In the first 1-2 weeks, the contractors typically arrive between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM Monday – Friday. Please note that we typically will not begin work on a Statutory holiday. In the event the contractor requires additional time in order to meet our timelines, they may make arrangements with the homeowner directly to come on an evening or weekend.
We require the homeowners to leave a key in a lockbox provided by Harb’s so we have access to the home when needed. The homeowner, project coordinator and contractors will all have the code. Please drop the key off a minimum of 1 week prior to your renovation.
We pride ourselves in project management and with that, we take care of scheduling all the trades from the contractor to the electrician, plumbers and painters. Although we will do our best to provide you notice when someone is scheduled or cancels, it is not always possible as openings in schedules as well as unforeseen circumstances come up from time to time. We do our best to complete the project in our estimated timeline and so will take every opportunity to send someone there to complete tasks, even if it is last minute. Please refer to #2 above with respect to a lockbox/spare key.
We kindly ask that you remove your toiletries and personal items, including décor, from your bathroom. Dust often travels through vents and very easily when the door is opened and closed. If you have anything in the surrounding areas that you wish to protect, we ask that you remove it. On day one Harb’s will demolish, dispose and remove everything in the area, unless otherwise indicated by the contract or homeowner. In the event you would like to exclude anything from the demolition process, please let the Project Coordinator know in advance. Harb’s is not responsible for replacing items that have been removed and were not indicated to be kept by the homeowner.
No you do not need to worry about this. We typically have a waste bin delivered to the customers home on the morning of the renovation start date. Occasionally it is delivered the Friday before, but you will be notified by your project coordinator. If you live in a condo, please confirm with your building manager whether we can place a bin there, and if so, the location it is to be dropped, and the duration it can stay. Rules and regulations vary from building to building.
Depending on the scope of the work being done, a permit may be required. It is the homeowners responsibility to do their own research and/or inquire with the city whether it is necessary. In the event a permit is required, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to obtain and pay for the permit. A copy/confirmation must be provided to Harb’s prior to the commencement of the renovation. It is also recommended that you inquire with your building/property manager.
Tile, vanities/tops, faucets, shower & tub fixtures, toilets, lights, accessories and mirrors can be provided by the customer and your contract pricing will reflect this. We do require that you provide us with photos, website links and/or specs of anything you are providing so that we can be prepared in the event additional labour or materials will be needed and anticipate any issues that may arise at install.
As per the timeline you were provided with, you will be unable to use your shower until such time that the finishings are installed. For a custom shower, this is typically the end of the 2nd week. For a bathtub, the end of the first week. If you are receiving a custom glass enclosure, you may request a temporary curtain rod (if it works with your design) to use while you wait. Tubs will be filled with water following silicone and must be left for 24 hours to cure then can be drained.
Our crew will seal any and all crevices using high quality silicone. We offer white or clear options however, if you wish to colour match to the grout that was used, please let us know in advance and we will inform the crew. Additional fees will apply
Epoxy grout is an excellent choice for specific applications due to its durability, resistance to chemical cleaning products, and low maintenance requirements. However, it is important to note that it can be costly and may present challenges in certain situations. Our expert contractors advise against using epoxy grout on natural stone or matte finishes, as it can lead to discoloration on porous surfaces during installation, which applies to most tiles, and may be difficult to clean up. Nonetheless, if you prefer to use epoxy grout, we can, however, we cannot guarantee the results due to the above concerns and would need to price out the upgrade.
The bulk of the renovation is completed in 1-2 weeks. However, full bathroom renovations, with custom shower & glass, will take approximately 3-5 weeks. Full bathroom renovations with tub & glass will take 2-4 weeks. When there is no custom glass, you can remove 1-2 weeks from those timelines.
Although we schedule our renovations in advance and order all materials at that time, supply chain issues for our suppliers and fabricators are out of our control. In the event this causes a major delay in the completion and usability of your bathroom, we will do our best to supply you with temporary solutions until such time that your items arrive.
Upon completion of the tile work, the contractor will notify the glass guy. They will contact you to arrange an opportunity to come out and measure. Once the glass is ready (3-4 weeks after the date of template), they will schedule an install date.
We do not provide designs for bathroom renovations. However, we have a designer who can work with you to produce one; all arrangements including costs associated are to be handled with her directly. Whether the customer or our designer provides any sort of design or sketch, please keep in mind that this is only considered to be an artistic interpretation of the general appearance of the overall design. It is not meant to be an exact rendition. In the event you wish to have our contractors follow the design exactly, including but not limited to details around tile work, niche location, vanity configuration, accessories, additional cabinetry, etc, it is imperative that your contract reflects every detail of the design. It must also stipulate in the contract “as per the design attached” and be included as an appendix.
Each vanity is custom made to order so we can provide you with a sketch of different configuration options however, we are unable to provide you with the picture of what your final product will look like.
