Koru Construction

We hired Koru to complete a significant renovation to our newly purchased, run-down rancher. The work included building an exterior wall to close in a covered deck, demolishing interior walls to create a great room integrated with the new kitchen with the space down to the bare studs, total rebuild of the main bathroom, new master walk-in closet, new windows, flooring, trim and doors, as well as new lighting and plumbing.

Any number of contractors can come into your home and complete a project whether it be large or small and do a decent to good job, leave and that's it. A good contractor will not only undertake the work but follow up with the clients to ensure they are satisfied, and address any outstanding issues that may have arisen, even when it is a result of a specified product and not a workmanship issue. This is what we have appreciated with Koru - going the extra mile.

All major renovations can be a challenge, trying to live around the disruptions and while there may be issues that arise, having a good relationship between the client and the contractor with open communication allows all parties to move through the issues to an equitable solution. And this is what we enjoyed with Chris and the team at Koru. We love our new space.

After reviewing a number of firms, Chris and his team impressed us with their can do attitude creatively navigating very complex technical design challenges.

The scope work involved deconstructing the exciting suite back to concrete, and implementing state of the art finishes, infrastructure including an integrated heat-pump for AC, and a state of the art audio and lighting control system.

Finishing included custom millwork cabinetry, stone, and moving wall panels. The guest and master bathrooms are outstanding features of the renovation, second only to the dramatic fireplace and kitchen.

We would not hesitate to recommend Koru and their exceptional sub trades.

One year ago, we hired Chris and his team for a major renovation of our 105-year old home. They gutted and rebuilt the entire top floor and 1/2 of the main floor, also adding a bathroom. They removed walls plus a chimney and added structural beams. We also got new insulation, electrical/lights, plumbing, windows and drywall. It was a major job! We've gotten so many complements on the new staircase that Mark and Jay built! All renovations are stressful so it was invaluable to have a contractor who could communicate well and provide helpful suggestions. We've been enjoying house for over a year now (sorry for the late review) and wouldn't hesitate to hire Koru again for phase 2 of our renos!

Chris and his crew at Koru Construction were great. They helped turn our unfinished basement into a great living space entertainment area with a bathroom. And gave us a main floor and kitchen that we've dreamed of

Happy with work they did, always on time. Would recommend them to friends and family. Will hire them again on the next project

Koru, led by Chris O’Leary, completely renovated my 1977 studio apartment in the summer and fall, 2017. My interior design firm, Good Space Design Group, led by Dwaina Sprague, highly recommended Koru, based on their previous experience on other projects with Koru. The renovated apartment is modern, calming, functional and very comfortable, exactly as I had hoped and Good Space had planned. I would recommend Koru to anyone seeking to renovate or to complete any construction project.

Koru respectfully followed the Good Space renovation drawings and specifications and followed up whenever there was any doubt about anything. Koru worked closely with Good Space throughout the renovation project, consulting with them on all design decisions and with me for any necessary changes in design. Koru were responsive to Good Space’s and my comments. They kept communications open and reported frequently on project progress. They were professional, courteous, sincere and friendly in our conversations and email correspondence. Their charges were reasonable, based on a cost plus arrangement, for which they provided detailed Koru and subcontractor work records.

Koru backed up their work and attended promptly to touch-ups recommended by Good Space following completion of their work. They kept a clean and orderly job site. Koru attended to all building permit applications. There were some delays beyond Koru’s control, for example, due to permit processes. There were also some additional costs due to unexpected discoveries, for example, the need to upgrade the electrical system to current Code standards. Koru immediately consulted with Good Space and me to explain the circumstances and to suggest a range of options to resolve these issues. I was most impressed that Chris, his Koru colleagues and Koru’s subcontractors paid careful, personal attention to all renovation details.

In the main room, Koru removed all existing flooring; levelled the concrete floor; installed drop ceiling, ceiling lights, engineered hardwood flooring, electrical receptacles and switches, window and door trim, baseboards, crown and transitions; and painted ceiling walls, doors and trim. In consultation with Good Space, they installed closet sliding doors and a custom-designed closet. In the kitchen, they removed and disposed of all cabinets, flooring and appliances; and installed new oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, cabinets, shelves, quartz counters, tile backsplash and sink and faucet.
In the bathroom, Koru demolished the entire room; installed tiled shower stall with shower head and diverter, bath tub, floor tile; vanity, quartz countertop and backsplash, basin, faucet, bathroom accessories and water-conserving toilet.

Thanks a million, Chris!

We are very happy with Chris' professional workmanship for our home renovation. We updated a tired 50-year old house so that we could feel very comfortable living in it. He and his team were knowledgeable and friendly. Chris has a great sense of humour and always gave us great suggestions for each part of the house. We had our basement renovated (new kitchen, new laundy area, new walls for bedrooms, sound proofing celings), removing/modifying some walls upstairs, skimming popcorn ceilings, and adding 2 brand new washrooms upstairs. There were a few hiccups here and there, but he always gave us solutions as options. Chris is very good at problem-solving and always listened to our concerns. He is also very responsive. We would recommend Chris to anyone and we will definitely use him again for our future projects. Thanks for taking care of our new home while taking care of your newborn, Chris!

Koru Construction completed a full renovation on our townhouse recently. Our designer Irene Fraser from Design Happens, recommended Koru Construction. We met with Chris and were pleased with his knowledge and quality customer service. He is quick to respond and easy going. He provided us with good advice and was easy to work with throughout the project. Although there were were hiccups along the way, they were dealt with professionally and we are very pleased with the results. His team and sub-trades transformed our tired, former rental townhouse into our dream home.

It is with pleasure that I submit this review for Koru Construction. This is the second time I have hired Koru for a major renovation in my 1970's condo. I first hired them a couple of years ago to renovate my kitchen, which involved completely gutting the space, taking out part of a wall, changing the location of all the appliances and installing custom cabinets. I was so pleased with their work, that I contracted them again for my latest project which was scraping all the texture off the ceiling in the entire condo, removing the built-in valances over the windows & patio door, replacing all the interior doors and moulding and renovating the closet in the master bedroom. Throughout both renovations Chris and his team were a pleasure to work with. Chris was very helpful in the planning process and came up with creative solutions. His timelines were good and when there were delays, the cause was outside of his control, but he kept the communication open so I was updated along the way. On this last project there was a big delay at the end with some custom closet doors which was entirely the fault of the supplier and Chris was diligent about following up with them until they were finally done correctly. I appreciate his attention to detail, he is skilled, talented, thorough and knowledgeable. He has a great crew and brings in good subs. He listened to what I was hoping to achieve and had great suggestions to either add on to my ideas or modify them (when my champagne tastes overtook my beer budget!!). I have no hesitation in recommending Chris and his team for any project you are considering.

With Chris's expert guidance we turned our new home from a house with potential into our dream beach house. It's not on the beach it's close, but everyone walks in and says wow it's a beach house!
I feel so fortunate to have found Chris and his team. With a great attitude, fun and outstandingly professional workmanship the project was a good experience. Chris offered great advice, suggested projects that would enhance the house and add value along with education on areas worth reconsidering.
Chris has a really good eye for design and appreciation for quality. When we needed to decide where we could save money, Chris was able to offer really good suggestion and vendors to work with. Chris and his team hand made many special features offering a unique touch overall.
I would highly recommend Chris and would only use him in my future projects.