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Donelan Contracting

2.8(
6
)

General Remodeling, Kitchen and Bath Remodeling, Heating and Air Conditioning,

... +3 more

About us

Donelan Contracting is an award-winning, full-service general contracting company that dedicated to beautifully crafted, high quality renovations and historic restorations in the Greater Boston area. Founder and President Paul Donelan has a LEEDS AP certification, and has been featured in Fine Home Building, The Boston Globe, Boston's Best Contractors, and on NECN (New England Cable Network).

Business highlights

44 years of trusted experience

Services we offer

Specializations include bathrooms, kitchens, additions, green, and energy-efficient solutions.

Services we don't offer

Small handyman repairs.

Amenities

Free Estimates
Yes

Accepted payment methods

Check

Photos of past projects

Reviews

2.86 Reviews
Write a review
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
17%
4
17%
3
0%
2
17%
1
50%
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
3.5
value
3.0
professionalism
2.9
responsiveness
2.8
punctuality
3.0
Write a review
Showing 1-6 of 6 reviews
Tal K.
01/2020
1.0
custom cabinets, heating & air conditioning/hvac, remodeling, home remodeling
  + 2 more
Awful awful awful experience all around. Terrible communication and incredibly unprofessional. Overpriced. Over budget and over estimated time. Lower than average quality of work.
Description of Work: multiple projects
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
2.0
value
1.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
1.0
$65,000
Howard Z.
10/2018
2.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
When I first met Paul Donelan he was likable and charming, but there were problems immediately. I had the project price for several major elements. Right before starting work I took out one to save money. Within a day or two I added it back. It was clear it was supposed to be at the agreed price. But Paul didn't reprice this element until the end of the project, and then for thousands more. There was confusion and disorganization throughout the renovation, but I must admit the work turned out well, though somewhat less well for fine details. Now we come to the rub. The air conditioning system never worked as it was supposed to. A couple of feeble attempts were made to repair it, but when it became clear it would be difficult, Paul simply walked away. I highly recommend against using Donelan Contracting. If you do hold back as much money for as long as possible. That will be your only guarantee that Donelan stands behind his work.
Description of Work: major renovation
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
3.0
value
2.0
professionalism
2.0
responsiveness
2.0
punctuality
2.0
Response from Donelan Contracting
[Member Name Removed], this project was not recently completed on 7/19/18 as you indicated here. Rather the project was completed over two years ago with a Final Invoice sent on 4/1/16 and we have spent the past two years discussing your objections on A/C system in trying to resolve this with you. On 2/2/16 you emailed "You said you were willing to put in more ducts to reduce the noise. Even though we're getting radiators back that is probably a good idea so a.c. won't be to loud. If those ducts reach floor 3, we may not need our free standing a.c.". You held back the funds from the Final Payment as you wanted to wait for a hot day to "test" the system. On 6/21/16 we email you "How did you make out with the temperature near 90 yesterday?" and you replied "Thanks for asking. Floors one and two were at the set comfortable 72. Despote the couple of ducts the third floor is still hot but that was never part of deal." So you know that the 3rd floor was not part of the contract. On 8/11/16 we replied back to your wife [Member Name Removed] "The $1000 hold back didn't have to do with any of these items. [Member Name Removed] said he was holding back the payment until it was a hot enough day for him to confirm the AC cooled." and "I told [Member Name Removed] that as a courtesy, the next time our HVAC sub was in your area working for us, we would have him stop by to look at your 3rd floor. This was solely a courtesy to you from us as the 3rd floor didn't have anything to do with our contract. If you want to have him come now, I can line it up as soon as possible, but he will charge you for a service call." To which [Member Name Removed] replied "We won't do this now." You didn't want to spend your own money. Yet you insisted that the A/C system did not correctly and it was our responsibility. We had the original HVAC company checked the system. You still insisted the system was not working correctly and we paid another company, B&G Heating and Air Conditioning, at a cost of $825 to us, to not only check our A/C system but to also service it for you on 5/29/17 as we wanted resolve your issues and concerns. Both companies confirmed that the A/C system is working fine. Yet you are still holding back funds and insisted that the system doesn't work. When I called you on your email 9/6/18 stating "I've been keeping the filters clean so it's not that. You said the ac folks said there were other possibilities. If you could send someone over soon I would appreciate it. If it will take forever or never happen, maybe instead you should send over a paid-in-full with an apology.", you wanted me to refund you the entire cost of the working HVAC system. We did everything possible for over two years to assure you that the system works even though the 3rd floor was never part of this project. Your solution when we spoke that we should refund you the entire cost of the HVAC system. The A/C system is working and the 3rd floor was not part of the contract. This is just not an acceptable solution. We always follow through with clients and also did with you. On 6/9/17 we replaced your door bell and a light switch. We have been to your home over a dozen times since the project ended. We cannot fix a system that isn't broken. I am confused by your comment of taking something out of the contract and then adding it back in again a couple days latter and being charged thousands of dollars. If something was removed from the contract you would be credited for it. If it was then added back in it would say as the price of the contract. There would not be an extra charge. I believe your comment is about is the contract called for an HVAC system on the 1st floor and 2nd floor, you stated that the HVAC is too noisy and wanted radiators put back. This was after the HVAC was installed and the radiators were removed. You then wanted the radiators installed again. We first did the contracted work which was in the contract price. We then purchased salvaged radiators, restored them, installed them and put plumbing for heat. This was an extra. This was not taking something out and adding it back in again two days later. Please look at your invoice and you will see that we only charged you our costs to do this for you. We also answered your question regarding the heat coil that was then removed. On 7/18/16 you emailed "Speaking of air conditioning. After we switched back to radiators a couple of the heating and AC guys came by and removed a large metal box from the system in the basement. They made clear it was valuable; and that they would use it on another job now that we no longer needed it. I'm thinking we paid for that box and no deduction was made when it was removed. Indeed, I asked about this a couple of months ago so please let us know." We replied "As I explained to either you or [Member Name Removed], the cost of the heating coil was credited to the cost of the radiators." We did everything possible to please you [Member Name Removed]. We followed through. In the end, we cannot resolve something that isn't broken or not part of our scope of work. Even in this negative review you admitted the work turned out well. Yet you only rated the work a C. I believe this sums up the problem in trying to resolve this situation.
SUSAN P.
01/2006
1.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
Donelan, and his assistant met with us several times in our home. They wrote up a detailed proposal for the work (renovation of our kitchen and sun porch, and adding an entryway to the house), and even brought a couple of subcontractors over. We told Donelan that we wanted to go ahead with the project, and he promised to send us a slightly revised proposal. Then we never heard from him again. We called the office repeatedly over the next few months, each time we were told that our call would be returned, but it never was. Donelan presents himself as being a very professional guy, but he didn't even have the courtesy to let us know that he had lost interest in our project.
Description of Work: No work was done, despite our interest in going forward with the project.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0
JASON T.
05/2005
1.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
PAUL INITIALLY SAID HE WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN A JOB OF MINE. EMAILED TWO TIMES AND CALLED TWICE OVER 3 WEEKS. NEVER HAD DECENCY TO CALL BACK OR EMAIL TO SAY HE WASN'T ABLE TO DO THE JOB.
Description of Work: NO WORK - DID NOT RESPOND TO COMMUNICATIONS.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
responsiveness
1.0
Response from Donelan Contracting
This review confuses me. I do not remember speaking to this member. All our work is in the Boston area and Metro-West. We do not work in the South Shore and I would not be interested in work in the members area. If I did speak with this member, I would have said it is out of our area.
MELODY B.
01/2004
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
WORK WAS DONE VERY WELL AND WAS COMPLETED A LITTLE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, TOO. THE FLOOR IS ROCK SOLID NOW AND WILL BE FOR YEARS TO COME!
Description of Work: THE FIRST FLOOR WAS 'SPONGY'. DONELAN CONSTRUCTION CAME IN AND REINFORCED ALL OF THE BEAMS, ADDED JOISTS & LOLLY POLES.
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
$7,000
HAROLD S.
10/2001
4.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
WELL PLANNED ON WHAT TO GET READY, CAME, AND COMPLETED WORK ON SCHEDULE.
Description of Work: WORKED ON SUB FLOORS, PUT NEW TILE DOWN, TORE OUT OLD FLOOR
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
4.0
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro

