In any case, I turned out to be much more right in my thought process than I could have ever predicted. Brad got as far as tearing out a row of ceiling tiles, and told me he thought he had found the problem, and it didn't involve water damage from outside. There had been a nest of squirrels up in the ceiling, and the water damage was urine from the squirrels. He told me he saw no evidence that I had a water damage problem, and he didn't see any reason to go ahead and tear out the wall. He cleaned out the nest and put the ceiling back together. We realized that what looked like mold was just a different type of varnish on half of the wall, not mold. I asked him what he thought was the reason for the musty smell downstairs, and what I should do about it. He said it was just a very wet summer and he recommended getting a dehumidifier and cleaning the carpets professionally. (You notice neither of these things are jobs that he does or can benefit from us doing.) He then told us he would refund the unused part of the deposit we had made on the project. A few days later I got a phone call in which he said that since we didn't seem to have a water problem, he didn't see why we should have him check our downspouts either, and that if we liked, he would refund an additional $300 that he would have charged for looking in the downspouts. I have to say, I'm stunned. I don't think I have ever had a workman come into my house, diagnose what he thinks we need to have done, give me an estimate, have me put down a 50% deposit, start the project and then tell us after a small bit of exploration that he honestly doesn't think we need to do the job at all and then offer to give us our money back. I am sure that the other two companies who gave us a price for doing this job would have simply gone ahead, torn out the wall, and charged us our agreed price for doing it. It was an exploratory job - tearing a wall out to see if there was mold behind it - so they could certainly have followed through on the work order and told us several thousands of dollars later that, luckily, they didn't find anything wrong. And we would have been grateful to have been saved a bigger job in the future. While Brad was here he also fixed several other things in a reasonable, rational way for us. Our front door didn't latch well, so cold air used to rush in all winter. One person told us we would need a $500-$800 new door. Another company told us we would have to tear out the whole wall adjacent to the door too (in a very charming mid-century modern house with nice woodwork) and that would cost about $1000. Brad did a quick repair job with a screwdriver while he was standing there, essentially for free, which he says will hold us for 2-3 years. Then we could look again to see what we could do with the door. (I doubt he would recommend replacing the door or the whole wall to fix a latch that doesn't work properly.) We had holes punched in our walls from a renegade power wheelchair. He plastered those back to smoothness. We had ugly black gunk on the backsplash behind our kitchen sink. He replaced the caulk and now it looks great. He spent quite a bit of time here, finding out that we didn't have a moisture problem and fixing incidental things, and in the end refunded $300 back from the 50% deposit we had given him for the basement job. I can't really speak to the quality of Brad's work on a big remodel job, because he didn't do that kind of work for us. But, this is what I can say. He is very pleasant to deal with and I believe he has a lot of knowledge and care about what he does. But what I really want to say is that I am very impressed with his honesty and integrity. Really impressed. I think he went way above and beyond what most companies would have done in this respect. I am so glad we hired him - we ended up actually not having to do an expensive repair job because of his honesty and integrity.
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Woodworking reviews from real Angi homeowners in Meridian, MI
Last update on October 15, 2025
Lee G.
5.0
08/2018
This house went from being "the" eyesore of the neighborhood to becoming the highest sale price of ANY home EVER sold in the neighborhood (prior to writing this comment), even compared to homes with more square footage. I am EXTREMELY picky when it comes to quality of workmanship. When it...
This will be a little bit of a strange review because what I am so impressed with is what this company didn't do! If this review seems to long to read, just skip to the last paragraph. We called Brad because we thought we had a water problem in our basement. We had several...
Dana T.
5.0
04/2013
Alan was wonderful to work with and we will definitely be calling him anytime we need a skilled woodworker! He came over to look at the project we wanted to do. He took time to look at pictures I had gathered for a bench. He dropped a quote off at our home just a few days later and began...
We are a family owned business focusing on interior and exterior painting and finished carpentry services to fit all of your needs. Paying sharp attention to detail we are able to deliver on ALL customer needs and desires for each individual project.
"Mario and his crew did an amazing job on our basement renovation in Rockford. Beautiful work and great attention to detail. We are very happy with all of his selections for flooring, carpet and paint. I highly recommend him and will hire him in the future for any of our home projects."
Lisa L on May 2025
We are a family owned business focusing on interior and exterior painting and finished carpentry services to fit all of your needs. Paying sharp attention to detail we are able to deliver on ALL customer needs and desires for each individual project.
"Mario and his crew did an amazing job on our basement renovation in Rockford. Beautiful work and great attention to detail. We are very happy with all of his selections for flooring, carpet and paint. I highly recommend him and will hire him in the future for any of our home projects."
Castle Metal Works is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
Castle Metal Works is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
Sayago's Home Improvement, LLC, proudly serves it's customers with pride, integrity and attention to the details that matter most to you. This is one of the many things that sets us apart from the rest. We are locally owned and operated. Give us a call today!
"Honest prepared and did a great job it was worth the money and I look forward to hiring them again"
Maria E on October 2023
Sayago's Home Improvement, LLC, proudly serves it's customers with pride, integrity and attention to the details that matter most to you. This is one of the many things that sets us apart from the rest. We are locally owned and operated. Give us a call today!
"Honest prepared and did a great job it was worth the money and I look forward to hiring them again"
Wilkinson Builders, Inc. We opened our doors in 1992 to serve you in all your residential building needs. We take pride in the quality of materials we use and our craftsmanship. We provide the highest quality of customer satisfaction, and we are only a phone call away!
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Alan C on July 2002
Wilkinson Builders, Inc. We opened our doors in 1992 to serve you in all your residential building needs. We take pride in the quality of materials we use and our craftsmanship. We provide the highest quality of customer satisfaction, and we are only a phone call away!
