NUSITE Contractors Ltd

Given the extreme climate of the real estate market in Toronto, my partner and I chose to create more liveable space in our home by underpinning and excavating our basement. Although our initial meeting with Gemil lasted over 2 hours, it took mere minutes for us to feel confident with Gemil’s extremely evident experience in underpinning and waterproofing. Gemil’s customer service is impeccable. He is an anomaly in the construction industry. Compared to other companies we interviewed, NuSite truly stood out. Gemil came prepared with information brochures on their methods of underpinning and waterproofing. He is genuinely passionate about his work, and it shows. He took the time to examine the space, and ask and answer questions. This assisted greatly in the preparation of an accurate estimate for us. NuSite does not try to engage customers by creating low-ball quotes that balloon during construction. Of course, one must expect their quote to change once construction progresses. Our home was built in 1927, so there were quite a bit of issues we ran into once the walls came down with respect to plumbing, structure, and electrical. These issues were all, indeed, hidden, and somewhat expected. Our estimate with respect to the underpinning itself remained the same.
Gemil really is your best advocate throughout the project, putting you first and ensuring that all of your questions are answered and all of your concerns are addressed. His rolodex of contacts were extremely helpful as well for related work we needed done such as architectural work, HVAC, masonry, and plumbing. We began the underpinning in April. Unfortunately for us, April was a particularly cold month in Toronto. As part of the demolition, our furnace was removed. Gemil brought us electric heaters (some from his own home!) to ensure that we were warm. He also put up a privacy tarp to cordon off the front door entrance and basement stairs from the rest of the house. This was amazing as it kept dirt and debris outside of our living space, as well as provided some privacy when we were getting ready for work in the morning as the workers arrived.
Martin was assigned to underpin the basement and excavate a new room. Hard-working does not come close to describing Martin and his team. These gentlemen worked tirelessly from early in the morning until late in the afternoon, 6 days a week, to underpin our basement 4 feet. They managed to create a 10ftx12ft room from our former crawl-space/cold room. This is no small feat as it was truly done by hand. No heavy machinery was involved. They were all very polite, clean, and respectful of our home. They finished the huge project ahead of time, which took roughly 7 weeks to complete. Aside from minor hiccups, natural to any project of this scope, the underpinning, waterproofing, and excavating went smoothly. We strongly believe that no large renovation exists without problems. But it is about how your contractor handles the problems that really matter. Do they go above and beyond to ensure that you are satisfied? This is where Gemil shines brightly. For example, when we discovered that NuSite’s copy of our house key was not safely stored, Gemil installed a lockbox very quickly. When there was a communication issue with a third-party structural engineer, Gemil assisted in having NuSite cover part of the invoice cost. When one of our new drains was mistakenly covered during the concrete slab pour, Gemil ensured that the plumber returned to re-locate and open up the drain in a timely manner.
We were prudent to stay involved in every step of the process, which helped keep surprises at bay. Although we typically initiated contact with NuSite, Gemil would always return our call within 24 hours. Communication is key, and Gemil was always transparent. Making the decision to underpin is a huge one. We are so happy that we chose to go through it with NuSite. We highly recommend Gemil and Martin at NuSite. For the amount of money involved in a project like this, it is so important to find the absolute best of the best: A company with a great warranty on their work, with experienced and respectful workers, and a personable foreman. NuSite encompasses all of this, truly making them the best of the best.