When we homeowners started thinking about doing true Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS) on our house, the hardest part was not doing research about this pretty new system, or selecting right materials, or doing right matching moulding design. Actually it was mostly about picking a quality contractor that would make the difference between a job done right and an utter nightmare. Horrified by the stories about horrendous contractors, and based on our own recent experience, we were not sure taking upon a job. Than a streak of pure luck just hit at us: On the most helpful home renovation website, Home Stars Toronto I looked up the top ranking stucco contractor, and narrowed to Aiad, owner of Cosmopolitan Construction. His original estimate was at the level with others, and we went into signing a contract for him to provide all labor, materials and necessary equipment for the installation of Durabond Quantum Select EIFS all around the house for the price of $23,000.00, including moulding installation. Because EIFS is still new to the Canadian market, I would advise to seek information from the manufacturer, and in my case Anthony in the Durabond Mississauga office was one of the most knowledgeable resource one can communicate with via email. Additional moulding beautification added up to $3000 for the cost of materials (Canamould mouldings and ArtMoulding medallions).
Aiad started the preparation work one day ahead of time, delivering scaffolds and materials to be ready full throttle right from the start. He started the work on Saturday September 14th and the entire project run till Monday September 23rd, 2015. One would wonder how is that possible, and the answer is simple - the weather and temperature cooperated, Aiad and his right hand Besrat worked tirelessly with the professional dedication and precision all day long, and building the crew up to 6 people when most needed for applying the finishing coat. Cosmopolitan Construction is one of the rare contractor I praise for delivering outstanding work on scope, time cost while not compromising on quality.
But everything did not go as in a fairly tale, as one may imagine. The problems started from in the beginning when the crew applied the EIFS panels on one side of the house. Some of the panels fell down at the smallest pulling, or some of them were flying detached of the wall surface. At that moment I stopped further work until we have agreed on the viscosity of the applied mortar. Once the crew diluted the mortar with more water, the application got in order. In the same tone, we have requested metal flushing at the bottom of the EIFS layer, but Aiad started convincing us that we do not need this feature. I have to call the manufacturer support Anthony of Durabond, learning that flushing helps with melting snow, with channeling the water and preventing bugs and ants to get under the panels, and with such strong arguments Aiad finally agreed to install flashing. Once these issues have been settled, everything else went much easier. I can not explain these early hiccups, though I have to admit that the crew needs some time to adjust to a new building and new style of installation. Once they tuned their tools, they worked as well-oiled machine. Again, while post-inspecting the work I have found small imperfections, which the window installers afterwards had problems with, but it was nothing major.
At the end, I do feel Aiad and the crew have done my house as they may have done their own, regarding the quality of the application. He also hooked me up with contractor that did the complete outside house caulking. Our house looks like a mansion now, and I do hope that we make right investment into EIFS and Cosmopolitan Construction.
