James L Graves Construction logoApproved Pro
Approved Pro

James L Graves Construction

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling, General Remodeling, Plumbing,

About us

James L. Graves Construction is a full service Builder/Re-modeler where "Quality without compromise" is our philosophy. We are an A rated Better Business Bureau Company, Angie's List Super Service Award Winner Every Year Since 2006. EPA Lead Safe Paint Certified Firm, Members of the National Association of Home Builders/Re-modelers, Maryland Home Builders Association, National Kitchen and Bath Association and an Approved Veterans Specially Adapted Housing Certified Builder. Each of our divisions operates under the same principle: You deserve a partner that has the expertise to guide you through every step of your project.

Business highlights

Eco Friendly
Family owned & operated
19 years of experience

Services we offer

Interior remodeling, kitchen, basement , additions interior and exterior painting, roofing, siding, windows, doors, concretet, gutters and siding, decks, porches, walkways,

Services we don't offer

Utility work & swimming pools.

Amenities

Eco Friendly Accreditations

Yes

Free Estimates

Yes

Warranties

Yes

Accepted Payment Methods

  • Financing Available
  • Check
  • CreditCard
Reviews
5.0154 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
97%
4
2%
3
1%
2
0%
1
0%

Filter reviews by service

Showing 126-150 of 154 reviews
CATHY S.
Sep 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$19,000
From the first day that my husband and I met with Jim Graves, we realized that this man really knew houses, including old houses.  He inspected everything including the outside and the basement plumbing before deciding on what to do for the bathroom.  We all decided together a plan for the bathroom.  We quickly established that Jim really knows the people who work on his crews and he doesn't contract out.  We then worked closely with the people in his office (Nichole was great) in helping to pick everything out - cabinetry, plumbing, etc. That took a lot of work on our part but after that was done - we had a very accurate estimate which included every possible detail you could ever imagine (and came in well under the price of our other estimates).  The crew showed up bright and early the first day led by Greg who was fabulous.  Jim came with them the first morning to make sure everything got started correctly.  The crew covered every possible floor space and furniture with plastic and paper taped down; they also moved anything breakable out of the way as well as much of the furniture before it was covered.  All of the demolition went smoothly, the new wall went up and all the drywall was expertly done with some of the smoothest work I've ever seen. From there, crew members would come and do their part when it was time (Santiago and the painting, Gary and the plumbing, etc). Greg kept contact with me nearly every day and always called to double check on things he wasn't sure about.  There were a few glitches along the way through no fault of the crew.  In particular, the granite vanity top we had on hold with a company Jim usually doesn't use called at the last minute and said there was a problem with the piece.  However, Jim was right on it.  He found another slab with the guy he normally works with and went down there personally to take pictures of it and e-mailed them to me.  When the first cut broke, Jim went back down there and sent pictures of another piece and was on the phone with me constantly.  Anyway - it turned out BEAUTIFULLY!  The last things to be done were the installation of the shower doors and the glass in the niche and this was done with perfection. There were a couple of unforeseen delays - earthquake, hurricane, lack of power for days, but we all perservered. Jim came by in the end to check on things and the guys came back to do a bit of touch up.  Greg actually put on an additional coat of paint instead of just touching up little bits.  We now have a beautiful modern (and much larger) bathroom that's a real pleasure to use.  As an additional note, Greg noticed that our front porch (made of Timbertech) was starting to cave in at the front edges and the support of the roof was beginning to pull away.  This was an amazing catch because we could have lost not only the porch but that part of the roof (the original contractor did not give the porch the proper support).  Jim had one of his crew come by and put on temporary supports for the roof until we can have all of it repaired.  I'll be using Jim and his crew again (starting with the porch) and recommending them to everyone.  They're professional, talented, and extremely knowledgeable and are very easy to deal with - I would trust them with anything in my home.

Karen V.
Sep 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
He seems like he would be really great to work with but I ended up using another company.

