Somerset Construction Ltd.

Builders
Toronto ON M3H 1Y5
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Somerset Construction Ltd.
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94%

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Reviews for Somerset Construction Ltd.

Average customer rating:
9.5 10 (41 reviews)

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Dion Widrich from Thornhill
Dion Widrich from Thornhill
1 review Thornhill, ON
10/10

Main floor renovation including new kitchen and structural column removal

Graeme and his team did an amazing job on our renovation. They were fast, professional and clean. They were sensitive to our needs and made the stressful situation of moving into the house part way through the construction as painless as possible.

I highly recommend Somerset Construction to anyone considering a major renovation as they helped make my vision a reality and treated me with honesty and reliable service.

Approximate cost of services:
$100,000.00
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Company Response

We at Somerset are thrilled with the way the project turned it. The construction really transformed your home.
Thank you for choosing Somerset, we really enjoyed working with you.
Enjoy your "new" home.
Regards Graeme and all at Somerset

Joanna S from York
Joanna S from York
3 reviews York, ON
10/10

Basement Build-back

We were very happy with Graeme and his team at Somerset Construction. Communication was excellent. Work was performed as and when expected. The quality of the workmanship was spot on. Overall, they were very professional and we wouldn't hesitate to use Somerset again.

Approximate cost of services:
$27,000.00
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Company Response

Many thanks Joanna.
You were such a help and we really enjoyed restoring your basement and enhancing it further for your family use.

Regards Graeme & all at Somerset.

Glenn, Yonge & Sheppard
Glenn, Yonge & Sheppard
1 review Toronto, ON
10/10

Luxury Home

Assisted Review

An assisted review is collected by a contractor on behalf of the homeowner after their work is completed. The homeowner must confirm the text of the review and may make any changes she or he deems appropriate. The homeowner then assigns the contractor a review score out of 10. Assisted reviews receive the same scrutiny as other reviews and must follow our review guidelines.

I contracted Somerset to build a home. I was very happy with the time Graeme took to explain the process.

His regular and frequent conversations with me were open and honest.

The final result was terrific.

Graeme, you and your team were fantastic and I will be pleased to recommend you.

Approximate cost of services:
$800,000.00
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Company Response

Thanks for allowing Somerset to create such a beautiful home for you. We really enjoyed the project and the interaction throughout the entire process.

Enjoy your new home.

Regards Graeme & the Somerset crew.

Johann from Toronto
Johann from Toronto
3 reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

Renovation

We bought a bungalow built in the 50s that had never been touched. We gutted the inside of the home from top to bottom including structural changes to open up the main floor, all the plumbing, upgrading the electrical, new HVAC, new floors, 3 washrooms and the entire basement. We were very nervous about the whole process as this was our first reno and had heard so many bad stories. However the experience was great and the result was even better. Somerset was super thorough while delivering great build quality and staying on budget and on time. One massive benefit was that we were able to work very fluidly and they demonstrated great flexibility and advice on build options as they came up. They used great trades people who spoke very highly of them which made us feel good the whole way through. They were tremendous when it came to communication and guidance and we are very happy and confident in our house now.

Approximate cost of services:
$150,000.00
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Company Response

Johann you really made this project fun, thanks.
I must congratulate you for the vision you had and for allowing Somerset to create/turn it into reality.
Enjoy your family home!

Regards Graeme & all at Somerset.

Elliotte Friedman from North York
Elliotte Friedman from North York
1 review North York, ON
0/10

Renovations

Somerset did my renovation and I wish I had never let them into my house.
Three days in, with the roof off and the tarps on, we were blasted by a microburst. My insurance company refused to cover (rainwater), but Graeme's did, after a fight. I always thanked Graeme for this and recommended him to others, saying he kept his word. I am now in the process of reaching out to those people to let them know what has happened.
We didn't realize the sump pump was damaged in the first flood, and there were a second smaller one about five weeks later. He installed a new sump pump, and we asked for a battery backup. (Graeme claims not to remember the battery backup part of the conversation. He wrote in an email he didn't know where to get one.)

Anyway, the sump pump was installed...with no backup. We had a couple of close calls, where the water got high and I was concerned. However, I had a real problem finding anyone to install the battery part. Anyway, you know the rest...the sump failed Monday and with no battery backup, we were clobbered.

After the flood, the neighbours made suggestions on where to get the backup done. Too late of course, but we hired a plumbing company to do it. They laughed at the sump that was installed by Somerset, saying it was "cheap" and not built to handle the job. I thought that was an upsell, but did some research and it appears that is accurate.

Because of the two floods on Graeme's watch, my insurance company demanded a massive deductible for sewage backup -- even though it did not have to pay a cent. As a result, I am on the hook for at least $10,000 of this mess. It is extremely likely I will be on the hook for all of it, as the insurance company may determine all of it is rainwater.

In addition to all of this, I did not want to make the final payment of $5,000 to Somerset because there were some issues. For example, the bathtub installed in our master bathroom upstairs is leaking into the living room. Graeme would not look at it until payment was received. I paid the $5,000 wanting to get it done -- last week -- not realizing it was actually a little less than $5300 with GST. Anyway, Graeme refused to look at anything until that extra amount was paid.

Just beware. I wish I'd never met him.

Elliotte Friedman

EDIT: Graeme's response is below. He and I could argue back and forth about this, and he deserves his say. But I cannot let one statement go unchallenged: "Your project is everything we promised you; it is fantastic."

That is simply not true.

