JMC Home Improvement Specialists

They turned down my job- they asked me a couple of questions and stated they would not work with me because I already hired an architect and the only way to do business with them is to use their design team. I have never heard of this but I think it is bad business to turn down work because a customer wants to utilize their own architect.

I was promised it would be done in 3 weeks and it was. Everyone who worked was very professional. The quality of the work was excellent. I was pleased with every aspect of the job. There was attention to detail. I am very pleased and will use JMC to my bathroom.

Job went very well. Workers always called ahead that day and were right on time.Everyone was very professional, courteous and knew their craft. The job finished ahead of schedule. The overall result exceeeded my expectations and I would hire JMC again. A big plus is the ability to do "one stop" shopping at their showroom so that design coordination and scheduling could be handled by JMC. All scheduling and work was handled through JMC so we didn't have to worry about setting up schedules for the subcontractors.

This was our first major home renovation so needless to say we were a little nervous. John MacDougall, the owner of JMC, was very aware of this and didn't push us and told us we could proceed at our own pace in the planning process. If this is your first renovation, this is a blessing because the last thing you need when you are trying to choose cabinets, flooring, etc. is someone pressuring you to make a decision. Tammy, the Designer/Project Manager was very helpful during this process and also very patient when we would change our minds or hesitate on making choices. Every choice was also checked and then double checked so there were no miscommunications or assumptions made. Once the project started, everything went smoothly. All workers on our project were professional, polite and a pleasure to work with. We always knew when someone was going to arrive at our home during the project because they always called first to say they were on their way. No matter what was done on the work site during the day, our home was always left broom clean,tools and equipment in the garage - no mess! Communication was excellent. If we ever had a question or concern during the project it was always addressed. Whether we mentioned our concern to Mike, who did a major portion of the work on our project, and did an excellent job, or called Debbie in the office, our questions were always answered quickly and satisfactorily. Jack, the Project Manager was also great. Even though we didn't see him every day, we always knew he had a handle on our project and was well aware of the progress and any issues that arose. Our project took approximately eight weeks, which was a little longer than planned. This was due to an issue with our cooktop being on back order and was needed in order to measure and cut our granite countertop. No one at fault, just one of those things. We love our new kitchen and would definitely work with JMC again.

Since then we have used them several times. Our current project is a challenge. We have a 60 year old house that desperately needed a new staircase for our finished basement. Nothing comes easy with our old house so we needed someone who could customize a staircase that could fit an unusual sized space. We also wanted to save some money and keep parts from the original. As usual Jack (the owner) did not disappoint and created a beautiful custom staircase. My only regret is that it goes down into our basement and more people don't get to see his beautiful work. JMC can do anything form gorgeous custom cabinets, to installing doors (he did our double front door last year), to walls and big additions (hopefully next year). I can't sing their praises enough.

We were very pleased with the work performed. Everyone was very professional and the job was completed earlier than anticipated. As with any project there were bumps along the road, but John and his staff were very accommodating and worked with us to remedy any problems to our satisfaction. One thing that was extremely helpful and made the project less stressful was "one stop shopping". We were able to pick out cabinets, countertops, tile, sink, faucets, etc all in JMC's studio with the help of Tammy. She helped coordinate colors, style etc. It made things so much easier. She was terrific. The workers were very nice to deal with and were also very accommodating. Jack , the project manager was always on top of things to make sure things were going as planned. I love the way my kitchen came out. It is beautiful. I would definitely use JMC for my next project.

excellent craftmanship; attention to details is awesome; all parties provided good to excellent service; prompt reponse to calls and inquiries; always felt comfortable when workers were in my home and I was out; truly a group of professionals and experts. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to gut and redo a bathroom. They all truly provide wonderful attention to detail. They always cleaned up as well as possible. Post job, my partner and I met with owner of the business to debrief the project. He was very interested in what worked (which was 98% of the project) and what didn't (a few instances of poor communication). Overwhelmingly a positive experience. We love our new bathroom!

The firm was very professional from beginning to end, and followed through on everything that they said they would do. A great experience all the way through, from design to project management to craftsmanship.

Called to get a quote for kitchen renovation and felt like I was being interrogated and condescended to. It was as if I was being interviewed instead of the other way around.