Art G.
Sep 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$20,000
I interviewed 6 contractors for this job, 4 from AL. Jim Graves impressed me from our first meeting as extremely knowledgeable and professional, and it was an easy decision to go with his company. I was not disappointed. 95% of the job was completed in less than 2 weeks, very important because that was how long my wife was away. She returned to her beautiful new kitchen and was EXTREMELY pleased!! The finishing touches were completed in a reasonable time shortly thereafter. Every member of his team - carpenters, electrician, plumbers, and flooring installers - was not just very good at his job, but courteous, respectful of my family and property, accommodating to our questions and requests, and innovative in finding ways to make the final product exactly what we wanted. Supervision and oversight were excellent, and the quality of work near flawless. I even saw Jim instruct his guys to make repairs to sloppy work done by previous contractors, simply because it was in the same area as the work his team had done and he wanted to ensure that every aspect of the finished product met his exacting standards. The final bill did not differ from his estimate, even though there were several aspects of the job that were probably more complicated and costly than he had planned for. I would recommend him highly for any kind of remodeling project, large or small, and he will be my only call the next time I need work done on my house. Thanks Jim, Bonnie, Jason, Tom, and all the members of your team for such a great experience. We LOVE everything that you guys did!!!!

Art and Sara Gibb

KATHY G.
Sep 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$31,000
Excellent services --start to finish.  I am so glad that I found James L Graves Construction on Angie's List as he and his team made it a very pleasant experience to re-design my Kitchen.  Mr. Graves helped me plan out the redesign and provided great suggestions on how to layout the kitchen.  The kitchen was very outdated as the house was built in 1956.  The entire kitchen was gutted and re-built from the floor up...Jim helped me select colors for floor tile, cabinets and appliances.   As I said, he gave freely of his time and spend a several hours helping me come up with re-design options for the kitchen.  In the end, he provided me two design options allowing me to select one the worked best for me.  Mr. Graves was very attentive and responsive throughout the entire project.  He provided suggestions for lighting and granite countertops.  
I have a beautiful kitchen and I am very happy!
Highly recommend James L Graves Construction and will use his company again for my home improvement projects.
Jim and his crew are awesome!!!!!!!

Melvin R.
Sep 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$28,000
Jim came out to do the initial visit and was obviously very knowledgeable, and he clearly understood our goals and requirements.  He and his staff provided us with the information about the choices we had to make, and once we had made them, they submitted a very detailed estimate, with every expense (including profit) as a separate line item.  The cost was extremely reasonable.  We were in a pretty big hurry, and Jim worked us into his schedule as best he could.  The first pleasant surprise was that they were actually able to move up the promised start date, due to circumstances with some other projects they were working on.  Once underway, the project went very quickly and smoothly.  They were very careful about moving the existing appliances out of the room and storing them securely, and they built a complete dustwall to protect the rest of our house.  The job was overseen by Greg, and the craftsmen who spent the most time at our house during the project were Tom and Brian.  These three gentlemen could not possibly have been kinder, more accommodating, or more pleasant to have around.  Really, that sentence is true about everyone who participated in the work, but these were the folks we had the most contact with, and by the end of the project, we felt like they were friends.  The kitchen came out beautifully.  All the work--ceramic tile, drywall, painting, cabinet installation, counter tops, everything was done skillfully and with real professional pride.  After reading the Angie's list reviews for this company, we expected this--and we feel that we completely got it.  A great company to do business with, and terrific people to trust your home to.

Adam D.
Aug 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$15,000
We engaged Jim Graves for a remodeling of the original bathroom but with the conversion from a tub to a walk-in shower.  Jim came out and we worked up a plan that was budget-based.  Jim uses transparent estimates that listed every cost, which helped me see where exactly my money went.  This is my first experience with contractors and I can't see how any of them could bill without something like this--it was very convenient.  Once we approved, the next trick was getting the work scheduled, as Jim's company is very, very busy.  Jim estimated a week for the main work and then an additional period for the custom glass (which he estimated at one add'l week to ten days), since this cannot be built until the exact dimensions of the resulting shower tile work are known.  This took an additional two weeks but we were at that point tied to the schedule of the sub-contractor.  There was about another  week to finish up the final punch list and for me to do the work that I declared was my responsibility (e.g., paint, door hardware).  The cost estimate was very good, and we only paid a bit extra for some additional work that we added on at the end.  Jim's crew was exceptionally well mannered and very technically proficient.  His "crew chief," named Greg, was simply superb--very responsive and very patient in explaining what was going on.  Jim, as the company owner, receded into the background and we did not deal with him after the work started; I learned later this is not his style, but that instead he was dealing with some personal matters and with normal summertime scheduling factors like vacations.  He later took the time and energy to explain this to me and express his regrets, which I greatly appreciated.  We are very happy with our new bathroom.  I would definitely recommend this company based on the accuracy of their estimates, the quality of their work, and the expertise and integrity of their on-site crew.  
Response from James L Graves Construction
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Phyllis C.
Jul 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$18,000
Jim is very detailed oriented. He really backs up his work. He wants it to be right and if it is not, he takes care of it. I can't say enough good things about him.
Response from James L Graves Construction
"Thanks Member, We really enjoyed working with you on you two baths and powder room. It's clients like you that make what we do all the more rewarding for us. Thank you for your continued appreciation and support. We are looking forward to starting your kitchen renovation in August. I know you are excited as we are about the upcoming changes and improvements we are about to make to your kitchen, front porch and siding."

