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Ant Builders - Shy Nair

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling, General Remodeling, Roofing,

About us

Ant Builders started and has grown over the years but we still remain small enough that I still have the time to visit every site each day. I meet every client before the contract is signed and my goal is to deliver on my promise. Check out our completed projects and you will see some very nicely done work that was completed on budget and on time. Our crew is a small group of honest and friendly people. I thank them for delivering a product that I can stand behind. They are the number one reason that I continue to be able to do this for a living. 11 EMPLOYEES. Licensed in DC and Maryland. Jobs minimum of $5,000. May contact through email. Contact: Shy Nair

Business highlights

27 years of trusted experience

Services we offer

Whole House Remodeling, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Roofing

Services we don't offer

Small Repairs & Emergency Services, Landscaping

Amenities

Free Estimates
Yes
Warranties
Yes


Accepted payment methods

Check

Photos of past projects

Reviews

5.0131 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
94%
4
2%
3
1%
2
1%
1
2%


Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.9
value
4.8
professionalism
4.9
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Showing 51-75 of 131 reviews

David F.
03/2010
5.0
home remodeling
  + -1 more
They were responsive, thorough, and helpful. They were very professional too. Their quote was very high, though.
Description of Work: We contacted ANT Builders - Shy Nair to get an estimate for kitchen remodeling.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
Thanks for the A review. But may I respond to your comments about the quote being high. I reviewed the bid I put together for you after your review and I thought it was fair. Not cheap but fair to you and as importantly to me as well. You just called me again to bid on your kitchen 2 months after this review? Am I missing something here? Why would you call me after posting I was high on the bid to ask me to bid on your kitchen again?

Jack F.
02/2010
5.0
ceramic tile, home remodeling
  + 0 more
They were extremely professional and we really liked them. We would have used them even though their quote was a bit higher but the timing didn't work. We needed to have the work done immediately due to some water damage. They are a small company and they actually recommended the people we did use. I would have loved to use them instead. The water damage was a huge problem and it was done by someone else. Ant Builders-Shy Nair came back on time and even spent a lot of time with us. They gave us terrific suggestions on what needed to be done. They were very honest with us about not being able to do the job due to the timing. They recommended another company who turned out to be very good too. They even followed up and were really great.
Description of Work: I used Ant Builders – Shy Nair to get a quote for replacing the tiles in our kitchen with ceramic tile flooring, redoing the basement, rebuilding new walls and things like that.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
I remember this visit with the home owner very well. He was just really nice and I appreciate the opportunity. I always like to hear back from folks even when they do not hire me. Too bad on the timing as I would have loved to work for this home owner. They had a very beautiful and unique home. I am glad the company I recommended did a good job and that is why I am happy to refer good folks to good companies. I would only recommend a company that I would use myself.

Brian H.
02/2010
5.0
decks, gutter repair, masonry
  + 1 more
Ant Builders exceeded expectations on all fronts. They fit me in about 2 weeks before they initially thought they could. They worked with me to make the most out of my deck design. They discovered problems along the way and provided options very clearly without any pressure to do anything beyond my initial project. They showed up on time, called when it looked like rain to let me know whether they could work, etc. Pricing was very transparent - it cost what they said it would - and we didn't run into any surprises. My experience with DC contractors has not been great but Ant Builders was exceptional.
Description of Work: Ant Builders repaired and sealed my deck and built some significant modifications/additions. While they were at it, they re-pointed and re-stuccoed some problem areas on the back of my brick house, painted the back of my house, and helped me find and hire two sub contractors who replaced my gutter and moved my AC compressor to the roof. They also did some minor repairs to fix a leak in my roof.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$10,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
Easy client to work for. He let us modify as needed and was really flexible which made working with the existing a lot easier. It was a deck done by others and modified by us so there were some things that could not be done as discussed. Thanks for the review.

