Contractor recommendations?

[georgy.livejournal.com]

 So, as mentioned earlier, we just bought a house in Somerville (yay!), and we're looking to have a few things done. I'm seeking referrals for:

- people who can redo decks
- landscaping consultants
- masonry (e.g. front/side steps, railings, etc.)
- heating

Those are the most immediate. I'll check the tags but am looking for fresh recs as well. Thank you in advance!

Comments

[greyling.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

I just bought my house a year ago, and have had some work done since. I mildly disrecommend Stephen Walsh at Center Line Construction; he knocked out a wall in my house and re-supported the structure, which he did well, but he left it at a barely complete stage, such that I had a good two weekends' worth of cleanup work and I had to hire a carpenter to finish the flooring. :/ Unprofessional, in my opinion. The guy just kept pushing me for as much money as he could get, and did not take pride in his work.

I'm in the midst of working with Junior at JConstruction at the moment, and so far I've been happy with his work and communication skills. We'll see how this job progresses.

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

I used Fresh Start Contracting for a complete renovation a few years back and I was pretty pleased http://www.freshstartcorp.net/

I have also heard good things about S.M. Srgoi. They have done quite a bit of work in the Davis area. http://www.smsgroiconstruction.com/home

I also saw a company called "Diamond Edge" working on several houses in the Benton road area. I figure that to get several jobs in the same area they are getting good referrals. But I have no experience with them.

[ratushebarl.livejournal.com]

Re landscaping and masonry, I just had a retaining wall and staircase done by Cosco and am happy with their work. It wasn't a completely smooth job -- they hit a gas line, there was a giant unexpected concrete block buried in my yard, and the wall had to be built one course higher than we thought -- but they kept me informed and did as I asked, and as far as I can tell it's a good job. They were pretty apologetic about the gasline, I doubt they'll do that again soon. I'd hire them again.

Re heating, I recommend calling MassSave before making any sudden moves. If your heating setup is premodern in any way, they have free money for you. Last year they insulated my entire (3-story plus basement) house for like $1000, gave me stacks of programmable thermostats and compact fluorescent bulbs, and hooked me up with a $1600 rebate on a fancy-tastic new furnace.

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

Oh, and while it will be a few weeks before he does the work, I found Kevin of Big Blue Plumbing to be very pleasant and straightforward and his quote quite reasonable. He has been recommended elsewhere on this board.

[vibrantabyss.livejournal.com]

I used Henry Scopa for my decks & masonry: (617) 921-2127

Jenniefer's Landscaping for that: (617) 718-1796

[fefie.livejournal.com]

I can recommend this Somerville landscaper:
www.yourgardencurator.com

As for "Diamond Edge", they've won awards from Historic Preservation awards for the work they've done in Somerville (they too are a local company).

[antimony.livejournal.com]

For landscaping and stonework, we had a good experience with earth stone and water (http://www.earthstoneandwater.com/).

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

We joined Angie's list and one kinda neat bit I didn't realize were some of the coupons more than pay for themselves on top of the reviews. Before you join, look for coupons online (we got a half off membership one, which helped quite a bit)

Call Ben LaMora at Lineal Inc - 508-237-9812

[frugaljoe.livejournal.com]

Ben's company redid my kitchen, built a deck, and fixed up a front walkway; his partner's wife is a landscape consultant and helped us with our backyard. I've recommended him here before, and everyone that's used him was really happy. tell him that the guy with the crazy stairs recommended him.

[she-of-emeralds.livejournal.com]

Kris Routt "Hire a Husband" at 617-230-5050. I have to admit I haven't used him for anything other than snow shovelling, but he was very nice about methodically chopping up the ice under the snow until the driveway was actually CLEAR. He advertises home repairs of all sorts.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

My husband owns a plumbing/heating company locally. He could totally use some business and will do free estimates or even advice over the phone. Feel free to call him Jamie 617-319-5898 Dillon Plumbing & Heating.

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to say that we called your husband for a quote based on this post. He came out this morning, and my husband was quite impressed. we're looking forward to seeing his quote (are comparing a few different plumbers/heating people), and feel pretty strongly we'll go with him. Thanks!

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

Awesome. When he got back he was telling me how the person found him on Angies List (we just signed up for it and dont know how it works too well as a contractor yet) and I thought that was cool. I just told him you guys actually found him through my post here :)

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

well, to be fair, I found him here from your post, then passed on the info to my husband who double checked his existence through Angie's List, which had basically his name and nothing else. So, I suppose he is also correct. :)

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

Darn I wanted to take the credit;) I set it up for him but I have been busy with our baby and my new job so I haven't messed around with it too much. I should get on that and figure it out though!

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

one quick question. my husband is trying up date his contractor contact info (he's very organized like that), and was wondering if your husband has email (for work related stuff), or if he prefers to do stuff through phone? I think my husband was expecting a quote to come through email sometime today or tomorrow?

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

nevermind, just got his quote. Thanks (if you had anything to do with it).

[georgy.livejournal.com]

Hi there - I keep leaving voicemails for your husband, but no response. I'm interested in getting feedback/an estimate on some potential heating work.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

Oh no, I'm sorry. He is currently working on a large scale job in Provincetown. He doesn't get Harry ant cell service and being completely honest when he comes home at the end of the well for some reason half of his messages do not show up including mine. If you wouldn't please send me your contact info by message and I'll ensure he contacts you through the hotel phone tonight.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the typos this mobile LJ page doesn't seem to load properly on my phone.

[aislingk15.livejournal.com]

I bought a condo last year and hired Jack General Services this summer to do several small jobs (fixing wobbly basement stairs, repairing a hole in my floor, etc.) He's based in Watertown but had no problem coming out to Somerville. I can't compare his prices with other contractors, but he was incredibly good about getting back to me by phone and email, while I could hardly get anyone else to reply to me in any manner. I was pleased with the work he did, too. http://www.remodelingwatertown.com/

I don't know what your heating issues are, but I've had radiator work done a couple of times by Mario Pena of Pena's Heating and Plumbing (I may have that backwards). His phone number is 617-592-8548.

Good luck!