Jeffrey C.
Jun 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
We are very satisfied with their tendentious.  They've been very professional and attentive to our need.

Mathew S.
May 2011
4.0
It didn't go well.  It certainly didn't go very far -- I never heard anything back from the company. Update: after posting this review on Angie's List, I received an explanation and sincere apology from the President of the company.  They had received my note, but it fell between the cracks before I could be contacted to arrange an estimate.  I accept the explanation and apology and am thus revising my original report.
Response from James L Graves Construction
"Dear Member, I tried to call you on your cell phone earlier after I read your report on Angie’s list to explain what happened and provide you with my sincerest personal apology. After reading your report I went back to my email files to see if I had received anything from you and your request for estimate. I did in fact find your email and then I checked to see if I had forwarded it to Nichole who schedules all of my appointments for Follow up. It appears I had not, which is why you were not contacted back. It is normally automatic for me to do this but I must have had a phone call come in or I may have had to run out to an appointment at the last minute and did not mark the email as unread, which is what I do to remind myself of emails that still needs attention. Because I receive large amounts of emails on a daily basis and yours was not re -marked as unread it was regrettably overlooked. Please accept my apology and know that we value all of our clients and would never intentionally ignore anyone or their request for work or an estimate. If you would still like us to look at your project and provide you with an estimate I will be happy to do so at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Jim Graves"

Barbara D.
Apr 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$14,400
Working with Jim to choose the fixtures and aesthetic options was fun. He has excellent taste and his suggestions for improving the bath were a big help. In addition to aesthetic choices, he suggested: moving the floor register to a wall, installing a recessed light over the tub/shower, re-piping a wall to recess the medicine cabinet, and installing glass shower doors. I recommend anyone else doing a bath to consider these ideas. The crew had all worked with Jim for several years. Their experience and team approach was obvious. They were on-time and called if they were going to be late or there was a change in plans. Work was done in a timely manner. Care was taken to protect the carpet and the rest of the house from dust and dirt. All cleanup and trash removal was done promptly and carefully. There was a supplier problem with the tile. It had been discontinued by the manufacturer in Italy and they did not have enough tile on hand to complete my bath. Jim worked with his vendor, Versa-Tile & Marble, to locate the last of the tile at the manufacturer and find more at a vendor in another state. We appreciate the extra effort to get us our original tile choice. Jim's attention to detail ensured that the finished project was everything we wanted and that the process was a pleasant experience.

Michael S.
Mar 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,700
Graves did a great job given a very short time frame to complete the project. He gave a fair estimate, had his people show up for work and do a good job. The only reason for not giving him a perfect A grade on all items was that his guy doing the work was right in the middle of quitting and getting another job. He spent more time on his cell phone with his wife and prospective employer than he did doing the work. If that did not happen the job would have been excellent. The work was great the, employee soon to be gone was not. This was no fault of Graves and his company. Just a bad circumstance with poor timing for me. I would definitely use his services again.

