Diamond Certified Company Report

Robertson Renovations

Diamond Certified Company Report

Robertson Renovations

Diamond certified ratings dashboard
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION i
Customer LOYALTY i
Helpful Expertise i
Company Credentials i
  • Workers Compensation
  • Liability Insurance
  • License Verification
  • Business Practices
  • Current Complaint File
  • Legal & Finance
Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 26 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS i

Robert K.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

1 of 26

Quality 10
10 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They were fine and did a good job, no problems.

They did what they said they would do. They were courteous and we had no problems.

Patricia G.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

2 of 26

Quality 9
9 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They were very helpful with decision making and made sure that I picked something that I wouldn't regret in the long run. They also kept me updated and were very communicative. They worked around my schedule and had a very warm and friendly presence.

Their communication

Monica L.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

3 of 26

Quality 8
8 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I really like them.

Gary, himself, he's got a good eye.

Read All 26 Survey Responses at Ratings View
Diamond certified company
Diamond certified company PROFILE

Robertson Renovations remodels kitchens and bathrooms, builds room additions and outdoor structures, and provides general construction services for residential clients in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. As a design/build contractor, the company has the in-house capabilities to handle every phase of its clients’ projects, from the initial planning to details like color and material selection.

Owner Gary Robertston says Robertson Renovations’ customer-oriented approach to the remodeling process has been a key factor in its success. “We take the time to get to know our clients and understand exactly what they want so we can create products that fulfill their needs. We don’t try to drive them in a certain direction—we let them make their own decisions and utilize our expertise to help them achieve their goals.”

Robertson Renovations prioritizes communication throughout each step of its work, which Mr. Robertson says is important for establishing trust with clients. “If someone has an issue or a question, they can text, email or call us and we’ll be there to take care of it, even if it’s on a weekend. We’re very personable and we keep our clients up-to-date on the progress of their projects.”

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COMPANY REPORT NAVIGATION

Diamond Certified Companies are Rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise.

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DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED CAPABILITIES ON Robertson Renovations

COMPANY CONTACT
Service AREA

Contra Costa County
Alameda County

SERVICES PERFORMED

Kitchen & Bathroom Design & Remodeling
Color Consultation
Room Additions
Garage Remodels
Decks & Outdoor Structures

BRANDS Supported
  • Moen

  • Grohe

  • KWC

  • TOTO

  • Kohler

  • American Standard

DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED ARTICLES ON Robertson Renovations

A recent residential remodeling project by Robertson Renovations

Company Profile

Robertson Renovations remodels kitchens and bathrooms, builds room additions and outdoor structures, and provides general construction services for residential clients in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. As a design/build contractor, the company has the in-house capabilities to handle every phase of its clients’ projects, from the initial planning to details like color and material selection.

Owner Gary Robertston says Robertson Renovations’ customer-oriented approach to the remodeling process has been a key factor in its success. “We take the time to get to know our clients and understand exactly what they want so we can create products that fulfill their needs. We don’t try to drive them in a certain direction—we let them make their own decisions and utilize our expertise to help them achieve their goals.”

Robertson Renovations prioritizes communication throughout each step of its work, which Mr. Robertson says is important for establishing trust with clients. “If someone has an issue or a question, they can text, email or call us and we’ll be there to take care of it, even if it’s on a weekend. We’re very personable and we keep our clients up-to-date on the progress of their projects.”

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Company Philosophy

“We always put our clients first—we understand that we’re working on their homes and bringing their ideas to life, so we do our best to deliver results that meet or exceed their expectations. Regardless of their unique needs or desires, we work hard to make their dreams come true.”

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Comparative Summary

Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for remodeling contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Robertson Renovations, the keys to keeping customers happy are simple: listen closely to their expectations and provide them with exactly what they’re looking for. “We always do our best to ensure our clients get what they want,” affirms owner Gary Robertston. “We never try to drive them in a certain direction—we let them make their own decisions and only give our opinion when asked, which they really appreciate.”

Robertson Renovations has been remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, building room additions and outdoor structures, and providing general construction services for residential clients in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties since 1976. The company utilizes its design/build capabilities to handle every phase of its customers’ projects, from the initial planning to details like color and material selection.