Jing Z.
01/2010
5.0
contractors, ceramic tile, drywall, electrician, flooring contractor, hardwood floor, insulation, lighting, plumbing, remodeling, woodworking, interior painters, doors
  + 11 more
This is our first large renovation project. It turned out not only pleasant, but also educational for me. Alex came for the initial estimate. He was on time and very polite and asked many questions. He took the measurement, explained the process and offered ideas on how to address the problems we had. A few days later he came back with Shy to survey to house again and discussed the issues and solutions at a more detailed level. A day or two later Shy sent me an item by item estimate. I opted out of the electric work and chose another company with a better quote, which they didn?t seem to mind. The work started on time and lasted one week longer than what is estimated, but it was well within the formally agreed upon time frame. This is largely due to the fact that I added a lot more things during the process, including painting of the whole house and replacing all the ceilings. As a novice, what I appreciate most is that Shy and Alex listened carefully to what I want and gave me practical suggestions on economical solutions. They took time explaining what the problems were and which problems did not matter much and which should be taken care of. They are on the job site every day, sometimes for the whole day, directing the crew and answering my questions. They picked up all the heavy supplies for me free of charge, including 1900 sf of hardwood flooring and a dozen doors. Throughout the process I felt that they truly care about what I want to achieve from the project and want to make me happy. They also do not haggle over little things and were happy to do whatever is possible to make you happy. It shows they value customer relations more than making the small bucks here and there. They treat their crew, mostly Latinos, kindly and behave more like co-workers than their employers. From what I can see, they have a very good relationship with their employees. I really appreciate that. The crew is polite and hardworking. They always cleaned up the site every day before leaving. They carefully moved my piano and Stickley furniture around throughout the project without damaging anything. The project went well. A piece of ceramic tile developed a tiny crack during the installation of a nearby door?something I didn?t notice. They let me know and fixed it. A couple of interior doors shrank and could not close shut when the weather became cold. They came back fixed them. Overall, I really respect this couple of entrepreneurs. They are hardworking, easy going and seem to enjoy what they do. I will not hesitate to work with them in the future.
Description of Work: Ant Builders replaced approx. 1700 sq of hard wood floor, including the sub-floor and two flights of stairs, installed new stair railings, installed a 10x11 ceramic floor in the laundry room, replaced about 12 interior doors, including sanding, priming and painting the new doors, opened up entrance to the family room which involves new framing, installed new ceiling drywall throughout the house, built a washer/dryer compartment, installed two ceiling fans, two ceiling lights, one attic fan and two bathroom exhaust fans and other small electric fixtures, painted the entire house interior walls, replaced an exterior door in the walkout basement, insulated the entire craw space and he first floor, fixed leaky air ducks and installed a deck gate and two screen doors.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$50,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
What a nice project to work on. We miss Indie the dog running off with our lumber. The Client was just so good to us. He would come back home to answer any questions on his lunch break and was really patient while we tore the house apart. Thank you for always cleaning up after us. Truth be told she had the hardest job keeping up with our dust.

BECKY G.
12/2009
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
They were very punctual and responsive. They were very professional. They were very thorough and very detailed in the questions they asked. They provided a very detailed estimate in email format. The estimate came in within 3 to 5 business days.
Description of Work: Ant Builders-Shy Nair gave me an estimate to refinish a basement area.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$25,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
Nice couple. Thanks for taking the time to review us. Happy New Year! Shy

Maiko M.
12/2009
5.0
decks
  + -1 more
They were very responsive, and they did the job the way we wanted. They worked efficiently and finished on time. They are also very good about responding to calls if we have an issue with something we need them to look at. We like this company and the work they provided and will use them again in the future.
Description of Work: We hired this company to build our deck.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$12,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
I forgot our first visit with this Client and she still gave me an extra hour to get there to meet with her. You are patient beyond belief and I appreciate the chance when you hired us. Also they have the most beautiful kids in the world! Big hi to the kids, Shy

