"One of our rental homes had a bad house fire. We had to gut it down to the studs, kept the exterior siding, but everything else had to be replaced, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, plus walls, floors, ceilings, bathroom and kitchen. The works.
Tyler from SimpleFix ran the project with his crew, kept in great communication, and stayed on it until we were satisfied with the finished work. His estimate was accurate, and we have received rave reviews from tenants about how grateful the place looks since then. We've continued to use SimpleFix for many projects since then, and we keep coming back to because they communicate promptly and get the work done right.
We highly recommend SimpleFix, and we often refer them to friends and family, too."
"Customer service and their work was fantastic. They completed the project very timely, kept the workspace clean, and were honest and genuinely friendly to work with. We are looking forward to the next project in our home to work with them again."
"Jeff did an amazing job. He designed a gate to go across the stairs that works perfectly without taking up space. I still get compliments on the job he did. I would HIGHLY recommend him for a job."
"After a terrible bathroom remodel several years ago from another contractor, we decided to use Angie's List to find someone who could the job right. We called several contractors and received a few quotes. We were impressed with Todd because he took the time to explain what needed to be done. He also provided some ideas that would improve the look of the bathroom. I took care of the demolition so we could minimize the number of surprises that would come up during the remodel. Todd was able to correct a wiring problem and partially correct a plumbing issue in the first couple days that was caused by the last contractor. Todd had mentioned that there was going to be additional cost to correct these issues. During the project, Todd and Dave took their time and were very diligent in replacing the drywall and laying the tile. They did an excellent job with laying the tile. However when they reinstalled the double vanity, the right sink was leaking. I notified Todd of this and he stopped by the next day to complete the repair. He said the sink should be fixed and we could use it the next day. When we used the sinks, I noticed the right sink was still leaking. I called Todd and he stopped by a couple days later. He mentioned that he had worked on both sinks, tested them and everything should be working fine. Unfortunately, the left sink was leaking. I notified Todd early in the morning. He responded the next day and mentioned he could stop over the following week. Since this was the fourth time the sink leaked since it was reinstalled, we ended up reaching out to another plumber on Angie's List to fix the problem. Overall, we are happy with the bathroom remodel but disappointed with the last two days of the project since it seemed there was a rush to the finish. Some of the small details were overlooked and we have a sink that will be fixed by another plumber. I would grade the tile work and drywall replacement an A but lower marks on the plumbing.
10/12/15: 7 months since the remodel, we noticed the grout had a couple areas with hairline cracks. Todd came out within a week and repaired it. No other issues anywhere else. The bathroom still looks great. "
"My house was in a need of a major face lift. In preparation for the approaching cold months, and inevitably spending more time in doors, we wanted to make sure that all of our major updates were finished before the cold Michigan weather came sweeping in to spoil the summer fun. So naturally it was decided that the time had come to remove the awful wallpaper in the den and master bathroom! I met with four contractors, Elysium's bid was admittedly higher in price. However, based on their outstanding reputation and the detail and clarity that their estimator brought to the table we signed the contract. All of the work was completed as promised and within the given time frame. There were no nasty surprises when the materials invoice came and the ghastly wallpaper is gone for good. Looking forward to spending time in my updated den this winter, thank you Elysium for doing a great job! "
"I did not go with this company, they refunded my money because I didn't like their design. I've reviewed this before. Please can you stop these requests to do a review. "
Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts
Yes, you will need a jack for a rim joist replacement. To prevent sagging and facilitate the removal of load-bearing wood, you’ll need to relieve the pressure from this joint before beginning work.
Due to hydraulics and other specialized equipment, a sill plate and rim joist replacement are not typically a DIY project. Hiring a professional structural engineer and experienced contractors is the best approach to replacing rotted sill plates and rim joists.
Most of the time, you’ll want to use screws on your subfloor rather than nails. Nails can actually weaken plywood, whereas screws can easily penetrate without damage. They also form a more secure connection because of their shape, preventing squeaky floors and tightly holding the subfloor in place. That said, some contractors do prefer nails depending on the type of floor covering because they allow for more flexibility.
Bump-out additions can extend anywhere from 2 to 15 feet from an existing room. The right size will depend on how you plan to use the new space. For a cantilever bump-out, which doesn't require additional foundation support, the limit is typically 24 inches (2 feet). If a footing and foundation are part of the project, a bump-out can be much larger, even encompassing a whole room. It's also important to remember that many residential properties have limits on the total house size relative to the lot size.
Learning how to frame a house includes picking the right lumber for the job. Most people will want to pick pine, spruce, or fir for the framing. These types of lumber are affordable and produce sturdy framing for structures. Look for kiln-dried lumber to reduce the risk of shrinkage or insect damage after installation. As part of what’s included in framing a house when you hire a professional, the contractor should order the lumber, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right lumber.
Modern brick houses are really stick-built homes with a brick facade for aesthetic purposes only, so most have framing. With genuine brick construction, most homeowners install furring strips over the interior of the brick and then install drywall over those strips to cover the brick wall, so they don’t have traditional framing.
The Auburn, MI homeowners’ guide to contractor services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
When you’re tackling a project or hiring a contractor, it’s helpful to know key carpentry terms. From end grain to dovetail joints, here’s a complete list.
House framing is one of the first parts of building a home. To do this, you’ll want to hire a rough or unfinished carpenter. Using this guide, you’ll know what questions to ask and where to look for your house framing contractor.