Unlike contracting firms whose owners delegate project management responsibilities to less experienced employees, Robertson Renovations provides every job with the hands-on expertise of Mr. Robertson himself. “Construction is in my blood, so I really enjoy working on jobsites and getting to know my clients,” he says. “My ultimate goal is to create long-lasting products that fulfill their needs.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Robertson Renovations is its dedication to quality control in every aspect of its operations. “My foremen and I look at each job on an ongoing basis to make sure everything is going smoothly, and we also get the client involved so they understand what’s going on,” explains Mr. Robertston. “By getting their approval as we move through the project, we can guarantee they’ll get what they’ve requested.”

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Industry Info

When it comes to remodeling your home, don’t expect it to play out like reality TV.

You’ve probably watched enough home renovation TV shows to know the basic premise: you call a professional who creates a design, hires a team and churns out a beautiful showpiece in under an hour. However, as with most things, real-life remodeling projects are much more intricate.

“The primary thing people have to understand is that this industry isn’t like what they see on TV,” confirms Gary Robertson, owner of Roberson Renovations in Walnut Creek. “It doesn’t happen in 10 weeks, and it certainly doesn’t happen for $10,000.”

Planning
On TV remodeling shows, planning and designing is a cinch. After a short meeting with the clients, the professionals find the perfect materials and accessories, create a gorgeous 3D model, and that’s that. But reality can be much more complicated. Most homeowners end up weighing options, struggling with choices, visiting showrooms, changing their minds and finding out products they want are unavailable. “It takes time to develop and complete a project,” affirms Mr. Robertson. “You always need to allow a contingency of time in case a material doesn’t arrive on schedule or an unforeseen problem arises.”

Budget
If you’ve ever wondered how some TV remodelers get so much bang for their buck, you’re not alone. In fact, many shows don’t account for the true cost of labor, and some make deals that treat manufacturers or companies like sponsors, which lowers the stated cost of the job. In other cases, major hiccups like removing load-bearing walls or replacing weak subflooring aren’t addressed and the true costs are never revealed.

Timeline
Obviously, home remodels take more time than the time needed to watch a remodeling show. But many shows include unrealistic timelines, such as entire remodels being finished in a week or two. In reality, most remodels take several months from start to finish. Often, cabinets and other materials (particularly custom items) take weeks or months to arrive, and backorders can stretch out delivery times even further.

“Good work takes time,” says Mr. Robertston. “Rushing a job or hiring contractors who work quickly at the expense of quality can make the process challenging and prevent the final outcome from matching your dreams.” So, enjoy watching magical transformations on television, but keep your own remodeling goals firmly rooted in reality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much will it cost to remodel my home?
A: It depends on the size and scope of the job, including the quality of the materials, whether there’s an excessive amount of electrical and plumbing work, and other aspects. We’ll try to give you an idea of the total cost, but we won’t know the actual number until we know exactly what you want.

Q: How long will it take to complete my project?
A: Again, it depends on the scope of the job and the materials you select. The more extensive the work, the longer the job will take to complete. We can give you a realistic timeline once we evaluate your project.

Q: Will my project require a permit?
A: It depends on your location and what type of work is being done. If a permit is required, we’ll handle that process and make sure everything is built to code.

Q: Will I be able to stay in my home during the remodel?
A: In most cases, yes. We strive to be as discreet and unobtrusive as possible, and we’ll try to schedule remodeling work in one area at a time so the rest of the home remains safe to live in. If it’s a particularly extensive remodel on a tight schedule, we may recommend vacating your home for some or all of the project.

Q: When is the best time to plan a home remodeling project?
A: Typically, the best time to remodel a home is when home values are down because the cost of materials and labor will be more affordable than when the industry is booming.

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SELECTED PHOTOS FROM Robertson Renovations

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DIAMOND CERTIFIED EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR ADVICE & TIPS FROM Gary Robertson

Expert CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE
  • Gary Robertson is president of Robertson Renovations, a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (925) 276-5605 or by email.

