Romber Works LLC
About us
Romber Works is a small business focused on service and quality. Back in the mid 80's Ross Brown began to work on estates with beautiful antiques and incredible wood detail that is missing today. He began to copy the designs and the building techniques in many custom projects. Over time this turned into a growing business with many loyal customers. Ross listens to the home owners ideas, offer suggestions, present CAD and hand drafted drawings & finally create the perfect solution to your needs. Operating with two employees unless the scope of work requires additional support, Ross works with a few different contractors that have completed many jobs with his company. Romber Works can also work with your contractor, architect or engineer.
Business highlights
21 years of experience
Services we offer
Residential and commercial kitchen and bathroom renovations, butcher block, cabinetry, custom woodworking, electrical, furniture, granite, hardwoods, installations, outdoor projects, painting, plumbing, staining, storms and screen built-ins, tile, veneers laminates & fabrication.
Amenities
Free Estimates
Yes
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
Reviews
4.729 Reviews
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 90% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 3% | ||
| 3% | ||
| 3% |
Showing 1-25 of 29 reviews
Ruth Z.
Sep 2014
We couldn't be happier with the work that Ross has done for us (this is our second project with him). The cabinet looks phenomenal, like it has always been there. It is both incredibly functional but also quite beautiful. We are very pleased!
Response from Romber Works LLC
"This was a small project but needed some forethought to make it work properly. Looking at the space instead of just going with an owners suggestion can really help. This we can collaborate ideas and come up with the best solution. They were great to work with and I'm really happy that they got just what they wanted and needed. Thank you for your review, Ross Brown"
Kathleen E.
Jun 2014
RESPONSE TO ROSS' COMMENTS
** of course we would loved the floor repaired, but that meant remanding and revealing the entire first floor (1175 sf). The floor guy was done and gone.
** I have lived in many different houses, all with HW floors & never experienced this, especially with one slat splitting down the middle
** Ross was called backed for paint bubbling on FR bookcase. He noticed discoloration and did indeed offer to redo at no charge & he did. It has been fine.
** some kitchen cabinet doors need readjusting, some are separating at joints and some are warped. Ross did offer to refinish all. I declined but I do not feel they are of good quality if there are so many problems so soon. Don't think you can fix warped doors. I do not recall Ross offered to replace hardware. He did return to readjust but they still don't "soft close".
** there is nothing were with ceiling RL - they were installed in the wrong location. The owner of the company said so himself. No one offered to move them to the proper location. The Undercounter lights, installed by Ross, I believe, have the wires running on the inside of the cabinets so every time I open the door....
** selection of paint color is a matter of opinion, not the paint job itself. I can provide pictures if anyone would like to see.
** Ross is a very nice person. He always responded to my calls/emails in a timely manner. He has always been respectful and polite to me as I believe I have treated him. I am sorry that he feels insulted but I have tried to explain why, respectfully and objectively.
** our home is not close to 3000 sf. It's a salt box with about 1175 sf of living area (535 on 2nd fl). The 3 full baths were not touched. This might explain why there was so much wood left over at end of project!
** I told Ross many times was more concerned with quality over timely manner. What contractor wants to keep returning, what homeowner keeps wanting to revisit same project?
** I did ask Ross for any refund his thought was fair because I will have to revisit these projects. The front door we purchased and never used was donated to habitat for humanity.... I wish I had hung on to the extra wood because they would have used that too.
ORIGINAL REVIEW
Ross worked on our house the summer of 2012. My last email from him was 5/9/14.
Upon completion of this project Ross asked that I write a review on Angie's List, which surprised me since there were things that I felt weren't done well. I told him that and I would have to be honest. I also felt it is good to "let the dust settle".
Projected entailed removing existing floors and replacing with HW. Before starting Ross suggested renovating kitchen to which we agreed. During project, Ross also suggesting removing a fpl and installing built-in cabinets & we agreed with the stipulation the floors be done on schedule since we had to move out of house. Also said up no worries that kitchen would not be done. We have lived through many construction projects, including kitchen renovation, all with superior results.
Every aspect of the job was not done well, except for the concrete countertops.
