Symmetry Design & Build - Hollister, California

Sara

I have hesitated to post a public review about our experience with Symmetry, as I genuinely appreciate the value of supporting small businesses. However, I feel compelled to share my insights in hopes that it will assist others in their decision-making process, particularly regarding Jason, the general contractor.

We hired Symmetry to construct our home. They had pre-approved plans from the city, and we made several modifications before commencing the build.

First and foremost, I want to commend Lisa, who was a pleasure to work with throughout the design phase. Her attention to detail and ability to help us select finishes made the process enjoyable and seamless. Unfortunately, our experience with Jason, the general contractor, was far less favorable.

From the outset, Jason's communication was lacking. He often provided vague answers and seemed indecisive, which led to frustration. Moreover, he did not hold his subcontractors to a high standard, resulting in multiple issues that required our intervention to resolve. Here are some specific concerns we encountered during the build – just an example of multiple issues:

1. We found ourselves repeatedly having to point out issues to Jason rather than him being proactive in finding issues and handling them with his subcontractors. Examples included:
a) Jason was unaware that ceiling beams should be scribed to the ceiling, and it took considerable back-and-forth for him to agree to rectify this mistake as the beams had large gaps between the top of the wood and the ceiling itself.
b) Instead of properly integrating the living room beams with the fireplace, he suggested leaving a 1-inch gap between the beam and the fireplace stone with mortar between them. We had to force him to replace the beams.
c) We had to educate him that visible nails with filler on kitchen cabinetry were not standard practice, which was disappointing.

2. The paint job in our home was subpar, and Jason's response to our concerns was dismissive; he suggested we should look for issues ourselves, despite being aware of the problems.

3. The painter's technique left our doorframes with inconsistent textures, and Jason did not take responsibility for this oversight and refused to force the sub-contractor to fix anything. He came with no solutions and forced us to interact directly with the sub.

4. When the interior cabinetry paint chipped, the painter's attempt to fix it by rolling instead of spraying was unacceptable, and Jason's unfamiliarity with proper painting techniques was concerning. We will be hiring a different Company to re-paint our house, which is very frustrating considering we paid a considerable amount to have this done in the first place.

5. Jason refused to acknowledge that exterior drains were installed incorrectly, despite clear evidence of improper slope. He actually told us that his sub-contractor “had no interest in coming out to look at the problem.” That was literally his answer to the problem.

6. His lack of definitive answers and reliance on subcontractors without further investigation was troubling.

Overall, I cannot recommend Jason for future projects. Our home, which should be a sanctuary, has left us feeling frustrated due to the subpar workmanship and Jason's complete lack of accountability to his work product.

While Jason may be capable of handling mid-level builds, he should reconsider taking on custom projects where quality is paramount.

If you're seeking a high-priced, mid-quality build, Jason may fit the bill. However, if you desire a truly custom home built with care, expertise, and a commitment to quality, I encourage you to continue your search.

Bryan C.

Jason is one of the best designers I have ever worked with!
He helped us plan and draw a great custom home. Great attention to detail and follow through. I would definitely use him again!

Maria O.