DSBG

We used Design Spec recently for our home renovation project and Nick and his team were very professional and reliable with every step along the way. The in-house design team and architectural drawings reflected exactly the look and feel we were going for and they gave us some great ideas !! You get the secure feeling right off the bat that they will be committed to your project from start to finish. Very reliable and very honest ! It helps take the stress out of reno's :) We would definitely recommend them !

Always a pleasure dealing with Design-Spec Building Group. They have now completed phase 2 of our dream home project and we couldn't be happier with the outcome. We look forward to the start of phase 3 of our dream home project in the spring of 2019 !!! Thank You Nick, Stephanie, Melanie and Kyle for your continued dedication and vision ! Best Regards, DSM.

We worked with DSBG on a complex addition/renovation project. As architects, our design work is contemporary and restrained. We avoid the use of moldings and trims and demand very small tolerances in the relationship between materials. Our details are minimal and therefore it is easy to see when work is not done to exacting standards. When we met them, we were skeptical about DSBG's experience in executing a project to our standards. We were therefore very pleased indeed when their considerable efforts resulted in a work that stands up to these standards. I believe that DSBG really puts a team effort into each of their projects. Their project manager Tony was a pleasure to work with and their administrative staff were always there to take our calls and assist in sorting out issues as they invariably come up on a complex building project.

This past summer, we once again had the pleasure of hiring Design-Spec Group. This time it was to complete our backyard renovation (that was left unfinished from a nightmare of a contractor). Nick and his team were brought in mid reno to complete our cabana and to built our two tiered arbor, to specification that had previously been designed. Joe and Austin were the woodworkers assigned to our project. They were knowledgable, meticulous and precise with all they built and repaired. We were happy they managed to complete the work within two weeks. We are very pleased with the quality of work and craftsmanship they provided us. The Design-Spec team once again delivered great customer service while staying on budget. Thank you Nick!

Thank you to Design-Spec Building Group Ltd. for a wonderful renovation and wonderful renovation experience. Design-Spec renovated our entire main floor of our house which involved moving walls and installing complex steel beams in the ceiling. We now have an amazing open kitchen and family room. Our number one fear going into this renovation was that our house would be pulled apart and then the work would slow or stop preventing us from moving back into our home but that was not a worry with Design-Spec. They assigned us a dedicated site supervisor as well as a dedicated project manager. Both were friendly and very responsive to our needs and questions. We really felt like we had not only a team working for us but friends who cared as much as we did about our renovation. Every day they showed up and we're working on our house which was a great comfort to us. The other thing that we love about Design-Spec was their full service approach to renovations. They provided us with an architect and worked with the city to get all our permits. Once they started they were able to take full control of the project. And best of all their workers and craftsmen took a lot of pride in their work and we feel that the construction work on our home is excellent. We are back in our home now and we are loving our new space. But it’s more than just loving the changes. Our home functions better and feels better. Even though we didn’t expand the space it seems to flow and our new kitchen is wonderful for parties and large family get-togethers. This was our first renovation and we were nervous but Design-Spec was a perfect partner. We would recommend them to family and friends and would be excited to have them renovate for us again on future projects.

Nick and the Design Spec team are consummate professionals. DSBG did a main floor and basement reno for us in the Spring of 2016. Our house is 70 years old, so we had to deal with some left over asbestos, and lots of irregular angles, to change our dated Leaside semi into the modern space we wanted. As with many of you, we struggled with the cost of getting the results we desired, and the sacrifices to the dream to fit what we could afford. Throughout the process, Nick & team provided clear, detailed information, and alternative suggestions where possible. Everything was handled in writing, and all changes were done through approved change orders. More importantly for us, however, every single one of Nick's direct employees is amazing to deal with. Everyone is professional, friendly and went out of their way to make the project go smoothly. We would definitely recommend DSBG to any of our friends (and have already done so!). Liz E.