Matthew Y.
11/2009
5.0
home remodeling
  + -1 more
We had a great experience with Ant Builders. Shy and Alex were responsive and engaged at every step of the process. Their crew is first-rate and did a great job minimizing the impact of a major remodeling project. The job site was clean at the end of each day and materials were carefully stowed away. This was very important for us, as the master bath is connected to our bedroom, and the kids' bath is immediately adjacent to the bedrooms of our two children. The greatest challenge of this project was a series of delays and problems that we had with our tile supplier -- problems for which Shy and Alex bore absolutely no responsibility. The project schedule originally involved back-to-back remodels of the two bathrooms over the course of about six weeks. But as a result of the tile delays, Shy and Alex had to finish the kids' bathroom, then wait several months while the tile problems were resolved. This left our master bath in a prolonged state of demolition while our kids' bath was finished. Shy and Alex dealt with this complex situation with the utmost professionalism, making every effort to expedite the situation with our tile supplier, and working with us to rearrange the project schedule to accommodate the delays. What was meant to be a six-week project became a six-month project, through no fault of their own, and they dealt with it as best as they possibly could. Having done a fair number of DIY projects around the house over the years, I know that problems will inevitably arise with any project. Nothing ever goes exactly according to plan. When problems arose with this project, or something wasn't quite right, Shy and Alex were amazingly responsive and dealt with the issue immediately. Sometimes we changed our minds about something, sometimes something hadn't been done quite right -- they dealt with it. The biggest "incident" with this project was a pipe connection that hadn't been fully soldered and that ended up leaking water through our living room ceiling below -- a very serious situation. Shy, Alex, and their team descended upon our house on a Friday night like we had called 911 and fixed the problem immediately. Within a matter of days, the ceiling in the living room had been replaced and repainted, and it looked like the problem had never happened. It was a problem for which they were responsible, and they held themselves fully accountable for getting it fixed as quickly as possible, at no cost to us. We are very happy with our two beautiful bathrooms and the work that Ant Builders did on this project. We would definitely hire them again for other projects.
Description of Work: Shy, Alex, and the fabulous crew from Ant Builders gutted and remodeled our two upstairs bathrooms -- the master bath and our kids' bath. These were down-to-the-studs remodels of two adjacent bathrooms -- essentially one big project. The project ended up requiring extensive reframing of the walls and floors, as well as replacement of most of the pipes. The master bath involved a large walk-in shower with a new exterior window. The kids' bath involved the installation of an air-jet bathtub with various bells and whistles. The project required all of the skills that one would find in a project of this nature -- demolition, framing, drywalling, tiling, plumbing, electrical service, lighting, fixture installation, cabinet installation, ventilation, etc.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$35,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
What a super nice family. They totally pampered the crew with cookies and soda. The kids made us brownies that were amazing. I still have the thank you card from the kids in my office. Even the crew remembers the cookies and brownies. We actually miss seeing them daily now, Shy, Alex and the crew.

Jack L.
08/2009
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
The existing roof of the garage was replaced. Contractor removed all existing shingles and roof deck and built a new deck which was then covered with new shingles. Contractor removed all the old siding and installed all moisture resistant wrap coupled with rigid foam board exterior insulation. Then new siding was installed. We choose to use Hardiplank cement siding for both quality and looks. To restructure the garage the contractor installed 4 support columns in concrete footing below grade. The existing framing was straightened and tied into the new support beams to limit future shifting of the structure from the tree root system below the concrete slab of the garage. The interior walls were finished with Exterior OSB 1/2 inch sheeting and painted in semi-gloss white. Simple shelve units were built covering the back wall using 2X4 lumber and plywood shelves. The old door was removed and a new exterior door was constructed with all new heavy duty hinges. A back door to the shed was built to allow entrance to shelf area from the back. New electrical work was installed for lighting and two power receptacles. The wiring was to be tied in the existing junction box in the rear of the garage. The junction box also provided power to our screened in patio that had been built about 6 years ago (not by ANT Builders). I had pointed out to Shy and Alex that existing underground wiring leading from this junction box to our screened in patio had a short that was activated in wet weather. They told the subcontractor electrician of this concern. He convinced us all that he had resolved the issue and it appeared to be the fine in the dry weather at that time. After a week, with some rain, the circuit breaker was thrown constantly. The shorting issue had not been resolved. Alex and Shy called in their top electrician and he dug a trench and put new wiring connecting the power from the garage to our screen in patio next to the house. In this process he discovered that the old wiring system was terribly flawed by the original patio contractor. The new electrical work has been fine after two months. In summary, we now have a very fine new storage shed/garage which looks terrific and very reliable electrical wiring in the garage that also serves our patio.
Description of Work: This project was a complete renovation of a small garage that we use as storage shed. It was in very terrible shape with respect to the structure,roof and siding. There was a good possibility that it would collapse because the support beams were coming out of the foundation. Based on previous work done by ANT builders (see our report) we had great confidence that Alex and Shy would perform an excellent renovation.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$9,700

Evan L.
07/2009
5.0
roofing
  + -1 more
I contacted three contractors to get estimates on installing a new roof to eliminate water leakge into my family room. One contractor didn't reply and the other furnished an estimate for a new roof. Shy Nair of Ant Builders came out and had the integrity, honesty, consideration and initiative to tell me that I did not need a new roof. She stated that my existing shingles were good for at least five more years, and in some areas for ten years. She climbed up on the roof, took pictures with a digital camera, and showed me where selective repairs should stop the water leakage and prevent problems. Within about three days she e-mailed a detailed estimate which I approved, and shortly afterwards, she e-mailed the contract. Thoughtfully, she sent double the ordinary work crew one day early to finish the job the same day to avoid rain. This they did along with a thorough cleanup. Shy said that she didn't want full payment until two heavy rains occurred, in order to test the effectiveness of the repairs intended to stop water leakage. After two heavy rains, it was clear that the recommended repairs were successful, and I sent her the rest of the money due. It was great working with Shy. She was friendly, professional to the nth degree, and readily answered all my questions.
Description of Work: A portion of the back roof of my house was repaired in order to stop water leakage into family room and to prevent future roof problems. The services included: installation of metal edge drips and metal ridge base flashing to stop the water leakage, wrapping of exposed wood with metal, removal of old shingles and replacement with new ones, caulking where required, and repitching of an existing rubber membrane to eliminate water pooling.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,600

