We often hear about the Chuck in a Truck or Stan in a Van fly-by-night contractors. For this client, that nightmare came true. Undoubtedly, when Renowned Renovation heard the details of a disaster renovation, we wanted to help. The “Stan” that was originally hired for the job took the clients money, violated the rules of the Home Owners Association, did not pull permits, and did an overall unacceptable job that had to be corrected.

One of my favorite style of condos has an industrial look—showcasing high concrete ceilings with exposed conduit and duct-work. I appreciate that original loft concept with concrete floors. This place has all of these features and more. It’s an 8th-floor, mid-rise with panoramic views of downtown and Old East Dallas. From the kitchen window and over-sized balcony you can see the Reunion Tower, Omni Hotel, and Chase Bank building. You can see the highlights of the renovation in the video. Read on to hear the details of how we transformed this mid-rise condo to meet the expectations of our client."  — Grant Woodruff, CR

The Disaster was in the Details 

From the start, this condo became a personal project for us. As National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) certified contractors, we are passionate about providing quality work that is done right with no short-cuts or mishaps. 

In reviewing the work that had been done on the initial remodel, some of the issues were cosmetic. Other problems were clearly due to poor planning and execution. For starters, plugs were installed upside down, cut edges of tiles were exposed—and the tile was not even set in straight lines. 

The contractor convinced the owner to move the fridge right next to the sink which cramped the working space in the kitchen. This is not the suggestion of someone who truly knows the importance of layout and design from a big picture perspective. 

When the contractors installed a brick veneer wall, they left the baseboards exposed, highlighting the fact that it’s a veneer. This is the opposite of what the client was trying to achieve. The walls were painted using a high gloss paint, typically used for doors and surfaces that get dirty and cleaned often. Instead, walls are generally painted in a satin or flat paint for large surfaces. To top it all off, the shower valves were installed upside down.

Renowned, Contractors You Can Trust

After meeting with the client she gave us the reigns to repair the condo in the most cost-effective manner. We assured her that we would complete the renovation without sacrificing quality. Additionally, we discussed being mindful of what she plans to sell the condo for. All of these are fine points that need to be discussed openly and honestly before a business agreement is made.

As a high-end remodeling company, Renowned Renovation does not often take on “budget” projects. However, we were able to do the kitchen for less than $20,000. We’ll note that no new appliances were purchased for this renovation. Give us a call to discuss your dream project! We have the design, craftsmanship and attention to detail that makes all the difference in the outcome of our work. 

The additional upgrades included a cutlery divider, spice pull, a magic corner (which is a storage cabinet) and docking drawer. These are all the amenities of the ideal modern kitchen, including a double-waste pull-out drawer for trash and recycling. Our signature cabinets exemplify the finishing touches Renowned Renovation brings to all of our jobs.