| Author |
Message |
    
blackcat
Citizen
Username: Blackcat
Post Number: 279
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 4:35 pm: | 
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We're using Jaeger Kitchens for our cabinets and countertop. They provided us with a list of 11 contractors they "recommend".
Is there a better way to do research on all of them, instead of calling each one, getting references? I'd like to see if they have any complaints against them, but the Better Business Bureau searches I did on their names came up empty.
Is there a contractor association I can go to?
thanks,
btw, any recommendations are welcome |
blackcat
Citizen
Username: Blackcat
Post Number: 280
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 4:47 pm: |
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and here's the list:
Jerry Eger
Bob Sekule
J.G.A Inc
Liento Constr
Decisive Remodeling
Holmes Improvements
Rhinesmith Constr
Todd Gelayder
Pete Papic
J&T Constr
All Aspects |
Julia
Citizen
Username: Julia
Post Number: 5
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 5:23 pm: |
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Blackcat,
People seem reluctant to recommend contractors but they sure love to give advice and horror stories. So, now I have plenty of advice on how to make a contract and traps to avoid, but no contractor! Two people did give names, but I was hoping for multiples, or at least one that many people really liked.
I'm looking for someone locally-based. Do you know if any of yours are? I'll be eager to hear what advice you get. |
Megan
Citizen
Username: Megan
Post Number: 46
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 6:56 pm: |
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I think the best way may be to talk to people you know and see if they've had this kind of work done or have friends who have. Jerry Eger put an addition on our house. He's very easy to work with, and we like the job he did. Our architect recommended him. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 605
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 8:32 pm: |
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We loved working with Bob Hume (an advertiser on Maplewood Online). Incredibly friendly, open, honest and responsive. Highly recommend them.
http://www.rghume.com
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5025
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 10:11 pm: |
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I recommend Mr. George, 908-436-0315 or mrgeorge@verizon.net
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Elizabeth A. Burke
Citizen
Username: Elizabethann
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 8:57 pm: |
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My husband and I just bought a house in SO and I met with Bob Hume today and Gean (a project manager). They seem great and I am seriously thinking of working with them if I can afford them. Anybody have any feedback?
Also interviewed Amir Home Improvements and Repairs and would love to know if anyone has worked with them?
We are very excited! We also want to be as sure as we can be.
Thanks! |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 620
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 9:25 pm: |
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We worked with Gean on our kitchen renovation. Can't say enough great things baout her and the company. |
Michael K. Mc Kell
Citizen
Username: Greenerose
Post Number: 532
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 7:34 am: |
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As mentioned above, it's not easy. I've seen these lists before including being on some. The best way is to post it here and go from there. In the short time I've been involved with this site, I've found it very resourcful.
Best to you. |
Elizabeth A. Burke
Citizen
Username: Elizabethann
Post Number: 4
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 8:45 am: |
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thank you for the vote of confidence regarding Gean! Appreciate it. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5151
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 9:27 am: |
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Welcome to town, Elizabeth!
In case you don't know yet, Michael McKell is a contractor, so you could privateline him, too.
My carpenter, mentioned above, is also a goodie, though I think he's pretty booked now. He can do sheetrock, tiling, wiring, painting, plumbing, and many other things, too. |
Mergele
Citizen
Username: Mergele
Post Number: 238
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 7:51 pm: |
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I'm going to chime in and highly recommend Mike (above) and his partner, Dave. They did some beautiful work for me last year and were great to work with. |
meluga
Citizen
Username: Meluga
Post Number: 16
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 8:56 pm: |
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We used Bob Hume for a minor bathroom renovation. They were very nice but their work was lousy at best. We are still dealing w/some careless work they did that will require a major effort to fix. |
Blueandgold
Citizen
Username: Blueandgold
Post Number: 25
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 1:18 pm: |
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Try Arthur and Arthur, new number 866-322-2985. Haven't used them personally to install cabinets. However, we are very happy with the other work they have done i nour home. |
LilRedCorvette
Citizen
Username: Lilredcorvette
Post Number: 173
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 5:16 pm: |
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I've got to recommend Demetri Sergienko here. I went through a bathroom renovation from HELL - lesson learned tho - never hire a relative...
Demetri came to the rescue and re-renovated my bathroom, showed up when he said he would, did great work and didn't charge much. He was a godsend, now I recommend him any chance I get.
I've heard he does great kitchen work too. Demetri's @# is 973-223-2450.
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cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 626
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 5:23 pm: |
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Meluga: How did they respond when you told htem you were unhappy with the work?
Gene was adamant that we be absolutely satisfied with everything before we paid the balance of our bill. She even called back again a couple weeks after to make sure everything was still great. Surprised they would leave you high and dry and refused to fix mistakes. |
Daniel I. Goldberg
Citizen
Username: Dig
Post Number: 26
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 6:04 pm: |
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Had a pretty good experience with Bob Hume. He seemed to be honest, got the job done quickly, but most of all was responsive. It was a small job, just replacing a sill plate, but he answered all of my questions. May have been just feeding me a line, but he was certainly more responsive than most other contractors. |
meluga
Citizen
Username: Meluga
Post Number: 17
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 11:18 am: |
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They would not fix it correctly. We had time constraints and ended up bringing in a plumber and carpenter to get it finished to the point where it is a functioning room. We will have to go back to redo the Hume work to get it right. We did a major renovation and there are always punch lists which we would work through w/the contractor.We did not find this to be the case w/ Hume |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3687
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 1:40 pm: |
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Meluga-
Have you spoken with Hume about having someone else do the work he can't? What was his response? Did you discuss any kind of refund?