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
It really pays to be nice. This couple had a really busy day when we came to work but they found the time to leave my crew sodas and water, very nice touch. Makes our job so much better to work with folks that appreciative our efforts. Glad to work for them and I look forward to seeing them again. The whole crew thanks you for the drinks since it was a hot day. Shy

Emil A.
06/2009
5.0
home remodeling
  + -1 more
I called ANT for a quote on home remodeling but they were unable to perform services during the time I requested. However, the lady I spoke with stayed on the phone with me on a weekend and suggested a few vendors while also answering questions about issues from permits to simple suggestions on design even after knowing she wouldn't get any business from me. I will definitely call them next time!
Description of Work: I called for a quote on a whole home remodeling.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
I was happy to do this. The potential client who called was a really nice guy and I was happy to be able to help. I am always happy to talk to nice people and help out if I can. They took the time to contact us and if I can refer another good contractor or offer some advise then that is the least I can do.

Jeren M.
01/2009
5.0
remodeling, home remodeling
  + 0 more
The project could not go any better, these guys are fantastic. The renovation of the entire house was finished in two months. We actually held them up due to not being able to receive a vanity in time. We (first homeowners) bought an old house in bad condition (none of the bathrooms worked) and had no clue what we got ourselves into. We went through about 10 contractors and couldn't believe how much some of them were quoting us, not minding the period of time they would take to complete a project. The best thing I did was to locate Angie's List and find Ant Builders through them. We had a good feeling about Shy and Alex from the start. This was mostly because they were honest, straight with us and were eager to take on the project for the quote that worked for us. They worked quickly producing a quality and a gorgeous product and were great to work with. Shy is an excellent project manager so the work was streamlined very well. We also liked their style - if there was a problem, Shy and Alex would come up with the solutions. The team was very respectful and cleaned up thoroughly after themselves. We only had to make decisions, Shy would even pick up things for us from the hardware store! They are very experienced especially with old houses so we were extremely pleased with the decisions we made on most things taking Shy and Alex's advice. Even after the project was completed and we needed some help with certain things, they would come and fix it or give advice on where to go. We were very happy with our house after the renovation and very thankful to them. We hired them two more times later in the year, once to work on the roof and the second to fully renovate a guest bath. Every step of the way, they kept us in the loop on everything, and would always talk through all the pros and cons of every decision. They would also go out of their way to do something that we wanted, even if it was harder for them in long run. For example, we had some old features of the house that we really wanted to keep, even though we were renovating around these features - Shy and Alex were able to keep the old charm of our house and yet still modernize it the way we needed. In particular, if you have busy schedules, these guys are great because they are able to handle so many things and they also keep the schedule they tell you they are going to keep. They also don't like to take multiple jobs at once, which can be a huge advantage because you can get them on the phone and they really pay attention to your project. Bottom line - Run to sign these guys up!
Description of Work: Major renovation of the entire 1890 row house in Dupont Circle except for one guest bath (we postponed this project until later in the year and hired this team to do it). The specifics include: Full demolition of the kitchen & building per design: reinforcement and insulation of the walls (one wall was bumped out and peninsula with double shelf was created of it), brand new plumbing (new faucet, sink, disposer, new shut offs & new copper supply lines to the sink, water line for relocated fridge), new electrical/cable/telephone wiring, brand new subfloor and floor. Electrical included new ceiling lighting (4 to 6) recessed lights on a dimmer, under cabinet lights, peninsula lights, tie in for disposer, dish washer and GFCI per plans we supplied. Installation of the new cabinets, door, runtal radiator (the old one was removed and the new one relocated to fit the design), appliances, location of the recessed lights, new tile floor, backsplash and relocation of the vent. Every room and hallway in the house had new baseboard, crown molding, and new trim on doors and windows installed, plaster walls were repaired, smoothed and painted. Each room was painted in different color of our choice, cost included in the contract price. Rotten brick around the trim areas was repaired, repointed and replaced. Drywall columns were lowered in one hallway and adjusted in the other one to keep consistency throughout the house. New recessed lights were installed in the hallway. Exposed radiator pipes were boxed up with drywall. Full demolition and expansion of the master bath/laundry area: insulation of walls, installation of new plumbing/electrical, ventilation system, lighting, radiators, new stand up shower, toilet and vanity, and shelves for the laundry. Washer/Drier installed in the newly built laundry area. Master bedroom: loft bedroom was closed up by adding a full wall with a door. His/hers closets built with shelves and a rod. The wainscoting ceiling was changed and new lighting installed. Guest bedroom: new closet built. Office: the built up marble floor was removed, new subfloor installed and replaced with new unfinished oak floor (stained to match closely the existing wood floors), new ceiling with recessed lights installed. Smoke detectors were installed on the 1st, 2nd floor and in crawl space. Carbon monoxide detector was added in crawl space. Electrical receptacles were replaced as needed to grounded three prong ones in the house. New BX wiring in crawl space, compliments of Ant Builders. Outside: exterior side wall of brick repointed on the 1st and 2nd floors. Deteriorating mortar was removed and joints filled with new. Entire side wall was painted to cover new mortar areas. Missing mortar in crawl space was repaired. All walls were checked and repointed as needed. Loose concrete on existing walls was scraped and skim coated.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$90,000