Rebuild kitchen with new cabinets, new flooring, lighting countertop, and installed some appliances

I was surprised how eager they were to NOT work with us :-)...They were cordial enough, but as soon as I said that the basement wasn't completely UN-finished, they said that they were moving away from this sort of work and wanted to focus on larger projects. When I asked what sort of projects they meant, they said things like kitchen and bathroom renovations, etc...Of course, since what I was asking them to do in the first place was a major gut basement renovation/re-design, etc., I was surprised that they weren't even considering our project. At the least, it felt like the impression left by their website of one-stop handling of issues, etc. wasn't quite what I had expected. I had also mentioned that we wanted some work done in the Attic (that also involved some asbestos tile removal), but also adding a new floor and generally "upgrading" it's look and functionality, but it felt like if any of the work they were required to do involve repairing or otherwise dealing with existing problems (patching up holes, fixing or removing existing floors, etc.) before doing their re-design, they weren't interested. I found this highly surprising and counter to the impression left by their website.

The whole job was smoothly coordinated and expertly accomplished. All segments of the job required customization -- our house dates to 1920s and was originally built as a summer vacation home.

We could not have gotten a better job for twice the price. John was professional, The various crews arrived on time and were very neat. Every one of his craftsmen did an amazing job and did not stop when things looked good. They worked and adjusted until things were perfect.

I highly recommend JMC! They recently completed our kitchen remodel, and we are so happy with the results! It was our first big remodeling project, and I was nervous about hiring a contractor as I?d heard so many horror stories. But John MacDougall and his fantastic team made everything so easy. Tammy?s design is beautiful and fits our needs perfectly, and Jack kept the project running smoothly, finishing on time and on budget. The entire team clearly communicated every step so that we knew what to expect, which took a lot of the anxiety out of a major renovation project! We are so thrilled with our new kitchen that we are now planning a bathroom remodel with JMC!

Called JMC to arrange an estimate to complete a bathroom renovation in my home. I explained to the woman on the phone that my DIY husband began the renovation (demolition) 5 years ago and did not complete the project (sound familiar anyone?) The woman told me told me they were not interested in doing the work. She explained they only do renovation work on projects they begin from the start and they are not interested in completing work some one else started. I explained my husband began the work but lost interest and that he has finally agreed to hire a contractore to complete the work. She said this is not work they do and even if it was - they are not availalbe anytime soon. The earliest time they are availalbe is late November. Not very helpful and not the experience I expected after reading all these great reviews. Very dissappointed.

John came to our home, reviewed the job to be accomplished and gave us a low key sales pitch. Showed us pictures of jobs performed and an overview of their procedures. The procedures were clear and orderly which instilled a great deal of confidence that there would likely be no surprises. The estimate was based on a careful review of the tasks to be done based on a drawing and task list from us in addition to their examination of the job site. The estimate was very detailed and included all the known tasks to be done. Following acceptance of the estimate, JMC drew detailed plans of the job and applied for permits. The work began by staging the materials in the garage. Laying down protective materials on the route from the garage to work location and then doing the demolition and bringing the existing site to code. It was discovered that some of the existing structure was out of plumb to the extent that required remediation. A change order was submitted and approved to fix the problem. (This is where we appreciated their procedures. Many firms will do the job and surprise you later!) All debris was removed from the premises. JMC Installed new vanity, tub, toilet, medicine cabinet and electrical fixtures. They installed tile in the tub area. They installed new sheetrock and painted the room. What also needs to be noted is the attitude and workmanship of Greg who did the entire job with assistance as needed for tasks requiring two people. Every one was very helpful no question went unanswered.

all work performed as promised

JMC Home Improvement Specialists stick to their schedule, started when they said they would and they completed it on the day they said they would. They've been very responsive to any questions we had.

7/19/13 The first time I called JMC, I was told that John (the owner) will call me back next day as he was busy. I waited 3 days. I called the second time to check if they were interested in my business. The lady on the phone (same lady who answered the phone first time) told me that John entered another meeting, but she would connect him to me the next morning. Today is day 4 since then. This is not only unresponsive behavior, but border line insulting. Don't waste your time and get another contractor! Update, 7/22/13 John called me right away upon reading above review and was apologetic for the confusion and delay caused by his office. After hearing out the project description, he was upfront in telling me that the work I was looking to get done, was not his core competencey. We agreed to part ways. By the way, he offered me to help analyze quotes from other contractors. Great gesture!

JMC work staff was punctual and tidy. The administrative staff contacted us when necessary to advise of the arrival of inspectors and sub-contractors. The professionalism of each and every JMC employee could not be overstated.

