If you are about to drop a load of cash on a renovation READ THIS FIRST!
We had a large multi-room (kitchen included) renovation ahead of us. We got several detailed quotes but in the end, we went with Gardner Construction. All other quotes came in under G.C. but it was a no-brainer. Something this important needed a company with years of experience with complicated historic renovations. We live in an 1892 brownstone on Libbie Hill Park in the Church Hill area of Richmond, VA. Travis, the owner of Gardner Construction, spent countless hours, emails, texts and phone calls listening to our every idea, offering his own and ultimately convincing us that his company could do the job better than anyone else.
One of our most important requirements was a serious deadline. We had invited many guests to join us for Thanksgiving. The kitchen had to be done two days before Thanksgiving, no if and's or buts. Travis didn't flinch, he said, "no problem". Words are cheap, and we have NEVER had a contractor finish on time or within budget. Travis and Gardner Construction were true to their word. The kitchen was 99% done a whole two weeks early, and 110% done the required two days prior to our Thanksgiving dinner.
This deadline wasn't reached because the job was so simple, no, quite the contrary. This project involved ripping out walls, even brick walls. Tearing up flooring, gutting a large kitchen, all new “everything” including a chimney liner, industrial pocket door, bathroom, multiple types of flooring (including marble), a library ladder and rail, the list goes on... Additionally, the requirements changed as we went along. Some changes were a result of our minds changing as we saw progress take place. But some requirements changed as a result of discovery. For example, while preparing the kitchen floor for some reclaimed hardwood it was discovered that termites had decimated several joists. Travis' lead master builder Mark Amrhein came up with a genius solution that did not involve ripping out all of those joists or even ANY of them. (Mark also copied and built from scratch 125-year-old complicated trim, Mark is an artist, do NOT let the tools fool you, they are actually paintbrushes)
No, the reason things got done on time is because Travis has a literal army of seasoned professionals who showed up every day, on time and ready to rock and roll. Often there were a dozen folks in the kitchen all at once making things happen, and quickly! I work out of the house so I peeked in, often, to find leaps and bounds of progress happening every hour.
Yes, you will get a cheaper quote but will your project stick to that quote let alone your timeframe? Don't mess around with something that is so important to you. You will live with this renovation for years. Do it right and you will actually save money (Travis helped us collect historic tax credits, just another example of his vast experience) and you will most certainly save time.
Another point that warrants mentioning. We were warned by many of our friends that doing such a massive renovation while living in the home at the time (did I mention that? Yup!) will be very stressful and will push the limits of our very marriage. This never happened. We set up a little kitchenette in another part of the house and had many wonderful little toaster-oven-dinners. Already we remember those simple evenings with great fondness. We always felt like we were in good hands, and so we were.
I'm telling you, do not mess around with a contractor who may put your marriage on edge. Get Gardner Construction. Be at peace. Then, when it is done you will want to invite the whole world in to see the work of art that these master craftsmen create on your behalf. They love what they do and it shows.
