Carmel Builders, Inc.

We were very disappointed in the overall service provided by Carmel Builders and how we were treated as a customer.
As we indicated to Carmel a number of times throughout our project, the lack of on-going, engaged, on-site management and a lack of coordination, communication and project planning led to an incredible amount of time spent by us (homeowners) to ask and answer questions, fill gaps, provide information, follow-up, document, photograph, monitor and check.
Several times in the final few months of the project, escalating when a major wood flooring issue arose, we asked to meet with Carmel yet they refused. We were frankly appalled that Carmel didn't at a minimum afford a meeting. Instead, all communication with Carmel in the final months of the project was via email. In fact we think the Carmel owner visited the remodeling site only 2 or 3 times in the final 4 months of the project.
Further, the lack of customer concern and service, particularly dealing with the wood flooring issue, but at other times as well, was very disappointing and clearly below expectations for how we were led to believe this project would be managed.
We went with Carmel not only for their prior reputation of producing quality work but also because of approach and customer focus that the owner spoke of. Apparently, those were easy words to say but in our case we feel they were merely lip service or a sales pitch and not a true reflection of the service we experienced.
Toward the end of the project, Carmel committed to having a final walk-through and in-person meeting to close out the project and then reneged – instead re-terming the meeting as a ‘courtesy’. Carmel also committed to several other items toward the end of the project and then reneged on their commitments.
We understand that a major project such as ours can have its challenges, but numerous issues arose during our project, almost exclusively discovered by the homeowners, that demonstrate the lack of consistent, engaged on-site management. Note – our contract with Carmel Builders – they selected and managed the work of all the sub-contractors. Among the problems (not all-inclusive - the 'list' is much, much longer):
* Concrete stoop at foyer was poured at the wrong height. Required an ‘over-pour’ to get to proper height.
* Sunroom roof was improperly framed – 8-sided roof versus 7-sided roof as specified in the plan. Had to be re-framed after roofing had already been installed.
* Garage door/windows not were not framed per plan drawings. Had to be re-framed after siding had been installed.
* Facia was installed improperly – rough side out instead of smooth side out. Contractor committed to remove and replace the facia boards then unilaterally decided to sand and re-prime instead.
* Wood floor (Brazilian Cherry) installed with over 150 cracks and checks. 60+ days into warranty appeal process yet no resolution.
* Floor refinishing sub-contractor did incomplete and sloppy job on the foyer floor refinishing job. They left over 30 screw heads and other pieces of metal in the floor and chose to finish over them. This required complete re-working of the foyer entry floor.
* Edge board in key location of the deck was not level and was installed with large gap. Had to be re-installed. Another deck board (step board – trip hazard) was left unsecured. Additional deck board butt joints are not square and level.
* Kitchen sink faucet installation required 2 return visits to get installation correct. (counterweight/retraction). Dishwasher not checked after installation (water supply was not even turned on). Air gap from dishwasher installed improperly resulting in water shooting out of air gap when dishwasher was run. Leak in toilet water line (powder room).
* Insulation sub-contractor turned off two furnaces to install spray foam insulation and only turned one back on when they were done working. This resulted in a frigid house (while we were out of town in late December). Water heater also had to be re-lit – was not checked after gas was turned off.
* Heat was disconnected from living spaces several times during construction (during winter) without notice to homeowner.
* Gutters were installed on foyer entry roof after homeowner specifically communicated not to do this.
* Issues with cedar siding installation required re-work – example - uneven rows on siding below sunroom windows –– bottom row is 12 ¾”, middle and top rows are approx 10”. Contractor termed this ‘a normal part of the character of shake siding’ however it is clearly an installation issue.

I'm a subcontractor that is frequently used by Carmel for cleaning services after they have completed a remodel. They are very professional, timely, and organized in the way that they conduct business! I am always happy when they give me a call as it is always a pleasant experience working with them!

Several years ago, we had an Energy Audit completed and Carmel Builders handled the completion of the items that needed to be addressed from that audit, which included additional insulation in attic, sealing other areas of the home, and the complete replacement and staining of 3 exterior entry doors (one was our front door with a corresponding same size window unit).

Along with the exterior door replacements, they replaced and stained three solid core interior doors and baseboards in our foyer, kitchen, bathroom and laundry room, to match previously replaced windows.

They also handled replacing the house wood fascia and soffits with aluminum ones.

Throughout the process, the Carmel Builders Team and their Business Partners were all professional and great craftsmen. We were very happy with the experience.