| Author |
Message |
    
mlj
Citizen
Username: Mlj
Post Number: 242
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 12:29 pm: | 
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Anyone had work done by either of these contractors? |
Rich
Citizen
Username: Veneto
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 12:58 pm: |
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Not for nothing, but I've had a range of experiences in this town with a variety of contractors. The range is extremely sucky to okay, with a couple of pretty goods. Finishing Touches stood me up on an appointment. I know that's the norm around here, but it's not acceptable to me (I'm not from here).
I had Bob Hume come over to look at a couple of jobs. Although I never hired him (but should have), he seems to be the only real professional contractor in this town. Marios painting did a good job for me. And Joe Fichetti, Plumber has been fair and knows his stuff.
Beyond that I've had 10 landscapers skip appointments; the eleventh came and spent 45 minutes then never give us a proposal. I had a plumber (assitant actually) that wanted $400 for a 90 minute job with a $40 part. I hired someone to help me install kitchen cabinets. He missed the entire day due to an alleged plumbing emergency for another customer, but oddly enough was at Riccardi matching paint as was I that day. My wife had to pinch hit as a cabinet installer when she got home from work.
We moved here a year ago into a house that needed a lot of work. Our intention was to do some ourselves and hire out for some. I own several small apartment buildings out of state, so I know how to do most of this work, and have to be gone a lot to work on those properties. I ended up doing almost all of the work myself becasue either I couldn't get anyone to show up or the price was so outragous.
I'm glad to have found this site to get others' suggestions and hope to pass a few more out myself. But, unfortunately the most reliable contractor, painter, electrician, plumber, landscaper for us has been me and I'm trying to do less of this stuff, not more.
Message to the others.....don't tollerate the apathy among the contracting companies around here. Would you be able to get away with unreturned phone calls, missed appointments, and passed deadlines at your job? Why does a plumber get $150 an hour and you, with an MBA or PhD or 30 years experience make $100 an hour? |
gotoffadaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 709
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 1:28 pm: |
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Here we go again!! |
Hillsider
Supporter
Username: Hillsider
Post Number: 67
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 1:45 pm: |
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We got a bunch of work done by Finishing Touches... They are pretty good at what they do... last summer we got the entire back of the 1st floor done, kithcen batroom, family room etc and just finished job #2 with the upstairs bathroom...
You need to agree on everything up front (what work will be done) and probably make a not of everything... no, they do not cheat, but they forget...
I highly recommend them...
PL me if you need details...
PS: Poster #2, you seem to know all the professional ones (in your own words), but did not hire them... so who is at fault?
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Kitchenguru
Citizen
Username: Kitchenguru
Post Number: 95
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 1:48 pm: |
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Rich,
have you had experience with Xcel or Finishing Touches? I think that was the question. A message to the contractors: Please politely tell our residents
when you are not interested in their job the following "I am very sorry sir/madam, but I am too busy right now to even give a quote, please email me your info and I will gladly call you when I am available." Do this even if what you really thinking is, "I'm too busy to waste my time with any price shopping &*#%&*$%." The community would really appreciate it  . |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7744
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 1:48 pm: |
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Rich- do an archive search and you can get the low-down on everyone's opinions. This discussion comes up about once a year and I don't believe we're due again until sometime next winter.
Gotoffa - I've been meaning to ask you. Did you retire? Or have you become an overpaid plumber? I noticed the name change. |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 576
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 1:48 pm: |
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I've worked with both companies you listed. Finishing Touches did our kitchen about four years ago and our kids' bathroom about 2 years ago. The work was stellar for both projects, but I do have to admit that the workmanship on the kitchen is better than the bath. Nevertheless, I loved Bill and during the kitchen gut/renovation, and we got on like two giggly school girls. When he came back to do the bathroom, we bumped heads a great deal and I was very mad at him and vowed never to use him again. Bill's a great guy, but he has a bit of the old Irish temper in him, and when it's stressful for him, it's stressful for everyone. As the homeowner and the person living through the muck and mire, I was totally stressed. Since then, we've kissed and made up and I'd probably would use him again somewhere down the line, as his work is great. Let's move on to Xcel. Mr. Kibbegirl and I are currently using Mike and his crew, and I have to admit, I'm awed. They are so fast and so precise, it's amazing. Not living in the house now, but the progress is incredible. We put on a two story addition complete with kitchen, family room and master bedroom/bath. Mike works well with the Village engineers, permit folks, etc.(as I'm sure Bill did too). Right now, I'm sitting on pins and needles because we're moving in soon and I'm afraid that the clean up will not be to my liking, but I'll keep you posted. I also know that Mike and crew won't be completely finished when we move in (not their fault). In any event, I find them both exceptional. We still get oooh's and ahhh's on our current kitchen and bathroom and I'm sure when Mike and crew are done, we'll get oooh's and ahhh's as well. Wish we were done with Xcel to give you finished product overview. At this point, you have to be the ultimate judge. |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 217
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 3:34 pm: |
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New poster Rich....we at Honey Do List LLC are trying to change the reputation of the "contractor who never got back to me". We return all calls, show up on time, and hopefully, as our satisfied clients on MOL will attest to, do the work we promise to do in the time scheduled,for the price quoted and everything else you might want in a contractor. Check out our references then give us a try. 973.763.4726 or rdrdr@comcast.net. |
gotoffadaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 710
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 3:56 pm: |
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"greentree writes: "Gotoffa - I've been meaning to ask you. Did you retire? Or have you become an overpaid plumber? I noticed the name change."
Plumbers aren't overpaid, homeowners are underfunded!
Yes, I have retired from self employment, but not from working. I'm considering becoming a day laborer in the MW / SO area. If you see a good looking, cut & buffed WASPY looking chap pushing a lawnmower or ripping a roof in town, give me a shout. Se habla ingles! |
Peter
Supporter
Username: Peter
Post Number: 246
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 7:02 pm: |
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Ditto on Kibbegirl's comments on Xcel and Mike. PL me if you want more. |
newbie
Citizen
Username: Newbie
Post Number: 6
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 9:39 pm: |
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recently had our kitchen renovated by xcel. generally happy, you are welcome to have a look. pl me. |
shaun
Citizen
Username: Shaun
Post Number: 55
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 2:01 pm: |
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Finishing Touches just completed (well, back in March) a major kitchen and upstairs bathroom rennovation for us with amazing results. On budget and pretty close to original timeframe. Overall excellent job by Bill and his crew. |
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