My wife and I recently decided to undertake a renovation of the entire main floor of our home, along with the main bathroom on the second level. We live in an older Semi-detached home in the North Leaside area of Toronto, and we hoping to find a contractor that was familiar with the homes in the area, to try and keep any unforeseen conditions to a minimum. We searched online and asked around, and our search led us to Design-Spec Building Group. We contacted them and met with Nick, the President of the company. I found the initial meeting with Nick to be productive and clear. We articulated our design requirements and landed on a high level scope of work for the project, and also identified order of magnitude numbers for the work. Nick also provided us with an overview of the process that his group follows; from initial design, detailed design, finishes and construction. We were provided with a detailed agreement which identified all items that were in and out of scope for the project, along with an end date for the work based on the scope identified. We also identified cash allowances for all items that hadn’t been fully costed, so that there weren’t any surprises. The team that was assigned to us was fantastic. We worked with a designer, Stephanie, who helped us with the design of the space, as well as all of our finishes. She also assisted as a coordinator with the site supervisors to ensure that the finished product reflected the design. The site supervisors, Kyle and Jake that were with us for the duration of the project were also both extremely knowledgeable and communicative. I was even impressed by the quality of the trades that worked on the project. Overall, our experience with Design-Spec was an excellent one. Nick was extremely responsive throughout the project and always available for any questions. We couldn’t be happier with the work that has been done. We would definitely recommend Design-Spec to others, as we have already done. Sean & Stephanie

We recently completed a renovation of our second floor which consisted of two new baths, new flooring, new doors and pot lighting as well as installation of built-in cabinetry. The work extended into our main floor and basement since our home has an open foyer - we redid the staircase and removed wall paper throughout impacting all three levels of our home. So what seemingly started out as a cosmetic update actually turned out to be a fairly big project. We had worked with our own interior designer on the bath and millwork designs and then selected Design Spec as our general contractor to bring the project to life. Nick and his entire team take their business very seriously and are focused on delivering a quality product in a timely manner and to long-term customer satisfaction. We liked their approach to project management – there was structure to the process and timelines to set expectations. We were also impressed with the manner in which they protected areas that were not being touched by the project. Before any of the serious work began, they spent a lot of time preparing the site which speaks to their level of respect for a customer's home. The entire team always demonstrated the utmost professionalism as well as pride in their employer. We especially liked having an on-site project lead (Adam) here every day to keep the project moving along, supervise trades people and very competently answer or escalate any of our questions. Between Adam, Nick and a number of other contacts, there was always someone available if we needed to talk. We love our new space, would use Design Spec again and would highly recommend them to others. Thanks Nick, Adam and the whole Design Spec team! C&R from Toronto

DSBG came recommended to us by friends who used their services for a main floor renovation. When it came our time to consider builders, we included DSBG in a shortlist of 3 firms. After a thorough review of firms we felt comfortable DBSG would be able to manage our project well, our main areas of focus were timeline and quality. A project manager was identified in addition to a site supervisor, work started at a quick pace and kept on moving. The PM ensured materials and key decisions were made in order to maintain the schedule and the site supervisor managed all relationships with the trades and kept me apprised of any on site issues (and decisions) and provided detail into the work being planned in the upcoming week. I was completely astonished by the professionalism! No costs were charged to me without rigorous discussion and MY approval. I always felt there was a high calibre of knowledge and capability when dealing with issues, which inevitably come up when you open walls of an 80 year old house. Our family lived in the house during this time and we were all treated respectfully and with great care. Everyday before the end of the shift a clean up was done. I cannot say enough how incredible the team is, I essentially had to live with the team for 4 months and would have them in my house for another project again and again. I have recommended DSBG to my friends and look forward to working with them again.

