.
In regards to the above review: There are always two sides to any situation. If any present or future customer has questions about the specifics of this mis-understanding, I am available by phone at 613-834-1796 ex 117. Dominic Manzo. General Manager of Distinctive Bathrooms and Kitchens. Please do call.
We have learned a lot from the above customer as we used to deal a lot with verbal agreements between project managers and customers. We now have everything in writing as some agreements made verbally and by e-mail were not respected and were dismissed in court and not paid.
The above damage to the guest bedroom wall above was planned and is due to a partly still un-paid extra to remove old cast iron piping in the walls. The only way to remove such piping is to use a saw-all to cut the pipes = this will do holes in the drywall on the other side as most blades are very long. We were to repair the drywall as part of this extra. This home was very old and was not made of proper 2x4 framing; it was made of bits and pieces of miscellaneous framing. We had to re-build most walls that we opened; this is where the mis-understanding was. We were to repair the drywall, there was to be an extra charge to re-frame as this was not something the estimator could have expected. It is not a construction companies’ fault that a home was built a certain way; if the state of a home requires extra and unseen work hidden in the walls; it needs to be discussed and charged.
The floor’s damage had been reviewed by: an employee, the project manager and the general manager. All employees came to the conclusion = the original floor varnish on top of the gouge was not damaged, scratched or altered. This had been done before the floor had been re-finished years before.
The rainshower purchased is perfect. Most rainshower attachments are designed to be level. If they are not level; water will not travel through them evenly and can create a noise. This specific model makes a noise if angled as it is designed to be level.

M and J from Ottawa
M and J from Ottawa
1 review Ottawa, ON
10/10

Kitchen/Dining Room

We worked with our designer Vida for a number of weeks before we finally came up with a design that would give us our dream kitchen and within budget. The final product was A++. They always showed up on time and always cleaned up after themselves each day. The complete job included all new ceilings, granite island, counters and peninsula, custom maple cupboards, plumbing, gas, electrical and tile work. We were extremely pleased with the end result and have had numerous compliments. We are often asked who did the job and are happy to make referrals. They are certainly not the cheapest around but we feel we received the quality work and materials we expected. We are also receiving a quote for the bathrooms to be done.

Approximate cost of services:
$60,000.00
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Hi M and J,
I am glad you enjoyed the process. The pictures look great! I will forward them to you shortly once the lighting is 100% on the pictures.
We have received your e-mail about the granite deficiency, as mentioned in my reply we will contact you shortly to schedule the repair with the granite installer.
Looking forward to seeing the bathrooms.
Thank you for your business and letting us use your wonderful kitchen in advertisements. (you have great taste!)
Dominic Manzo

kathryn from Gloucester
kathryn from Gloucester
1 review Gloucester, ON
10/10

bathtub and tile replacement

We hired Distinctive to install a bathtub and the tiles around it we purchased these items from them also. They arrived when they said they would, they respected my home by taking off their shoes and putting down drop sheets etc. I am very pleased with the work they did for us.

Approximate cost of services:
$1,000.00
Was this review helpful?
Company Response

Hi Kathryn,
We are pleased that you enjoyed the process. Thank you for your trust and business.
Please look at your project every 6 months as we do have a two year warranty on products and labor.
Let us know if and when we can do more for you! We do kitchens and basements as well!
Enjoy
Dominic Manzo

The reviews on this page are the subjective opinion of the Author and not of HomeStars Inc.

More about Distinctive Bathrooms & Kitchens

For over 33 years, Distinctive has been offering superior service, unique designs and unparalleled craftsmanship. Since our humble beginnings in 1989 when we were located on St-Joseph Boulevard under Randall’s Paints; our team has kept growing along with our clientele. We are now located at 2035 Lanthier Drive (1 block west of 10th Line), in Orléans, to better serve you.
Please visit our website at www.DBKOTTAWA.com

Company profile information is not moderated by HomeStars. Ask the contractor to verify before hiring.