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January 16, 2008
We recommend a contractor
He is punctual, has a team, a base of subcontractors for specialty projects, works fast (makes large progress every day) is generous (has given us many gift projects) and does great work all around. Most of all, he has saved us a fortune. We had many quotes and he was literally 60% of the other prices. Saved us a fortune, like you wouldn't believe. Already saved us around $200,000. He works on the projects himself as he supervises and directs the teams. In otherwords, he doesn't drive from project to project and supervise. He's there all the time. Sounds too good to be true. We were concerned, however, he did our friend's house so we went with him. The one catch, however, is that he only speaks Chinese, but, interestingly, it doesn't seem to matter. He has a translator/friend to get through the more specific parts, but one the general project is understood, we seem to communicate with very little issues. He understands some english, but it's amazing what you can accomplish through pointing, gesticulating and drawing. And there's always the translator that can be called. Anyway, he works on one project at a time and will be done with ours in March. I can hook you up if you like. Call me at 201 819-4349. Andrew
Comments
Sounds too good to be true. We're looking for a contractor to start our reno exactly in March. Could you say a bit more about how he saved you $?
Posted by: guest at January 16, 2008 9:01 PM
THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EXACT POINT
...And I asked you to build a 4 ft dividing wall 3 feet North of the kitchen island, running East-West, 36 inches high. I gesticulated the whole thing to you yesterday I was sure you understood. You nodded continuously and smiled your full comprehension.
Offwhite Benjamin Moore Eggshell, 2 coats - I even pulled my London Fog on over my blazer and put two eggs in my pocket. At first you looked puzzled but then you saw the eggs. Your eyes grew wide, ' Oh of course ! I get it now ! '
I never misread a facial expression, I am only hiring mime tradesmen from now 'till the end of my renovation. I'm really pissed off about you taking down all my new kitchen cabinets yesterday and smashing them. Is that an egg salad sandwich you are eating?
Posted by: guest at January 16, 2008 9:49 PM
This is helpful information. Affordable yet decent contractors are so scarce in Brooklyn, I think people would hire the man from Mars if he were highly recommended. The contractors who do speak perfect English and are considered among the best, are not available for MONTHS even if you can afford them.
Thanks OP for sharing the info! Everyone else here is usually too stingy to share their contractors' names.
Posted by: guest at January 17, 2008 11:34 AM
Sorry quest. I just wrote a large detail for you to read. Took too much time - working on many projects - and Brownstoner logged me out. Wasted effot. Too bad. Easier now if you call me.
Posted by: aramsey at January 17, 2008 3:10 PM
Let me also encourage anyone who wants this contractor for his next large job (after mid-March) might want to come to our site to see his work in progress. Doesn't get better than that. I am trying to return the favor to this contractor and help him line up his next renovation. He has now done two in a row, though he has done every type of job over the last 25 years.
Posted by: aramsey at January 17, 2008 7:43 PM
11:34 you are so right and that does make you wonder about this pair, doesn't it.
Posted by: guest at January 17, 2008 10:12 PM
1) His quote for the reno was $160,000 and the other three contractors that gave quotes were between $270,000 and $320,000.
2) Gift: When it was discovered that our drains under the house had to be replaced, they jack hammered 30% of the 30' x 40' basement, hauled away the concrete, dug out the pipes, replaced them and laid new concrete for only $2000. It was a very large project.
3) Gift: He did a complex shower for us, including steam generator/nozzle/control pad assembly, 4 body jets, 2 diverter valves, to shower heads, specialty seat, concrete, tile pattern all for $1000 labor. It was a maze work of copper piping. This was an add-on.
4) Gift: Free skylight over stairs.
5) Gift: We upgraded from a tub (included in the original quote) to a whirlpool with heater. Much more work, no additional cost.
6) Gift: New locks no cost.
7) Gift: All new outlet wiring on the Parlor floor. Turned out that floor's wiring was older than my grandmother. $500.
8) Gift: Iron bars on 4 basement windows for $550, including materials.
9) Gift: Install 270' of 6' fencing during the winter for $3000 and he provides the concrete. The fence company said the price is unbelievable.
10) Gift: Repoint all the bricks and stones in the basement for $1200. Took his team a week.
The list goes on. Everything is by licensed professionals. Trust me, the bank is paying for the rehab, so they are watching everything.
I really want to hook him up with another reno beginning mid march. He deserves it. Call me at 201 819-4349 (project is in Brooklyn) and you can come meet him and see his work in progress. Andrew
Posted by: aramsey at January 18, 2008 11:38 AM
This sounds like an ideal situation. I was just telling my wife that I'm hoping to find a recommendation for a contractor from someone I don't know on the internet. Ideally, the contractor doesn't speak English and I have to play charades with him on a constant basis, because boy, do I love parlor games. Maybe we can play Pictionary, too! I hope this contractor will give me many gifts, I really don't care about his work as long as he's cheap. It sounds as if (not when, but if) I have problems or concerns, he'll be right on the job and I won't have to pay the cheapest non-English speaking lawyer to track him down. Please call me at 718-WTF-MORON so I can sign a contract with him ASAP
Posted by: guest at January 18, 2008 11:38 AM
Andrew--thanks for the info. I'll call this weekend...despite the nasty/nativist remarks of the others.
Posted by: guest at January 18, 2008 1:40 PM
Ask your contractors if they want to install a turkish bath in Istanbul.
Posted by: Ysabelle at January 18, 2008 2:15 PM
Yes, "1:40 pm", that commentator is a nuisance, but I'm glad you see through the BS. I can't fathom that person's mentality and it is not worth my time. You are welcome to see a real project in process with real people working and judge for yourself. I will not comment on him/her again, though I have thought of plenty to say, LOL. It's an interesting world. Quite a surprise, this person bothering to stalk my good effort. I'm glad I didn't give my home address. I look forward to your call and, if you desire, a site-visit.
Posted by: aramsey at January 18, 2008 10:37 PM
OP, is this person licensed and insured? Was filing done? IMO, sounds like you hired a good handyman with a lot of friends. Licensed and professional tradesman don't provide gifts, especially if their original price was fair, that would be like an attorney representing you for free or a doctor fixing your left hand after you paying to fix your right. I'm not against this approach, but am concerned (now that I own a home) about lawsuits. It only takes one person tripping on your property and your in court. Or it can be that this person doesn't have the professional backing to support your project when something goes wrong. Glad to hear you had success, but sounds like you took a big gamble and there was a huge chance of something going equally wrong.
Posted by: guest at January 19, 2008 9:56 AM
"OP, is this person licensed and insured? "
can you read? he said he was.
Posted by: guest at January 20, 2008 12:25 PM
12:25..are you referring to the words between the lines,.. no where on this site does it state 'licensed' and 'insured'.
Posted by: guest at January 20, 2008 5:57 PM
Yes, licensed and insured.
Posted by: aramsey at January 21, 2008 12:18 PM
this person is licensed and insured yet managed to beat other contractors pricing by over 60%???
licensed, highly unlikely, and insured...maybe if someone pulled some permits for him.
sounds like if someone got hurt...you'd be out more than 200K..
good luck on your house, it will be falling apart shortly, and nothing is free, as you will learn
Posted by: guest at June 15, 2008 9:24 PM
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