The fireplace...

We walked into the showhome, and it screamed at us.  Not a bad scream, a good scream.  We didn't notice anything else, just the fireplace.  It was the 'piece de resistance'.  It had function, it had style, and it was practical.  It was what we asked of every layout thereafter. It became a 'requirement' per say, one that we wouldn't settle without.

The fireplace is located in the middle of our open concept main level, jetting out from the side wall.  It is the divider between the living room and the dining room, directly across from the basements stairs and to the second level stairs.  We chose the upgraded three sided fireplace, which would blow air out of the the three sides, into every area of the main level, and up or down the stairs to the other level. 

We immediately pegged it as the best entertainment area. The height of the fireplace was perfect.  Placing a flat screen on a swivel bracket on the wall above the fireplace would allow for the tv to be seen from all areas of the house, including the kitchen.  It wouldn't be too high, it would be at an ideal level, and would easily fit a 42" tv.

As an added incentive, moving the entertainment area about the fireplace would free up the entertainment nook that was already designed into the house.  This area would then be used as a home office/homework space that the house (and our family) so desperately needed!

When we were at the design centre, we informed the designer that we wanted our fireplace to be exactly like the fireplace in the showhomes, listing off a few for their reference.  We were reassured that it would be exactly what we wanted.  We added (and paid for) all of the outlets we required above the fireplace so that we could use it as our entertainment area. 

We were excited.  The fireplace would be the main structural focus of our house, beautiful in it's design, and beautiful in its function.

When we met with the site superintent for our pre-construction meeting, we reviewed all of the uses for the space that we had already planned out.  We reviewed the importance of the fireplace to us, and the need to use it as an entertainment area as well.  We reviewed the designs, and were reassured that it would be great!

When the time came for our mechanical walk through, we were disappointed.  The fireplace was wrong.  According to our design, it was to be three rows of subway tile from the floor, but it was sitting on the floor.  We were reassured it would be fixed.  And it was. 

The fireplace box was lifted, and the remaining portion of it was built.  We were told that the mantle piece would not be done/added until other parts of it was completed.  While it seemed a bit high at the time, it wasn't too far from where it was supposed to be, so we let it go.  Life is about compromises right?

At least the backing and addition plugs that we had added were in place for the entertainment centre.

Once the fireplace was tiled, and the mantle piece added, we were shocked.  The mantle piece consisted of casing wrapping the top edges of the fireplace.  Nothing else.  The fireplace had three rows of tiles under the firebox, and three rows of tile above the firebox, with the little casing around the edge.  The tile edges were horrible, grout lines and edges beyond crooked.  The edges were plastic and were already starting to fall off. 

We were most definitely not happy. 

At the time, there were quite a few issues that we had with the house that needed to be resolved, ASAP.  (Yes, another post, another time!)

We called our Customer Service Representative and made it known that we wanted a meeting, and we wanted one as soon as possible. 

We had a meeting at the house.  We were surprised to see the amount of people at the meeting.  Where we had expected one representative, there was the Homes By Avi Construction Manager, Quality Control Manager, Customer Service Representative, Area Sales Manager, and at times, the Site Superintendent. 

As we went through our list of issues, we eventually got to the fireplace.  We had already found the meeting a bit rough, as it appeared as though Homes By Avi didn't really like hearing about how poor we found the quality of the build to be up until that point.  When we came to the fireplace, we were told that the tile work was fine.  We were reassured that the plastic edge used was actually attached under the tile, so while it appeared to be not attached, it was, and would not be going anywhere.  They reminded us that even if we wanted the tile work changed, that it would only push our possession date back, as it would delay other trades from getting their work done on time, acting like a domino effect.  Time was already not on our side (already having to beg to extend our lease by one month).  We were reassured that we were only seeing the tile as the poor quality that it was because we were not living in the space and that it would eventually be better once we had furniture and other items in the space.  It was agreed though that the mantle piece was not acceptable.  We informed them of the showhomes that we wanted our fireplace to look like, even offering to show them the picture of the showhome, right there in that moment.  This was refused, but we were told that it would be taken care of, and that a better mantle would be made.  No specifics to this mantle were given.

We reluctantly agreed to the purposed fixes.

When we finally saw the final fireplace mantle, we were, once again, disappointed.  The casing had been removed, and a mantle had been built and set on top of the already existing fireplace.  This added another 7" to our already too tall fireplace.  When we let Homes By Avi know that we did not like this mantle, we were told that there was nothing they would do about it because we had agreed to this fireplace and they weren't going to keep changing the fireplace.  We denied our agreeing to the fireplace that was now completed.  Our Customer Service Representative reminded us that she was present, and that we had agreed to the fireplace that was built.  We reminded her that we had even offered to show them the fireplace that we wanted, which was THEIR design, but that they had refused saying that they could look it up later.  We reminded her that we were reassured that it would be taken care of, not for us to worry.  We informed her that when we had agreed with them, that it was for them to adjust the one that had already been made to look more like the one we wanted, which was clearly not even close the one now existing in our soon to be home.

This was a battle we did not win.

Once we eventually moved in, our view of the fireplace did not get better.  No matter where you were in the house, the poor quality of the fireplace screamed at you, and not in a good way.  All of the grout lines were crooked.  All of the plastic edges were bending and falling off.  They were not actually attached behind the tile as we were promised, but the backing had been cut off and the edges siliconed on.  (This was a problem throughout the house.) 