Our steam shower floor was not pitched properly causing inadequate drainage and we requested estimates from several (3) general contractors. John from JMC came out and due to his reputation and price point, we wanted to move forward. We asked for recent references with similar jobs and similar price points. Though we wanted to move quickly and expressed as much, it took the office over a week to produce them. I explicitly asked for 2-3 numbers but they spent time compiling a list of several pages which was unnecessary and time lost. We called some references then reached out again to John to start the process. We were shocked at the difference in price he came back with when absolutely nothing in the job scope, materials, or requirements had changed. Below was our response to JMC. Their response acknowledged that the initial estimate was too rough and approximate. An increase of over 35% is unacceptable and I worry over that kind of unanticipated increase had we started the work with JMC. "We were both surprised and disappointed that your estimate came back higher. I am confident that there was nothing that had changed in terms of scope between the phone conversation on Friday and your initial visit. Suggesting that the initial estimate was a ballpark doesn?t account enough for the fact that the new estimate is an increase of over 35%. That variance in deviation implies that either the initial estimate wasn?t taken seriously or thoroughly enough or suggests that such a large variance is acceptable which wouldn?t make us feel comfortable that additional things wouldn?t be ?found? throughout the course of the project." As someone involved in executing global, complex technology projects at an Investment Bank, I did find the initial phone interrogation and pedantic review of their project management practices a bit condescending. I'm sure it's helpful to novices but the assumption that perhaps because we're a young family we are naive was not appreciated.

JMC were professional and efficient from start to finish. John came out to our home, when it was convenient with our schedule, & asked questions not only about the job and our budget, but also what we were looking for in a contractor. He made us feel completely at ease as this was our first time hiring a contractor to do any work on our home. He came up with plans & products that were of high quality while working within our budget. When the work began, they were as respectful of our home as if was their own. They cleaned up at the end of each work day so we could use the still-functioning bathroom utilities. The new tub was a shorter length so they had to build out part of the wall, and they made it look completely seamless. Once they were done, you honestly couldn't believe that there was ever another tub/tile surround in place there as it fits in perfectly with the current fixtures/home style. They stayed within their estimated timeline for completetion, answered every question/concern we had, and stayed within our estimated budget. Every member of their staff have been an absolute pleasure to deal with. Our bathroom not only looks beautiful but is also fully functional...finally! We are so thrilled with their work, we are also using them for a complete kitchen remodel/expansion as well. We've scheduled that job to start within the month.

The work that they have done is very nice. They are very clean, and protected everything in my home well. JMC was very kind and professional while they were in my home. They even have gone out of their way to make sure we are satisfied. I am so satisfied with the work they have done, that I am having them redo deck as well. I would recommend them to anyone!

We hired JMC to remodel our entire house and we are 100% delighted with the results. JMC was very helpful and responsive throughout the entire process. We did a considerable amount of planning prior to the actual start of construction and JMC was extremely helpful in planning and laying out the remodeled house. We had a kitchen layout in mind when we started, but they come up with an alternate layout that is far superior to what we would have done without their help - we are very pleased with it. The construction crew was very good about cleaning up at the end of each workday and were flexible in accomodating our needs throughout the job. Everyone on the crew was very competent and did high quality work. Wehave to give a special plug to George - he is one talented carpenter! All in all, working with JMC was a pleasant experience and we recommend them highly.

JMC did such an excellent job with remodeling our downstairs lower level that we brought them back to do a job I'd been procrastinating on for years. All of our upstairs bedrooms, plus the downstairs bedroom and bath, had old and tired double-hung sash windows. After 40+ years, none of the windows sealed particularly well, even with storm windows in place. The sash itself was old, with crumbling putty and dated cross-bars. We had JMC remove and replace a total of 12 windows with double-hung vinyl replacements designed to fit inside the framing of the old window. The new units are best quality steel-reinforced vinyl with triple seals and tilt-in sash for easy cleaning. Having done a couple of these style replacement windows on a prior home, I knew the process fairly well. My one major requirement was that all work be completed from the exterior of the home, with no damage to the interior sills and moulding. When it comes to replacement windows, the quality of the installation is just as important - and possible more so - than the quality of the windows themselves. JMC did an exceptional job of removing the old sash in such a manner so as to avoid damage to the framing and existing trim. New windows were carefully installed and trued up to ensure long-term trouble free operation of the sash. Any gaps were carefully foamed, the new windows were trimmed on the exterior with a clean Azek strip, and all joints were caulked and sealed to ensure an air-tight installation. George and Rick, the two craftsman, did an excellent job and ensured that the interiors were left in perfect condition post-installation. Overall, we're extremely pleased with the results, and already enjoying the ease of operation and enhanced view afforded by our new windows.