Gary Robertson: A Lifelong Builder

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

WALNUT CREEK — Reflecting on a career that spans more than four decades, Gary Robertson says his beginnings as a builder go all the way back to childhood. “My grandfather was a builder in Canada, and when we visited, he would have me work with him on different projects,” he remembers. “During my teen years, I would work during the summer for various contractors doing things like painting and repairs. In 1976, I moved from my home state of Massachusetts to Northern California, where I started a small handyman business. Over the next few years, I got my painting and general contractor licenses and continued to grow my business into a full-scale remodeling firm.”

Today, as owner of Robertson Renovations, Gary says his favorite part of his job is turning each client’s vision into reality. “I enjoy interacting with customers, finding out their desires for their projects and seeing their reactions when we deliver the results.”

A resident of Santa Cruz (where he lives with his partner, Heidi), Gary spends his time outside of work on a variety of active pastimes. “I’m an avid surfer, though I haven’t been doing much of that lately due to an ACL injury,” he details. “I also enjoy mountain biking and woodworking. Heidi’s and my biggest hobby is gardening—we grow all types of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Heidi is a retired teacher, and each year she donates several plants to local schools for their fundraiser auctions.”

In regard to his life and career, Gary espouses the importance of being fully invested. “I live life to the fullest, and that’s also how I approach my business,” he explains. “My crew and I always give 100 percent to whatever we’re doing. As far as the day to day, I try to be appreciative of what I have, give whenever I can and be present in whatever I’m doing.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Gary says he’d relocate to a tropical locale. “I’d move to the big island in Hawaii and continue to garden, but with more tropical plants. We actually had a property in Hawaii we were going to build on, but we lost it to a volcano. It’s now under 90 feet of lava, so we’re currently looking at other possible locations. Worst-case scenario, I may just stay here in Santa Cruz. Our current home is only six blocks from the beach, so that’s not bad.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite Bay Area restaurant?

A: The French Laundry in Yountville.

Q: If you could go surfing anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: New Zealand. There’s a coastal town called Raglan that has really nice waves.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?

A: An early bird.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

A: Sometimes, Heidi and I will go for a walk in the rain. Other times, we’ll stay inside, relax and do a puzzle.

Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?

A: Neither—I’m happy right here in the present.

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Expert articles
  • Taking a “Hands-On” Approach to Home Remodeling

    WALNUT CREEK — When it comes to remodeling, a lot of homeowners just point to a picture in a magazine and say, “I want that.” The problem with this approach is that the homeowner has no tangible experience of what it’s like to live in such a space. If your entire remodeling project is based on pictures, when it’s finished, you might come across issues you hadn’t considered before. Worse still, you may not like the end result as much in reality as you did on paper.

    To avoid buyer’s remorse, it’s best to take a “hands-on” approach by immersing yourself in the colors, textures and design of the space you’re planning. Here are a few examples of how to do this:

    •  If you have plans to alter your home’s layout, put some masking tape on the floor that demarcates the location of the new wall/counter space/etc. Live with that for a few days and see whether the changed layout fits within or disrupts your daily flow.

    •  When choosing new paint colors, apply samples to pieces of cardboard and tape them on your walls. This will give you an impression of how it feels to live with these colors on a daily basis.

    •  Get a firsthand look and feel of any remodeling components you’ll be handling on a regular basis, such as door knobs and cabinet hardware. You may be surprised by the differences between seeing them in a magazine and handling them in person.

    Utilizing these and similar techniques, you’ll be able to make more informed choices regarding your remodeling project and ensure satisfaction with the end result.

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Expert video tip
  • Video: Getting a Feel for Your Remodeled Space

    Complete Video Transcription

    WALNUT CREEK — Host, Sarah Rutan: When planning for a remodeling project, there are a couple of things you can do to get a feel for your remodeled space. Today we’re in Walnut Creek with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Gary Robertson of Robertson Renovations to learn more.

    Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Gary Robertson: If you’re looking at doing a kitchen or bath remodel, there are a few things that you want to look at. Number one, when you’re starting to look at the space that you’re going to use or utilize, and if you’re going to move walls, or you’re going to change where some cabinetry is, a good idea is to take some blue tape and put that on the floor in the areas where you’re thinking you want to put the new walls. Live with that for a few days and see how it works for the flow that you would normally have during a day to see if that works for you.