We called and arranged another meeting, and yes, we had several other issues that needed to be discussed as well.

Homes By Avi's Warranty Manager and Construction Manager attended this meeting. 

When it came to the fireplace, it was agreed upon, something had to be done.  The workmanship on the fireplace left a lot to be desired. 

It was joked about how we would have to move out for them to redo the fireplace...it would just be that big of a job.

They left saying they would get back to us in regards to the fireplace, that they had to think about it and review their options.  They took pictures.

We must just quickly touch on one fact - The fireplace was not a custom design.  We must reinforce that we chose a design directly from the showhomes.  It was an option that they gave to us (that we paid for, of course).  We chose everything, right down to the tile, from a Homes By Avi showhome.  We changed the paint colour and added outlets and a reinforced wall to the fireplace design.  That was it.  We signed a sheet of paper showing the exact design.  Every step of the way, we were clear in our desire and intent to have THEIR design.  We find it remarkably interesting that despite all of the individuals who had a hand in building the fireplace, their design, that not one of them was able to come up with the correct design.


August 9th, 2010 we had a warranty appointment for a different issue.  At this appointment, the Service Technician told us that the fireplace would be redone.  He informed us that we would be able to change the design of the fireplace as well, as it would be completely exposed and easily done. 

August 19th, 2010 Homes By Avi came and started the work on the fireplace.  All of the tile was removed, along with the drywall.  All that remained, and remained completely exposed, was the framing and the firebox itself, along with mechanical components of the fireplace.  The following day the drywallers came. 

That evening, we looked at the job the drywallers had done, and determined it was wrong.  They had cut down the edges as if the fireplace would be mudded, taped and painted with rounded corners. 
September 8, 2010, we had an appointment with the tiler.  He came and looked over the tile work in our house, and found out which kind of tile we had so he could order it.

September 15, 2010.  This was the appointment that the drywall was done again, correctly this time.

September 27 the tiles were set, and October 6 the tiles were grouted.

No siliconing was done.  This was to be done at a later date.  This was finally completed on the fireplace in August, 2011.  (Other areas of the house had tile work done at this time too.  Some of these areas have still not yet been siliconed.)

October 13, 2010 - The painters came in to repair and paint the wall.

The baseboards for the fireplace were not attached (completed spring 2011), were not repaired (still remain), and were not repainted (completed September 2011).

13 MONTHS for a redo of our fireplace, which was still NOT what we had paid for or agreed with, or as Homes By Avi themselves had designed.


The redesigning of the fireplace never happened.  When we asked for it, we were told no, as it would do more damage to the drywall than they were willing to do. 

Our entertainment centre is not above the fireplace.  Once we measured, only a small tv would fit, and no components would fit.  The tv would be awkwardly high on the wall.  We remain optimistic that one day we will find a use for the extra plugs we had added to the fireplace wall, or find a creative way to hide them.

Over 18 months for us to realise our 'compromise' was much greater than we had anticipated.
The fireplace today still has its issues...the plastic edges still appear to be falling off in areas, although, this time we KNOW that there is a piece behind the tile, and should be fine.  It is still quite high oddly high, but hopefully with the help of strategically placed decor, it won't appear so high.  The baseboards still need to be repaired, but at least they are on and painted.  (Beggars can't be choosers right?)  The grout is cracking and falling off in many areas as well, however, according to Homes By Avi, this is completely 'normal'.

This fall, one of us did receive an electrical shock from the fireplace while trying to open the bottom grill (which gives access to control panel and fan).  We only ever opened this to turn the pilot light on and off.  A loud noise was being made by the fireplace whenever the fan was on, or anything in the house vibrated.  Upon investigating this noise one day, one of us was shocked (literally) when a finger was placed on the clip that helps to hold the grill on, and followed it as it closed.  We were unaware at the time, but the clip was pushing against the motor for the fan when the grill was closed.  The damage can be seen.  Being that our one year warranty had ended, it is up to us to repair.  It was incorrectly installed (common sense dictates this).  Luckily, during an appointment this last winter, a warranty technician did fix this while waiting for other trades.

Please know that we do sincerely realise that we live in a house, a house which must age and show its use eventually over time, and was built by humans, which means that allowance must be given for human error.  We are not naive to this fact.  We do appreciate this fact.

Simple irony at its best. A fireplace, simple in design, beautiful and practical.  A fireplace designed by Homes By Avi and proudly showed in every showhome using our floorplan (a very popular plan).  But what really became of that simple, beautiful and practical fireplace - a pain in the a**. 

What do we really think of our fireplace today?  Well, it is still the main focus in our house, and upon first glance, it is 'nice'.  Its entirely too high for any use other than collecting dust and nick-nacks. The potlight above it is off centre considerably (and not purposefully or beautifully either), which even makes nick-nack placement difficult (yes, we are kinda the perfectionist when it comes to designs). 

It's not what we wanted, its not the design we agreed to (or ever have), and it is not the fireplace that Homes By Avi so proudly displays in so many of their showhomes that we so diligently let everyone know we wanted.  BUT, it is in our house, and it is not going to go anywhere anytime soon.  And, we have to say, it is uniquely ours.

Lets just say, it's another dream that Homes By Avi promised that was never achieved.