Experience with these contractors?

Speak with Jeff at Primerenovationsnyc.com

Hi there,
I wholeheartedly recommend Philip from Philips Home Improvement. Philipshomeimprovement@gmail.com.
He did a wonderful job with my apartment and many of my friend's apartments. I would recommend that you interview the contractors you are considering and also call their references. Best to see their work in person, if possible-not just photos! Philip was on time with our job, on budget and also showed up everyday...which was not the case with our first contractor!

Good luck!

Thanks much.

I would definitely contact Evolution Contracting - they do an amazing job. They are doing a full renovation of my apartment now and have done 3 of my friends who I am sure would be strong references. Their email is evolutioncontracting@gmail.com. Best of luck!

Be careful of "objective" third party endorsements on this site.

Thank you, Gobolly. Navigating the world of contractors is a bit surreal.

I would ask how long someone has been in the business and make sure they're licensed. Check DCA and BBB records for confirmation and any inconsistencies/red flags. Ask for names of sub-contractors and do the same for them. On-site visits are great, but a conversation with the (real) owners can provide insight into what it was like working with the contractor. Google the company AND its principals - this might turn up additional information. Other resources: a trustworthy building super - he may be able to recommend someone who's done other good work in the building; a managing agent to see if there's been any negative experience with your contractor of choice. They go with whom you're most comfortable. And good luck!

@rlmnyc - If you are still looking for contractors please consider our services. Capital Craftsmen, 26 years in business with all licenses, references, happy clients etc..Please contact Stephen 516-487-6097 to discuss your project www.capitalcraftsmen.com

Gabolly, very helpful feedback. I'd much rather go with someone personally known to me or someone I know. I did ask the building management, and they gave me a few recommendations (the ones I listed), but I was hoping to hear if anyone else had experience with them. Will follow up as you recommend.

Gabolly, very helpful feedback. I'd much rather go with someone personally known to me or someone I know. I did ask the building management, and they gave me a few recommendations (the ones I listed), but I was hoping to hear if anyone else had experience with them. Will follow up as you recommend.

Gabolly, very helpful feedback. I'd much rather go with someone personally known to me or someone I know. I did ask the building management, and they gave me a few recommendations (the ones I listed), but I was hoping to hear if anyone else had experience with them. Will follow up as you recommend.

Sorry for the bombardment--computer error.

Rim,

I believe the best thing to do is interview several different contractors as well as call their references and go to Zoe projects they are either working on or have finished. It is very important that you fee comfortable with.

.
I would be happy to meet with you and discuss what my company has to offer.

BuiltInstudio recommended me in an earlier but here is my info

My company:

Prime Renovations
www.primerenovationsnyc.com

Email: primerenovations@mac.com

I had a bad experience with a contractor who gave me a great estimate but turned out to NOT be licensed and had no insurance, etc. It was a big waste of my time. So first, I recommend you make sure they are licensed - they should have a certificate and an ID. Or you can just look them up at the NYC.gov site here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/licenses/license_check.shtml
Then make sure they have a valid certificate of liability insurance. I own a coop apartment that does not allow contractors to work in the building unless they have full documentation. I finally went with Inti Renovations, they made it easy as they were excellent communicating via email - mainly getting all the paperwork squared away plus they were extremely affordable. You can reach them via their website www.intirenovation.com

best of luck,
Adam

Thanks, Adam. I'll definitely check.

The problem with references is that you're not dealing with a random sample of contractors' customers. You're dealing with three hand-picked people who may be the contractor's friends, distant relatives, or whatever. References are more of a disaster-screen than a real selection tool.

Do you have any friends/acquaintances who have done a lot of renovation? E.g., maybe an architect, a real estate broker, a house flipper from the boom? I put a lot more faith in one recommendation that spans multiple projects, years, and clients versus several hand-picked references.

Good point, lad. I was leaning towards one contractor with good references (the seller's broker--who lives in the same building as the seller--used this contractor and offered to show us his apartment), but it looks like this contractor isn't licensed with the DCA. And I've noticed that several of the contractors referred to us by the building and others don't appear to be licensed with the DCA. How important is this? Can a contractor file a project with the Department of Buildings if he's not on the DCA list? And wouldn't the building (condo) not allow him to work there if he doesn't have insurance?

Hi rlmnyc,

You may have already emailed or called the contractor we used and recommended (philipshomeimprovement@gmail.com) but if not, I wanted to let you know he IS licensed and insured. I live in a co-op and so do my three friends who used him. I would think most co-op's would insist on it.
Good luck!

I appreciate your feedback, 10009. Maybe I'm searching incorrectly on the DCA, but nothing's showing up for Philips (or Phillips) Home Improvement. In all seriousness, what are the implications of being licensed with the DCA and not? I understand the importance of insurance. Our current condo's like Fort Knox when it comes to needing a certificate of insurance, and I imagine where we're moving is the same way.

Don't know the implications of no license because I knew my condo would not approve a contractor without one. The reason you may not be able to find Philip is because he uses several different spellings of his name - first and last. I had reached out to him, jeff at prime as well as two other contractors recommended by friends. I went with prime - great experience.