If your vanity is between 2 walls or you have an intricate cut, your countertop will not be ready for installation until 7-10 days after your vanity is installed. The reason for this is we must template the top with the vanity installed so we can get a precise measurement. We only require re-measures and templating when vanities and tops are being fit between 2 walls or if there are drastic changes to the design after the contract has been signed. If you have a vanity that is freestanding or only against one wall, we have more wiggle room if we had to adjust the size slightly.
While we do supply custom made vanities, there is a limit to how far you can customize it. You can design the look of your vanity which includes the paint colour, door style, hardware, sink shape, faucet drillings, quartz colour and overall size of your vanity. However, when it comes to configuration, we are limited to what our manufacturer suggests based on the plumbing and overall size of the vanity.
The door and drawer fronts of your vanity are made out of MDF and have a white melamine material on the inside. If you wish to upgrade to a solid wood vanity, we can show your different samples of species and stains. It is to be noted however that even with the same species, no two pieces of wood are identical just as no trees are alike. Samples must be used on an indicative basis.
Shower, tub and sink drains typically utilize 1″-2″ pipes, which, in accordance with building codes, are permitted to be routed through joists. However, the installation of toilets introduces complexity, as they require 3″ pipes that cannot be run through joists. Consequently, this often necessitates the installation of a bulkhead in the ceiling below. Toilets can be positioned along a joist with minimal concern.
We use “approximately” in the event that our initial measurements are slightly off and sometimes the desired drawer and door configuration the customer requests determines the final dimensions for us, and then we order the top to fit. If the size of the vanity or top exceeds a 2” range it would need to be repriced and signed off on as a change.
When a vanity is between 2 walls, the size of the cabinet and the top are the same. It does not require a finished end but it does need 2 spacers or “fillers” and 2 side splashes.
When a vanity is freestanding (not touching side walls) the top is approximately 2” larger than the cabinet. It requires 2 finished ends, no spacers/fillers and no side splashes.
When a vanity is touching one wall, the top is approximately 1.5-2” larger than the cabinet. It requires 1 finished end, 1 spacer/filler and 1 side splash.
COMPONENTS COVERED UNDER 1 YEAR WARRANTY
Unique Cabinet Concepts warrants that the following components will be free from defects for 1 year;
COMPONENTS COVERED UNDER 5 YEAR WARRANTY:
Unique Cabinet Concepts warrants that the following components will be free from defects for 5 years;
Royal Stone Gallery Inc. has a 10 year limited warranty to the owner of the original installation of the Natural Stone or Engineered countertop. Please refer to the full warranty details provided in this folder.
Our warranty covers all custom glass shower doors and enclosures installed by us. It covers defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three years from the date of installation. This warranty does not cover damage resulting from improper maintenance, misuse, or abuse of the product, or any damage caused by the use of cleaners or abrasives that are not recommended for use on glass
Unfortunately, this can happen. Over time your house settles and walls are never perfectly square however, the countertops are. If this occurs, we will do our best to camouflage the gap with a silicone/caulking.
The plate and handle has 2 dials. The larger of the two is for turning on your shower; one direction will trigger both the rain head and the handheld shower head, the other direction just the handheld. The smaller dial is to control your temperature (left is hotter and right is colder). YouTube has very informative videos too!
Some of our crews are unable to remove their safety boots as per their own health and safety guidelines and unfortunately shoe coverings are a slipping hazard, as are stair covers of any sort due to the risk of tripping while carrying a heavy item.
Your quote pricing includes a 12” x 24” vertical niche but you can opt for a 12” x 12” instead. The exact placement of it will be determined between the contractor and the homeowner at the time of the renovation when the walls are opened up as sometimes there are limitations. In the event you wish to have a horizontal niche (with no shelf), it is necessary to cut studs, frame the niche and then add additional support to ensure the wall remains structurally sound. This is why there is an upgrade cost. Please also be aware that by doing this, you are increasing the risk of damage to the wall on the other side which may result in drywall and/or paint repairs at an additional cost.
Given the layout of some bathrooms, it is not uncommon for the ‘long wall’ in a shower or tub enclosure to be the most aesthetically pleasing place to put a niche. Unfortunately, exterior walls are your home’s protection to keep the exterior elements out and your heat loss from inside minimal. In order to install a niche, the insulation and vapour barrier must be cut out to give the proper depth to accommodate the niche cavity. Doing this on an exterior wall not only goes against Ontario Building Code (OBC) but can also lead to freezing. When water freezes, it expands and this can impact waterproofing measures and void any warranties. If you truly want a niche and the only option is an exterior wall, we can build a false wall (approx. 4-6” wide) to accommodate the niche without jeopardizing heat loss. This comes at an additional cost.