Problems:
*Floors not completed so moving men piled furniture in pile in FR & Ross had furniture moved 2 wks later - scratched floor
*Floors have separated in many, many places with wide gaps, one of the slats have split
*A immediately the paint blistered on the FR built-in cabinet
*Dozen of the kitchen cabinets doors are warped with several separating at the corners where they are joined
*RL in kitchen improperly placed so shadows cast in each direction
*Ceiling fan in master bedroom installed incorrectly. Different electrician came to fix and said it should not have been installed in plastic box.
*Undercounter lights not LED I request. I agreeded to Ross' suggestion. They do not throw enough light and the wires are visible on inside of newly installed cabinets. Not a pretty site.
*The soft close hardware for the doors and some of the drawers are losing their "softness"
*Some of the kitchen doors are starting to sag
*One of the joining pieces of wood in the corner cabinet does not adhere to the perpendicular wood piece - missing nail?, missing glue?
*The painting job was shoddy with corners not cut in, patches missed, etc.
Some of these are evident from day one and other later on, which is the reason why a review down the road sometimes makes sense.
Ross did fix the paint job on the FR bkcase immediately. He offered to refinish kitchen cabinet doors but I don't know how doors can be unwarped. He didn't explain. I declined his offer telling him I do not have faith in his workmanship and would rather a fair, reasonable refund. He refused and has never mentioned the of lighting problems, floor scratch from moving, rest of painting job.
My husband and I are empty nesters, with no pets, who take our shoes off at the door. I told Ross we like things done once, done right. Although we weren't able to move into the house 2 months later than planned, we told him we rather him take his time and go a good job. We are so disappointed in the quality of the work, especially considering the cost. Of course we purchased the kitchen appliances (love them), the paint, and a front door which we were asked to get but then couldn't be used. Had to eat that cost as well.
In all fairness, we thought Ross is a nice guy as were all the other workers he hired for the job. If he responds that yes he is disappointed too but it is structurally sound job, it would be a severe disappointment. No one pays this amount of money if they don't care about aesthetics. I asked for compensation from him and was declined. That surprised me since if roles were reversed I would not feel comfortable with the level of craftsmanship.
What a waste of time, materials and hard earned money.
** of course we would loved the floor repaired, but that meant remanding and revealing the entire first floor (1175 sf). The floor guy was done and gone.
** I have lived in many different houses, all with HW floors & never experienced this, especially with one slat splitting down the middle
** Ross was called backed for paint bubbling on FR bookcase. He noticed discoloration and did indeed offer to redo at no charge & he did. It has been fine.
** some kitchen cabinet doors need readjusting, some are separating at joints and some are warped. Ross did offer to refinish all. I declined but I do not feel they are of good quality if there are so many problems so soon. Don't think you can fix warped doors. I do not recall Ross offered to replace hardware. He did return to readjust but they still don't "soft close".
** there is nothing were with ceiling RL - they were installed in the wrong location. The owner of the company said so himself. No one offered to move them to the proper location. The Undercounter lights, installed by Ross, I believe, have the wires running on the inside of the cabinets so every time I open the door....
** selection of paint color is a matter of opinion, not the paint job itself. I can provide pictures if anyone would like to see.
** Ross is a very nice person. He always responded to my calls/emails in a timely manner. He has always been respectful and polite to me as I believe I have treated him. I am sorry that he feels insulted but I have tried to explain why, respectfully and objectively.
** our home is not close to 3000 sf. It's a salt box with about 1175 sf of living area (535 on 2nd fl). The 3 full baths were not touched. This might explain why there was so much wood left over at end of project!
** I told Ross many times was more concerned with quality over timely manner. What contractor wants to keep returning, what homeowner keeps wanting to revisit same project?
** I did ask Ross for any refund his thought was fair because I will have to revisit these projects. The front door we purchased and never used was donated to habitat for humanity.... I wish I had hung on to the extra wood because they would have used that too.
ORIGINAL REVIEW
Ross worked on our house the summer of 2012. My last email from him was 5/9/14.
Upon completion of this project Ross asked that I write a review on Angie's List, which surprised me since there were things that I felt weren't done well. I told him that and I would have to be honest. I also felt it is good to "let the dust settle".