Velia D.
11/2008
4.0
ceramic tile, home remodeling
  + 0 more
The project went well with Ant Builders. The foreman was very good, but the workers I felt always needed supervision. There were just little things that they needed someone to be there and watch over them. They advertise that they do not purchase the products, but they do recommend companies. I then found out that I could only work with one salesperson at one specific location to get discounts with them. It limited my choices. The lady who does the overall supervision is very good and comes to the site on the last day and looks everything over and is very detail oriented.
Description of Work: They remodeled one bathroom and replaced floor tile for two other bathrooms.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$21,000

George P.
11/2008
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
ANT did the entire job on schedule and on budget. There was no problem they could not/did not solve immediately.
Description of Work: We had basement remodeling done including adding a full kitchen, a washer/dryer cabinet, a bedroom wall, a closet and custom shelves.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$30,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
THE BEST PERSON EVER!!! I CANNOT THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE SENT OUR WAY. THIS CLIENT HAS GIVEN US MORE THAN WE EVER COULD BE ABLE TO RETURN TO HIM.

Manan & Surekha T.
11/2008
5.0
home remodeling
  + -1 more
When we bought this house last year, it was marketed as having 3-4 bedrooms and one full bathroom on the top floor. The original 1930 s-style sleeper porch, once exterior to the house, had been brought into the interior of the home. This sun room could only be accessed from one of the two adjacent bedrooms, but it lacked closets and made for an awkward, non-functional suite of three connected rooms. Ant Builders reconfigured the space according to plan, yielding three proper bedrooms with adequate closets, a fresh new full guest bathroom, and a new attached master bath with a steam shower. The work involved lots of new plumbing, a new header for support, relocation of radiators and some fun architectural details.
Description of Work: Remodeled existing full bathroom, built new master bathroom, and built new closets.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$40,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
GREAT COUPLE TO WORK FOR. KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANTED AND KEPT UP WITH ALL OF OUR PHONE CALLS THROUGH THE WORK. I MUST SAY THAT THEY DESIGNED SOME REALLY UNIQUE AND GREAT LOOKING BATHROOMS.

Charles E.
08/2008
5.0
gutter repair, remodeling, roofing, replacement windows, skylights, house painters
  + 4 more
Owners Shy and Alex were prompt with their estimate and candid in their appraisal of the work. Their crews were competent, on time, and courteous, and Shy and Alex followed up on details without any need for prompting. Their prices were very reasonable. I would confidently use them again, and recommend them without reservation.
Description of Work: On brick row house in DC: Repoint brick on most of outside walls; replace window frames, reinstall existing windows; remove old roof layers and replace with new; repair and recover bay window roof; cap brick edges with new flashing; replace gutters; replace skylight; paint whole exterior and trim.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$20,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
GREAT FOLKS TO DEAL WITH. LOVE THE COLORS THEY PICKED FOR THE HOUSE... WAY OUTSIDE OF THE BOX BUT THE HOUSE HAS A TON OF PERSONALITY. THANKS FOR THE REVIEW AND ALL THE WEATHER REPORTS. THE BEST WEATHERMAN I HAVE EVER SEEN!

