Amanda in Mississauga

So, we had Royal Home Improvements (RHI) renovate our kitchen in two parts: the first in the Autumn of 2017 and the second in the Spring of 2018. We were so pleased with the results that we decided to hire them for other projects, too, and thus, our next story begins... Paul visited our home, as he had done before, reviewed the areas of concern, provided several options we could choose and worked with us on our budget with patience, understanding and good humour. As with our kitchen renovation, we felt our needs and concerns were considered. Paul listens. It shouldn't be extraordinary, but it is rare to find someone, especially the person in charge of the company, who personally consults with the clients, responds to emails and texts, and is so attentive. Pluses all the way. Things we wanted addressed this time included a better fence across our driveway, for privacy and for keeping our two dogs from running into the street, heedless of traffic and unable to find their was back home. Claudio, who worked tirelessly on our project, built a taller and sturdier fence with a lovely gate before he took down the old fence, thus ensuring the dogs could still safely go into the back garden to do their business. Then he focused on our basement windows. When we purchased our home, we noticed the two windows that had been added at the side, just above driveway level, had some issues. They were older and narrow and obviously not part of the original specs. Some cement-saw-wielding DIY-er had created the holes and stuck the windows in without using proper exterior materials, like nails and trim (the nails were interior, inferior and rusty and the trim was suitable for framing a photo... maybe), and without installing lintels. The old windows didn't open well, one of the panes was badly cracked and they didn't allow much light to enter. We want to utilize this lowest level of our home and making it less like a dungeon seemed prudent. Claudio excavated the area beside the wall all the way to the front corner, not just under where the new windows would go, and properly water-proofed and so on. You know, the sort of thing you see on 'Holmes Makes It Right' when a basement has been flooded because the exterior wall hadn't been properly done with a protective layer and gravel and all that. We have this protection now. The windows are deeper and they crank open vertically and lock securely. There are window wells now, too. And the amount of light we have now... It doesn't feel like we're in a basement at all! The next item was the fence between our neighbours and ourselves. Our driveways run beside one another and the section of fence here was leaning. Our driveway was cracking and eventually there would be the remnants of a fence, dirt and our crumbling driveway on our neighbour's property. Not a joyous scenario. Our driveway was higher than our neighbour's and there was no retaining wall to prevent the inevitable. Claudio removed that section of fence, excavated to the correct depth, poured cement, installed thick posts and built a solid retaining wall before building a new section of fence of the same design as the one he constructed across our driveway: taller and much sturdier. That fence isn't going anywhere. Ev-er. Throughout, Claudio was professional, accommodating and understanding (especially of my slightly confused mother, the dogs and clearing the digging equipment so the trick-or-treaters could safely reach our front door) and tidied and hauled away the mess when he was done. We are very, very pleased. Thank you, Paul, and thank you, Claudio. When we're ready to tackle another project, we'll give you a call. Cheers! Amanda & Peter in Mississauga (who apologize for being so bloody late with this review. Mea culpa.)

From the very first email reply to my on-line inquiry, Sal La Verde at Groundscape Construction Inc. was honest and genuine regarding the scope of our projects, the range of possibilities, the best treatments for these areas and the pricing. He didn't sugar-coat anything or try to up-sell us. He was polite and respectful with a good sense of humour and very patient with our queries. Our front stairs had deteriorated into a small obstacle course of uneven, crumbling steps and slightly wonky railings. Our back garden didn't have anywhere to sit comfortably and had no definition -- and too many weeds -- and holes where one could twist their ankles. We needed help. Our projects were initially delayed due to bad weather in the summer and autumn of 2017, but my husband and I were reassured, via email and phone, that things would start in the spring of 2018. Right on time, the tulips started to emerge from the soil and Sal was sending me an email, saying he wanted to start work on the front steps the very next day! Sal and his crew worked very, very hard, sometimes in the least ideal weather conditions and with clients who periodically adjusted parameters of the projects to include other things. Sal took it all in stride and he and Mike, Jonathan and Jerome were diligent, detail- oriented and organized. I knew I could -- and did! -- text Sal when I had a question or needed to verify the timing of things. He would keep me posted via text, email and phone, and walked us through every stage of the improvements on our home. We now have a very professional set of steps to our front door, with proper height and spacing between them and a lovely porch area we didn't really have before. There is a set of railings, just installed this week, and we feel all posh when we leave the house! Our back garden has a beautiful patio, with, if you 'll pardon the expression, no stone unturned when it came to providing a finished project that even someone very particular about such things would have a very difficult time finding any fault. The addition of removing our grass, leveling the garden and adding soil and new sod was an extra aspect to the project and Sal and all rose to the occasion, fitting it all in despite having other projects on the go and we can't probably say enough how grateful we are for all their efforts. Everything looks absolutely splendid and they went above and beyond to ensure we have a home that is also a retreat, as cottage living isn't in the cards for us. Our home really is our castle! And I know this review is rather lengthy, but I'm a writer, so it can't be helped. We would heartily recommend Groundscape Construction Inc. to any and all who inquire, and given the quality of the work, I'm sure we will have many people interested in pursuing a project with Sal and his crew. Many thanks, once again! Amanda & Peter in Mississauga -- and the dogs! :)