Tile and Flooring Choices That Stand Up to San Antonio Families and Pets

Project consisted of: Demo ceramic flooring and install new porcelain flooring (living area, entry hall, kitchen/breakfast, Master bath, 2 upstairs bathrooms), new countertops for kitchen and master bathroom, frameless shower for masterbath, convert 2 bathrooms from bath-tub to walking shower with frameless glass. - Quality of the work: 1st rate has great skilled professionals performing the work, that listen to customer and provide good quality finished work. Extra credit for their flooring person (Alfredo) , their Quartz person (Marcelo), and their finishing (drywall/paint) person (Jose) who really impressed me. As any big job, and construction, it is expected unknowns during demo (of walls and floors), change of plans (add scope), and even mistakes. I was able to coordinate directly with the Team doing the work and have any issues/changes addressed. I felt the team performing the work would make full efforts to make things best possible and ensure I was happy with end result. - Cleaning: I had a special requirement that for all demo work and installation, to take extra time/care to reduce dust and ensure to clean/vacumn areas as work progressed. I have to admit they did their best to keep dust down with HEPA filter exhauster/fans, vacuums attached to tools, watering/dust-control-sand when sweeping floor. They covered ambient and furniture with plastic/tape. They also provided at the end detailed cleaners that did a great job and spent probably 13hrs on a day ensuring to clean house. That was very much appreciated. I still had dust, but their efforts made a big difference in controlling/reducing the amount of dust. - Schedule: Promised project duration was supposed to be 6 weeks and max 8 weeks. It did take about 12 weeks. Reasons of schedule impact included: a) I did tell 1st rate my priority was cleanliness and quality, even if schedule was impacted. b) I wanted to maintain at the job the crews/professionals I was satisfied with , and that would impact at times late shift starts (not full days worked). c) Important Holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas/New year) during period of Project. So although the schedule was delayed, there were reasonable reasons. - Project Management: I have to admit myself and Luke did not have a great start at our first interaction. But after few more conversations and meeting in person, things improved a lot and believe we both earned each others trust. Bottom line, we were able to discuss and come to reasonable solutions/agreement. Where I feel 1st Rate can do better is in regards to having General Supervisor more present on job. I was flexible with the fact that their Supervisor was facing health problems, but this resulted on myself having to often coordinate directly with the workers on progress/plan and challenges that arise. Overall the Team performing the works are skilled and very easy to talk too, and were keeping contact with Supervisor, but their decision making is sometimes limited and that's where Supervisor experience and eyes on the job makes the difference. - Overall experience: I have done many past remodel/renovations works in the past. None were easy, all had their issues, but, a good communication with the trades and with Management , having reason from both ends (Contractor and Client) , and accountability to make things right, makes all the difference. The end result of my Project was very good / great and I can say I'm happy with the end result. My overall expectations were met. Most important, it's not about the end result just looking pretty, but making sure that the work (including the stuff you can't see behind the walls/ceiling/floor) are done right and will not cause problems in the future.