STEPHEN R.
08/2008
5.0
doors
  + -1 more
This was the second job I had done by these folks. There were a few difficulties with scheduling, largely because the hardware store told me the doors I had ordered had arrived when they hadn't. Ant Builders were very understanding, and we rescheduled the job once the doors actually came in. The job took longer than I think anyone expected, but this was due to the fact that there were a lot of small details that had to be dealt with (largely due to the age of the house). I was home during the job, and they consulted me on decisions that needed to be made - some of these were quite minor, but I was glad they asked me what I thought at each stage. At the end, though, the doors look great, and I'm very happy with the job. They also did a great job of cleaning up after themselves. Also worth mentioning that they had to buy some additional materials for the job, in order to deal with some of the complexities of the old house, but they still did it all for the original estimated cost.
Description of Work: Installation of new entry doors and new security storm doors (front and back for both). It's an old house (1880), and the old doorways were not square. They tore out the old doors, reframed the doorways, and installed the new doors. They repaired the wall around each of the new doorways, painted, etc.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,400

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
SUPER GREAT GUY TO WORK FOR. EXPLAINED WHAT HE WANTED UP FRONT AND WE WOULD BE GLAD TO WORK FOR HIM AGAIN. THANKS, ANT CREW...

STEPHEN R.
08/2008
5.0
gutter repair, roofing
  + 0 more
Everything was great. There were some problems with scheduling, due to my travel schedule and weather issues, but they were good at sorting it out with me. They came at the time we scheduled, and they finished the whole job in a single day. I was prepared to write them a check, but they insisted that I inspect the roof before paying them, we didn't get around to inspecting it for about another week, but everything looked great when I did the inspection. Overall, a great experience.
Description of Work: I hired them to resurface my flat roof. When they came, they invited me to join them on the roof so that they could show me their recommendations, and they identified a number of small issues that would have to be dealt with (new flashing, sealing, etc.). We discussed the job, and they came back the next day by emailing me a copy of the estimate and contract. We discussed and made a few modifications, then agreed on the job. The work itself included: resurfacing the roof (about 400 sq ft), putting in new flashing where needed, new drip edge, new gutter, and new downspout. They also cleaned out the French drain at the bottom of the downspout.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,400

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
SUPER GREAT GUY TO WORK FOR. EXPLAINED WHAT HE WANTED UP FRONT AND WE WOULD BE GLAD TO WORK FOR HIM AGAIN. THANKS, ANT CREW...

Betty B.
08/2008
5.0
countertops, drywall, electrician, flooring contractor, hardwood floor, insulation, lighting, plumbing, replacement windows, woodworking, home remodeling, interior painters, doors
  + 11 more
We cannot say enough good things about Shy, Alex and the ANT team. They were consumate professionals. They showed up on time, everyday, and got our kitchen completed within their initial timeframe of 4 weeks. They stayed in touch with us throughout the days, asking our advice on even the smallest details. Despite a few hiccups with the cabinets and counter top, they kept the project moving and even worked out the counter top issue directly with the distributer. The kitchen looks fantastic and their work is quality
Description of Work: ANT completly gutted our kitchen, upgraded electrical and plumbing, installed new subfloor, installed lighting/ electrical, insulated, put up drywall, put in hardwood floor, installed cabinets, appliances and counter, stained floor, replaced door and window trim, and painted.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$18,300

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
IT IS SO GREAT AS A CONTRACTOR TO WORK FOR FOLKS LIKE THIS FAMILY. FUN, CHILLED AND UNDERSTANDING. MAKES OUR JOB SO MUCH EASIER WHEN THE CLIENTS ARE JUST PLAIN NICE. THANKS FOR WAITING ON THE T SHIRTS TOO.

Carroll S.
07/2008
5.0
roofing
  + -1 more
I called them for an estimate due to their rating on Angie's List. They were very informative and responsive. They informed how the job would be done and what materials they would use. I have chosen them to my roof.
Description of Work: They came out to my home to give me an estimate to redo the entire roof of my two story home, including the porch.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
WE DID THIS CLIENTS ROOF AND WAS HAPPY TO WORK FOR HIM. JUST A JOY TO DEAL WITH. VERY PATIENT AND SUPER NICE. THANKS