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alan
Citizen
Username: Alan
Post Number: 153
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 2:40 pm: |
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hume did our kitchen a few years ago and i was less than satisifed with a bunch of things. long story and the guy we dealt with no longer works for him so i'm not sure how relevent it is, but some of the subcontractors really didn't know what they were doing. |
Elizabeth A. Burke
Citizen
Username: Elizabethann
Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 8:49 am: |
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this contractor situation is CONFUSING and DIFFICULT. I am reading all the messages and totally dizzy not know what to do and in need of work asap! hume is getting mixed feedback. i appreciate all the writing and will keep looking out for words advice for all you you who have experience! thanks! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3706
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 10:47 am: |
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Eliz -
True; it can make you nuts. Your gut feel about a contractor & how you get along is usually, but not always, a large part of your decision. With Hume (whom I have never worked with or know, but did get a good reference a few years back), I would count it as a plus that he has a manager who is accessible.
Keep in mind that no one will make everyone happy. The most important thing is to ask for current references of people who are willing to show you the work. Even people who are thrilled with the work will have some areas that they didn't like (communications, do-overs, etc.). Ask pointed questions about strengths and weaknesses.
There will probably be unexpected expenditures and that does not necessarily mean the guy is ripping you off or lied about the initial estimate, especially in these old houses. In fact, add a certain percentage in your head to the estimates. Ask references about those kinds of overruns.
You may want to check with customers who had the work done a year ago & see how the quality is holding up.
Also, many people around here don't understand the inspection process and tend to give their contractors most, if not all, of the payment before the final inspection. Don't do it; hold back a third until you have passed the final. I'd put the hold-back amount in the contract, because the law doesn't specify how much the final payment is. It could save you from a lot of unpleasantness in the end. Many people have learned the hard way.
Go with your instinct, best information and pray real hard that it all works out. Keep in mind that it is a really invasive process and that there will be times you hate your contractor just because he's in your house and you want your life back. Communication, work ethic and long-term results are what count. |
alan
Citizen
Username: Alan
Post Number: 154
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 12:44 pm: |
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well said. i would add this -- if you are dealing with someone like hume, who does not actually come and do the work, ask specifically who will be. Personally, I would hire someone who will actually be here doing it. But just ask and know. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 631
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 12:57 pm: |
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Small contractors come and do the work directly, others send people who work for them. There are pros and cons with each. The former is obviously involved in far fewer jobs than the latter, speaking generally.
No one contractor is an expert on every kind of job. What matters is that they stand behind their work (whether they do it themselves, or it's someone they send on their behalf.)
Also, I would never pay the balance for a job you are unhappy with. Make the contractor make it right. They want to get paid. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3709
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 12:59 pm: |
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Alan raises a good point. If someone else is doing the work, I would insist that the contractor himself inspect the worksite everyday. My biggest pet peeve during our project was that I constantly found stuff that I had to point out to my contractor. |
Czele
Citizen
Username: Czele
Post Number: 50
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 4:30 pm: |
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We are just wrapping up the addition of a second floor to our house and have been pleased with Jerry Eger. His subs are all very competent and staightforward. Jerry answers his phone and does his best to be accurate on things.
We got two other estimates before contracting with Jerry and I'm glad we went with him. The best way, I think, to figure out who and what is to make a list of questions and ask it of each of the references you check out. Definitely take the time to call the references. The mere fact that a list can be provided is not enough. Call as many as you can. We took it as a good sign that most of Jerry's references took the trouble to return our calls.
Good luck, take your time and do the research! |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 692
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 5:50 pm: |
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It takes experience to know how to select and work with a contractor. As I pointed out on another thread, our first major renovation was finishing the basement. We decided to "do" the basement before the kitchen and bathrooms in part because we'd get to practice our skills in dealing with contractors before sinking our money into the more important and visible areas of the house. Obviously, any money we spend on the house is important, but we thought it better to make our mistakes on a basement renovation than on a kitchen or bathroom. Just something to consider for first-timers. |
Elizabeth A. Burke
Citizen
Username: Elizabethann
Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 8:18 pm: |
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Well, the work is well under way and I have been working with Gean from Bob Hume. She has been responsive and reliable and so far we are very pleased with the work. Hope to move in Feb. 20th! |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 673
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 8:48 pm: |
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Where are you going to be living Elizabeth?
Welcome!
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Elizabeth A. Burke
Citizen
Username: Elizabethann
Post Number: 10
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 8:58 pm: |
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We are going to be in South Orange near the village. Just off of Irvington. Thank you! |
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