Blog - HPS Construction Services, Ltd

Kailua Bathroom Remodel Job Summary

When we got this letter (see below) last week from a Kailua bathroom remodel, along with some cell phone pictures of the project, we thought it would be interesting to show you and briefly describe the typical bathroom upgrades we do around 60-70 times per year. We have worked for over a major part of our 23 years to earn our position, as Hawaii’s cost effective, high quality tub to shower and shower/tub, shower/vanity and vanity tops/flooring, medicine chest-mirrors, and fixtures and finish upgrade, remodel leaders.

The major goal for Kailua residents Jaimie and Mike was the master shower. For some reason, the original builder from the 70’s shortened the shower (looking at it right to left) by about a foot and instead framed in a so called wet-wall floor to ceiling box, which then had the original old style tile over it.

We were able to remove this wasteful box and expand the shower by nearly a foot, plus slight widen it from the step in curb to the long wall. We built in a custom two shelf soap and shampoo niche, and used the waterproof (Note: Waterproof not just water resistant) Wedi shower pan and walls 3 thin layer backing system. Most contractors try to save $500 by using old methods (like drywall or partial cementitious panels. However, these are only water resistant, cause a huge mess of dust around the other areas of the house during installation, and do not have a manufacturer guaranteed proper drainage slope assurance and 15 year waterproof warranty.

Please don’t let contractors, especially slick talkers– licensed or unlicensed–tell you this 2016 shower base system isn’t needed–that the old methods are good enough….so that they can bait and switch–low ball you and then add one thing after thing. And may we also warn you to beware of those who say, “Oh, we’re licensed”, and then show you a State of Hawaii G.E.Tax (excise tax) license, which is NOT a contractor’s license. If you get burned, especially in a high rise or townhouse 2 or 3 story where a leak affects neighbors all the way down, your insurance company WILL NOT pay your claim if you hired any of these people.

We also upgraded the shower wall tile to the new generation, 300 degree baked porcelain large wall tiles (just like in luxury resorts), with small grout lines to be barely noticeable, with color coordinated netted floor tiles (netted so that they can properly follow the drain slopes with no uneven site made cuts or sharp edges).

We upgraded the six foot wide vanity, vanity top (using the new generation of affordable pre manufactured Quartzite), upgraded the large, six foot by four foot mirror (the old one was pitted from oxidization and age), new matching shower fixtures, towel bars, and toilet paper holder, and low flow comfort height toilet, plus new under mount sinks and faucets.

For the hall bathroom, we left the tub, but replaced the shower walls, plus a new vanity and counter top, under mount sink, new faucet, mirror, medicine chest, light fixture.

Like all HPS upgrade kitchen and bath projects, we provided the family with open book wholesale direct to the clients, large discounted prices for all components, and, of course helped the family shop at the tile warehouses, cabinet vendors, and even Lowe’s for all the special fixtures. And, we transported all the materials to their Kailua house, as we do for all.

Guess how much this project cost: $30,000? No $25,000? No……..Under $20,000 for both!

Get bids, compare that they are apples to apples for product and finish quality, and look at ratings like Better Business Bureau, Yelp, complaint history, licensing check, insurance check, etc. It pays, not costs!

–

Gerry Peters

HPS Pres/Gen Mgr

Letter from client:

Hi Gerry,

Our bathrooms look amazing! Thank you so much Lenny…you assured me that everything will be done by end of the month! I will text you some pics! But yes, please stop by when you can. We leave for our trip in 4 weeks. ..leaving on May 26 & returning on June 9th. But w/ bath remodeling complete, we can now get ready for my son & gf who are coming to visit. They will be amazed at the beautiful transformation of the bathrooms.

You are very lucky Gerry to have such an incredible staff…super hard working & so very nice…each & every one of them.

Jaimie and Mike Y. Enchanted Lakes Kailua Oahu May 2015

Pictures from Master Bathroom:

Pictures of hallway bathroom:

The Most Important Thing in Remodeling

Written by Gerry Peters, Founder and General Manager of HPS Construction Services Ltd

It is not merely talk when we tell every employee, vendor and sub contractor that having happy, smiling clients at the end of all of the projects is the most important thing. Over the last 21 years we have been seeking only those to work for us and with us who can deliver to our clients quality value and satisfaction for remodels and other work well done.

That’s why we so value the A+ Rating of the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii. As an accredited, vetted, and long time member, and by the nearly 100 client long HPS reference list we provide to each potential client, we believe our approach is paying off in creating successful remodeling projects.

Working with Reality

But unfortunately, not every job can go perfectly according to plan. Whether it is a power outage, a natural disaster, even just heavy rain, or a gridlock traffic tie-up, or a vendor misplacing a container with certain special order items, or vendor materials damaged in transit, or illness of supervisors or workers, or elevator breakdowns in high rises, or clients themselves getting the flu, or, of course, unforeseen termite or water damage–yikes!
It is said that doing specific room remodels and upgrades, such as bathrooms with tub to shower conversions, and kitchens with new cabinets and counters, and all those projects which HPS specializes in, is the most difficult challenge in all of the construction industry.

So while we bank on experience, preparation, and creative problem solving, we still ask clients to brace for the unexpected. But most importantly, we have and will always promise to bust our bottoms to make things right- to handle problems, which inevitably occur, and to do the very best of our ability as rapidly as possible.

The Goal of the Remodeler

You see, we, the contractor, have the same goal as you, the clients, do. We want to plan, make it happen, see you with smiles on your faces, and get paid. Inevitably, that means that the last few percentage points of work, the infamous and hopefully reasonable and minor “punch list” is our profit. It is our primary goal, when completed, to move on to the next in a continuing long line of projects. Our contracts almost always specify that we finance the last 10% of the project, even more incentive to get the project done well.

High Quality Kailua Bathroom Remodel for Less than you Think

Kailua Bathroom Remodel Job Summary

The Key to Successful Remodeling Projects

The Most Important Thing in Remodeling

Working with Reality

The Goal of the Remodeler