GEORGE P.
07/2008
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
We searched for many months for the right contractor and was amazed at the range of price presented for the same job. We finally chose Ant Construction based upon the quote, quality of work, attitude and references. We were still anxious as we have had some bad experiences with contractors in the past, however Ant Construction was excellent and proved to be punctual, fast working and attentive to our needs. We had a "surprise" during the construction when our baby girl was born a month early. Ant Construction not only continued to work while we were at the hospital, but also helped us by suggesting solutions to issues that arose while we were concentrating on the new addition to our family. Shy & Alex even brought a bouquet of roses and a stuffed animal for the baby which we appreciated very much. Ant Construction completed the work on time, within budget and accommodated many "would you also..." requests. The work was straight forward and well done. They were tidy and cleaned up after each work day. Their crew was courteous and well disciplined. Expect them to arrive early and work a full day. The only caveat is that they are not designers. Although they will suggest some innovative solutions, It is best to have a well conceived notion of what you want prior to engaging them for construction. We were well satisfied with Ant Construction and fully intend to use them again in the future.
Description of Work: Remodeled basement which included demolition, repiping, new bathroom w/soaking tub, playroom w/built in book shelves, office area, closets and laundry. Also replaced upstairs lavatories.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$28,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
THIS FAMILY WAS SO NICE! HAD THE BABY AND LET US KEEP WORKING EVEN WHEN MOST FOLKS WOULD SAY COME BACK LATER. THANKS FOR BEING OPEN TO A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE. PRETTY BABY TOO, COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR NICER FOLKS.

PATSY M.
06/2008
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
Their were a little bit more expensive but the quality was excellent.
Description of Work: They completed remodeled a bathroom.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$10,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
EVEN WITH THE PROJECT BEING A LITTLE FAR OUT FROM OUR USUAL SERVICE AREA, WE STILL WANTED TO WORK FOR THIS CLIENT. SHE WAS JUST GREAT TO DEAL WITH. I WOULD DRIVE 100 MILES FOR THIS CLIENT. THANKS.

MAIKO M.
06/2008
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
Absolutely fantastic. I have never dreamed of doing a home improvement project that is so painless. And the project we undertook was not just home improvement; this was a total rehab! But thanks to Shy and Alex, this project was not at all difficult, it was fun! Shy, you are my angel! Shy and Alex are amazing. From the minute I met them, they overwhelmed me with their knowledge. But they tell me things in such a way so that it does not intimidate an amateur like me, but rather to help me out! Throughout the project, we encountered several unforeseen events, but never mind, because Shy always has a solution. Not just a solution, but a solution that is client friendly; an inexpensive solution. They are also very resourceful, and can get you in touch with other folks that the project needs as the needs arise. We certainly benefited from their networks several times to complement the project. The project finished way ahead of schedule, and we could have shorten the time for another few weeks if it were not for PEPCO. Since the completion, we had professionals coming through the property and they are all impressed with the finish. And us? We cannot ask for more! For those who are looking for a contractor, if you want a reliable contractor, you HAVE TO first call Ant Builder.
Description of Work: Total rehab of a run down property (2 units apartment). Ant Builder turned a total shell into a beautiful 2-units apartment by putting a new roof, new kitchens, new bathrooms, new electrical wiring, new heating, new plumbing, new floor in certain areas and new windows. They also removed an old carpet and finished the hardwood floor that was underneath, painted the whole house, fixed the deck and front door staircases.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$120,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
WONDERFUL COUPLE TO WORK FOR. I HOPE YOU KEEP DOING PROJECTS SO I CAN WORK FOR YOU AGAIN. SUPER NICE, FAIR AND NO HASSLE KIND OF FOLKS. I WILL ALWAYS FIND THE TIME TO WORK FOR YOU AGAIN.

roger R.
06/2008
5.0
drywall, flooring contractor, remodeling, roofing, replacement windows, interior painters, doors
  + 5 more
We had a super tight budget and they worked with us to make it happen. They did all the shopping and I paid for the tile, bath fixtures, lights and cabinets. This is a investment property and they still made it look 100% better than before. We can hardly remember the old version. Even the Realtor was shocked when he saw the place after the renovation. The most amazing thing was that they completed the work in four weeks and we have already rented one unit. They have worked with us before and they are hard working and even fun to deal with. Not that renovations are fun but they make it easy.
Description of Work: They updated a rental apartment in DC. Including windows, new exterior doors, repaired drywall, repair of the roof and added gutters. The nasty bathroom was gutted and we have two brand new bathrooms. They removed the carpet, found hardwood and refinished the floors. Painted the entire interior of the house. The also changed the electric to 400amps from 200amps.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$67,500

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
THANKS AGAIN FOR THE REPEAT BUSINESS. ALSO WE LOVE THE NEW T-SHIRTS AND THE LOGO IS SUPER. GREAT CLIENT TO DEAL WITH.

