HartmanBaldwin Design/Build - Claremont, California

thebenkill

Hartman Baldwin did a great job throughout the design and construction of our remodel. There are only a few things I can critique. I would advise future customers, who are building a pool, to have more discussions with HB about the details, such as the location and functionality of the pool equipment. We were not able to have these detailed discussions with the design team about the pool, and as a result we didn’t get the functions we desired and the pool equipment had to be moved. I also would advise future customers to seriously discuss drainage solutions before committing to materials used. We were recommended decomposed granite in our BBQ area for drainage purposes and we still needed to install self draining deep water barrels. If a solution was thought of sooner we could have avoided committing to the decomposed granite, which is horrible material to use along side a pool if you wish to BBQ barefoot and if you wish for tiny rocks to not be tracked into your home. We even tried to adjust the material before it was poured, but at that point it was too late. Our project manager said he would take care of us, and then we ended up with the decomposed granite anyway. That made us wish we had addressed this in design and that would have only been possible if we had discussed drainage solutions. The two things we overlooked in the design phase are the shortcomings we will have to live with. I recommend thorough discussions about the pool and its functions and thorough discussion on where the water will drain in a heavy storm and if there is a better solution than throwing the stone equivalent of tiny lego pieces across the backyard and beside the pool.

Kevin D

We’re almost done with our project, but I couldn’t wait and felt compelled to write this review now. We can barely contain the joy we feel when we go into our new music retreat and think about just how HartmanBaldwin made in all come together. This is our last house, and if I had tried to manage this myself the end result would have paled in comparison to what they helped us to create.

Everyone who goes through a remodel talks about how bad it is, how they wanted to cry, or even get a divorce. Hiring Bill Baldwin and his staff changes that dynamic completely to meetings where you talk about CREATION. A perfect example was a niche for an autographed guitar that I own. Imagine three designers talking about how to “honor” it and exploring lighting options for an hour. My wife and I could go on and on about the details I never would have thought of.

The workers are an extension of that. They spent days making sure the drywall finish was flawless, as was the paint. Derrick who was in charge the electrical gets it. He understands that lighting is everything. Everyone from Reg the Project Manager to Myranda the decorator and Sarah the architect went beyond to make this something that was fun instead of something to suffer through.

I’m a business owner and my time is precious. Letting go of it to turn it over to detailed professionals that CARE was a smart business decision for me. It gave us peace, but more important was the end product. In the town I live in many people know HartmanBaldwin is the best, and we can now attest to it too.

Americo Lopez

Good dosing i. Like it. Good work too

John McKinney