After suffering a sewer backup in the Great Toronto Flood of July, 2013, our insurance broker sent a company to do emergency cleanup. We took our time to find a contractor to rebuild the basement for us. We didn't want to just "slap it together". Our designer/friend recommended Maralon to us very highly. After our first meeting with Mike, we were sure we were in good hands. His recommendations were thoughtful and considered.
Mike and his assistant, Fernando, rebuilt our 3-piece bathroom, laundry room, hallway and guest room. They were able to make the bathroom larger (they borrowed space from the laundry room by stacking the washer/dryer), more efficient and beautiful than I ever imagined it could be. Frankly, the flood couldn't have happened at a better time. I was really fed up with the poor state of the old bathroom and the grottiness of our laundry room. Mike pointed out mistakes that had been made in the construction of the old bathroom and told me, and then showed me, how to build it properly with waterproofing and proper sealing and construction methods. I have absolutely no fears of this new bathroom leaking or having cracked tiles any time soon.
We are a family of five and Mike knew how important it was for me to have access to my laundry machines during the weekends so every Friday night, he and Fernando would put the machines back in place so I could use them and then on Monday, the machines would be removed again so that they could continue to construct and finish the bath/laundry room. That was a gesture that I was extremely grateful for.
Everything that they did was done very well. I am very pleased with the quality of the workmanship. I am now proud to have guests come through my basement and to have overnight guests. They will be very comfortable now and will feel spoiled, I am sure, using our luxurious bathroom.
While they were here, I asked them to attend to a few other repairs around the house. They were able to diagnose and fix a leak from my second floor bath and repaired the ceiling below the leak. They also made new doors for my family room wall unit and rebuilt one side of the unit to accommodate a new, larger flat screen TV. I had always been unsatisfied with the workmanship on this wall unit (built by a previous contractor) and Mike took a dog's breakfast and made it (with a lot of effort and tricky maneouvers) into something I am finally proud of.
They also did the backsplash tiling in my kitchen (an on-going reno) and built new cabinet doors and drawer fronts. I have not yet received the doors but I am sure they will be perfect.
Both Mike and Fernando were always very polite and well-mannered, well groomed and quiet. Important qualities when they are working in your home with you there most of the time. I highly recommend this company. You will not be sorry if you hire them. Mike will be my go-to contracting company from now on!!
THIS IS AN UPDATE ON MARCH 26, 2014 - The kitchen cabinet doors were sent to a painting company for spray painting (because I had already started the kitchen job with the painting company) and were delivered at the beginning of the week. Mike and Fernando came back yesterday to install the doors and a pair of new drawers. They finished today, after installing the hardware (knobs and handles). Everything looks beautiful! It is like a brand new kitchen and I really could not be happier. Dealing with Mike and Fernando and Mike's wife, Joanna, was a true pleasure. If you are looking for a general contractor, you will not find a better one. They are professional and will work with you to give you what you want. Thanks for everything guys!!