Projected entailed removing existing floors and replacing with HW. Before starting Ross suggested renovating kitchen to which we agreed. During project, Ross also suggesting removing a fpl and installing built-in cabinets & we agreed with the stipulation the floors be done on schedule since we had to move out of house. Also said up no worries that kitchen would not be done. We have lived through many construction projects, including kitchen renovation, all with superior results.
Every aspect of the job was not done well, except for the concrete countertops.
Problems:
*Floors not completed so moving men piled furniture in pile in FR & Ross had furniture moved 2 wks later - scratched floor
*Floors have separated in many, many places with wide gaps, one of the slats have split
*A immediately the paint blistered on the FR built-in cabinet
*Dozen of the kitchen cabinets doors are warped with several separating at the corners where they are joined
*RL in kitchen improperly placed so shadows cast in each direction
*Ceiling fan in master bedroom installed incorrectly. Different electrician came to fix and said it should not have been installed in plastic box.
*Undercounter lights not LED I request. I agreeded to Ross' suggestion. They do not throw enough light and the wires are visible on inside of newly installed cabinets. Not a pretty site.
*The soft close hardware for the doors and some of the drawers are losing their "softness"
*Some of the kitchen doors are starting to sag
*One of the joining pieces of wood in the corner cabinet does not adhere to the perpendicular wood piece - missing nail?, missing glue?
*The painting job was shoddy with corners not cut in, patches missed, etc.
Some of these are evident from day one and other later on, which is the reason why a review down the road sometimes makes sense.
Ross did fix the paint job on the FR bkcase immediately. He offered to refinish kitchen cabinet doors but I don't know how doors can be unwarped. He didn't explain. I declined his offer telling him I do not have faith in his workmanship and would rather a fair, reasonable refund. He refused and has never mentioned the of lighting problems, floor scratch from moving, rest of painting job.
My husband and I are empty nesters, with no pets, who take our shoes off at the door. I told Ross we like things done once, done right. Although we weren't able to move into the house 2 months later than planned, we told him we rather him take his time and go a good job. We are so disappointed in the quality of the work, especially considering the cost. Of course we purchased the kitchen appliances (love them), the paint, and a front door which we were asked to get but then couldn't be used. Had to eat that cost as well.
In all fairness, we thought Ross is a nice guy as were all the other workers he hired for the job. If he responds that yes he is disappointed too but it is structurally sound job, it would be a severe disappointment. No one pays this amount of money if they don't care about aesthetics. I asked for compensation from him and was declined. That surprised me since if roles were reversed I would not feel comfortable with the level of craftsmanship.
What a waste of time, materials and hard earned money.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"This project was completed nearly 2 years ago. I feel a few details should be addressed. I offered on numerous occasions to handle these concerns but she told me no and that she wanted a refund. 1. After beginning we discovered that the entire sub-floor for the upstairs and downstairs needed to be replaced. The entire staircase and stairwell had to be replaced. This adds a lot of time to a project. That is why the floors were done two weeks after the furniture arrived. I however paid for people to move all the furniture in place and they did make one scratch. Which I offered to repair. 2. The floors are real wood. Real wood moves and will never be without any small gaps. This is why it is never installed tight against a wall to allow for movement. 3. Sometimes wood discolorations show through white paint and over a year later I re-painted what needed to be at no charge. 4. The cabinet doors are not warped but simply need adjusting because of movement. I offered to seal any miters, re-spray all the doors and adjust them at no charge but she refused and wanted a refund. 5. I did not manufacture the doors, hardware, lights, flooring or paint. The manufactures said everything is either not under warranty or not a warranty issue. I still offered to paint, adjust even replace hardware all at my cost and this is nearly two years after completion. Yet she insulted me by saying I am I not capable and not fair. I doubt anyone else would even offer to cover items they are not responsible for. 6. The painter and electrician went back numerous times but they really had nothing more to do. The sharpness of a paint line or the brightness of the lights are a matter of opinion. I was disappointed to hear this especially when nearly a year earlier I was there and painted the white that needed to be done and made some minor adjustments. It was not a big issue. Now we are nearly two years later. I still offered to handle concerns for products that the manufacture don't agree with all at my cost. When being refused I decided that I couldn't do anything else and told her that a refund was not warranted. The cost of $91,000 is a lot at face value, but that included all the labor and materials for I believe about a 3000 sq. ft. home in which 90% of the house was redone. The job was done well and in a timely fashion. I have stood behind the work but there has to a line at some point that goes beyond what is reasonable to do. I feel I went well beyond that line in effort to make her happy and am sorry she sees it differently. Ross Brown"
MIKE P.
