MGR General Contractor

I contracted Mark at MGR to install two ceiling fans in two bedrooms. I had installed three of the same ceiling fans myself in a previous home so I was somewhat familiar with the procedure. Mark immediately impressed me by pointing out that the gang box that housed the wiring and to which the fan was being attached would have to be replaced because it was plastic; those in my other house had been metal. I hadn't thought of that and I was glad he had the foresight to think of it. He also wanted to install a sturdy metal brace between the ceiling joists to securely support the weight of the fan and guard against wobble. Again, something I had not considered. We discussed fan/light control options, weighing the pros and cons of using a remote unit versus hardwiring and we elected to go for the wiring. Mark began by protecting our bed and carpet with plastic sheeting; one of the bedrooms required us to breakdown the bed and remove the mattress and box strings, and he assisted me in that. Despite cramped conditions, ceiling insulation, and a superheated attic space, Mark was able to successfully remove the old plastic gang box. Before he could install the new metal one, he had to recut the opening in the ceiling since the old box was square and the new one was a hexagon. It fit like a glove when he was done. The new metal box was supported by a beefy metal brace that had teeth that bit into the sides of the ceiling joists and were nailed into place, and he ran new electrical wiring from the fan unit to the wall switch, which wall he had to fish to accomplish. He unpacked the fan parts, reviewed the directions for any “surprises”, and successfully mounted the fan(s). Afterwards, he cleaned up his work area and tested the fans and lights for proper operation. They are great, working flawlessly, with no wobble, and are very quiet. My wife and I were extremely pleased with Mark's work ethic, knowledge, care to protect our home from damage, and the overall quality of his work. To be clear, I purchased the fans themselves, the light/fan switches, and their covers. His fee was primarily for his labor, although he also purchased the electrical wiring and the gang boxes with the brace. I would highly recommend Mark for any home improvement jobs that are needed. This is the third project that we have hired him to do and we have been satisfied on each one. We have just contracted him for another project that is required, and we are confident we will be very satisfied with that, too.

I contacted Mark after I purchased a 20 foot SunSetter Awning. It was sitting in my garage in boxes, and the installation was a job way beyond my abilities. After speaking on the phone we arranged a day for him to come out and look everything over. On the appointed day he drove to my home to inspect the job, and after careful consideration he gave me a very reasonable estimate. I was impressed that he was not only on time, but also came prepared to work. He had actually brought some items that he anticipated he would need, such as lag bolts, extra wood to reinforce where the awning attached to the house, and other items, which demonstrated to me that he had a good understanding of what the job entailed and planned ahead. We agreed on a price and he immediately went to work. He was diligent, meticulous, and thorough in his work, taking his time and not rushing things in order to insure the job was done right and in a safe manner. He did not require my supervision at all. Afterwards, he cleaned up his work area, and my patio with the awning installed looked fantastic. Not only would I highly recommend him to others, but since then I have contracted him for several other jobs that I require done. I give Mark a AAA rating.

After the positive experience I had with Mark installing an awning for me, I decided to hire him to replace a couple of toilets in the home I just purchased. I spoke with Mark and explained what I needed done, and since he had been to my home previously he was familiar with what the job entailed. He gave me an estimate on the phone, explaining he was going to bring some items that he preferred to use in an installation of this type, such as a wax ring with a horn and special bolts to secure the toilet. Mark arrived at my home a few days later and tackled the job. He turned off the water supply, drained the toilet tank, siphoned the remaining water from the tank and bowl, and was careful not to spill any water remaining in the trap onto the floor when he removed it from the house. He noted there had been some leakage from the prior toilet and he cleaned the area thoroughly, being careful not to mar the floor. He installed a new wax ring with a horn, toilet bolts, and carefully lowered the toilet base into place. After insuring it was properly seated, he secured it with bolts, attached the tank, and finally the water line. He turned on the water and tested the toilet for proper operation and any leaks, which there were none. The second toilet, which happened to be in my basement, had some special problems which Mark readily identified. When the basement floor had been poured the contractor had plumbed it for a bathroom but had not left the proper clearance under the toilet flange and the floor. Therefore, the bolts had been wedged under the flange lip, causing the flange itself to be slightly warped like a Pringles potato chip instead of laying flat. In addition, the PVC flange had been glued to the PVC drain below it, preventing it from being removed without great expense. Mark, with the knowledge and experience he possessed, was able to adapt with an economical solution by using two wax rings with horns instead on one, which essentially solved the potential leak issue. Nevertheless, it did nothing for the fact that the toilet would be prone to rock from side to side due to the warpage. He eliminated that problem by using shims to keep the toilet in place once it was installed. Now the toilet rests sturdily on the floor, not wobbly as it was before, and it is leak free, of course. Because I elected to purchase a toilet that was taller than the previous one, the old water supply line was stretched pretty tight. Although it would have worked, the perfectionist in Mark was not satisfied with it and he made a trip to the hardware store to purchase a longer one. In addition, he bought a collar to place over the water pipe that was protruding from the wall that supplied the water for the toilet. Apparently when the previous owner had finished the bathroom he had neglected to put one on, which resulted in an unsightly gap. Granted, it is only a cosmetic item, but Mark didn’t have to buy the part or install it since it was not something I had contracted him for. Furthermore, and perhaps I shouldn’t mention this lest people have unwarranted expectations, he had noticed that one of the bi-fold doors going into my laundry room was missing a pivot pin on the bottom. While at the hardware he purchased a pin and installed it on the door, fixing an annoyance that had plagued both my wife and I. Mark did this at no extra charge, which impressed me, too. I’m not saying that you could expect the same thing if you were hire him, but I’m only mentioning it because I think it illustrates his commitment to quality work. Something that isn’t “right” bugs him and he is compelled to correct it. When he left he had cleaned up after himself, removed the boxes and debris, and left my home in the same condition he found it. Overall I was extremely pleased with his work, his dedication to quality, and the thoroughness he applies to every task, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to others.

Mike is a knowledgeable and professional builder and a skilled carpenter.He was prompt and folloup well. He addressed isues in a timely manner

They were very professional and prompt. Very detailed. Took time out to discuss the problem and what else could happen and what was going to be done. Always gives estimate first and lets you know if addtional will be needed.