Everyone at Altera Design bends over backwards to make sure you are 100% satisfied. The quality if the products used and the workmanship is excellent. You might find a cheaper contractor but why have regrets when you then aren’t satisfied with the job. I have used Altera three times now and definitely recommend them.

"Summary of our experience with Altera:
* Altera left us with a bathroom that was about 50% done and completely unusable - see photographs below of how they left it.
* They said they would not do any more work until we paid them 96% of the contract value up front.
* Altera would not return our house key. We had no choice but to call the Police to report Altera and change all the locks at our home when they left.
* We had to get an attorney and are now incurring legal fees.

Here are just some details of the worst remodeling experience we have ever had:

* This was a very straightforward master bathroom remodel that was supposed to take no more than 2 1/2 months. However after 5 months, we still had no master bathroom, no master toilet and no use of our master bedroom because Altera were using it to store all their building supplies.

* Altera mismanaged the project from day one with what turned out to be a flawed design and incompetent planning and execution. This led Altera to renege on the contract by not completing work on the agreed date. We constantly had to review their design, which had numerous errors, and check the work of the project manager daily, which needed corrections on many occasions. During the design phase, we even had to source the majority of the items ourselves online because the so-called ""designer"" lacked knowledge of form, function and design - isn't this something any reputable designer would have learned in design school?
There is a lot more detail we could add about the ""designer"" and the ""project manager"" and their failures throughout the project, all of which are documented in emails to Altera. The owner did not adequately address any of these issues when we complained.

* Below is a photo of the cheap junk cabinets they provided for our bathroom remodel. The cabinets were rough to the touch in places because of the low quality of the finishing process. The photographs also show the awful uneven staining that was present throughout. The cabinets provided by Altera did not resemble the sample they gave us and we refused to accept them.

* The owner ignored our concerns about the cabinets and tried to make them permanent by installing the quartz countertop - without our approval! We managed to stop it just in time.

* The owner also did not reply to our emails on a timely basis - for more that 50 days in one case.

* Altera then demanded 96% of the contract value for a project that was barely 50% complete. They said they would not do any more work until we had paid them up front what amounted to 96%, which was outrageous. We understand that making such demands is not in accordance with the Contractors State License Board regulations.

* The photographs show how they left our master bathroom, completely non-functional and unusable after 5 months on the job.

* Altera did not return our house key and we had to call the Police who then contacted them. The Police advised us to change all our locks immediately for our personal safety. Altera said they would pay the cost of changing the locks but of course they did not.

* Altera was also negligent on the job and caused a water leak that damaged our family room ceiling below the bathroom - the whole thing needs to be redone and inspected for potential mold. They also caused damage to the exterior of our home that resulted in rainwater and moisture penetrating the interior of our home and causing additional water damage.

* After leaving us with a completely unusable master bathroom suite, Altera continued to demand 96% of the contract value that included work that had not been done and work that was done incorrectly. We now have to pay another contractor to correct their mistakes and complete the remodel.

* We had to get an attorney to represent us and deal with the harassment and demands for money from Altera - which was not warranted.

* Altera's tile installer played racist hate speech radio while working in our home even though most of their other employees are immigrants. We were disgusted and complained to the owner. In an email to us the owner described the tile installer as a, ""fine human being."" Shocking!

* The way Altera conducts business may also make it necessary for us to contact the Contractors State License Board, California Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

* We have kept full and detailed records in email with photographs to substantiate everything said about our experience with Altera in this review. What I have mentioned in this review is only the tip of the iceberg of all the problems we encountered from day one of contracting with Altera. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF OUR LIFE!!!"

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - This was such a positive experience for us. We remolded 2 bathrooms at the same time. Which could have been a nightmare. We did not have 1 thing go wrong. Every person who had anything to do with the remodel was a professional. We were sorry to see the crew leave. Wewould recommended Altera to anyone that wants to remodel.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - I was most satisfied with the professionalism and friendliness of Altera Design & Remodeling. I knew I could trust Altera to complete the job correctly and that it would be done well. We love Altera!

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - Other contractors can be such a headache, but working with Altera Design & Remodeling is fun!

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - I contracted with Altera Design and Remodeling Inc. to update every room of a single level, 2 bedroom-2 bath townhome. The update included new lighting and ceiling fans, new cabinetry and countertops, new carpeting and tile, and new paint throughout. As a result of Altera’s work, I now have a comfortable, inviting and harmonious living space. Altera addresses a client’s project with an experienced team working together in a well-organized process. First, the team defined with specificity the scope of the work to be done, making numerous adjustments to meet my budget. Then my team’s designer guided me through the multitude of products available, suggesting items that suited my personal style, met my budget and together coordinated well. The comfort and harmony in my home now is attributable to her guidance. Since I was going to be living in the house during their work, Altera scheduled it in three phases. They met their schedule for each phase and for the whole project. Once the work began on-site, my project manager told me on a daily basis what was to happen that day as well as the next. When a problem arose – they always do in remodeling – he let me know right away and got it sorted. Altogether, the ten weeks of on-site work went very smoothly. If you are looking for a design and build firm to handle a project in your home from start to finish, consider Altera. They are extremely reliable, bring experience and imagination to a client’s project, and work with quality products. Based on my experience, I strongly recommend the company’s services.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Altera Design was very helpful in understanding my personal style for remodeling and executed the plan flawlessly. Jim was very knowledgeable and easy to work with, as were all his employees. This project was done while I still occupied my home, and the Altera employees were careful to leave the work site every day in a state that was safe for my indoor cat.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - I was most satisfied that they kept us totally informed about what was going on. They also really listened to our needs and gave us some alternatives when they couldn't necessarily meet our exact needs but could provide for us in other ways that we hadn't thought of.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - I have great respect for Jim's attentiveness to our description of what we are looking for, and we appreciate the creative genius that Yuko has shown. When the project begins, we are confident that Steve April and the other on site workers will do everything possible to keep on schedule, maintain the integrity of the rest of our home, and leave our place as neat and clean as possible at the end of the day. Steve April becomes a member of our family whenever he works on a project. And he is patient with our nosy dogs, too.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - We were very satisfied with our project manager, his professionalism, his knowledge, and the fact that he told us step-by-step what he was doing and why he was doing it. The estimate we got was very close to what we were told to expect to spend. There weren't a lot of overages. This was a very good experience. They were on time and they everything very clean. Altera did a great job.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - I was most satisfied with the exceptional design and quality work and professionalism of everyone.

Improvement Suggestion

Improvement Suggestion - Truly they were perfect.

Product Selections Process

Product Selections Process - I felt that many times I just "trusted" and sure enough they made outstanding choices for us. There were a few products that I sought out for myself and the overall effect is excellent and we are so pleased!

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - We really trusted Eric, Yuko, and Jim. It was a very comfortable experience. It was a good feeling working with them.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - It was a very happy ending.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Professional from start to finish. Yuko is a very talented and personable woman who followed up on every issue that arose.Michael is a true craftsman and the most organized of any workman we have used in 47 years. His prep and cleanup after each days work was exceptional

PM Professionalism

PM Professionalism - Absolutly the finest professional with whom I have ever worked

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Quality of the work, professsionalism, knowledge, you know that they will do a quality job!

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - I would definitely choose them again. They were so knowledgeable on the product but more importantly, they were so professional and caring about my project.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - They really listened. They really sought to understand what its like to be disabled. They did a very good job. They bend over backwards to make sure my needs were met. They have followed up with me several times after the job was completed. They truly care about their customers.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - I have used them for three jobs. I hope they continue in business for a long time because they are very good people.