Better Built

We hired Better Built to do some remodel work on our rental house in DHS last year and they did a remarkable and cost effective job for us. Angel answered all our questions promptly and even ordered materials I found myself online. What contractor is happy to do that? Highly recommend them!

We used Better Built 4 years ago to remodel our place when we first moved in. We wanted a reputable, accountable contractor since we did not live locally and that is what we found with Mike and Angel. They did the majority of our work and we were thrilled with their quality and the outcome so when we decided to remodel our bathrooms a few months ago we naturally wanted to work with them again as we knew what results we would be get. We were looking forward to working with Angel again, so when she told us there would be a project manager assigned to us we were a little disappointed. Boy, were we wrong. All I can say is that if anyone decides to work with Better Built you MUST request project manager Susanne Reyes. She’s not only an absolute HOOT, but she knows her stuff! Her attention to detail is incredible, she anticipates every obstacle and already has a solution and her communication was stellar. Since we did not live locally we received photos every step of the way and if there was any issue at all she called to clarify immediately. When our project was complete we tried to find something else to do just to keep Susanne around as the thought of not hearing from her every day was just too sad.
Though they may not be the cheapest contractor you will find in the valley, just remember that you absolutely get what you pay for. If you want substandard work with someone you may not ever see again once your project is near completion, do not use Better Built as they are true pros. Do your research and get several quotes, you will find that their prices are more than fair for the quality and attention your job, no matter how big or small, receives.
Although we have nothing left to remodel at this point, we look forward to something breaking, being damaged or need replacing just to be able to work with this group again.
Bryan K. and Mike Z.

We recently used Better Built to remodel our Midcentury Meiselman home in Palm Springs after interviewing several contractors in the area. Like so many similar houses, while in sound condition, ours needed both significant updating and to completely replace the old galvanized plumbing. And as with any project, we had a limited budget. Mike Yakovich («Big Mike») and the team at BB really understood the all our needs and wants and how to help us bring our vision to life.
Something that Better Built brought to the table that few others did was the Design/​Built concept. They understood our desire to modernize without losing the original feel of the home we had. Then, since they were completely familiar with how the design had been generated, there were no surprises (added expenses for missed/​forgotten items) during the project. With all projects like this going through the closeout punch list is a long process of calling the various trades back to adjust or touch up things. Doug, our construction manager, has kept in good communication with us throughout the project and especially so at the end to make sure everything is right.
Needless to say we are delighted with the house the Better Built has helped us create through this remodel.

We had some issues but it was good work overall.

We recently used Better Built (BB) for a facelift on our master bathroom. (We also used Better Built for two patio projects, and for all the tile purchases for our full-​house remodel.) We met Rio Bininger in mid-​2012 when we were shopping for tile. I love working with Rio and it’s he who’s made BB my tile-​buying source. Rio has such a great design eye, always helping me choose the perfect thing. On this latest project with the master bath, we also had the opportunity to work with Charles Sanders, the project manager on the job. I simply can’t say enough complimentary things about Charles. Without him, I know positively that the job wouldn’t have been successful. He checked in a couple of times every day to make sure things were started off properly and ended the day that way. He also did many of the finishing touches himself, meticulously. He’s a stickler for details and perfection. I highly recommend BB to anyone who’s doing a small or large remodeling job.

We used Better Built for multi phase renovation work to our condo in Palm Springs 2010 – 2013.
While there were some glitches along the way, most problems were resolved to our satisfaction and the final results were great !
Bids, project management, work quality, timeliness and communication were all top notch.
I recently received a letter from Mike offering to «inspect past work». He stopped by and created a punch list of minor repairs for follow up — a great customer service bonus.
Better Built is a solid Palm Springs contractor !

Mike built my home in the Mesa eight years ago. He turned it from a dark mountain house to a modern wall of glass. Still holding up well! Mike’s energy, attitude and attention to detail earns him my five star rating. Great to work with and seamless with my architect.

I worked with Better Built on a major renovation and expansion of a mid-​century home in Palm Springs. It was a complex project that entailed both preservation of key architectural elements as well as creating a seamless connection between the existing home and a new casita. I chose Better Built because I knew the project would require both design and construction expertise and they delivered. Everyone who sees the house loves it and Better Built deserves substantial credit for the fabulous outcome.

I recently used Better Built to renovate the master bath suite of a dated contemporary home. The existing bath had odd angles, was poorly laid out and beyond dated. It had to be taken down to the studs and undergo a complete redesign. Their expertise proved invaluable in working through each design and implementation challenge. Being able to pick most of the materials right out of their showroom or through their suppliers was super convenient and helpful. The results are absolutely stunning! Thank you Rio and staff for all your help! I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out.

I agree with the advice of Ej. A below — «plan to be there babysitting everyday» if you hire these folks. «These are not bad guys just not top notch!». Actually far from top notch!
I also add by advising any potential customer to document, document, document! Verify everythin including validity of Contrators’ Licenses for its staff and its subcontrators. The real problem with this company is their inability to provide any project management layer that serves to communicate status, schedule and activities effectively. The owner maintains a preference for verbal, undocumented agreements. Take your time. While this is not an issue on a $ 2,000 job or repair, it is on remodels north of $ 50,000. We found ourselves involved in every aspect of project management to ensure that the project was finished relatively on budget (within 10%) and on time. Staff turnover on the project was high. Disorganization was inevitable. For example, City permits were only obtained after the City inspector sealed the site to prompt compliance. The required effort to help manage was a challenge and represents a big gap in expectations. There are other providers in the immediate area.
I would have given Better Built a 3-​star rating for simply completing the job, had it not been for the benefit of insight into post mortem quality and their inability to meet warranty commitments. The company draaaags its feet when acknowledging requests, engages in a lot of verbal fast talking; it provides no clear point of contact to help address concerns. We resorted to FedEx communications to ensure timely tracking of requests. We eventually opted to cut our losses and hire alternate contractors for the warranty repairs. The new experts were quick to point out poor quality in Better Built’s workmanship. We would not have known it ourselves. Their lack of performance was perhaps a blessing in disguise.
Staff turnover remains high. Anthony is no longer with the company and that is undoubtedly a huge loss for Better Built. The company used his Contractors License for its activities during our remodel. Management will serve itself well if it meets its customers commitments, operates with transparency and supports its staff in meeting commitments. Surely they know customer referrals are best.
The question to contemplate is whether you have the bandwidth and patience to babysit.

The job started out well– Mike the owner is a bit of a go get em’ guy and Anthoney his foreman is the one who actually does the work–
There were several thousands of dollars worth of wasted orders that could not be return or used because of their electrician= 100% his fault, they admitted that but would not reimburse me —
Plus the guys they had put in the sprinkler system did not cap off over a weekend and the courtyard flooded ruin (as in flooding away) several hundreds of dollars worth of plants–
Deadlines were missed because I left for work and they pulled the crew to another job– babysitting — you had to be there everyday or it would go sideways–
Unfortunately they did something that many small contractors do… screwed up the last 5% badly– dragging it out and out and then out some more– finally throwing their third string guys at it and that last bit I’ve had to have all re-​done by someone else who knew what he was doing– cost me but worth it.
My advice is to not pay in full at all until the job is over– like completely done.
And plan to be there babysitting everyday– lots of crap went on I found out from the neighbors later–
No bad guys just not top notch–