Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for construction firms that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. In addition to its Diamond Certified status, Cano Eixo Construction preserves its reputation for providing excellent customer satisfaction by emphasizing communication throughout every step of the construction process. “Respecting our clients is our top priority,” confirms owner Aleixo Chumbeiro. “We’re in constant contact with them and provide regular updates on their projects. We show up on time and leave work areas clean at the end of each day. Ultimately, we strive to build a positive relationship with each customer.”

Cano Eixo Construction works on a variety of residential remodeling projects for East Bay residents, including home additions, kitchen and bathroom remodels, granite and marble countertop installations, outdoor living spaces and kitchens, and more. The company specializes in creating European-style kitchens and bathrooms–a practice that’s indicative of Mr. Chumbeiro’s cultural heritage. “I was born and raised in Portugal,” he explains. “Before moving to the United States in 2004, I ran my own company in Portugal and gained valuable experience in the European style of remodeling. I draw upon those old-world skills to make each project unique.” As a further reflection of this approach, the company prefers to use raw, natural materials such as stone, wood and marble whenever possible.

Unlike larger construction companies that require clients to deal with several points of contact throughout the construction process, each of Cano Eixo Construction’s jobs is personally supervised by Mr. Chumbeiro himself. “I’m onsite every day,” he confirms. “No job is complete until I inspect it thoroughly and declare it finished. My high standards ensure we’ll never take shortcuts–all work is done the right way using quality materials. We don’t leave until the customer is happy.” Another unique feature of Cano Eixo Construction is its transparent approach to providing references. Before clients sign their contracts, they’re given a comprehensive list of former customers and encouraged to contact them. “Some of our past clients even invite people into their homes to get a firsthand look at their finished projects,” says Mr. Chumbeiro. “It’s a good way to confirm our professionalism and quality.”

Make sure your outdoor kitchen is designed to reflect the details of your home. Outdoor kitchens are relatively new in terms of a remodeling concept, but they’ve become increasingly popular because of their aesthetic appeal and virtually limitless design possibilities. Before you commit to an outdoor kitchen project, however, it’s important to first determine your specific kitchen and environmental needs. Consider the following tips to get started:

Understand your requirements
• Are you an occasional or full-time griller? Do you prefer gas or charcoal? Is a hybrid grill the right solution or would two grills be a better choice? Do you need refrigeration or wood smoking equipment? How often do you entertain? Make sure you know the answers to these questions before taking on an outdoor kitchen project.

Apply basic kitchen design principles
• Make sure you hire a construction firm that has a good understanding of kitchen design. Cold areas (refrigeration), hot areas (grills and cooktops), wet areas (sinks) and dry areas (prep counters and storage) must all work together effectively in proper proximity, with each allocated the right amount of space.

Select low-maintenance materials designed to withstand the rigors of an outdoor kitchen
• High-quality stainless steel provides a sanitary surface that can be easily cleaned and is corrosion-resistant in harsh environments.
• Natural stone counters work well, but some require sealing on a regular basis. The densest granites, such as “absolute black,” are among the least porous stones but may not be ideal for your design aesthetic.
• Consider how much heat certain counter materials will absorb under constant sunlight. Some materials stay naturally cooler than others, and it isn’t always a “light versus dark” color issue.
• Counters and patio/decking material (especially near the grill and other cooking equipment) should be highly resistant to grease stains. Don’t be afraid to mix patio materials.

Complement the design of your home
• An outdoor kitchen design should complement the architecture of your home and landscape. Make sure your contractor uses compatible materials and incorporates subtle architectural details.

Plan the entire space as part of a single functional plan
• Dining areas, lounging areas, cooking areas and pool areas often coexist. Think of these as outdoor rooms and consider the flow of traffic between them as part of the overall design.
• Try not to isolate the outdoor kitchen from the rest of the backyard. Create opportunities for interaction between the kitchen and other areas.

Plan for utilities
• Be aware that the location of your outdoor kitchen and its equipment can greatly affect the installation or placement of necessary gas, water and electrical supplies.

Extend the outdoor entertaining season
• Install pergolas or awnings in both the cooking and dining areas to maximize shade.
• Appropriate rain shelter for your outdoor kitchen can help keep the cook dry and comfortable even if guests migrate indoors. Do not, however, put a combustible ceiling or awning above an outdoor grill. If necessary, use an outdoor-rated ventilation hood.
• Natural gas patio heaters can be used effectively under eaves and pergolas. If your budget allows for it, consider installing radiant heat under the patio and countertops. Portable propane patio heaters are good solutions for modest budgets.

Q: How long will my job take to complete?

A: It depends on the project, but there are some typical time estimates you can plan around. Small bathrooms usually take two weeks, master bathrooms take four weeks and kitchens take six to eight weeks.

Q: Do you do a walkthrough with customers after their jobs are complete?

A: Yes. When a project is finished, I explain how the appliances work, how to seal and maintain granite countertops and other surfaces, and so forth. If a customer ever has questions, they can always contact me.

Q: Do you maintain a clean worksite?

A: Absolutely. We use rugs to cover floors and plastic to cover furniture and walls. Using a metal frame that supports sheets of plastic, we actually build a ‘room’ around the work area to control dust and dirt. We never leave any debris in the house—it’s hauled away daily. At the end of each work day, we vacuum and clean up everything, and no tools are left at the site. We want to make sure that when the customer comes home, they won’t even know we’ve been there.

Q: How do you regulate security when your workers are in my home?

A: We implement strict guidelines regarding where the crews can go outside of the regular jobsite. For example, we’ll consult with you ahead of time about available bathrooms and where they’re located. I’ve been working in people’s houses for 20 years, and I’ve never had a problem or complaint. But if something ever did happen—breakage, damage or something missing—we’d take full responsibility to compensate you and make it right.

Q: Do you recommend getting permits?

A: Yes. Even though we guarantee the job will be done according to all codes and regulations, we routinely advise our customers to use permits. We can also pull permits for you.