David H.
05/2008
5.0
ceramic tile, electrician, flooring contractor, lighting, plumbing, woodworking, home remodeling
  + 5 more
Ant Builders was phenomenal! Excellent! Great! We cannot say enough good things! Since we only have one full bath, we moved to a friend's place for two weeks. Most people said we would be gone a month. Not so - Ant Builders was done in 14 calendar days. This was our second remodel in our condo. The first one was more extensive and took far longer - in part because there were days that the first contractor did not show up! With that experience in hand, we used Angie's List to find three companies to ask for bids. All the bids came in relatively close to each other and so we called references. One reference had actually used two of our 3 companies. All the references for Ant Builders were stellar - and we thank those people for talking to us and add our name to strongly recommending this company. One thing we liked a lot was that Ant Builders wanted us to buy as much of the material as possible instead of having them purchase (and mark up the price!). They did offer suggestions of where to shop and what to watch out for which were very helpful. They completed the job on time with very few hiccups. We were in daily communication with Shy and if there was ever a question, she did not hesitate to ask instead of just doing what she thought. She also had great suggestions for dealing with the lighting. This was a great experience for us. We plan on using Ant Builders in the future to do our kitchen!
Description of Work: We had our bathroom completely gutted and remodeled. The walls were torn down, ceiling and floor removed. Old vanity, tub, toilet and cabinets removed as well as the windowsill removed and rebuilt. The electrical and plumbing were upgraded. New vanity, toilet, cabinets, lighting and shower were installed. The floor and shower were tiled, with a bench built in the shower with two boxes in the wall for shampoo etc.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$20,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
THEY WERE REALLY EASY TO WORK FOR. EVERY TIME I HAD ANY QUESTIONS THEY ALWAYS GOT BACK TO ME. SUCH LAID BACK CLIENTS THAT KNOW HOW RENOVATIONS CAN NEVER GO AS PLANNED. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO GO BACK FOR THE KITCHEN ANYTIME. AS FAR AS THE BLACKBERRY, I HAVE 2 THAT I NEVER BEEN ABLE TO MASTER SO THEY COLLECT DUST IN THE OFFICE. GUYS THANKS FOR BEING SO NICE!

Catherine B.
04/2008
5.0
home remodeling
  + -1 more
They were excellent. We cannot say enough about them. This was a major renovation; all three bathrooms were demoed to the studs. We found plumbing & structural problems, as often happens in 85 yr old homes, yet Ant Builders remained calm & brought in the right professionals to fix the problems and keep the project on task. Shy & Alex were always present on the job site & available to answer questions & keep us updated. We had a huge problem with a tile company and Ant Builders really stuck by us and helped us through that very difficult situation. In addition, they kept the work site clean. The worker's were very polite and professional. Everyone was even nice to our little dog. We have experience renovating other homes, so we know the difference. We found them completely honest and fair about pricing as well, even with the add ons, unfortunately, of which there were many. We are already planning to have them back for another project; as soon as we can scrap up more funds.
Description of Work: Full renovation of two full baths and one half bath in an historic home in Cleveland Park.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$50,000

Response from Ant Builders - Shy Nair
GREAT PEOPLE TO WORK FOR! THANKS FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS. FIXTURE DELIVERY AND A TILE ORDER THAT WENT COMPLETELY WRONG AND THEY STILL KEPT IT TOGETHER. PATIENT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. THEY TREATED US LIKE GOLD. I WILL ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM.

Contact information

801 VARNUM ST NW, Washington, DC 20011

antbuilders.com

Service hours

Sunday:
Closed
Monday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday:
Closed

Licensing

Bonded

Insured

Eco-friendly Accreditations

LEED Accredited Professional
No
Energy Star Partner
No
EPA Lead-Safe Certified
Yes
Use Green Products or Work Practices
No
State Contractor License Requirements

All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.

*Contact business to see additional licenses.


Service Categories

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling,
General Remodeling,
Roofing,
Interior Painting,
Plumbing,
Ceramic Tile,
Drywall,
Electrical,
Flooring Sales and Installation,
Finished Carpentry and Woodworking,
Windows,
Doors

FAQ

Ant Builders - Shy Nair is currently rated 5 overall out of 5.

Sunday: Closed

Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Ant Builders - Shy Nair accepts the following forms of payment: Check
Yes, Ant Builders - Shy Nair offers free project estimates.
Yes, Ant Builders - Shy Nair offers eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Ant Builders - Shy Nair does not offer a senior discount.
No, Ant Builders - Shy Nair does not offer emergency services.
Yes, Ant Builders - Shy Nair offers warranties.
Ant Builders - Shy Nair offers the following services: Whole House Remodeling, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Roofing
Small Repairs & Emergency Services, Landscaping

Contact information

801 VARNUM ST NW, Washington, DC 20011

antbuilders.com

Service hours

Sunday:
Closed
Monday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday:
Closed