May 2014
This guy was fantastic, great to work with and his work is the best I've seen. I would highly recommend. He built a custom corner bench with storage and we love it. He was on time, and always communicated with us.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your review. I enjoy these kinds of jobs. You have make something work that isn't always a standard fit. It's always my goal to have the customer love the end product as well. They were great to work with and easy to schedule with. This always makes for a smooth process. Thanks again, Ross Brown"
Jeff W.
Apr 2014
Ross was our contractor. When we were taking bids for the job we felt he gave the best estimate for the work to be performed and had the best handle on what we wanted to do, so out of the 5 bids we got we selected his. The work proceeded slowly due to scheduling conflicts Ross had with another job, what probably could have been done in a month or two took several months. BUT - I must stress that we were not in a hurry and had communicated as much to Ross, so initially the the time delay was not a problem, but as we found out it was going to be the source of a large problem later on. Later on it did become more of an issue as the work approached completion it took longer to get errors fixed. We'd show up to the house expecting something had been corrected only to find nobody had been to the house at all in the span of several weeks. Finally, when the job was done we went to check it out. The kitchen was great, it looked fantastic. The bathroom, however, was a completely different story. We had a tile tub/shower wall and a tile floor as part of the job. The tiles had been cut poorly. They were misaligned and crooked in places, corners and lines weren't straight. The grout had gaps in it. The tiles were uneven in height and sticking out in places. This was a shock compared to the work in the kitchen, it was completely unprofessional and shoddily done. When we did the walkthrough with Ross we basically said we're not paying for the work, and that's what happened. We did not pay for the work done, HOWEVER, we had paid for and purchased all of the materials for the job ourselves so now we were out thousands of dollars in materials that would need to be removed to have the job re-done. We stated we would be glad to hire him to re-do the job sans materials costs. We also stated at a bare minimum he needed to come back and repair the holes in the grout in the interim. He said he'd come by in a few weeks to look at what needed to be done, and that was the last time we heard from him. He refuses to return calls or emails and now we're stuck with a bathroom that's terribly done. It's very unfortunate because we liked what he did in the kitchen and the work was done well, but where the failing grades are in this review are the fact that the bathroom was unacceptable and he basically abandoned the job at this point.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Working on the job had a few unexpected things come up but I was done within the time allotted. I paid a guy who supposedly had a lot of tile experience to handle the bathroom. I wasn't happy with it when I saw it. It was done structurally correct just not ascetically correct. As a result a deducted half of the price from the invoice even before the owners saw it and told them why in an email. When they saw it (uneven lines etc.) they were also not happy so I deducted the entire price. They wanted me to re-tile the shower and would pay but I had too many projects already going on. I said I could try to fit it in but didn't really know how. It turned out that I just couldn't physically get there to re-tile. I didn't charge them for it and the average person looking at would not notice the ascetic issues. The shower was completely functional and safe. Therefore I did not abandon the job but rather did not take on another job. That of re-tiling the shower. I no longer hire help. I schedule the work that I can personally handle myself and simply refer the owners to others whom I have long time working relationships with for other aspects of a project. This allows me to focus on cabinetry and not worry about following up on hired help. The owners were always polite and respectful and very nice people to work with. I am sorry that we disagree at this point. Ross Brown"
LISA M.
Jan 2014
Ross is wonderful to work with. He is very honest and fair. He kept our budget in mind throughout the process and made great suggestions about how we could get the most bang for our buck. He patiently listened to us and helped guide us in the right direction. The quality of his work is excellent - he takes pride in his creations and it shows. Ross is a true craftsman and a genuinely nice person. We wouldn't think of using anyone else!