    The other thing you can do is if you’re looking at for a variety of colors for some walls, you can pick up small samples of paints and put them on cardboard and then tape those on the walls to get an idea of colors.

    Host, Sarah Rutan: To learn more from local, top rated companies, visit our Diamond Certified Expert Reports at experts.diamondcertified.info.

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Robertson Renovations WEBSITE AND EXTERNAL FEED
Diamond Certified RATINGS ON Robertson Renovations
Diamond certified ratings dashboard
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION i
Customer LOYALTY i
Helpful Expertise i

Each surveyed customer was asked, “If you needed any helpful expertise, did this company provide that expertise?” To calculate this score, total “Yes” responses were divided by total responses (excluding those that stated they hadn’t needed any expertise).

Company Credentials i
  • Workers Compensation
  • Liability Insurance
  • License Verification
  • Business Practices
  • Current Complaint File
  • Legal & Finance
Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 26 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS i

Robert K.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

1 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They were fine and did a good job, no problems.

They did what they said they would do. They were courteous and we had no problems.

Eva B.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

2 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They're reliable.

I like how they actually followed exactly what I wanted and they were able to help me finish my renovation.

Steve L.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

3 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

He's reliable, honest, delivers on his promises, and he does good work.

He's easy to work with.

Jim M.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

4 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Gary is very hands on and knows what he is doing. He has great people working with him.

The trust, I have trust in them.

Karla K.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

5 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Their work is top quality and they came in at or under budget. They are on time and a pleasure to work with.

Some of their design ideas

Tony T.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

6 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

He does quality work.

He always pays.

Kim K.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

7 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Very knowledgeable, he is very straightforward and clear about what is necessary to get the job done.

He allowed us to take on some of the work, like permitting, so that we could save some money.

Patty P.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

8 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Gary was great, honest, on time, and always showed up when he said he would. He's easygoing and does good work. He's great. I have recommended him.

Everything was good about them.

Carla C.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

9 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Excellent work, and they came up with great ideas to guide us with our project. They are reliable.

We've had him do a couple of major projects and they both came out great. We always get a lot of compliments on them. Great ideas and great work, I also like that he has a lot of connections with vendors and people who are doing certain parts of the work. Overall, I am really, really, happy with them.

Michele L.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

10 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I would highly recommend them.

They do excellent work.

Laurie R.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

11 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are really professional and do great work.

The quality of their craftsmanship

Kim M.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

12 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are professional, knowledgeable, and they care about the satisfaction of their customers.

They really consulted with us and made sure everything was just the way we wanted it.

Dave F.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

13 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are really good.

The quality of their work

Joe P.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

14 of 26

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They're honest workers, come out on time, and their work is outstanding.

They come out on time. They've done two jobs, and for both, they were on time except for some little pick up stuff.

Patricia G.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

15 of 26

Quality 9
9
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They were very helpful with decision making and made sure that I picked something that I wouldn't regret in the long run. They also kept me updated and were very communicative. They worked around my schedule and had a very warm and friendly presence.

Their communication

Patty P.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

16 of 26

Quality 9
9
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

He, unlike many other contractors, showed up when he said he would and his bids are really accurate.

I trusted his judgement and he communicated.

Jim C.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

17 of 26

Quality 9
9
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I'm an interior designer and I refer him to clients. I like the fact that he was amenable to working with my client in the Oakland Hills. I appreciated his flexibility and the quality of the finished product.

I'm an interior designer and I refer him to clients. I like the fact that he was amenable to working with my client in the Oakland Hills. I appreciated his flexibility and the quality of the finished product.

Kerry H.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

18 of 26

Quality 9
9
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They worked real well with the issue that we had as far as the schedule of people moving in and out. They were flexible.

They worked with us really well and were always available to answer questions and react to situations.

Stephanie R.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

19 of 26

Quality 9
9
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Gary is very deliberate, organized, knowledgeable, and his prices are reasonable.

He communicates well.

Lynn K.

VERIFIED Robertson Renovations CUSTOMER

20 of 26

Quality 9
9
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Gary's a great resource and did a great job for us. We were very pleased with him over the years.

Gary

Read All 26 Survey Responses at Ratings View
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