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June 11, 2008
Contractor Recommendation
About two months ago I picked a contractor, mostly based on recommendations from this forum. I am doing more-or-less a gut reno of a 4 story house in Brooklyn. Initially I had him do all the demo on the top floor so that he could get to the beams and repair-replace them. (The floor had serious sagging issues, see my post here: http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/04/sagging_support_1.php ) Also, he’s working on moving 2 flights of stairs. Anyway, two months later and I booked him to do the rest of the demo, ALL the plumbing, and ALL the framing. His work is very good, so far I am very happy. I just wanted to do him a favor and try to get him some more business! Here's his contact info: Thahal Beer, Beer construction, 646-358-6118. Hopefully he wouldn't get too overwhelmed with calls so he won't be able to finish my job!! :) But seriously, if you need a responsible, honest, decently-priced and hard-working GC, this is the guy. I was totally turned off by some of the sleaseballs who showed up for the job before I decided to go with Beer. Yes, his name is Beer.
Comments
typo correction: this is a 3 story townhouse, not 4 story.
Posted by: Sputnik13 at June 11, 2008 3:01 PM
ahh.. so that's why he's not at my house every day. he told me he was completely free to work on my project. I guess he is working on your project too.
Posted by: kedalb at June 11, 2008 3:51 PM
Hahaha!! Well, he's over at my place every other day or so. Maybe he doesn't need too much more work right now. Are you happy with him so far?
Posted by: Sputnik13 at June 11, 2008 4:03 PM
Well - he is a really nice guy but I'm not too happy with some of the finishing from his workers. I have told them and him about it and they say they will fix it, but it is yet to be seen. For example, I have not seen the painter ever use painter's tape, and as a consequence the lines aren't as crisp as they should be. Our agreement was to skim coat where needed, and Beer assured me that he would see and fix many more defects than I would notice. But I keep on going back and finding places where they missed. I'm not terribly anal, so I don't think I'm being too nit picky. They say they will go back and fix them - but again, yet to be seen. When I spoke with him earlier today he said "Oh, you know how it is - it is hard to find good workers", which I thought was interesting given that his wife was doing a fair whack of the painting.
They have just finished roughing our bathroom (which needs to be re-done in places as the pipe outlets for our dual sinks aren't anywhere close to symmetrical) and I am concerned about the quality of the finished job.
It was a little amusing watching them try and install my shower. A week before it was delivered, I gave them a long installation document from the manufacturer, complete with detailed measurements and drawings. I read it. I understood it. But when I saw them installing it, the shower was upside down. I had to spend quite some time explaining what the diagrams meant. I found this a little odd as I know nothing about plumbing, yet I understood what to do.
Now that I'm reading my previous paragraphs the experience sounds much more negative than how I feel. But I think its worthwhile pointing out a few of my niggling issues in light of the fact that all the reviews I read and heard about him were 100% glowing.
Posted by: kedalb at June 11, 2008 6:55 PM
Kedalb, I appreciate your honesty in presenting a balanced picture. It's good to know that this contractor everyone says as enjoyable to work with needs a little micro-management. Please post when he's done with your job and let everyone know if he made good on the promises to fix the problems.
Posted by: guest at June 12, 2008 11:11 PM
I feel pretty bad now. Beer got wind of my post, and while I don't think he has read it, someone told him about it. I didn't mean for it to be a bad review, rather, I just wanted to shed some light on the micro-management issues as tactfully put by guest 11:11.
I had a long chat with him last night and we have settled on a system whereby I will mark all areas where I see the need for improvement and we can then track these issues as they are resolved.
When the job is complete I will try to present a more balanced post that benefits from me knowing the end result rather than what I am seeing at this interim stage.
Posted by: kedalb at June 13, 2008 10:45 AM
Kedalb, that's interesting input. So far I've used Beer for things that don't require too much finishing or attention to detail. I know he is thorough and responsible when it comes to that. He's done a bang-up job framing in the walls, and I have no doubt he can lay out the plumbing well, but for example I plan to do drywall work myself so that I can control the final quality of the work. Same with moldings, flooring and painting. Well, post an update when he's through with your place, hopefully Beer can redeem himself when he presents you the final product!
Posted by: Sputnik13 at June 15, 2008 12:26 PM
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