Terry S.
Mar 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$200,000
It went unbelievably well. Neighbors were stunned that: a) Jim completed the complex work on time and on the quoted budget; b) the work was so perfectly done; and c) at the end of such a major project, we still loved our contractor. We found James L. Graves Construction on Angie's List. Entering a huge project on our 200-year-old house we knew we needed a great contractor if we were to live through the experience. Not trusting references or casual sidewalk conversation, we looked for Angie's top-ranked contractors in our area. And we got the best! Among Jim's keys to success is that he does meticulous planning in advance, so that everything is lined up to do the job on schedule and with minimum surprises. (Our only delays were caused by Baltimore Gas & Electric dithering in moving our electric meter and installing natural gas, and Jim even worked around them to catch up.) In selecting among three contractors, we asked their subcontractors how it was to work with the company. Jim's said he was the best they worked for because when he said they should come Tuesday to put in, say, the wiring, he always had the job ready for them; there was no, "Oh, we had a hold-up; come back next week." Jim's bid came in at two-thirds of the other bidders and when we asked how much overage we should expect, he said: "None. If I do my job right, this is what you pay." And it was. The only additional costs were the inevitable additional work my wife and I added on. ("As long as we're doing this . . . .") His contract itemizes everything, including his profit. His personal style and business methods like this gave us a great deal of confidence in those moments when a third of our house was stripped to a shell. Jim assigns a lead person to each project and ours, Greg Stimson, could not have been better. He was knowledgeable, careful and calm -- the last helping us keep calm throughout the process. He came up with an elegant solution to every puzzle he ran into, and in a 200-year-old house there are plenty. Jim's other regulars were all nice fellows and all knew about Jim's standards for doing the job right and keeping the house as clean as possible while doing it. And we had Greg and whomever else he needed every day during the project, with Jim coming by regularly to check on progress. There was none of the "Oh, I have an emergency at another job and have to pull my crew over there for a week." The key people in the company (Jim, his wife Bonnie and daughter Nichole) stay in touch and are quick to respond to phone or e-mail queries. Jim also uses first-rate subcontractors. For example, Hands-On Painting was literally awesome. When doing our exterior window scrapping, repair, sanding and painting, they came in wearing white jumpsuits and covered everything not to be painted, including the ground, with plastic. When they were done, there was not a paint chip or splotch to be found. Jim truly cares enough to do it right. More than once, he spotted something that we hadn't noticed or thought was acceptable and made sure it got done over right at his expense. An example: Where our ceiling changes levels, the original installer had left a break in the crown molding where the level stepped up. "That's not right," said Jim, and had them make the molding continuous. He had the marble installer come back twice to get it right. He even instructed the hardwood floor crew on how to fix some flaws in the wood. Two other differences between Jim and some other contractors show in the end game. He completed our project in less than half the time of similar projects in our neighborhood. And he actually finished: He is a stickler for getting every last little piece done and done right now, unlike some contractors who get 95% done and then disappear. We are recommending James L Graves Construction to everyone who asks about our project or is contemplating one of their own. Thank you, Angie's List!

