Refresh and Build — Local services in San Francisco

Refresh and Build remodeled the kitchen, family room, and 3 bathrooms of our 100-year-old house in San Francisco. We are very pleased with the outcome and highly appreciate the quality of work done. Sam, the project manager, gently guided us through the renovation process. We described our vision to Sam, and he worked with us on the design as well as patiently helping make many stylistic decisions ranging from choice of cabinets to countertops to floor and wall tile. One of the most important elements to our remodel was the cabinetry. The cabinetmaker required 3 months to make and deliver the cabinets, so it was essential that there were no errors in ordering. Sam carefully measured the rooms to be renovated and then went with us to the vendor to place the order to ensure that we would be getting the right size cabinets (and we did!). We really appreciated Sam’s attention to detail and going the extra mile to do things right. He obtained all permits, regularly showed up on site, kept us well informed (Sam is a great communicator), was in close contact with the team doing the work, and could always be reached by phone or email if we had any questions. He kept a keen eye on the budget (he is very cost conscious), and importantly, made sure we were happy during and after the remodel. Sam is a great project manager, a very nice person, and truly a pleasure to work with. Most of the construction work was done by Elmer with Kevin and Carlos stepping in when needed. We kept this same team throughout the project from start to finish, and never had delays from team members being pulled away for other projects. This is a highly skilled group of workers who were always polite, efficient and cleaned up at the end of every day. We felt very comfortable having them in our home (we lived in our house during the work) and enjoyed interacting with them. Elmer was terrific – his work was top notch, and he has one of the best work ethics we’ve ever seen. Thanks to the team’s and Sam’s experience and skill, all of the surprises encountered when opening the walls of a 100-year-old house were successfully dealt with. Every inspection was passed with flying colors, and the work was completed in the time frame Sam had estimated. All of the work was done very, very well. Sam and the team truly cared about doing the job right. We do not hesitate to recommend...

I recently had the pleasure of working with Sam on a large home renovation project, and I cannot recommend his services highly enough. The renovation included gutting kitchen and bath and remodeling, building walls, installing recessed lighting, painting, and refinishing floors. From the very beginning, the experience was smooth and professional.

Meeting with Sam to discuss the design plans was a breeze. He listened to my ideas and provided insightful suggestions that elevated my vision. When it came to ordering supplies (tiles, cabinets, etc…), Sam was on top of it and ensured everything was of high quality and matched my aesthetic perfectly.

Sam took care of all the necessary permits efficiently, which is no small feat in San Francisco. The permitting process here can be overwhelming and complex, but Sam’s expertise and thoroughness made it feel manageable. He kept me informed throughout the process, which made me feel confident and at ease.

Sam and his crew showed up every day, ready to work. Their dedication was clear, and they performed high-quality work consistently. The crew was respectful of my space and maintained a clean work environment. Watching the transformation day by day was truly impressive.

Every phase of the project passed inspections without a hitch, a testament to the excellent standards Sam and his team adhere to. They were meticulous in their work, ensuring everything was up to code and exceeded expectations.

The project was completed on schedule, and the final result was beyond what I had envisioned. Sam's communication throughout the process was outstanding. He kept me updated on progress, addressed any concerns promptly, and was always available for questions. Overall, working with Sam was a fantastic experience. His professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence made my renovation project a success. I am thrilled with the results and would not hesitate to work with him again in the future....

Refresh and Build recently completed renovations to my Hayes Valley (San Francisco) condo including a complete bathroom remodel, new floors throughout, new light fixtures, and a several other modifications. I selected R & B because of excellent online reviews and a reasonable initial estimate. In fact, R & B’s bid was about ½ of the other bid I received—for the same job! So, the decision was easy—and it proved to be the right decision. Sam, the project manager, was personable, flexible, and accommodating. He provided me with a wide choice of items and materials from which to choose. He was especially attentive to the cost of various fixtures and supplies and did push high-end items. The workers I encountered were all pleasant and professional. One of my neighbors even told me he was impressed by how friendly and quiet they were. The remodel wet very well, but very slowly, with many delays. The delays were often beyond Sam’s control—supply problems, the wrong materials delivery, broken items delivered, and the usual inspection issues. Despite the delays, the renovation process was positive overall. I can’t imagine having a more successful remodel at a more reasonable price. I certainly recommend...