Every homeowner has a list of home repair, maintenance and improvement projects that need to get done -- both interior and exterior. But with today's busy lifestyles, who has the time and patience to do it all? Ace Handyman Services has licensed and insured professional craftsmen who can tackle a wide range of repair, improvement and remodeling projects. Our craftsman take pride in their work and our work is guaranteed.
"I was contacted quickly after posting the project, scheduled service for two days after, JP arrived precisely at the promised time and quickly and professionally fixed my door."
Bruce M on August 2024
Every homeowner has a list of home repair, maintenance and improvement projects that need to get done -- both interior and exterior. But with today's busy lifestyles, who has the time and patience to do it all? Ace Handyman Services has licensed and insured professional craftsmen who can tackle a wide range of repair, improvement and remodeling projects. Our craftsman take pride in their work and our work is guaranteed.
"I was contacted quickly after posting the project, scheduled service for two days after, JP arrived precisely at the promised time and quickly and professionally fixed my door."
Michigan Handy Services LLC is a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Our services are customized to your individual needs, paying close attention to the details of each project that we are involved with. Please feel free to contact us today!
"Excellent & timely job. Will use him again. A+"
Ruth W on May 2024
Michigan Handy Services LLC is a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Our services are customized to your individual needs, paying close attention to the details of each project that we are involved with. Please feel free to contact us today!
At Handyman Connection, your home is our work, and we take pride in both by offering a written 1 year guarantee on our craftsmanship. We are licensed, insured, and conduct background checks on all of our craftsman for piece of mind. Our dedication to providing high-quality workmanship and friendly customer service makes us a top provider of home maintenance, repair, and remodeling services across the country. Servicing our customers, we bring a tradition of experienced craftsmen and satisfied customers. The craftsman at Handyman Connection of Lansing will deliver work that stands the test of time while making the process smooth and stress-free for customers. If you’re looking for a team that takes pride in what they do and truly cares about your home, welcome to Handyman Connection of Lansing—where connections matter, and craftsmanship is key.
At Handyman Connection, your home is our work, and we take pride in both by offering a written 1 year guarantee on our craftsmanship. We are licensed, insured, and conduct background checks on all of our craftsman for piece of mind. Our dedication to providing high-quality workmanship and friendly customer service makes us a top provider of home maintenance, repair, and remodeling services across the country. Servicing our customers, we bring a tradition of experienced craftsmen and satisfied customers. The craftsman at Handyman Connection of Lansing will deliver work that stands the test of time while making the process smooth and stress-free for customers. If you’re looking for a team that takes pride in what they do and truly cares about your home, welcome to Handyman Connection of Lansing—where connections matter, and craftsmanship is key.
We special in complete home renovations and repairs. From the smallest to the largest job. Your home is your canvas, we’re the brush, you choose the paint to guide us to your masterpiece!
We special in complete home renovations and repairs. From the smallest to the largest job. Your home is your canvas, we’re the brush, you choose the paint to guide us to your masterpiece!
We specialize in carpentry and home improvement and repairs, and we are striving to resurrect quality craftsmanship through every project that we take on. We aim to make your dream become a reality and to do so in a timely manner with quality and your satisfaction as our top priorities.
"I would highly recommend crafted carpentry for any of your needs. Timely, professional and quality work."
Sharon D on October 2024
We specialize in carpentry and home improvement and repairs, and we are striving to resurrect quality craftsmanship through every project that we take on. We aim to make your dream become a reality and to do so in a timely manner with quality and your satisfaction as our top priorities.
"I would highly recommend crafted carpentry for any of your needs. Timely, professional and quality work."
Integrity, Consistency and Longevity are crucial components of my work that I strive to achieve with each project I take on. I pride myself on my craftsmanship and ingenuity. The quality of my work is among the top in the industry and is driven by my unrivaled, relentless dedication to the satisfaction of my customers and the respect I have for the art of my craft.
Integrity, Consistency and Longevity are crucial components of my work that I strive to achieve with each project I take on. I pride myself on my craftsmanship and ingenuity. The quality of my work is among the top in the industry and is driven by my unrivaled, relentless dedication to the satisfaction of my customers and the respect I have for the art of my craft.
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Woodworking questions, answered by experts
A carpenter typically does woodwork involved in constructing a home or other building, such as framing, installing sheathing, hanging kitchen cabinets, and installing trusses. These tasks are different from the focus of a woodworker, who typically does the finer interior detailed woodwork such as trim and moldings.
There's no simple answer to which is less costly: wood or metal-framed homes. In most cases, metal building components cost more than wooden ones, while entire metal buildings cost less than wooden versions. However, regardless of the exterior framing or structure, each must meet similar building codes. This means that the costs are about the same, even considering that wood will require more maintenance than metal over time.
Hickory, red oak, white oak, and Brazilian walnut are among the most durable wood flooring options. Teakwood is extremely durable and known as one of the hardest woods. It holds up against weather and sunlight, but it’s costly and can be difficult to source. Keep durability in mind when installing floors for high-traffic areas in your home.
Many providers assist with obtaining necessary permits. Confirm with your contractor.
While installing a carport will have only a slight, if any, bearing on increasing the selling price of your home, simply having a high-quality and well-maintained carport can improve the selling appeal to would-be house buyers. However, a poorly-maintained carport in disrepair can have the opposite effect and hurt the home's sales appeal.
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The Meridian, MI homeowners’ guide to woodworking services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
When calculating the cost of building a treehouse, consider the size, types of materials, and design. This guide will help you figure out what to budget.
When comparing MDF versus wood crown molding, MDF is easier to install and costs slightly less, but natural wood pairs tradition with a timeless design appeal.
While both can perform most carpentry work required for house projects, the major difference between a journeyperson vs. a master carpenter is their years of experience.