Response from Romber Works LLC
"It was great working with [member name removed]. They had great taste and ideas which then we could collaborate on. They also had experience with remodeling which allowed us both to make needed changes quickly. This allowed us to finish in a timely manner with an end product that was even better than what we initially planned. They were very fair and pleasant to work with. I look forward to future projects with them. Thank you, Ross Brown"
Darren F.
Nov 2013
Romber Works is a highly professional company. Romber Works constructed 10 barn doors (including 4 very large bay doors and 2 large glass doors) and 14 windows. All of these were completed quickly and at a very high quality. Ross, the head of this company, worked with us in the design of these items. We emailed back and forth and talked often. Ross was always attentive, polite, reasonable, and understanding. After lots of conversation and multiple necessary site scouts, Ross gave us a well thought out and thorough estimate. He stuck to his estimate and completed the project on time. Aside from his professionalism, Ross was always positive and upbeat which went a long way with us during a very large and lengthy renovation. I can not say enough about how beautiful and strong the doors and windows are that Romber Works created for us. We will be forever happy that we met Ross and plan on using Romber Works for many more projects in the future.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"It was nice working with (Removed Member Name). They were able to see the vision of the barn before most people could. They had great ideas and we just worked at making sure the designs were what they wanted. They will be a nice addition to our area of the Hudson Valley. I look forward to seeing them in the future. Thanks again, Ross"
Charlotte G.
Nov 2013
We had several small trim and moulding jobs. We had kitchen cabinet, kitchen island moulding, door trim and window moulding that needed installation. Ross provided us with the high level of expertise and skill necessary to make everything look original and cohesive. We are very pleased with the results.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"It was nice working with (Removed Member Name). It was just minor trim but she was flexible so I could fit it around other jobs. I'm glad they are happy with the end result. The little details at the end make all the difference. Thanks, Ross"
Ruth Z.
Aug 2013
Ross from Romberworks was an absolute pleasure to work with. My husband and I bought our first home in June and were looking to have a second tier/elevated breakfast bar added onto our kitchen island so that we could put stools under it and eat there. For some reason, one edge of the kitchen island (granite) had been left unpolished by the previous owner and was a real eye sore. We found Romberworks on Angie's list and were so thrilled that we did. Ross came right over after we contacted him, looked at our island, and began brainstorming ideas for what to do. He designed a beautiful custom breakfast bar that would tie in with the decor of our home and actually match our fireplace mantel while at the same time covering up the unfinished granite edge. He offered us an incredibly fair/competitive price (we had previously looked at a few kitchen/bath places that were asking three times as much for non-custom work) and offered to complete all of the work in a timely manner (less than a month total from first consultation). Throughout the process, Ross was professional and friendly, happy to answer all of our questions, etc. And now we have an absolutely beautiful kitchen island. Thank you, Romberworks! We will definitely be contacting you for future home improvement projects.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your review. This was a job that just required a little thought and observation. After discussing what they were looking for and what could be done we came up with the right solution. It was one they had not thought of. That's why I like to look at the actual area and project in person to get a feel for what will work best. I'm glad we were able to do this for them. I hope they enjoy their new home for many years. Thanks again Ross"
Elaine S.
Jun 2013
Initial presentation: I was immediately impressed with Ross's knowledge, demeanor and professionalism. He offered to complete the job within a week or two of the quote . To save time he subcontracted the painting of the kitchen. Although the painting was executed to my satisfaction, the color was wrong. When I called Ross, he apologized and offered to redo it and use the actual color I selected. Several days later, he arrived with the painter who repainted the kitchen while Ross complete the rest of the job.
When finished, I was very pleased with the outcome of their work. ...and the kitchen was left spotless.
The only complaint to report is . When I went to put back items on the top of the kitchen cabinets, I was surprised and disappointed to find they were not cleaned prior to painting, especially after I reminded the painter to do so.
Nevertheless, I am very pleased with the overall job. and would recommend Romber Works LLC very highly.
When finished, I was very pleased with the outcome of their work. ...and the kitchen was left spotless.
The only complaint to report is . When I went to put back items on the top of the kitchen cabinets, I was surprised and disappointed to find they were not cleaned prior to painting, especially after I reminded the painter to do so.
