Expanded Kudzu Review

When writing the review for Kudzu.com on DPS, I had no idea it was limited to 250 words. You can't write a good review in that amount of space! People want details! And here is the full, expanded review of our experience with DPS.

When we first decided to undergo an extensive home addition project, we heard plenty of horror stories from folks whose general contractor experiences were disasters. What we found with DPS (which we found on Kudzu.com) was a very atypical contracting experience compared to what we had heard. By reading this review, you may have just stumbled onto one of the best general contractors in the state.

If you are looking for a company that prides itself on integrity, accountability, quality, communications, and a genuine concern for the customer, then be sure to include DPS in your mix. They are big enough to handle the job, but small enough to work one-on-one with you so you're not just a folder or a number on the books.

Our project was very complex, a two-story addition tied into our existing home. This was basically building a small house, as the project had all the elements of a new build ... permits, demolition, foundation, framing, roofing, electrical, plumbing, and all the finishing touches for approximately 1100 sq. ft. We also had our kitchen countertops replaced and our front stoop demolished and a full front porch constructed.

In the bidding process, Todd (the owner of DPS) was great to listen intently to what we were asking to have done, then he would acknowledge the possibilities, but would also encourage us to consider alternatives we may not have realized were possible, and many of these were at cost savings to us. He would even sketch out his thoughts on our architectural drawings or in his notebook to be sure we understood what he was envisioning. He educated us without belittling us.

Todd and his crews handled each stage of construction with diligence, professionalism and quality. Even when challenges came up during the project, they were met head on with solutions and even alternative solutions when it warranted, and we were fully engaged and kept informed of what our options were. While we started in August and finished in early November, the true bulk of our project was concluded in a little over two months ... well within the timeframe expected, and with less than a 2% overage in budget, much of which was attributed to unexpected expenses that seasoned contractors just can't forecast. For a project this large, we were very pleased with the results.

The construction site was kept clean, and DPS did as much as they could to minimize the impact of construction on our daily lives. This was of utmost importance as we have three children in our family. We had full trust in having DPS at our home during the course of this project.

So what's the catch? These guys are in demand and their reputation is growing ... much of their success is attributed to repeat business from existing clients who have discovered what a great experience it is to work with DPS.

Two words of wisdom from our positive experience with DPS ... when you enter into a contract with a general contractor, go into it with the sense of partnership. Working WITH your contractor results in a much more pleasant experience ... and if you can secure a contracting company like DPS who will meet you in the middle and is dedicated to striking the balance between customer needs and running their business, then you've struck gold. Also, for large projects, be sure to build in time every week or so to review the project expenses to date ... it may help drive decisions as you work through the various stages in the project. You'll be glad you did.

If you are planning a remodeling or addition for your home, contact DPS. Their slogan is "Building Relationships with Homeowners" ... and we found that to be the case.

"It's the Ghost Light!!!"

OK ... this is just funny. Last night, I was in the guest bedroom. During our addition, we had a ceiling fan installed in this room, and it's on a remote.

When I was leaving the room, I turned the fan off and the light off. I put the remote down and while I was exiting the room, the light came back on.

Weird.

I went back, looked at the fan (which was still slowing down from spinning) and turned the light off again, and stared at it. No light. OK, so I put down the remote and was leaving the room. Light back on. I whipped around and looked at it again. Light goes off ... then comes back on again.

Getting freaky.

I started to apply some logic ... perhaps there was a loose wire and the slowing motion of the fan was slightly wobbly and causing the wire to engage. While highly improbable, since the turning off should cut power to the fixture, it was the best I could come up with. I tapped the fan blades to slow it to a stop, and turned the light off again, and dropped the remote and ran into the kitchen.

This time, the light stayed off. OK ... mystery solved. But was it. I peered around the corner. As if a ceiling fan angel was playing a game with me ... the light comes back on.

Blimey!

So I step back in the room and wondered if there were strange electrical forces at play. About that time, Veda comes downstairs from Leah's new bedroom. I pointed to the fan, somewhat speechless. She said, "What?" I said, "The fan ... it's possessed." At that point, she began to laugh and said, "No wonder ... that explains it!"

[Confused look.]

"We were just experiencing the same thing in Leah's room, and could not figure out what was going on," she said. Ah-HAH! It was the battle of remotes, both still on the default codes from the manufacturer.

And there was much relief.

The CO is In!

Well, it's official. We have our CO in hand. (Certificate of Occupancy) ... so we can live in it now!

I guess the pressure will really be on now to get photos out. It's like a dream ... our backyard is now a living space and we are really excited to start using it for the holidays!

[Doing the happy dance.]

The Final Stretch

We're coming around the final turn and into the home stretch. And boy does it look good!

Not much left to do ... the major thing left is carpet. All the other stuff is "knick-knacky."

Amazing. I promise photos to come. Veda's grandmother passed away this week, and we're coming up on back-to-back weddings. But photos will be here eventually.

Down to the wire ...

It's amazing how much of an impact items have when you get toward the end of a remodeling or an addition. The items here at the end are the visual ... the outward appearance of all the good things that have been building up to this moment!

We have granite countertops. Cabinets. Tile floors. Painted walls. Lights everywhere (with electricity to come). Thermostats. Ceiling fans. Shower door. Vanity tops. Faucets.

Literally, when I walked in the house last night ... it was a steady procession of "whoa ... wait, whoa! Look over there ... whoa! Awesome ... exciting ... doesn't this look good? WHOA!"

Pictures to come. You'll just have to wait.

Movin' Right Along

Progress just keeps coming ... one thing after another!

Tile is gone from the kitchen ... goodbye white and blue. Here comes travertine (the only place in the house where we could afford it ... in little squares!) =8^]

Leah's shower has been templated out for the frameless glass. Tile for gathering room and paint are up next. Cabinets and carpet are on the way.

It's very cool.

Where has the time gone?

Yes, it's been a while since the last post. Things have progressed so quickly, it's been tough to keep up! And we've been shopping for everything under the sun. Bathroom tile, countertops, granite, carpet, lights ... you name it! Exciting!

Here's some of the latest photos. Basically, we have sheetrock and trim up, and the tile in Leah's bathroom is well underway and almost done (no grout yet). We'll have to take photos of that soon.

Metal roofing on front and back porches is progressing piecemeal. It is really shaping up!

Before you know it, we'll be done! Woo-hoo!

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