Fixer-Upper

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

Hey all. I know I don't post or comment much, but I do read, and I'm coming to y'all for help.

I grew up in Davis Sq., and until recently, my mom lived in the house we bought in 1967. She's now in a retirement home and the care and maintenence of the house is my responsibility. Which is OK with me, since I've been wanting to update the house for years...

Anyway, I'm asking for help on any recomendations for contractors. There is some MAJOR work to be done there, since there hasn't been much work done there lately, and the little work done, has been patchwork, IMO.

Ideally, I would like a contractor that would oversea plumbing, electrical work, complete overhaul of a heating system (installing two new ones, and removing the old ASBESTOS boiler from c. before dirt.) and general construction.

I realize this is not a small job, but I'm clueless as to who to turn to, and figured you guys would know/have some rec's. It's better than me going in blindly.

Any help much appreciated.

*_*

Comments

[dphilli1.livejournal.com]

two recs:

Dudley asbestos removal -- dealt with an asbestos covered pipe in our basement
http://www.dudleyasbestos.com/

Marc Gobiel/Mardan Construction -- renovated our basement. did a really nice job. Was absolutely anal about details to the level of nagging the crew to make sure the screws on the outlet plates were all vertical.

Marc (781) 799-3353

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

Oooo, thanks so much!

[tequilamckngbrd.livejournal.com]

Unrelated question, how do you post a topic? I can only seem to comment, only.

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

You need to join the community...and if you've done that, then when making a post, up at the top page, there should be a small box that gives you the option of posting to whatever community you want.

[tequilamckngbrd.livejournal.com]

I'm such a noob. Thanks!

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Join Angie's List -- it is full of recommendations for all manner of contractors, and the membership fee is easily worth it, especially when you need that much renovation.

[allthefishies.livejournal.com]

Seconding, thirding and fourthing Angie's List. My husband and I reno-ed a two-family two years ago and could not have done it (it = plumbing, electrical, asbestos removal, heating conversion, woodworker, plasterers, gutter repair, chimney reconstruction.. etc etc etc...) without that service. The contractors knew they were on their best behavior because we reported back to an agency.

I would recommend without hesitation Deveaux Electrical (Wayne), Mark Adams plumbing and S&S Asbestos abatement.

Good luck - and make sure to keep wicked careful records of everything!

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

Oh thanks! But I'm still clueless to what Angie's list is. Could you possibly make a link, or post an address? Email? etc? :)

[allthefishies.livejournal.com]

That would be angieslist.org. A pay service but worth it's fee many times over.

[allthefishies.livejournal.com]

Also, keep in mind you might want to get three (written) quotes (from different folks) for each service you need. We were advised not to pick the most expensive or the cheapest, but to pick the one in the middle.

...not to say we didn't sometimes pick the cheapest. Sometimes we regretted it (our floor refinishers) and sometimes we didn't (asbestos removal). Getting several comprehensive written quotes to choose from was more work but totally worth it.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

um does fifthing equal orgying? also, it might be worth it to hire an inspector to assess the place.

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

Angie's list????

...I have no clue....

[jennyelfenmass.livejournal.com]

Angie's List (http://www.angieslist.com/angieslist/)

Think yelp but a pay service and for contractors and the like.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Angie's List is not a panacea, however. We used a contractor off Angie's List, highly recommended, and he took $7000 (1/3 down payment on a large job) and *disappeared* without ever doing any work. It took us over two years and legal fees to get it back.

[vibrantabyss.livejournal.com]

I have used Henry Scopa Home Improvement for all the work around my house, including redoing deck supports and a number of other things. The one thing he likely doesn't do is asbestos abatement, since that is EPA mucky-mucky, but I bet he can bring in a firm or work with someone you select. I know he does furnace work too...

While I have seen some jobs done by Winter, and I like the quality there a bit better, Henry is no slouch, and I've never had him disappear midway in a job - at most two days off for weather. And I've heard of long gaps from several people that used Winter.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

There's Pann. They do just about everything.
http://www.pannhomeservices.com/

Allen does plumbing and heating. Very highly rated on Angie's list. And they're local (Albion Street).
http://www.allen-plumbing.com

[infinitemorning.livejournal.com]

I have no useful information for you; merely an irritating jest. To wit:

You want someone to oversea plumbing? Why, do you need your pipes routed through Europe?

Try the veal, tip your waitress.

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

Need anyone to help corral your mom's stuff, or is that all done already?

http://www.findyourfloor.org

(also recommended by Angie's List)

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

Most of her "stuff" has gone with her, although there's plenty of other "junk" that needs to be cleared out. Looking to do that in the spring, when the dust mites can travel through open windows and doors.

[ron_newman]

I've tagged this "home repair". Clicking on the tag will show you previous posts that may be useful.

[noire.livejournal.com]

Sergio's Renovations. 671-438-4009

http://www.circleschoice.com/cc/provider_show.htm?id=3996

I have redone 4 historic properties and worked with a LOT of contractors. None of them come CLOSE to Sergio. I would be perfectly willing to wait on his waiting list for just about anything. He and his people are truly amazing!

[nonnihil.livejournal.com]

Seconded! Sergio handled a bathroom emergency for us last year and exceeded all of our expectations for a fraction of the cost we expected. His people worked miracles.

Lineal Inc - 508-237-9812

[frugaljoe.livejournal.com]

It sounds like what you're looking for is a general contractor, someone to oversee the whole project. I highly recommend Lineal Inc - they've done a ton of work for us, and the work has been top-notch. Ben, one of the owners, is a great general contractor, and has great relationships with a ton of contractors. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone; tell them the guy with the crazy stairs recommended you.

Re: Lineal Inc - 508-237-9812

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

Yes, I believe that's what I said...someone to oversee all the work.....thanks for your rec's!

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

We've had good experiences on two occasions (major renovations and an addition ) with Sal Latina at Wessco , sal@wessco.biz, 781 395-5531

and also with two jobs (roof replacement & insulation, painting) from Karla and Emmanuel Coelho at Coelho contracting, coelhocontracting@comcast.net, http://www.coelhocontracting.com/, 781 391-0989

Good luck!

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[rmd.livejournal.com]

The folks at stealthconstruction.net did a good job replacing the porch on my house.

[junesrose.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[frotz.livejournal.com]

I've been using Galaxy Contracting (http://www.galaxycontractors.com/) for a while now and been really happy. (At various times, they've painted my house, did a small addition, and did some repair work.) Steve Kasper, the guy who runs it, was just a pleasure to deal with, and pricing was reasonable.

Pann is a very high-service-level outfit. They will always be available, they will almost always have someone to do competent work, and they charge a lot for that.

Those two have never failed to return a phone call, which is really nice.

(There are a couple more that, while I haven't done business with them directly, I've seen some really nice work from for really high-end stuff; PM Dandini over in Winter Hill (http://www.pmdandini.com/) and... oops, Rex Passion retired from construction to become a professional photographer. Awesome work, though.)

Fontenot Contracting

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

I highly recommend Fontenot Contracting (http://www.fontenotcontracting.com/). They do a fantastic job of overseeing your project from start to end. Extremely trustworthy advice and suggestions.