An Experienced, Established Remodeling Contractor

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. My jobs typically are residential, single family, and a sample of the types of jobs I complete are listed below.
Home Additions
Mouldings and interior trim application
Door upgrades and replacement
Windows
Interior and exterior remodeling of all types
Kitchen Remodeling
Bathroom Remodeling
Decks
Finish Carpentry
Custom Cabinets and Installation
Just a sampling and I also have access to all sub-tradesmen needed and suppliers of any type of materials we may need for your job.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Know what you want to accomplish and make sure you know the company you are about to hire and will have in your home, sometimes for an extended period of time. Other then the obvious requirements, licenses, bonds, insurances, etc., find out what kind of people you are dealing with. Anybody can be a salesman and promise you the moon but can they deliver and are they a good fit for you? Don't find out the hard way that price should not always be the deciding factor in who you choose to complete your project. Do your homework, check referances, past projects. Does the contractor supply you with a proposal and scope of work, a payment schedule, a completed contract with all the details of the constrction, did you read it? Are they experienced, how long have they been in business, did they present you with a list of references, did you contact them? Low bids are sometimes low for a reason!

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. That not just anyone can do it. Just because you have a hammer and nail doesn't make you a carpenter. Because you were able to acquire a license doesn't make you an experienced, successful contractor. In the end, your experience and know-how will come through in the final results and will dictate whether you go forwards to a successful career.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Ask for references, examples of past projects, license information, certify insurances, experience. How does the contractor present his proposal, payment schedule, down payment requirements, is the contract clear and spell out the project scope. And the list goes on, but always error on the side of being overly deligent, ask questions, that's the only way to know who you're working with. It's your home and your money.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. The clients should have some idea of what they are wanting to accomplish. Are they looking to add space, or just upgrade an existing situation. They don't need to have finished plans (but they help, a lot), but they should have a basic concept of their needs and how they accomplish their goals. If they are just looking to modernize their residence, upgrades are easier and quicker. Choosing new doors styles, moulding patterns etc. is a lot easier to visualize and gets the client more involved in the design process.
Getting back to the original question though, you shouild have a basic concept, "what are we looking to accomplish" and also important of course "how much do we want to spend" Concept, need and budget.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I feel one of the reasons that my work may stand out above others is that I am a working contractor. I work and oversee my projects at all times to assure that progress and quality is always maintained. I may be a businessman now but I was a carpenter first. I do now and will always enjoy the actual construction process. The ability to take an existing structure and transform it into something totally different is very rewarding. Taking ownership for everything you do is also very important and it will show in the quality of the product. The quality of your work and the pride you take in the outcome of a project is your signature in this business. Customer satisfaction and their referral of your company to others is always the greatest compliment you can receive.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Let's see, what do I like best about Remodeling. I guess being able to transform an existing structure, by adding on or simply by just moving things around, to remake it. To take a structure thats been in a certain condition for some time and tranform it into a totally different space is a lot of fun. It's not always easy, sometimes it's a lot of work, but if it's done well, correctly and with quality, it can be a very gratifying and rewarding experience, for both the builder and the client.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. It seems, especially in these economic times the greatest concern and the question most often asked is and always will be "how much will it cost". Many contractors will quote you an on the spot bid or a square foot cost for your project and sometimes that low price will sway you into committing with someone you really know nothing about. Sadly, with a license, a little expense and a website you can tranform yourself into a successful, qualified, knowledgable and experienced building contractor, at least on paper. What about the experience? A deal should be considered a deal only when everyone benefits, when everyone is honest and upfront. What do the clients or the contractor expect to get for their money and their efforts. The clients have to be realistic in their expectations for the project and the potential costs for the work involved and the expected quality of the final product. The contractor has to be honest and realistic in what he can produce, the quality of the work and how much he can charge for his efforts. Low ball bids may get the client to accept a proposal but will there be hidden costs down the line and will the final product reflect their initial expectations and their eventual satisfaction?

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I would think the fact that I didn't just stumble into this type work. Once having completed my college education I decided to pursue a career in construction,specifically carpentry. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to join the Carpenters Union as an apprentice. I spent four years in the classroom and in the field learning my trading. I had many great experiences and gained a lot of knowledge in my 10 years of employment in the Carpenters Union . I feel that before you can be successful at anything, you have to know that "thing" that you are claiming to be an expert at, inside and out. So my work experience through the initial years really helped me to develop into the carpenter and contractor that I am.