Des-Met Construction, LLC

unknown

fine

The work ended up great, although I didn't realize that they were coming from so far away so there was an additional fee.  They installed drywall in one room, and the end result was decent (B+).  They were very knowledgeable and helpful in answering my questions.  They did a good job communicating about the work.

It was an Angie's List Big Deal that I purchased. He came out 2 weeks after I purchased the deal. I think that he was qualified as a handyman. My complaint is that the location of where he was coming from is well north of Baltimore so they do charge a fuel service charge for certain distances that they go. I got this fuel charge, not knowing how far he actually was away from my place of residence. They did not mention that they would charge me. I didn't like how he did one of the items in the repair. I'm very happy that he did the small jobs, I didn't think he would do it. One of the things I wanted him to do was we had some mold that had grown above the ceiling, between the first and second floors, because of a leaky pipe. I was hoping that he would cut out the section of the drywall especially since it was a little soft and a little mist at the time and kinda put up a small section of drywall. All he did was put Killz on top of it which basically stops the existing mold from getting any further but it doesn't eradicate the problem on the other side of the ceiling. I asked him why he didn't cut out the small part of the ceiling and he didn't really give me a great answer. He called us that he was coming and letting us know how far away he was.

It worked out wonderfully.  He was here the entire time and we did everything we could in that time.  He had everything done right and he was very friendly and professional.

There were some charges for bolts and miscellaneous products they've used. This company subcontracted the work out to someone else. I don't think it was directly the company. They had someone else come out. It was a grandfather and a grandson and as far as professionalism they were very argumentative and it just didn't reflect well.

It went as expected

They arrived on time and completed the shutter replacement and the security light replacement satisfactorily on that day. They collected the materials for the access panel and were going to notify me when they would return to install the panel. I didn't hear from them for what I considered to be a reasonable period of time and tried to contact them by phone and email without success. About three months later, I found a cell number which I called and was able to reach the owner. When I explained the problem, he was surprised and said that the thought that the work had been completed by his assistant some time ago and said that the assistant had left his employment shortly after they had done the work for us. The owner then came out and installed the panel himself. The result was satisfactory.
My main complaint is about the communication problems.

He worked slowly, with just a single helper, but he re-did the roof and replaced all the flashing and gutters, and installed garage doors.  Altogether quite satisfied with his work.

It turned out pretty well. It was a pretty good experience. I would not use them again.

Des-Met Construction were pretty good. They're okay. There was an older person who was experienced and then there was like a younger person who was very inexperienced. They didn't seem to have tools on hand to the thing. It was a pretty simple thing, but it took a long time to do it because probably not the most perfect tools for the job. So they didn't get much done.

It was a fine experience; amazed that he did so much work, alone, in the space of time he did (approx. 5 hours).

I cannot remember which job came first, but after engaging him for one job on an Angie's List coupon, I engaged him on others.  He gave me good advice on the foyer tile floor and dissuaded me from going with a tile that would likely have presented maintenance and cleaning problems. 

all the work charlie did looked great. 
he did it quickly, neatly, and right.
charlie doesn't take short cuts, he's an old school professional. 
he's not going to charge you an arm and a leg, he'll meet you when its good for you. 

There was a slight hiccup with scheduling, but otherwise this was a very good experience. Charlie was able to get everything done in the time allotted, was very responsive, did quality work, and cleaned up all work areas when finished.

I purchased a Big Deal and called Des-Met.  Ralph called me back and we talked about what I needed and set a date.  Ralph and his son arrived promptly on the designated day (a Saturday between Christmas and New Year).  They worked steadily and completed each task. The floor removal wasn't on my original list, but Ralph asked what else I needed because there was time left.  I helped with the pedestal installation and I had to level it after they left.  They left my large plastic trash can inside the house full of refuse from the tasks. (I didn't ask them to take it out, but I assumed they would.  I noticed it in the house after they left rather in a hurry to get to a pre-scheduled family event.)  For the next two months, my gas stovetop (in kitchen on ground floor) wouldn't light automatically; we needed to light it with a match.  I finally realized that the plug for the  stove's electronic ignition was left unplugged in the basement when the set tub surround was removed - the stove has worked fine since I plugged it back in! (The oven hasn't worked since Thanksgiving Day, but that's an unrelated story...)
My only real complaint is this:  The conditions for the Big Deal stated that customers outside of a 30-mile radius would be charged $10 extra.  Before I bought it, I used Mapquest to check the distance from my house to the address listed for Des-Met, which was 29 miles and change - so I bought the Big Deal.  Ralph reminded me of the charge when I called him, and I assured him that I had the Mapquest printout showing that my house was within the 30-mile radius.  But he charged me the extra fee because HIS house was beyond the 30-mile radius - though I had no way of knowing that before I bought the Big Deal.  I paid it "under protest."
The deal was for 3 hours. If that means 3 elapsed hours, they worked a little less than that time (and as mentioned, they left in a hurry.) If that means two people for an hour and a half each (and that would be reasonable), they worked beyond that time without complaint or extra charge.

Mr. Charlie and his assistant arrived on time (in fact a few minutes ahead of schedule).  They estimated what they would need and we set up a return time. On the way out his assistant fixed an outside gutter (I was quite pleased with that).
If I recall the correct order of events:
When they returned, a shower head was fixed, a leak in the bathroom was fixed, and a shower knob was replaced, which broke.
The next trip he successfully replaced a faucet in a different bathroom.  He removed the entire sink to replace the faucet. Unfortunately, one can tell that the sink was removed and replaced (it wasn't flush).  
Another knob was bought for the shower, that broke too. He realized it was the valve stem.  
He was always punctual and he liked to talk.  Overall he did a decent job.

Charles showed up on time and did the requested work.  The finished result was professional and he left the place clean.  Charles is friendly and easy to talk to.  I will definitely use Des-Met Construction again.

It went very well.  Charlie arrived on time and all the jobs went well.

It took a long time to get the project started do to the weather and other factors.

The person came at the scheduled time, completed the work satisfactoraly and cleaned up properly.

They approached the job meticulously; they were professional and explained the steps in the repair process as they were performing the work; they also gave us recommendations for repair jobs on other areas of the house where we requested their input; they also cleaned up extremely well.

It was the material in which they used in the beginning, so that the drywall repair was not seamless, which comprised the final results in the end.

Charles the owner was rude, unbending, nasty, and never apologized for coming into house and staining carpet with mud.

Everything was done in a timely, efficient, and professional manner. He was also very courteous and knowledgeable.  In areas I had questions and needed help, I trusted his instincts and advice.  I would use this service again without hesitation, and I would strongly recommend this company to others. 

Hired first as a special through Angie's List for 3 hours of handyman work.  Wanted a handicap ramp painted but the weather didn't cooperate, so I had many little tasks taken care of, door sweep, sliding door glide, etc. 
Then, after getting several estimates, I hired Des-Met Construction to do a lot of work in the basement before carpeting was installed by a company they recommended.  Des-Met repaired drywall in several areas, removed paneling on one long wall and replaced with green board, replaced baseboard where needed, patched holes in ceiling, painted ceiling in family room, painted walls in family room, stairs, hall, bedroom, and bath/laundry.  They replaced all electrical switch plates and replaced the dryer vent. After the carpeting was installed, Charles adjusted the height of some double fold doors.
Upstairs, Charles made a new vanity top and backspash for the master bedroom bath and replaced the sink.
Charles always showed up when he promised, other than a delay from one ice storm which I completely expected.
I will hire them again for future work, including the painting of that handicap ramp.