Lindsay W.
Mar 2011
3.0
$50,000
Overall, we are very happy with the result. The workmanship is top notch and the people who came to do the work were polite and professional. The GC, however, was less than professional and we felt that there was a lack of oversight from him. He was quick to blame other members of his team rather than take responsibility for the issues. For example, we bought low voltage pendant lights to hang over the new island. The lights were on premise during the first week of demo and the team was aware of that. No one bothered to look at the lights until it was time to install them and the electrician had created a wiring system that would not support those lights. But, he tried to install them anyway which made it very difficult for us to return these very expensive lights. So, we had to frantically look for new lights which we did not like as much in the end. During this ordeal and throughout the job, it was very difficult to get in touch with the GC and when we did reach out to him, he typically seemed irritated that we had called. As the job was coming to a close, we were informed that there was an issue with the floor tiles we had chosen - they were out of stock. I called on a Friday morning to find out exactly when we'd see the tile - it took eight hours for a return call. Finally, when I spoke to the GC & tried to get a straight answer as to why the tiles were just being ordered (instead of in advance), he became angry, telling me that we must have a personality conflict. The job was completed a week or two behind schedule but we were very pleased with the new kitchen. There were a few loose ends that took awhile to complete (the tape that was applied to paper that covered the floors damaged the finish which had to be repaired) but the workers were very diligent. When we received our final bill, there were several items that we were billed for that we supplied (bathroom sink, interior doors, tile work that was never done) so I would advise anyone who uses this company to review all bills very carefully. Another big issue arose a few months after the job was completed. A pipe in the new bathroom burst, I'd guess due to cold weather, causing water to pour out of the back of that room. Luckily, all the water went outside and there was no damage except to the pipe. All the plumbing and insulation was new and had been installed by the GC's plumber. When we called, the GC did send his plumber out right away to repair the pipe. We were then told that the insulation in the floor was insufficient, a fact that should have been mentioned and addressed during the construction, and that if we did not correct that problem, the pipe would likely freeze again. Long story short, the GC offered to have someone come out to blow insulation under the floor in that room for $1000. We felt that amount was exorbitant given the small space that needed to be insulated and based on our feeling that this issue should have been addressed during the initial construction. He would not budge on the price. We sent a lengthy email detailing our concerns and frustration with how he handled the situation. At present, he has not replied to that email. Very disappointing. As I've said before, the work was quality but the lack of professionalism on the part of the GC would prevent us from using this company again.
Response from James L Graves Construction
"As I and the rest of our company read this report from you, it was very disheartening. We pride ourselves in delivering the highest level of professionalism and quality of work to all our clients, which is why we have received the Angie’s List “Super Service Award” for two years running. This is an uncharacteristic report and we believe not representative of who we are or the level of service you received, so I would like to respond in the most respectful way possible. We work to maintain straight A’s with every client. I contracted with Member on August 11th 2010 to remodel your kitchen, mud room and powder room. We worked with you for two months on the specifications and developing a budget prior to contract and provided a detailed budget (as we do on every project) which allows for both parties to track costs all the way thru to final billing. There is always a final review and reconciliation done by both parties at the end of the project. This was quickly sorted out in a couple of emails between you and Bonnie in accounting. We are not in the habit of playing the blame game, but pride ourselves on providing guidance and council to remedy any and all situations in a prudent and expeditious way. Remodeling projects are, in some ways, a series of problems to be solved and we have established ourselves in working as a partner with the homeowner to get the job done. To begin, it is unnecessary to blame anyone when the problems are solved and a project is well done. We are pleased that you and Juan are happy with the results. Still, I offer the additional information to help clarify the situation for interested Angie’s List members. We have a lead man on every job, as I did yours, to maintain quality and manage the schedule. The minor project delay was caused by an inspector that required an engineer to provide his certification for a beam that was specified in the plans drawn up by your architect. The architect also specified the lighting that was purchased. We could not know that the lighting did not meet your expectations of having a base that was flush to the trim until it was installed. There were communication gaps between you and the architect’s design, the vendor who provided the lights, and us. Even though we spent several days and multiple hours to see what we could do to make them work for you the way you wanted; it could not be done with the lights you chose. Member Called in February about a pipe that had burst. At that time, he told me how thrilled you both were with the kitchen, mud room and powder room. We responded within two hours in the middle of a snow storm. We suggested foam insulation be installed to make the space more comfortable and insure the pipes would never freeze again. When I followed up with Member he was quite pleased with the outcome of the work we did. We completed your project four months ago. The negative report was filed only after I declined to pay for half of the foam insulation that I had suggested you install. I certainly regret that I failed to keep you happy throughout the course of the project. I tried hard to work with you, provide answers and discuss situations as they arose however; it is clear from your report that my responses and explanations fell short. None the less, we remain committed to stand behind our work and provide the very best service to you and all of our customers."

Dylan H.
Jan 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$24,500
I couldn't be more pleased with our bathroom model. If you have any type of project, do not hesitate to call James L Graves Construction. You won't be disappointed. We decided to remodel our master bathroom because of a consistently leaking shower stall that was too small and a bathtub that only got wet when we cleaned it. I came across James L Graves Construction on Angie's List and added them to my list to call for estimates. When Jim came out to look at our bathroom, he listened to my ideas and gave some great ideas of his own. Everything sounded great, but my main concern was getting a quality product that wouldn't leak down the line. Jim explained to me how the bathroom would be remodeled and the steps that are taken to make sure everything is done right - rubber membranes in the shower, concrete board for the tiling, etc. At that point, I knew I wasn't going to have to talk to anymore contractors. Throughout the entire quote process, Jim and his team went above and beyond providing us separate quotes for a traditional bathroom remodel and a his & her bathroom remodel so we could decide which we wanted to do. Jim even met us at the tile store during our tile selection to offer some assistance and opinions. When design issues came up, Jim always had various solutions or alternatives. During the remodel, everyone was very courteous and did excellent work. They kept everything clean. Brian and Carl did a great job with the demolition and the new bathroom's construction. Mauricio's tile work is beautiful. They keep you informed and verify that everything is where you want it and how you want it. If anything doesn't meet your expectations, Jim and his team make sure it is corrected promptly.

Melaina V.
Jan 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
just started my project but its going well so far.

