I WISH our only complaints were the delays and “unforeseen” additional costs typically associated with home renovations. And while Karma Home Design’s delays have been absurd and their add-on costs preposterous, it is the dysfunctional management, unprofessionalism, and complete lack of customer service we have suffered through for 6 months and counting (they are STILL not finished what was to be a 2-3 month project!) that prompts this review. Early March 2014, we purchased a house and worked through remodeling plans with Karma Home Designs before moving in. On March 23, 2014 we signed and paid our deposit to Karma to build a laundry closet and walk-in closet, and on April 23, we signed and paid a deposit to add a master bathroom to our home remodel project. Jordan, Nick, and Kris are incredibly friendly people – they pass the “who would you wanna have a beer with” vote but DEFINITELY DO NOT get our vote of confidence for home renovations! Less than 2 months in, it became painfully clear that our business was not valued by Karma and our project’s completion was NOT a priority. Days and sometimes weeks would pass where there was no work done at our home (this is NOT including the wait times for permits and other official/reasonable delay). We never knew when Karma staff would show up and let themselves in with the work key after long periods of unexplained absence, so when they did, it repeatedly set off our home security service or intruded on my wife breastfeeding and tending to our newborn (Karma was to be finished before our baby’s arrival…). When we asked for 24 hours notice of irregular worksite visits, our request was disregarded and surprise visits (along with security and privacy breaches) continued. We asked that construction foot traffic be restricted to worksite areas of our home, trespasses on our tenant and personal areas continued and Karma management balked at our protest telling us there are “so many rules to follow” and advised us to “post signs” rather than their taking responsibility for their staff. The inaugural months in our new house have been replete with home intrusions. From having Karma management wander into bedrooms in other parts of our home while someone is resting (THREE TIMES this happened!), to continuous obvious and “untidy” use of our personal upstairs bathroom after we have specifically designated the restroom on the main floor for worker use, or finding urine stains on and around the brand new toilet in the bathroom remodel, to having staff kick up their feet to relax in our nursing rocker to watch a movie on our main floor TV or sit and get comfortable in our basement family area (we have photos) – we can only imagine what goes on when we’re not home to monitor in person! Each time we submitted design details or product specifications requested by Karma, the managers would just sit on the information for WEEKS before taking any action which led to expired permits and expensive missed opportunities. Project details were inaccurately conveyed to work staff or sometimes not passed along at all, leading to several instances of work having to be torn down and redone, further delaying the project and destroying cherished elements of our restored 1920s home. On-site staff, including the plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, regularly sought us out in our home regarding time sensitive specifications and details necessary to complete their work that we had already submitted to Karma management weeks prior. We have even had to stop workers in the middle of major tasks (like building walls and drop down ceilings) due to incorrect dimensions clearly not in accordance with what we submitted to the managers. In these instances, we were fortunate that one of us was home to notice the error and stop it before it cost more time and money. The downside is that we’ve been paying tens of thousands to be our own project foreman… After losing an entire summer of rental income due to Karma’s random work stoppage delays, we firmly insisted that the gaping holes they created in common areas beyond the work site on each floor of our home left open for WEEKS beyond inspection be closed up and that the entire project - now 3 months over schedule - be wrapped up immediately. In response, Karma informs us about new projects they are starting on upcoming dates, as if we should feel better about their weeks of absence on our overdue worksite because they are starting new projects elsewhere. To make matters worse, the work that has been finished is shoddy, structurally unsound, or irreparably flawed. Unleveled countertops, slanted walls, and misaligned doors are negatively impacting adjacent elements and areas of the project site. Specific layout and design details have been botched in ways that cannot be remedied without starting the project over completely. And when we raise these concerns with Karma management, they blameshift to other managers or blame us the clients, until we submit to them photographic or documented proof of THEIR error. Karma’s internal management communication have cost US BIG TIME both in regards to money AND energy. We have spent countless days trying to reconcile what was discussed and agreed upon with one set of project managers in the spring and what latter half project managers understood to be included in the invoices we’ve paid. We have gone back and forth for days as Karma has avoided fixing and paying for their own errors. While Kris has been very diplomatic in negotiating this rift, it has not been without avoidable additions to our bill and our headaches. This entire experience has been a NIGHTMARE that most regrettably continues since they are STILL not making any effort to finish this project and get out of our home so that we can begin enjoying our new(-ish) house and new addition to our family. It is true what they say about Karma...

If you are looking for quality work karma will be the way to go.

I love the professionalism they bring along with amazing results and timeliness. Beautiful work guys I recommend you to anyone looking to improve/rebuild their living space.

Great company! They are one of the best general contractors I have met in a while. They took awhile to get back to me, I must admit, but they definitely came through on our bathroom remodel and kitchen renovation. High end cabinets, they took us from beginning to end and helped us all the way through. They took great in making sure our tile was carefully selected to match bath fixtures, and a bath renovation that everything we requested. Yes, the are not not cheapest in town, but you get what you pay for. I have had times with contractors really taking advantage of what we were trying to do, taking their time and not giving the correct information. We also have a basement renovation coming up, that I am excited to do.

Good day to whoever reads my review. I would like to let you know in advance that I’m a very hard to please and to tell you the truth a difficult person in general (that’s what my wife says!). It took me few months to do my research on different contractors in the area, collect few estimates and decide on which one to go with. I went with my gut feeling and e-mailed back to one of the salesman from Karma home designs. I’ve been informed that it’s been few months since the estimate was provided and it has to be re-evaluated. I have a bad temper and didn’t take the news good. I asked for the manager to talk to and got ahold of Kris who is a very patient gentleman and listened to everything I had to say. He was king enough to approve the previously estimated amount for my full house renovation. I was extremely satisfied with the outcome of our conversation. My wife was listening to me and shaking her head. We met with the assigned project manager to discuss the schedule of work and the possible time frame. He is a very professional gentleman with a good sense of humor. During the demolition process we had to move to my sister house but I was popping up at my property always unexpected in different times to check the process even though it was communicated to me daily. We faced few change orders that of course I wasn’t happy with but I completely understand that it’s an old house and when you dig into it you might find lots of surprises like rotten wood, mold, electrical work that wasn’t done by code, etc. Every little thing that we faced was explained and pointed so I was able to see it with my own eyes and would not think I’m taking advantage off. Once job was competed we did a final work through and there was nothing to complain about. I was amazed how Karma associates teamed up with us and made our home exactly the way we wanted it to be. I will strongly recommend it to all my friends and family. Thank you Karma for all your hard work and patience with such a difficult person as I am. Best of luck!