Legal Eagle Contractors, Co.

Ed Fastow

3 years ago

The work was done on time and on budget. Excellent quality, great value and very responsive. Dan was always readily available. I would highly recommend Legal Eagle for home repairs and remodeling.

Linda Lourim

3 years ago

Other than DIY projects, this is the first time I have remodeled any of my three homes. For the projects I planned, Legal Eagle Contractors was recommended by a trade organization. Dan Bawden came to the initial walkthrough well prepared, bringing lists of prior customer references, suppliers he recommended, issues I may encounter and how they’d be addressed, and warranties. During the walkthrough, he asked questions, listened to me, made suggestions about new products and ADA retrofit for aging-in-place possibilities. The final projects included major remodeling of the kitchen, master bath, and office, and all house flooring being replaced. The Project Manager Jordan kept me abreast of the daily/weekly work schedule, the Designer Sahra gave me her recommendations when asked, and minor warranty issues were addressed quickly. The trades people used were competent, friendly and courteous. I cannot recommend Legal Eagle Contractors highly enough. They are a very professional company.

Mary Criaco

4 years ago

Dan Bawden hires cut rate subcontractors and he literally lacks the skill set to perform construction tasks himself. He is quick to take money up front, makes “accounting” errors and offers excuses for work that is sub par. He simply is not skilled but talks a good game. When you realize his limitations you are in the job too deep. Our 7 week job turned into 17 months after spending 170k. If you point out delay he threatens to walk job. In my opinion if you hire him you deserve what you get.

Kathryn Criaco

4 years ago

Dan directs his attention to your remodel when the contract has to be signed and thereafter to pick up checks. Dan’s first attempt at a career was being a lawyer and that did not go well, so he switched to “contracting.” Though he did try to offer side servicing of “elder planning” during the remodel. As for the remodel itself, it was a disaster. You see, Dan and his “team does not do any of the actual renovation work. The job is sent out to subcontractors that come and go. Dan’s mantra is “cheap labor is never good and good labor is never cheap.” But what Dan does is hires subcontractor at the cheapest price, so that his margin is higher as he pays out less. Now this would be an effective business model if (and a big IF)he had someone supervising the work product and quality. Sadly, we found out that he does not and Dan lacks the skill set to see the shoddy work. The experienced project manger that assigned to our remodel was no longer working with Legal Eagles when the project started. Dan “promoted” the hardware floor subcontractor (Enrique Sifentas) as the project manager. He may have known flooring but about all else he was woefully unskilled. For the next 17 months (yes, months for a kitchen) it was a constant running fiasco of pointing out the shortcuts and shoddy work that needed to be redone. Electrical outlets were haphazardly placed at various heights. Lighting was not aligned and centered. Kitchen appliances were installed incorrectly. The kitchen island was installed initially (so Dan could demand the cabinet draw) and for the next 12 months the island was subjected to damage from the work. The subzero refrigerator was moved into the family room and wrapped in plastic to prevent an accumulation of dust. I had no issue with that. Days later when we entered the job area the refrigerator was running to prevent mold. I unplugged the refrigerator and told the “Project manager” you cannot seal a running appliance in plastic as the motor will suffocate and burn out. Yes, you guessed it. When the refrigerator was reinstalled it would not cool. Dan said the refrigerator must be old. Yet another argument ensued. Workers wandered the house after circumventing the barricades. Personal items went missing. Food was constantly left on the job site along with soda cans. Dust collection equipment was not utilized and the three story house was permeated with dust. Both plumbing and electrical were installed in violation of code creating safety hazards. When I explained to Dan that plastic conduit boxes cannot be used under the kitchen cook top (as it was a code violation) he had no idea about the conduit box or the clamp connectors and admitted as much to me. Brandon came to our home, saw the error and had them corrected. Had Dan admitted to us from the inception that his construction skills are limited and he had almost no actual and practical construction skills (beyond hiring subcontractors), Legal Eagles would never have been hired. The renovation last 15 months longer than you represented. Dan started a project task to get the whole draw for that facet of work and then stopped. Install a light fixture, get entire light draw and the rest of the task sits. The explanation that was offered (they needed to start other projects to get the draw money) should not be our problem. Legal Eagle cash flow problems should not be our problem. If we knew you had cash flow issues we would not have hired you. Anyone whoever hires you should have your financials verified first. The construction defects remain visible. You sent a registered letter (that we accepted ) and the envelope was empty. We deduced that this was a “legal trick” that you picked up from your days of failed lawyering. The fact that you hired an inexperienced project manager who butchered this job and (as you put it delayed the project and cost you money), should not have been made our problem. If someone else wants to hire you that is their choice but at least I tried to spare someone else our experience. Adam P. Criaco.

Brad Scott

5 years ago

Best Contractor in town!!! if you want Honesty and Integrity you have come to the right place! Dan sets the proper expectations for your project and completes it on time and on budget.

Bill Loper

5 years ago

Legal Eagle Contractors are nothing short of fantastic people. The first thing I look for in a company is great people and the ability/knowledge of what they offer. Dan Bawden and his people offer both. You will not be disappointed with them.

Elizabeth Lane

5 years ago

Easily one of the most competent remodelers in the Houston area. Dan’s knowledge is vast. On time, in budget and subs you can trust. You’ll love working with Legal Eagle.

Rob Hellyer

5 years ago

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Dan Bawden for some 17 years as colleagues in the remodeling business. Dan has represented the industry well through his contributions to serving on Boards at the local, state and national levels. Further he’s always available to mentor and offer advice to others in the industry. I’m honored to be able to call Dan both a friend and adviser.

Lorraine Hart

5 years ago

I have known and worked with Dan Bawden of Legal Eagle Contractors for a few years. He is a true professional and always available to help other remodelers, the Remodelers Council and the Greater Houston Builders Association. Dan has worked on many charity projects through the association.

Steven Shapiro

5 years ago

I chose this company years ago for the remodeling on my condo. They did a splendid job basically gutting the downstairs. I got an all new kitchen and cabinets and floors. This year I was a victim of the Braes Bayou flood. So I called Legal Eagle again. Turns out they are experts at flood restoration too. It took a couple of months between drying, ordering, construction, etc. to get it all done. And at the same time I decided to take advantage of their expertise. In addition to the restoration, I had them put in both a built-in entertainment center in the living room and a built-in desk in the living room. (I will try and post a picture or 2) Their workers are terrific. Very skilled and never leave a mess. These people are highly recommended. Dan Bawden and Enrique Sifuentes are both great. They spent a great amount of time helping plan everything and they made sure I understood what was happening along the way.