David F.
Dec 2010
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$17,000
I was afforded "royal treatment." I have never worked with a contractor for a major renovation before, so I was very appreciative of the consultation that James Graves and his crew provided. They struck a perfect balance between giving me advice to prevent me making mistakes, while still allowing the project to be completely mine - totally performed to my exact specifications. Their workmen are perfectionists. The tiles were laid with geometric precision. There is not a flaw to be found in any of the work they performed. Also - they went a bit "above and beyond." For example, I had intended to thoroughly clean the toilet and sink, and install a new flushing mechanism in the toilet before it was reinstalled, but the contractor moved a bit faster than I anticipated - so they did these things at no extra cost. Everyone was very polite, professional, and respectful toward me and my home throughout the process. Once they started, they worked between five and six days a week to get the job done without unnecessary delay, while taking the time to do it right. The final product exceeded my expectations, and everyone who has seen my renovated bathroom has responded with "oohs" and "ahhhs."

Marva B.
Nov 2010
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$54,000
The norm is for you to get 5-7 quotes when looking for a contractor. I advise you to include James L. Graves Construction in your search. I will tell you, you should only contact JLG, but you will not believe me, because we are all trained to seek several quotes. So continue to look for quotes, but I guarantee, you will end up calling Jim. I had to wait a few months to get construction started, and that is because Jim is in such high demand. It was well worth the wait. From the first time I met Jim, I knew I had found the right company. He took the time to listen to what I wanted in my dream kitchen and he also provided ideas that I had not considered. He was the only contractor that ended our conversation asking "what is your budget?". That was always the first question of all the other contractors I contacted. It seemed the other contractors were more concerned about my budget and whether the dollar value was worth their time. Jim provided personal attention and has the best construction team you could ever imagine. If your are looking for professionalism and a team whose goal is to provide personal and quality service, then look no further. Jim and his team were always available when I had questions or requested upgrades. By the way, JLG does not just do construction work. When I say personal services, I mean Jim is there for you when anything goes wrong. Jim and his team assisted me and my 82 year old mom when our air conditioning went out one evening. Jim immediately had someone come over the same evening (7 p.m.), diagnosed the problem, and repaired the air condition the next morning, for a small charge. I was blessed, because I would have probably called my regular AC Service provider and would have definitely been charged much more. So, when I need construction or repairs, will I search for quotes? The answer is no. I know the perfect company to call. I plan to retire in a couple of years, and I am hoping I persuade Jim to build my dream home in another state. Again, I guarantee you, you will not go wrong when choosing James L. Graves Construction. Look no further.

BARBARA C.
Oct 2010
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$50,000
We were very impressed with how hard Jim worked to win our business. We found him to be very professional, but also very pleasant to deal with. We will definitely call him to bid on our next project.

BARBARA C.
Oct 2010
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,000
Working with Jim is great. he is very responsive, listens carefully to what you want done, and coordinates thet trades to get it all done quickly and efficiently. We are very pleased with the our new home office.

BETH C.
Oct 2010
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$11,200
From start to finish, everything went extremely well. I am very happy with the result. Jim was good about helping me visualize what I wanted. The service was superb- all of his staff were very experienced and friendly. They were great about communication. Once the remodel started, I was informed of each detail, they explained everything they were doing and asked me about any changes as we were going. Jim was very good about calling me back when I needed to communicate. He made sure I was happy through the whole process. I love my bathroom, it is gorgeous!

Debbie K.
Sep 2010
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,590
I originally called Jim for an estimate on a bathroom remodel and that conversation led to some work I wanted done on my patio. I have an addition over a patio with a ceiling covered with some old plywood and the posts needed the bases replaced. He presented a great idea to replace the plywood with a white vinyl to make the ceiling look more attractive with low maintenance. After replacing the post base caps he would wrap them in white vinyl as well to match the ceiling. I asked for a quote and arrangements were made to have the work done. His carpenter, Vince and his crew came out and did a wonderful job. There were some problems along the way and Greg Stimson, the project lead, called me explaining them in detail and what they were doing to resolve them. (Just about everything the previous owners of my home have done has revealed sloppy workmanship on their part.) Greg would call to check in & give me updates. When they were done the next day Vince called to let me know and reviewed the problems they encountered and how they fixed them. I thank all the crew for a job well done.

