Premier Basement Builders

The purpose of this note is to provide a reference for Premier Basement Builders of Niagara Falls, ON.

Background

We contracted with Premier Basements to finish about 1000 square feet in the basement of our newly built townhouse. The scope of work included a family room, 2 bedrooms, a gym, and a full bath. The work was initiated late in 2019.

What’s important to you?

Consumers make decisions based on certain criteria, such as price or timing. For us, we were looking for a balance between the criteria below.

Reputation

A key consideration for us, more so than anything else, was how Premier Basements was viewed by both previous customers, and by the trades that work with them. We had heard too many stories of companies that went bankrupt, didn’t pay their trades resulting in liens, or failed to complete the job after taking deposits, etc.

Based on our due diligence, Greg and Monika McLellan have a solid reputation. Customers like their work, and their employees and trades are treated fairly. Having gotten to know them a bit, we can also say that they value their reputation and work diligently to maintain/ build it. They are good people.

Budget

Money is always important, but value is essential. Premier Basements presented a detailed budget and stuck to it. The quality level was as we expected based on earlier customer comments, and perhaps better. We did make some changes and nominal upgrades during the construction phase, and these were dealt with fairly for all.

Timing

We wanted to ensure our project moved along without delays. Greg payed close attention to timing, ensuring the trades were well scheduled, and keeping us up to date regarding next steps. Christmas occurred near the end of the project, and we were surprised that they worked many days that others would have taken off, to ensure timely completion.

Summary

We had a good experience with Premier Basements and would recommend them as a trustworthy and conscientious supplier that delivered a good quality product, on time and on budget.

Very professional and all the trades people did excellent work.

They just completed our full basement of about 950 SF including a 3 piece bath, bedroom and open concept family room with gas fireplace.

We are extremely pleased with the workmanship and professionalism of Premier.

The quotes were very detailed and accurate and the final accounting left no board unturned.

We told Greg we wanted the same standards as our current home upstairs and they followed those and more.

Their crew and contractors were all very profession, as tidy as possible, courteous and respectful.

The schedule slipped a bit but I compare trying scheduling sub-contractors to 'herding cats'! Greg did a great job meeting our demands.

We have heard many horror stories from friends and acquaintances but would highly recommend Premier if you want the job done right with the least amount of disruption and surprises.

Told start end of April-late June 22-told staffing issues. Aug 27th we told PBB's to be out Aug 31. 1st shower my husband took Sept 2 revealed numerous leaks around the bottom of the glass out to the floor & the base creaked. Stopped using it after a few showers because after speaking to the tech rep at Head Office for the shower kit, we were concerned about water getting underneath the wall tile, base & floor tile & causing damage & we learned the security tabs for the glass door were installed backwards - they stop the door from coming off the roller bar. Plumber returned multiple times due to low water flow to the tub taps. Price Pfister mailed out cartridges & then a divertor. Pfister asked us to send photos & then told us it was installed incorrectly. Finally corrected by the plumber on Oct 4th. Tub drain installed in the wrong position for tub placement along the back wall as we had desired/discussed at the time of our est, it now sits on the diagonal to accommodate that; no room for a linen tower as discussed from the outset. Forgot light switch from bedroom to bath - it was installed after we noticed. PBB forgot to install niche - we noticed after Ditra up & let them know. Wall tile unlevel, not plumb – some horrible cuts & the grout job is horrible. After the few showers in it, the grout is crumbling away underneath the caulking they put around the bottom-over the grout - which is peeling off! The wall they installed (where shower is) is neither square or plumb. PBB's had to cold chisel the slate floor to level out all the trip hazards -everywhere. Plumber put a hole in floor with the foot of the tub& we saw a void in the hole/no mortar under it. Somewhere between the plumber installing the base (which creaks and is not level) & the drywall, tiling & painting, the shower base got cracked. Met with the owner/contractor about multiple concerns he said he knew the base got cracked but, felt the glass would cover it(!) He had it repaired -that has failed & the crack is still present. Painted over the drywall dust; left large areas with heavy drips all around the room. Horrible repair around a potlight. Areas of the trim go from flat finish to shiny. Asked us if they could cut down the backsplash by an inch -NO- electrical outlet in the way & the light also had to be moved up to accommodate the mirror. Patch job of those areas is horrible. When plumber started the tub he mentioned there was no rough-in & we needed that to put the taps in. Contract states faucet-not rough-in. I ordered the rough-in to keep the project moving as it was Aug 14th. Plumber put the tub in backwards, with the bump out to the front. I texted PBB a photo & was texted back that "the rounded side usually comes to the front and the taps in front so they can be reached without hanging over the tup (*tub) to turn on and off" I texted back that I had asked for the taps to be in the back, then contacted MAAX the tub manufacturer, sent them the photo & they said it should be turned around. Plumber hit metal, broke saw & burnt a hole in the tub- again no drop cloth. (also put a hole in the floor). The drain overflow they put in is chrome - the rest of the faucet finishes (tub & vanity) are brushed nickel. Vanity counter top is not centered. Shower walls are installed crooked on the base. Shower has multiple leaks. Safety feature was installed backwards. Glass door grinds against metal screws in the stops at either end. Shower panel is shimmed out from the wall at the top which causes the flow of the shower head to shoot behind the person showering. The caulking around the shower is horrible &, the tech also pointed out that the interior of the walls were caulked & according to the installation instructions, only the outside of the glass should be caulked. Toilet flange is 1 1/4" below the surface of the finished tile. No caulking between counter top/back splash/backsplash/wall or between 2 pieces of backsplash. Multiple areas missing caulking & grout ETC