Andros Kitchen & Bath Designs

Project included several trades, not all of which were equal competence. Cabinet installer was by far the best, tile installer & electrician were very good, plumber was very good but quirky personality, GC was pretty good and floor installer was ok but slow and inconsistent. You have to to be very wary of scope creep and change orders which can add to your total bill significantly. You have to keep a close eye and in constant communication with Andros (Aleem) as project manager. Be very explicit in your contract scope of work. Almost anything outside that scope will be an extra charge including minor damage to other areas caused by the crew. Aleem was fairly inflexible when it came to sourcing flooring products and would not consider other suppliers when his supplier could not provide our desired product even after we found it on the web with another vendor.

We purchased a custom kitchen from Andros Kitchen and Bath Design and have regretted doing so ever since. We were told it is a high-end kitchen but do not believe this is the case. Aleem, the owner, oversaw the project and Marielisa was the designer. They provided the kitchen and installation, we took care of everything else (demolition, flooring, electrical, plumbing). The installation was scheduled to be done July 24-31, 2019 but due to a delay was completed August 26, 2019.
This was our experience:
• Cabinets arrived with some chips and black dirt which we had to scrub off and the installer attempted to cover, however they are still noticeable
• There are 2 gaps/openings on the underside of the upper cabinets in both corners, I do not believe this is a sign of high end cabinets.
• Kick plates were not provided for the dishwasher and stove openings, the installer patched them in
• There were gaps in the underside of our breakfast nook where the cabinets meet the counter, these were also patched by the installer
• The underside of the both the breakfast nook and pencil drawer in the desk are unfinished and fully exposed
• The corners of the crown molding are not clean or tight
• There was a poor design with the pot drawers as they are not able to extend fully without hitting my stove even though they were provided with the dimensions of all the appliances
• 2 additional rubber stoppers were requested and after much back and forth we were sent some that were much larger than the ones that came with the cabinets which the installer was not able to use for our kitchen. They eventually sent the correct stoppers by mail
• Our display cabinet was to have a glass shelf but we were provided a wooden shelf, upon pointing out the error we were told they would have to confirm with their contract although we provided them a copy of ours on site - eventually we were told we were correct and this mistake was rectified
• 1 year later a few cupboards have a smell
• When working with contractors it is customary to hold back 10% of the payment until the job is complete. When we attempted to hold back the final 5% (about $2000) we were threatened that the order of our counter and completion of the installation would be delayed until full payment was made. Reluctantly, and to prevent further delays, we provided the company the outstanding 5%.

On August 10, 2020 a filler piece of the upper cabinet (measuring apprx. 2inches x 37inches), which was originally patched by the installer, fell off and chipped. It was evident the piece was poorly installed with only 3 dabs of glue. On contacting Andros an appointment was set up for them to come and see what had happened later that same week. Aleem came, apologized and assured us it should not have happened and that a new piece would be ordered and measurements were taken for the order. A few days later we received an email stating Andros would incur the cost of the new piece ($200) however, as the one-year warranty had expired it would cost $350 plus HST (payable before the installer came) to correct their mistake and poor workmanship. When questioning the date the project was completed, which in my records was August 26, 2019, we were advised that date was a service call and completion was July 31, 2019. Note this means our incident happened 2 weeks following the end of the one-year warranty. Disappointed and upset we advised them that we would install the piece ourselves given we were not going to pay that kind of money for someone to glue the piece back on.
This piece was finally delivered October 23, 2020 however what was delivered was one large piece that we were advised we would have to cut to size ourselves. Why measurements were taken remains unknown and the lack of accountability was shocking. This is very poor customer service.

The amount of patchwork that was required in a custom kitchen was disappointing and we regret choosing a company that does not stand by its products or workmanship and pays no attention to detail. It seems to be all about the bottom line.

Please be weary of using this company and note that Aleem do not like to hear that he has done anything wrong and can be abrupt.
I have been asked for a referral by friends looking to re-do their kitchens and have refused to give it and tell them to look elsewhere.

We posted no review a year ago after the completion of the kitchen however, this was the last straw. We had to share our experience so that others are able to make an informed decision prior to undertaking something as large and expensive as a kitchen renovation.

Final product was just what we wanted, almost on schedule and over budget. Learned a few lessons on this project. It was our first time engaging a designer project manager. Keep communications open, be very clear about what you want and be firm about what you want. Otherwise, scope creep enters the picture and you end up with change orders that explode your budget. Be sure to always ask what the cost of a change order will be. Our cost exceeded original budget by 23%. Subtrades that were excellent; cabinet installation, tile work, electrician and general contractor. Subtrades that were good; plumbing (personality was an acquired tasted but work was very good) and flooring (too slow but decent job). Project management by Aleem of Andros was good but not excellent as he was spread out over a few jobs and couldn't always stay on top of things. There were a few problems and anomalies that popped up as the project proceeded but the trades were adept at working through them. However, beware that every little thing not spelled out in your contract will end up in a change order that will undoubtedly be expensive. Since this was a first for us, we chose not provide a key to contractor for anytime access which basically held us captive in the house for the 6 week project. Trades were inconsistent and unreliable (except cabinet installer) in terms of when they would show up vs when they said they would be there. This is apparently normal for all trades and/or renovation projects. Will consider giving them an extra key if we do this again. As with almost all contractors, for any minor damage done or mess created in an area outside of the project area, don't expect that it will be repaired or cleaned to original condition if at all. That will be an extra charge. As far as design went, we already had a concept in mind and Aleem helped flesh it out for us in a rendering and producing working drawings. He was helpful in offering some alternatives and had a showroom that offered us the design elements that we wanted. He was also fairly responsive by text, email and phone whenever we had concerns or questions even though we didn't always get the answers we wanted to hear and sometimes a non-answer. Aleem also seemed married to to his suppliers and very reluctant to source other vendors when his couldn't supply what we wanted, even when we found a vendor that could. Generally a very good construction team and would consider using if I ever have the budget again.