Richard B.
Sep 2010
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$30,000
In general we had a very positive experience with this company. We started talking with Jim around the time of the monster February snow fall, so things got started a little slowly. We received the quote from Jim in March. It was a very detailed list of items, material, and labor with specific prices for each line. This was much more transparent that others quotes I had seen. The overall price was in line with others, so we decided to go with Jim based on the detail of the list, the price, and the Angie's List feedback on his previous work. After deciding to go with Jim he sent us to his tile vendor and cabinet people. The tile people we very friendly and helpful. My wife found a tile she liked quickly and the designer made some great suggestions on the pattern and layout. After seeing the finished product we really like the choices and advice. We looked at the cabinet choices, but decided to purchase our cabinets separately from another vendor. Jim was fine with this. Jim also provided us with a website he uses for bathroom supply such as faucets, toilets, lighting, etc. The website has a huge selection with fairly easy search and filtering. This made it quite easy to look for fixtures. Also, Jim came out with his plumber and electrician to get a refined estimate and do some up front planning prior to the start of the project. I think this helped things go more smoothly. We provided Jim's office with our choices, and they reworked the quote to include our items for a final estimate. Our cabinets were quoted as 6-8 week delivery time, so we did not actually get started on construction until early June. On the first day of construction it seemed like everyone showed up at once and on time. Vince immediately went to work putting adhesive plastic carpet protection up the stairs and in the bedroom. This was followed by plastic sheeting between the bath construction area and the bedroom, brown paper on the hardwood floor in the foyer and drop cloths over that. In the mean time my wife and I were working with Jim, Greg (the project lead) and the plumber discussing layouts, exact work to be done, etc. Once that was squared away they demolished the existing bath, installed the new tub, started building the new walls and wiring the new bath. The electricians noticed that the original wiring had both baths on a single 15 amp circuit and suggested moving them to a new 20 amp circuit. This was going to be an additional cost, but we decided to do it which was the right decision. Also the final additional cost was about half of what I expected. We also had them install a new outlet in the family room. While the plumber, Gary, was installing the diverter valve for the shower, we mentioned that the hall bath flow was pretty poor. He looked at the existing fixture, determined it was broken, and went ahead an replaced the diverter in the hall bath as well so we could have decent showers for the next couple of weeks. He even picked up an inexpensive chrome fixture for use right away since our final oil rubbed bronze fixtures would need to be special ordered. Next came the drywall and tile installation. This was done by the same crew. Mericio and his guys did a very good job on the dry wall and patching the ceiling where the wall had been. They did an even better job with the tile installation. Shortly after laying the floor tile on a diagonal they noticed that the floor was not level near the toilet wall, so they pulled up the few tiles they had already set and leveled the floor with mortar. Mericio also worked very patiently with us to layout the exact location of the tile pattern around the tub. This was not a straightforward endeavor, but he got it right. The tile took the most effort with Mericio and his guys working long days for a week or week and a half. In the end we are extremely pleased with the work and Mericio was very friendly and accommodating. After the tile work things moved very quickly with trim, crown molding, and painting. Following that the cabinets were installed. Next we visited Jim's granite guy, picked out our slab and edge profile, and they had our counter tops made a few days later. The electricians showed-up finished installing the outlets and lights, hooked up the fan, and the plumbers returned to finish installing the faucets and toilet. Greg came by to provide additional finishing touches. The entire master bath project took about 3 1/2 weeks from start to finish. Due to vacation plans and scheduling Mericio around another job we started the hall bath 2-3 weeks after the completion of the master bath. This was actually a good thing. The respite gave us the opportunity to install shelving in the closet, and move back into the room before starting the hall bath. Once the hall bath was started it was pretty much a repeat of the master bath experience in less than half the time since there was less actual construction involved. This took about a week and a half to complete. Overall, we are very pleased with the results. The new bath looks beautiful and we really love the tile work. Everyone was very friendly and accommodating throughout. There were a few minor issues along the way, but I really expected more. I worked very closely with Jim and his guys before and during the project to plan as much as possible. I think this really paid off. We did a kitchen remodel three years ago and used a different company. While that project was not a nightmare there was certainly many more headaches and issues throughout. With this bath remodel we had very few surprises and only a handful of change orders (that were very reasonably priced).