Nevertheless, I am very pleased with the overall job. and would recommend Romber Works LLC very highly.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"[member name removed] was very nice to work with. It took a little time to initially meet and discuss her project (due to my busy schedule) but she was very understanding and flexible. She had her kitchen cleared for us when we showed up which was very helpful and allowed us to finish in a timely fashion. I hope she enjoys her enjoys her kitchen makeover for many years to come. Ross Brown"
Lydia E.
Aug 2012
Both pros and cons here.
Pro: I want to say at the outset that the final outcome is wonderful -- my new bathroom is well done, well-tiled, plumbing is excellent, electrical is excellent (Ross had also done some electrical work for me last year), painting is well-done. As the finished product came into view, some changes to the original design had to be made that Ross easily incorporated into the work plan. (He had intended to build some cabinets but the finished look opened up an uncluttered, slightly larger visual space, which hanging cabinets would have interfered with.) Once Ross was actually on the job, everything went smoothly and the work was done impeccably.
Con: The negative portion of my review involves this last element, Ross?s actually being on the job. He was mostly not present for the entire first week, which resulted in the person he had hired leaving a path of dirt and destruction at my house, including crushed plantings, a major flood in my basement, soaked paper coverings on a hardwood floor (every day), and my washing machine filled with sawdust, splinters, and dirt by the end of the week -- no tarp had been laid over it while they were doing some reconstruction above it. (In response to the crushed plantings, Ross noted that I had a narrow driveway; however, a tree-removal team of seven men, with a dump truck and cherry-picker, had been able to navigate successfully over several days without any problem.)
Ross?s response to this was ultimately to fire this person, which was appropriate, but too late to save some family memorabilia in my basement. These things happen, but what was disturbing was Ross?s statement that he has no time to supervise the people that he hires. I understood this to mean that Ross was personally present, at most, only for a short while each day the first week, if at all. He then promised me that he would personally take over the remainder of the project.
However, in the second week, I came home one day to a tiling job that was shoddy, to say the least. (The real word I want to use is ?awful?.) The tiling on the shower floor and curb, plus the shower shelf that had been planned, looked like a child had done it, crooked, poorly measured, with sharp tile overhangs on both sides of the curb that threatened everyone who came in or out of the shower with ankle abrasions. I insisted that the tiling be redone, and after Ross redid it, it was, of course, superb. This is how I know that someone else had done the poor tiling that day, in spite of Ross?s earlier promise that he would take over the job personally. Once again, he told me he has no time to supervise his people.
At that point, Ross really did take over the project, and as I said above, the finished product is beautiful. However, for the entire three weeks of the project, I had a growing feeling of dread as I approached my house at the end of each day, not knowing what new disaster I would find, and I was relieved at the end of the project to not have that anxiety any more. I have had numerous contractors working at my house over a few years and I have never had this kind of experience.
My take-away from this is that anyone who hires Ross should ask him directly whether he will do the work personally or at least be present at the work site to oversee the work. I assume that Ross was at an entirely different work site for about a third of my project, which is disturbing in itself. His costs are not low; his estimate came in quite a bit higher than two others I had gotten, and knowledgeable friends said it was too high for the the work proposed. I chose him anyway because of my earlier experience with him and because of his reputation. This was also my first major remodel, and I wanted to give it over to a professional who would deliver an excellent job. However, given what I actually experienced, I hesitate to recommend him unless the prospective client has Ross?s assurance that he will personally be on the job and personally supervising any work done in his name.
UPDATE:
Both my toilet and sink began leaking last month. I was initially in denial until my housecleaner told me in no uncertain terms that the toilet *was* leaking and so was the sink. I was pretty angry, given the somewhat rocky experience I had already had with this provider. I asked him to schedule a time to come over and fix the problem, but because I no longer trust him to have any of his team alone (i.e., unsupervised) in my house, we were unable to schedule. I told him I would get my own plumber to repair the botched job and would expect him (Ross) to reimburse me for this unnecessary expense and headache. He flatly refused, on the grounds that he was willing to have a plumber come over during the day when I was not there. By this time, I was changing a large, soaking wet towel on my floor every day, from the toilet's loose installation, and wiping the floor of the vanity every day from the faucet tubing that was (as it turns out) also improperly installed. I certainly did not want this very same plumber fixing the problem without either myself or a knowledgeable male friend at the site to oversee the job.