Our painter uses Dulux products that are mold and mildew resistant and stands behind their superior quality. At no cost to you, we can match any Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams colour of your choice. In the event you prefer we use a different product, there is a $125 upgrade fee. Your contract pricing includes painting the walls, ceiling and trim. Other services such as painting the interior of a closet, a feature wall or touch ups outside of the bathroom can be added on to your quote/contract. In the event there is a need for a special primer to go over an existing oil based paint, or the need for more than your standard 2 coats, there will be additional fees added to your final bill. Please note that we schedule our painter to come in following the install of all cabinetry, finishings and accessories and paint around them. You may request the painter come beforehand, however any damage to the walls that require repairs or touch ups, will come at an additional cost, starting at $150 for a service call.
You are more than welcome to make changes to your renovation however, you cannot make any major changes (ie: countertop, vanity, tile) less than 8-10 weeks out and minor changes (finishings) less than 6 weeks out. If changes are made after the timeline provided you and are possible, you will be subject to a $150 admin fee and a 25% restocking fee, and where applicable additional install costs, as per your contract.
Any upgrades made at the selection’s meeting and any additional work added or changes made during the project will be reflected on your final bill. On occasion if the amount surpasses $2,500 we may request an interim payment.
We specialize in renovation services but are not window experts. If a customer opts to build a custom shower/tub around an existing window, we cannot provide a definitive assurance against potential water damage or leaks. However, it is recommended to utilize vinyl or fiberglass windows in such spaces. Our plumbers and contractors will silicone around the window, but you can also enhance the waterproofing by incorporating marble casing but this option does come at an additional cost.
Even if you have an existing fan in your bathroom, 90% of people do not have proper ducting from their fan to its own, properly sealed, roof vent. During the winter months, this causes an incredible amount of condensation build up in your attic and walls and essentially reverses the effects of your fan, and results in water/moisture issues. As of September 2022, all quotes include a fan, insulated duct and roof vent. Within the first week, our electrician will do an inspection and advise us what is required and whatever you do not need, we will remove that cost from your final bill. As per your contract, we are not responsible for potential damage to drywall or paint unless you have a fully functioning venting system, which includes all three components. Roof vents are not applicable to apartment buildings, but ducts are and basements can still vent outside.
Adam’s Electric Inc. covers labour for repairs within the first 12 month period. Replacement parts are covered within the first 24 month period. This warranty excludes normal wear and tear as well as damage from misuse or neglect. Any modifications by unauthorized personnel are also not covered.
If there are any issues that are noticed prior to your renovation with your ceiling bubbling due to water damage or oil based paint we recommend removing and replacing the whole area to prevent the issue from spreading in the future. We also recommend a proper ventilation system in your washroom to assist with ensuring all moisture and dampness is removed while utilizing your space. In the event you choose to not to replace the entire ceiling, Harbs will not be financially responsible for the repair/replacement in the future.
Harb’s provides a 5-year workmanship warranty as well as 5 years on any materials supplied and installed by our team. Note: if a customer does not opt for the supply and install of a new fan, duct and roof vent, we do not provide a guarantee on drywall or paint as this typically indicates moisture issues due to poor bathroom venting. Any misuse of finished product and general wear and tear are not covered under this warranty.
Moisture issues are already common in bathrooms and without proper ventilation, even with the best paint and drywall products, or a window open, overtime there will be a build up of moisture damage between the paint and drywall layers. If you have one, we cannot guarantee your existing fan is in excellent working condition, nor can we guarantee the venting/ducting above is proper, therefore our warranty will not cover future drywall repairs or repainting unless a customer purchases a new fan, duct and roof vent (if applicable) at the time of the renovation.
At the time of installing your fan, the electrician will assess whether you have an existing duct and/or roof vent. If you have a roof vent but you require a new or replacement duct, he will install a 4” insulated duct that connects one end to the fan. If you do not have a roof vent, he will spike the location for it, and the roofer will come another day to supply and install a roof vent and connect it to the duct.
Our employees are required to do a daily self-assessment to ensure they are healthy. We do not mandate vaccinations, nor do we request personal medical information from any of our employees or subcontractors. However, upon request our crews will wear a mask from the front door to the bathroom in which they are working. We ask that homeowners allow them space to do their work safely.
Your project manager will reach out to you 2 weeks prior to your renovation and again on your commencement date. Following this, unless any unforeseen circumstances arise or we have time sensitive information to share, we will provide you with your next update following the completion of the tile. This update will include upcoming scheduling for paint, electrical, vanity and countertop installation, finishings, etc. We ask that you are patient as you wait for this update as there is a checklist of items that must occur before this update can be sent out. *Please note that often your project coordinator does not receive updates from contractors on site until the next business day. Please allow us time to familiarize ourselves with the progress so we can update you accordingly.
Please direct all inquiries to your Project Coordinator. Invoices or payments can be directed to accounts@harbdesigngallery.com. Operations Manager of the Design Gallery at jamie@harbs.ca. Our business hours are Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and our showroom is open by appointment only. Be advised that the majority of our communication will be by email, however we love to hear your voice so we highly encourage follow up phone calls. Please note that any emails or voicemails sent after hours will be returned the following business day.