I'm up early doing research (obsessing), and have answered my own question. Since we're doing some hefty renovation, it looks like a license will be crucial for a number of reasons, including being able to get a permit with the Department of Buildings.

And I've just read that the BBB reportedly gives an A+ to companies who join, without much scrutiny. This seems to minimize their credibility.

I agree (from personal experience) that an A+ with the BBB doesn't mean much - mostly that there hasn't been any unresolved complaint lodged. Also, my understanding is that if a contractor is not licensed, there is little recourse through the city if there is a problem, as they only monitor those licensed. You can also call the DCA to see if there have been any consumer issues with a contractor.

Agree 100% with lad re references - friends, subcontractors, contractors all recommending each other. Especially on this site. Not necessarily bad, just be aware. If you trust your managing agent, and have seen the work and spoken with the owners who have used his recommended contractors, and have otherwise checked them out, why not go forward with one of them? It's easy to chase your tail on something like this.

rlm, how hefty is your renovation? If you're spending $100k or more, a knowledgeable architect/project manager could make your life a lot easier.

I can't believe how many people we need to accomplish this renovation, but in every instance, our architect has been able to give us a list of names with pros and cons of each. He arranges to meet them at the apartment and gets the bids for us, then further negotiates the pricing based on their itemized breakouts.

I'd estimate the architect is adding 15-20% to the project cost, but between the architect's knowledge of affordable options and the discounts available to him, I suspect it's nearly paying for itself in savings. Plus, the process is moving five times as fast as it would otherwise, and the architect brings design ideas that added another dimension to the project.

Sometimes it's easier to hire one professional with whom you are really in sync -- and this architect really "gets" us and our building -- and let them take the lead from there.

lad, we are thinking about a 100K renovation (2 baths, kitchen, painting, fixing assorted detritus from the seller. To demonstrate how clueless we are, it hadn't dawned on us to get an architect. Do we really need one if we're not changing anything structurally, just modernizing and replacing?

And the building's management confirmed that all of the contractors they gave me are both licensed and insured (the building doesn't allow contractors who aren't).

As for references, I did speak with one guy who admitted that he's a longtime friend of the contractor I have in mind, but that this contractor has worked with him for 18 years on various projects and just completed a total renovation of his home. Two other (I'm fairly certain) unrelated, disinterested referrals praised his work as well, and we're going to take a look at his work on a fourth reference in our new building next week.

You've all been so helpful--thanks! I'd welcome any more suggestions.

If you're just swapping out like for like, there's probably no need for an architect. We are doing everything you're not doing -- leaving the kitchen and baths as-is, but moving the location of a staircase, cutting/replacing/reinforcing structural beams, knocking down and putting up walls, and constructing a bulkhead with roof access. We obviously need an architect. (Or a lobotomy. Or maybe both.)

lad, that sounds like an immense project which will truly transform you home. I hope it's a great success. Maybe I should preempt our renovation angst by getting my lobotomy now.

I strongly recommend Manhattan Restoration, LLC (www.manhattanrestoration.com)

I'm with lad. If it's a big renovation, use someone your architect knows and works with frequently. One thing I learned in my own renovation is that the architect has a lot more sway over the contractor than you will -- the architect is the repeat customer, not you.

If you're not using an architect, tell the contractor you'll need references from his last three jobs (and be very skeptical if he hesitates to give them to you). That way he has less opportunity to be selective in the references he provides.

Hi rlmnyc,

Yikes..I'm not on this site very often. I just spoke to Philip and he is listed under the DCA under both Filip Pjetergjoka, DBA and also under Filip's Home Improvement. Sorry about the misspelling. His email is, however, philipshomeimprovement.com. Not sure if you want this, but his license number is 1248240. I also have his liability and workers comp insurance numbers if you need them.

As I mentioned, he has PLENTY of great references and I'm sure he could show you some current projects he is working on now. Again, best of luck!

Doesn't sound like you need an architecht since you are not doing anything structural. Take your time selecting the contractor since having one that is honest and reliable is very important. Once you pick one, take the time in pricing out your materials too. You will be surprised at the deals you can find if you take the time to do the work. Your contractor will have connections, but sometimes his connections will not have the best pricing. No one is going to care about the bottom line more than you. Use Excel to keep track of your expenditures. Use Powerpoint - cut and paste the pics of your cabinets, tile, hardware, etc. on to a slide so you have a good idea on how things will look instead of just seeing it in your mind. Changing your mind once you have made a decision will cost you time and money. Good luck with everything. Renovating is a hassle, but well worth it when your apartment looks how you envisioned it.

lad, who was your architect? Still happy with your reno?

Hi rlmnyc,
I'm looking for a reliable contractor for renovations. Who did you pick & and what was your experience. I hope it was a positive one and it is over by now.
I would appreciate your input.

jazzobuzzo,

Excuse me for cutting in. If you're looking for a reliable contractor please check us out: www.capitalcraftsmen.com

E-mail me with your project notes and I'll happily be of assistance stephen@capitalcraftsmen.com