Long story short, I had my own plumber fix these two jobs. (He was quite surprised at the carelessness of the installations and suspected that the plumber was unlicensed.) I will not submit the $95 extra fee to Ross because I frankly don't want to talk to him any more. My pleasure and enjoyment of my lovely new bathroom are now shadowed by a dread that there may be even more "careless" plumbing problems hidden behind and underneath the beautiful tiling.
I'm very disappointed in this provider's professionalism, especially given the other glowing reviews on this site. By professionalism, I mean not only the fact of the poor installation of the toilet and sink, but also his poor customer service.
I've changed my ratings on this provider to reflect this latest issue and how it was handled. There is no excuse for two leaking appliances only a few months after installation.
Pro: I want to say at the outset that the final outcome is wonderful -- my new bathroom is well done, well-tiled, plumbing is excellent, electrical is excellent (Ross had also done some electrical work for me last year), painting is well-done. As the finished product came into view, some changes to the original design had to be made that Ross easily incorporated into the work plan. (He had intended to build some cabinets but the finished look opened up an uncluttered, slightly larger visual space, which hanging cabinets would have interfered with.) Once Ross was actually on the job, everything went smoothly and the work was done impeccably.
Con: The negative portion of my review involves this last element, Ross?s actually being on the job. He was mostly not present for the entire first week, which resulted in the person he had hired leaving a path of dirt and destruction at my house, including crushed plantings, a major flood in my basement, soaked paper coverings on a hardwood floor (every day), and my washing machine filled with sawdust, splinters, and dirt by the end of the week -- no tarp had been laid over it while they were doing some reconstruction above it. (In response to the crushed plantings, Ross noted that I had a narrow driveway; however, a tree-removal team of seven men, with a dump truck and cherry-picker, had been able to navigate successfully over several days without any problem.)
Ross?s response to this was ultimately to fire this person, which was appropriate, but too late to save some family memorabilia in my basement. These things happen, but what was disturbing was Ross?s statement that he has no time to supervise the people that he hires. I understood this to mean that Ross was personally present, at most, only for a short while each day the first week, if at all. He then promised me that he would personally take over the remainder of the project.
However, in the second week, I came home one day to a tiling job that was shoddy, to say the least. (The real word I want to use is ?awful?.) The tiling on the shower floor and curb, plus the shower shelf that had been planned, looked like a child had done it, crooked, poorly measured, with sharp tile overhangs on both sides of the curb that threatened everyone who came in or out of the shower with ankle abrasions. I insisted that the tiling be redone, and after Ross redid it, it was, of course, superb. This is how I know that someone else had done the poor tiling that day, in spite of Ross?s earlier promise that he would take over the job personally. Once again, he told me he has no time to supervise his people.
At that point, Ross really did take over the project, and as I said above, the finished product is beautiful. However, for the entire three weeks of the project, I had a growing feeling of dread as I approached my house at the end of each day, not knowing what new disaster I would find, and I was relieved at the end of the project to not have that anxiety any more. I have had numerous contractors working at my house over a few years and I have never had this kind of experience.
My take-away from this is that anyone who hires Ross should ask him directly whether he will do the work personally or at least be present at the work site to oversee the work. I assume that Ross was at an entirely different work site for about a third of my project, which is disturbing in itself. His costs are not low; his estimate came in quite a bit higher than two others I had gotten, and knowledgeable friends said it was too high for the the work proposed. I chose him anyway because of my earlier experience with him and because of his reputation. This was also my first major remodel, and I wanted to give it over to a professional who would deliver an excellent job. However, given what I actually experienced, I hesitate to recommend him unless the prospective client has Ross?s assurance that he will personally be on the job and personally supervising any work done in his name.