F C.
Sep 2010
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$48,000
Call whomever you want but make sure you call Jim. The Beginning: Came to visit as promised, on time. Listened to ridiculous questions and remained professional. Corrected me before I could do something stupid to my kitchen (and home). Honest and up front with pricing, scheduling, etc. The Work: Came on time, worked all day, efficiently and CLEANLY! His employees were very professional and always took the time to tell me how everything was going and what to expect next. Always on time. I cannot give them enough credit for the quality of their workmanship. No detail was too small to address, even in cases where I thought some minor detail was not worth it, Jim and his people would not ignore it. They dealt with it perfectly. The work schedule Jim laid out was either adhered to exactly or work was ahead of schedule. An example: The granite counter tops were installed in 48 hours from the time I selected the stone! There were challenges in the job but all were dealt with very well and all to my satisfaction. Make no mistake: Kitchen remodels will cost a few bucks. So get someone who is professional, courteous, and provides professional, meticulous craftsmen to do the work. Call Jim Graves and have his company complete your project. I am not related to Jim Graves!

Karen R.
Jul 2010
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$29,500
I waited 20 years to do this project because of the horror stories I heard from friends and acquaintances who suffered through remodeling projects. My experience with Jim made the wait worthwhile. My journey started by reviewing Angie?s List for companies that did bathroom renovations that had ?A? ratings in several recent reports. It was not until I met with Jim that I learned that not all A-rated companies are created equally, so read the member comments thoroughly. Jim doesn?t give estimates that are based on allowances. He had me do my homework to select tiles and fixtures and then gave me an itemized estimate. As an accountant, I was absolutely delighted! I knew exactly what I was getting. Don?t worry, Jim will give you as much guidance as you need to make the right choices. I was most impressed by his dedication in helping me with my tile selection and layout. He saw that getting the effect I wanted would present challenges and he worked with the tile manufacturer and developed a solution. And this was done BEFORE he gave me his estimate and I signed the contract. I couldn?t think of anyone investing this much effort before getting a signed deal. Once Jim and his crew are in your home, they make every effort to protect your furnishings and contain dust. Furniture was covered; my hardwood floors were protected and dust barriers installed and the job site was cleaned every day. Look, in every construction site a little dust will fly, but on a Jim Graves job, you won?t be living in a blizzard of construction dust. Jim has exacting standards for his crew. If he doesn?t like what he sees, it gets re-done until it?s done right. For example, the tile setter on my project worked all weekend to lay the mosaic floor, but when Jim saw it on Monday, he said it wasn?t up to his standard so the tile was taken up and re-laid. There was also problem with the stain on the closet doors that Jim addressed promptly and thoroughly. Jim encourages his clients to tell him if they think things aren?t quite right. He calls everyday to see how things are going. If you?re not happy with something, tell him. He will make it good; he treats you like you are his most important client. At the very end of the job I noticed that his carpenter forgot to fill the nail holes on the new closet casing. I mentioned it to Jim as a joke since I had filler pencils and could easily fill them myself. Jim insisted that his carpenter come back and fill them. Jim is a firm believer in the job isn?t over until the customer is completely satisfied. He tolerates no loose ends. I had a fantastic experience working with Jim and his crew. The bathroom turned out great; it takes my breath away. The closet he built looks like it?s always been there. Now that I know I will be in good hands working with Jim, I?m looking forward to starting on my kitchen renovation!

Teddy C.
Jul 2010
5.0
$5,900
Everything went well; it did take some extra time and the workers were having to work in the bitter cold of December 2010; they did such a professional job and one of the workers came back to finish a touch-up paint job.
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Licensing

Bonded

Insured

Licensed*

Trade License Number

127872

Trade License Locale

Maryland

Trade License Authority

Maryland: General

Trade License Expiration

09/04/2025

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FAQ

James L Graves Construction is currently rated 5.0 overall out of 5.
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed
James L Graves Construction accepts the following forms of payment: Financing Available, Check, CreditCard
Yes, James L Graves Construction offers free project estimates.
Yes, James L Graves Construction offers eco-friendly accreditations.
No, James L Graves Construction does not offer a senior discount.
No, James L Graves Construction does not offer emergency services.
Yes, James L Graves Construction offers warranties.
James L Graves Construction offers the following services: Interior remodeling, kitchen, basement , additions interior and exterior painting, roofing, siding, windows, doors, concretet, gutters and siding, decks, porches, walkways,
Utility work & swimming pools.