    Contact information

    57 Brookside Avenue Suite 1, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

    http://www.donelancontracting.com

    Service hours

    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Tuesday:
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Wednesday:
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Thursday:
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Friday:
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Saturday:
    Closed

    Licensing

    Bonded
    Insured
    Eco-friendly Accreditations

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

    General Remodeling,
    Kitchen and Bath Remodeling,
    Heating and Air Conditioning,
    Cabinet Making,
    Basement Remodeling,
    Sunrooms and Patio Enclosures

    FAQ

    Donelan Contracting is currently rated 2.8 overall out of 5.

    Sunday: Closed

    Monday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Saturday: Closed

    Donelan Contracting accepts the following forms of payment: Check
    Yes, Donelan Contracting offers free project estimates.
    Yes, Donelan Contracting offers eco-friendly accreditations.
    No, Donelan Contracting does not offer a senior discount.
    No, Donelan Contracting does not offer emergency services.
    No, Donelan Contracting does not offer warranties.
    Donelan Contracting offers the following services: Specializations include bathrooms, kitchens, additions, green, and energy-efficient solutions.
    Small handyman repairs.

    Contact information

    57 Brookside Avenue Suite 1, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

    http://www.donelancontracting.com

    Service hours

    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Tuesday:
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Wednesday:
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Thursday:
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Friday:
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Saturday:
    Closed