I would never use the company for a renovation again. The designer was the only good thing that happened on this project. The installation kept taking longer and longer because they had one installer for the cabinets and he was ill and kept rescheduling to complete the installation. The pot drawers still do not close properly and have to be fixed manually on a regular basis. The roll out drawers in the built in pantry keep slipping off the track because the width of the area was not measured properly. We asked for the ceramic tile installers to install tile on the backsplash and down to the floor behind the stove. We provided that tile and were told it was sufficient to complete the job. It was not. There is a space 2' x 2' that has no tile. My husband was home at the time and went and got more tile and by the time he came back the Tigers were gone. When I phoned andro s they basically did it wasn't their problem and gave me the tilers phone number as they had contracted it out and I phoned day after day and week after week and they never retipurned my calls. I believe that andro told them not to call us back. When I complained and held back $500 until the flaws in the cabinets were fixed etc their project manger called me at my place of work and yelled and me and threatened me that old better pay the rest of the money. Keep in mind the job was $12000 and I had held back $500 at the end for the fixes I had already requested and they had agreed to were fixed. Then one of the owners called me and she talked over me and wouldn't let me speak and blamed the delays on my husband and I and said we kept rescheduling which was completely untrue and it was them because their one lone available installer got ill and apparently they had o one to replace him. I ordered desert Sand oak cuboards and within a year they had darkened in colour so much they do not match the non oak desert sand trim around them. I decided on this company because they installed Canac kitchens which were considered at the time a really good quality product. I had this Reno done in 2003 and and I now have to look at either replacing the kitchen again or refinishing the cupboards by sanding and restaining them or painting them. Something I didn't think I would have to do. One of the cupboard doors cracked around the inside hinge and I had to fix it with glue and the door that covers the hidden bread board and knife drawer the frame screws are stripped and I can't use it as its falling apart. Horrible workmanship and being bullied by this business left a bad taste in our mouths. I was surprised to see that they are still in business.

I had a really good experience working with Andros. They are very professional and the design created is beautiful and functional. No other kitchen company designed a kitchen like Anastasia did. I am 100% happy and would use them again!

I worked with Anna on my bathroom renovation and wanted to add a review on Homestars. They were very professional, clean and on time as per our expectations. Anna was always very honest with her opinion and helped me make the right decisions for our family. Her experience in planning our bathroom was exceptional and her recommendations on materials were amazing. I didn't use Andros for my kitchen and I regret it now. Anna's awards impressed me but her 20 years in the business was expressed through her professionalism. Dont make a mistake by going with a contractor or kitchen company that has no history or reputation.

I worked with Andros Kitchen and bath designs and found my experience to be wonderful. I heard of Andros Kitchen and bath designs from seeing their truck at my neighbours house. I went to my neighbours house about a month later and asked to see their kitchen. Their kitchen was SO beautiful and were really happy with their designer and with the company (I have since seen my neighbours kitchen on a magazine!)
I requested to work with the same designer - Anastasia. From beginning to end, it was a pleasure. From the design to the contractors, project manager and products used - I wasn't disappointed. I would recommend using Andros Kitchen and bath designs to anyone.

I would never recommend Andros Kitchen - We had a very bad experience with them. Paid them a $1000.00 retainer and didn't receive even a drawing for the money. Too bad! they said they lost our drawings due to a computer error. We have a beautiful kitchen now! How did I pick someone to replace them? I went to the yellow pages and fournd the next kitchen renovation company that started with And and used them. The experience was a heck of a lot better than them trying to sell you on a design team which of course costs you more money. Learned a huge lesson from these people! Make sure you get a quotation in writing before you pay!

I hired Andros Kitchen and Bath designs because I felt comfortable with my designer and the company's reputation. I would highly recommend this company. They designed a beautiful ensuite bathroom for me and my husband earlier this year. Anastasia was our designer. She was knowledgeable about everything especially renovations. She designed our ensuite and gave us a price. We were then asked to give her a retainer of 4K, which she explained so we can choose tiles and plumbing fixtures. Having her help us through the decision saved lots of time and everything looks so perfect together!!
The renovations went really well, their contractors were very clean and professional. I am so happy with the project!

I never review companies but I was so impressed by Andros Designs that I had to tell everyone else how professional they are and how much more I enjoy my home. It is now an organized and peaceful retreat. I love coming home from work, cooking a meal and then sitting in my family room and loving that there is a place for everything. Tanya, one of the designers of Andros designed our kitchen and then I contracted her to do some interior design work. It was a pleasure working with her from the beginning. My kitchen/family room is a little awkward and I didn't know what to do with it. When she came to measure my kitchen to finalize the design she gave me a few ideas for the family room that just made sense! At that time we discussed her hourly fee and she proceeded to purchase all of my furniture, rug, coffee table, paintings, lighting fixtures and paint colours. The best part was that Andros was able to do all of this work for me. I didn't have to go find another contractor or spend countless hours on the web looking for things. Lenny was a wonderful contractor to deal with, his service was great...my favourite part was that everyday I came home he would clean up and mop the floors!!! I will take photos and post them on here later....thanks Andros, you are a gem!