Balaton Design Build

The owner Javier was extremely professional. Excellent work they finished on time, and they didn’t go over the budget.

We did NOT have a good experience with Balaton Builders. Hired them to do a complete bathroom renovation and some exterior work in spring of 2022. Our project went over budget and well over the time estimate we were given. We felt lied to and taken advantage of and cannot recommend this company. Initial communications were great - the office manager, Steven, was very responsive and friendly. Once the project started and all our communications were with the owner, Javier, things went downhill. From the first day that work began, there were suddenly additional charges for paint and plumbing work, they did not want to replace plumbing we had discussed replacing and they wanted to reuse rotten framing boards in the screened patio instead of rebuilding it. When we questioned Javier and reminded him of the scope of work we had all agreed to when the contract was signed, he actually told us that the scope of work plan didn't matter because there is a clause in the contract stating that Balaton can choose to replace or reuse materials whenever they want. I'm sure our project was a small one for them and we had the feeling that the company was overbooked and understaffed. Our on-site crew worked hard but some of them seemed very inexperienced and none of them paid close attention to details. The tile had to be redone on two walls of the new tub enclosure because the spacing was wrong and not level. The grout work looks like it was done by an amateur. The exterior paint crew were fast but messy. They didn't use drop cloths so we had paint scrapings all over the ground, and they splattered and trampled many of our plants. I could go on. If anyone would like to see photos or hear more details, feel free to direct message me. Balaton Builders definitely did not live up to the promises on their website of treating our house like their home.

I have had Balaton do several projects and they were awesome! Everything they’ve done has been absolutely perfect. High quality, good design suggestions, easy scheduling, very neat, very fast, and a specialist for every problem that could arise. They’ve done a lot of carpentry for me as I renovate my apartment in a 100-year-old building. For example, look at the before-picture of these sad, uninspiring windows, and then look at the after-picture below. It really exceeded my expectations. This project was complicated because there is an HVAC in that wall to the right, but they had their HVAC specialist come and move it to fit the design. They do entire houses, so they have a specialist available at a moment’s notice for just about anything. This window project took about 4 days, and I have to say, they were EXTREMELY neat the whole time. They ended up costing about half as much as the company I’d started working with. I was so lucky to find Balaton after some bad experiences with other designers and carpenters. They also rebuilt a window well for my building (see picture below) after the original from 1918 started leaking into my kitchen. They came on VERY short notice and knew exactly what the modern codes for such things are, so it should be another 100 years before anybody has to think about that window well. See the leaf in the picture? That could have plugged up the mossy hole we had before.

Balaton Builders quickly and successfully renovated a tiny apartment kitchen in Mt. Pleasant. They stayed within a constrained budget and finished the project perfectly on a very limited schedule. Everyone was professional, pleasant to work with, understood our needs and communicated carefully on details, providing precise drawings, advice on cabinetry, stone selection, etc. The place was left immaculate and ready to put back into use immediately. Balaton is highly recommended; we would use them again in a heartbeat!

We have used Balaton Builders for more than 10 years now. They have done projects large and small at our Adams Morgan rowhouse. Balaton added a full bath, did a major kitchen renovation, and refinished our basement, among many other smaller projects. They are easy to work with, creative, and come in on budget and on time. Balaton listen's to your needs and opinions and ideas and offers suggestions of materials and design to match. They are responsive and come when they say they will. I trust all of their workers without exception. I cannot recommend them enough.

Javier and his team did an excellent job renovating our capitol hill row house. They did an excellent job reusing original materials wherever possible and providing good recommendations to make sure our house looked and functioned at its best. They finished the work on time, even when unforeseen structural issues arose once the walls were opened up. Highly recommended!

We hired Javier and his team to renovate our entire main floor and kitchen. He also replaced the flooring throughout the house and put a fresh look on our english basement. Javier and his team did an awesome job with our renovation from start to finish. His crew is professional, friendly, and above all their work is incredible. Javier is great at providing options and follows through with his work. We couldn't be happier with the final product and would hire them again in the future.

Thank God for Javier. Over a decade of owning my house in the U Street Corridor of DC he was always quick to respond to requests for small projects -- a new light here, a leak there. Repainting, etc. And then when a structural problem was discovered as we were embarking on installing a new kitchen he coached me through what needed to be done and took care of it -- and my sanity! -- in the most professional, reassuring way. The house was so beautiful once he and his team were done with it. And they completed everything exactly on time as promised. I would have loved to have moved back into the house myself. But in the end had to put it on the market and it sold within a week. So gorgeous. I love Javier and his team at Balaton Builders and would highly recommend him as a contractor for any project big or small. You will sleep soundly and be impressed with the results.

I have started working with Balaton Builders as a developer and investor in 2010. Since then we have built, renovated, redesigned several properties together (anywhere from $10K - $1.2MM). Javier's team has always been reliable, after setting a budget - we would strictly follow and meet it. Javier understands the importance of the client's timeline and that goes for investors, developers, real-estate agents and home owners. His crew keeps job site always SAFE and clean. Client's satisfaction and high quality construction are Balaton's Builders first priority.

Javier and his crew are without a doubt the most talented, reliable, respectful, honest and hardworking contractors I've ever seen. They designed, renovated and rebuilt my entire main floor kitchen and dining room and powder room and they did it exactly on the timetable they said they would, in 8 weeks, unlike most other contractors who drag their feet. The Balaton crew came to my home 6 days a week at 7:30am on the dot and left at 5:30pm, taking 25 minutes for lunch each day exactly. These guys were the most hardworking, respectful crew you can imagine. Javier was very involved and runs a very tight ship. When issues arose, as they always do during construction, (in my case and dangerously placed 50-year old gas pipe that was discovered behind an old chimney) Javier was clear, honest and upfront about how it would impact the project and he remedied the situation immediately. Plus Javier is extremely proud of his work and has amazingly high standards about his crew's work ethic and what the end product should look like. I literally cannot say enough great things about working with Balaton Builders. They have done home renovation projects for us for 7 years, including building a master bath from scratch, and we will never work with anyone else. Trust me, they don't come more talented, dedicated, hardworking or honest than this.

I was hired as the listing agent for this project. The seller hired Balaton to do a new kitchen, major structural work to the rear wall of the row house and to install new wood floors and update finishes. The work was completed on schedule which was impressive given the scope of the project and the time allotted. Craftsmanship was top notch and all workers on site were polite and courteous. I handled the final punch list walk-through for the seller. Javier conducted the walk through with me. He was agreeable to all of my requests and had the list completed in less than 48 hours. As a realtor I see a lot of construction projects in DC and its not always pretty! With Balaton you will get quality work at a reasonable price and it will get done on time.

Balaton is truly a professional company. From design to construction, they were full service! Owner is involved in the project and is responsive to changes and really knowledgable in his trade and many times can save you money based on experience. Just used Balaton for my third project! Highly recommend if you want 5 star service. Seriously, I wouldn't recommend if it wasn't true.

We hired Balaton to rebuild a staircase. They did an excellent job and Javier was a pleasure to work with.