For example, we spent $2,200 on a beautiful jacuzzi with air jet streams...and cannot use it. It leaks into our main floor. Graeme refused to repair it until he was fully paid. It remains unfixed (although, at this point, I will not allow him to touch our home). There are some other smaller issues, too.

Sadly, we are headed towards litigation. It is a hugely draining and frustrating process. To say the work is fantastic is just not correct.

If anyone wants more information, please contact Homestars, and I will be glad to speak to you.

Approximate cost of services:
$150,000.00
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Elliotte,
Half the city of Toronto flooded. Our mandate from Somerset's insurers was to replace the existing sump pump with an equivalent unit. That we did. (no records of battery back-up system).
The power failed in Toronto - speak to your City Council. It isn't Somerset's fault.
Previous claims through Somerset's insurance was paid 100%. How can you blame your insurance' non-payment to a roof/tarp failure at our initial construction start?
What does that have anything to do with your sump/power-outage failure and a claim to your insurance company.
If you need to be angry speak to your insurance company!
They abandoned you initially - thank goodness for Federated, our insurance company for protecting you through Somerset.
You don't return calls or emails - very difficult to assist you.

Your project is everything we promised you; it is fantastic.

We are sorry for your storm damage - it isn't our fault.

Graeme & Somerset staff.

Wynter Interiors
Wynter Interiors
1 review Toronto, ON
10/10

Rebuild

We selected Somerset for our custom build, and they did not disappoint. The work completed was to a good quality, the process as all builds, quite frustrating but they guided us through every step of the way. The secret to Somersets success is their staff - they are really brilliant, well mannered and clean. Every hitch that occurred was delt with. Having gone through this process once-I'd hesitate to do it again but should I, with Somerset I now know what to expect.

Review has 1 previous version
Approximate cost of services:
$400,000.00
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Company Response

Charmaine many thanks for the oppertunity of working with you. We know that your design talents will turn this house into a stunning home. Enjoy!

kind regards
Graeme

Susan & Bernd
Susan & Bernd
1 review NORTH YORK, ON
10/10

Quality New Home

Assisted Review

An assisted review is collected by a contractor on behalf of the homeowner after their work is completed. The homeowner must confirm the text of the review and may make any changes she or he deems appropriate. The homeowner then assigns the contractor a review score out of 10. Assisted reviews receive the same scrutiny as other reviews and must follow our review guidelines.

After carefully designing our new home with our architect, we researched
extensively into who would be our preferred builder. We followed the
recommendations and suggestions of colleagues , friends, and professionals
in the trades. We went so far as to sit down and interview four builders
with our blueprints, checking references, and personally viewing the
recently built homes of two of them. We were looking for quality
construction, a good rapport with the builder, and fair pricing. Our
conclusion was that Graeme Sperber and his crew from Somerset Construction
best addressed these goals.

Now, two months into living in our new home, we can reflect upon our
experience. Overall it was a very positive one, and it was largely so
because of the excellent trades people who worked on Graeme's team. They
were professional, and courteous, and demonstrated a high level of
perfectionism - and they did all this according to schedule, and on time! We
were downsizing from a larger home in Lawrence Park, and were impressed by
the quality of the workmanship that was frequently superior to that in our
old house. Did any problems develop? Of course they did - as to be
expected in any new custom home construction. However, when problems were
encountered, or mistakes were made, they were readily acknowledged and
corrected. We made select "changes" and "upgrades", and felt that the
additional costs involved were fair and appropriate. Our site supervisor was
a lovely gentleman who faithfully organized and supervised the workers
during the entire construction.

If you take personal pride in your home, building a new house is a tiring,
and sometimes stressful undertaking. Throughout our process, Graeme was
supportive, gave us frequent updates, and provided us with meaningful and
helpful advice.

Certainly from our overall perspective, we wholeheartedly recommend Graeme
Sperber and the crew from Somerset Construction to anyone considering a new
house construction, or renovation.

Approximate cost of services:
$0.00
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Company Response

S & B; thank you for trusting Somerset to build your new home. Everyone at Somerset is thrilled at the end result- what a beatiful home.
kind regards
Graeme

The reviews on this page are the subjective opinion of the Author and not of HomeStars Inc.

More about Somerset Construction Ltd.

Home Additions, Builders, General Contractors, Design Build, Project Management, Somerset has a long history in custom construction including new homes, additions and renovations. Our experience, professionalism and dedication to the Client and Project is unparalleled, enabling Somerset to deliver high quality projects on time and within budget.

Somerset’s goal is to exceed all our clients’ expectations. At Somerset we strive to be the construction solutions provider of choice in delivering full turnkey projects from conception to completion. Our commitment ensures success with even the most challenging and specialised projects.

CATEGORIES
Builders and General Contractors
SERVICES
Builders of Custom Homes, Home Additions and Renovations, Commercial & Industrial Construction, Construction Management, Design, Project Management, Design/Build
SPECIALITIES
Complicated and technical renovations are amongst our strengths
WEBSITE
http://www.somersetconstruction.ca
YEAR ESTABLISHED
1987
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
11
PAYMENT METHOD
Cash, Cheque & Financing available
MEMBERSHIPS
TARION
LIABILITY INSURANCE
Yes
WORKERS COMPENSATION
Yes
BONDED
Yes
WRITTEN CONTRACT
Yes
WARRANTY TERMS
2 years Somerset as well as manufacturers warranty direct. Up to 7 years on new Tarion registered h
Company profile information is not moderated by HomeStars. Ask the contractor to verify before hiring.