After deciding to undertake a whole home reno, we researched general contractors with design/build capabilities, starting with RenoMark contractors doing work in our area. We also added several non-RenoMark contractors, for a total of 6 contractors, including DSBG. Reviews of DSBG were almost unanimously positive, except for one negative review. After discussing scope of work and other matters in my first call with Nick Malfara of DSBG, I asked him about the negative review. Nick was forthright, open and honest in his response, which bode well for the dealings which followed. With so many positive reviews and a reasonable explanation for one negative one, it was very easy to accept that the negative one was an aberration / exception. At our first meeting / walk-through, Nick gave us honest advice, a realistic minimum budget for our scope of work and desired quality level, as well as a realistic timeframe for our project. He was prompt in his follow-up, including a detailed rough budget and written scope of work. After interviewing 5 other general contractors, we shortlisted DSBG and 2 others and subsequently narrowed it down further to DSBG and 1 other (also a RenoMark contractor). In a follow-up meeting with Nick and DSBG's project manager Tony, my wife remarked that she felt like she was with "family". They gave us straight answers to all our questions and left us feeling comfortable and confident about the reno. Nick took us to several DSBG client sites / projects and gave us numerous past clients as references to contact. Based on everything we saw and all that we heard, DSBG was an easy choice. We selected them in August 2014 with the condition that they be ready to hit the ground running at the start of January 2015. After working through the fall of 2014, all the design work was completed and permit approvals submitted for approval. Exactly as planned, DSBG started work on the first business day of January and worked diligently every single day until we re-occupied our house this past summer 2015. Since we were renting a house, time was of the essence for us throughout the reno. DSBG had told us to expect a 7-month project and they did an amazing job in sticking substantially to that schedule, even with numerous scope additions. Throughout the project, the entire DSBG crew and the trades they involved were true pros. The DSBG crew is focused on site safety and tidiness (which ultimately comes back to safety). The guys were respectful and courteous at all times when we visited the house (usually unannounced) and, most importantly, they did impeccable work. The finishing of items hidden behind the walls was done to the same high standard as items which are visible. Materials used were high quality and work was done to a higher standard than the minimum Building Code requirements. DSBG recommended (for our approval, as we went with a cost+management fee contract format over fixed price) reputable sub-trades for items that their own crew does not do. Project management was efficient and effective, with Tony really staying a few steps ahead of every issue. Site management for our project was done through a working supervisor (Bernie) who was an absolute professional and a real gentleman. We have been back in our house for four months now and remain impressed by DSBG's work. Shortly after we reoccupied, we developed a "punch list" of items (all minor) for DSBG to fix and they were diligent in chasing down each and every item on the list to our satisfaction. In the end, I can say unequivocally that we made the right choice in selecting DSBG. We are delighted by the work they have done in turning our house into our dream home. We have and will continue to recommend DSBG to our friends and have every intention of working with them on any future projects.

You came you saw you conquered the sorry mess our porch was in resulting form inferior work previously done by other contractors/landscapers. The final product is as beautiful as it is structural solid and sound and we are confident our new porch will stand the test of time. Tony's team started precisely on schedule maintaining the pace until the job was completed on time and to the level of superior quality that we expected. Sam and his crew were absolutely wonderful to deal with. They arrived each morning with their friendly smiles and eager to begin the days work, were always professional throughout the project and always very accommodating and sensitive to our needs and thoroughly cleaned up at the end of each days work. Throughout the project, Tony kept us well informed and updated on a regular basis, and always responded to our calls/emails within minutes. The end result is fabulous - WELL DONE! We could gladly recommend your services. Our only regret is that we didn't commission Design Spec Builders Group the first time.

We recently renovated our basement after contemplating the idea for a number of years. The idea of strangers coming into our home for an extended period of time to complete a big job like a basement made us nervous, but Nick Mafra's team at Design-Spec Building Group was a dream to work with throughout the project. The team was professional, friendly, tidy, and meticulous. We are very happy with the finished product. The millwork we had done in the basement bathroom and bar area looks fantastic. The rooms are bright and spacious. We are excited to be able to share this space with friends and family. I don't think we could imagine hiring anyone else for future projects. We highly recommend Design-Spec to anyone renovating their home.