UPDATE:
Both my toilet and sink began leaking last month. I was initially in denial until my housecleaner told me in no uncertain terms that the toilet *was* leaking and so was the sink. I was pretty angry, given the somewhat rocky experience I had already had with this provider. I asked him to schedule a time to come over and fix the problem, but because I no longer trust him to have any of his team alone (i.e., unsupervised) in my house, we were unable to schedule. I told him I would get my own plumber to repair the botched job and would expect him (Ross) to reimburse me for this unnecessary expense and headache. He flatly refused, on the grounds that he was willing to have a plumber come over during the day when I was not there. By this time, I was changing a large, soaking wet towel on my floor every day, from the toilet's loose installation, and wiping the floor of the vanity every day from the faucet tubing that was (as it turns out) also improperly installed. I certainly did not want this very same plumber fixing the problem without either myself or a knowledgeable male friend at the site to oversee the job.
Long story short, I had my own plumber fix these two jobs. (He was quite surprised at the carelessness of the installations and suspected that the plumber was unlicensed.) I will not submit the $95 extra fee to Ross because I frankly don't want to talk to him any more. My pleasure and enjoyment of my lovely new bathroom are now shadowed by a dread that there may be even more "careless" plumbing problems hidden behind and underneath the beautiful tiling.
I'm very disappointed in this provider's professionalism, especially given the other glowing reviews on this site. By professionalism, I mean not only the fact of the poor installation of the toilet and sink, but also his poor customer service.
I've changed my ratings on this provider to reflect this latest issue and how it was handled. There is no excuse for two leaking appliances only a few months after installation.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"I am very sorry that the member had this frustration. A sink or toilet should not leak. Since it took two months to leak. It obviously was not leaking when the job was completed. This can happen though and I was more than willing to send the plumber back. It was not reasonable to expect me to send him at 8:00 at night. I told the member this and it was her choice to pay another plumber. I do not feel my stand is unprofessional or unfair. I am sorry that we both had to deal with the frustration of a minor plumbing issue. That could have been easily taken care of with a little flexibility."
Kathleen C.
Jul 2012
Ross and his family worked hard to make my new space lovely and suited to me needs and expectations. The cabinets were handmade and very lovely. Best of all, however, was Ross' advice and guidance. He has great ideas, a good presentation of them, and he knows how to execute them. It was a pleasure to work with him and his family. I trust his judgment and his honesty.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your comments. When I receive a call about a project I will first ask the home owner what they have in mind. After looking at the space and drawing it out on the computer I will often offer suggestions. Then between both of us it usually ends being a compilation which works perfectly. This is the part I enjoy the most. When the finished product is even more than they hoped for in the beginning. Of course good communication along the way is a key factor as well. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you, Ross Brown"
Samantha L.
Apr 2012
Ross with Romber Works was professional and quick. He gave dates of service and stuck to them. The quality of work was beyond my expectations. The cabinets look fantastic. When we initially spoke he told me that it would take 3 months to get to my job because he was so busy. I was happy to wait as the quality of work was amazing. He is clearly busy because he does great work. He arrived and replaced the floors in 2 days, as he had said in the bid.
Then started work on the Kitchen. He took all the doors to his shop and did the first coat there. Then a few days later returned with the doors to finish the work. He and his team spent 2 days refinishing and painting the existing structures. His equipment was state of the art and did not make a huge mess of the house. After finishing he cleaned everything thoroughly.
I would highly recommend Romber Works for any wood working, cabinetry or installation of floors. He was great and I will use him again in the future.
Then started work on the Kitchen. He took all the doors to his shop and did the first coat there. Then a few days later returned with the doors to finish the work. He and his team spent 2 days refinishing and painting the existing structures. His equipment was state of the art and did not make a huge mess of the house. After finishing he cleaned everything thoroughly.
I would highly recommend Romber Works for any wood working, cabinetry or installation of floors. He was great and I will use him again in the future.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your comments. We are always happy to hear that our customer is happy. The member was very nice to work with and was very understanding about scheduling. We always try to view each project on an individual basis. This way we can tailor the suggestions and schedule to work around both the home owner and our timeline. It's better this way so we can minimize any disappointments. We also enjoy getting to know the customer a little and am always grateful to meet so many sincerely nice people through Angie's List. Thank you again, Ross Brown"
Sven A.
Mar 2012
Ross provided the most detailed and most accurate estimate of 5 estimates we received. Work began on schedule. Ross and coworkers were very pleasant and kept the place clean considering how much heavy material (2" concrete floor and mud/tile walls) had to be removed. They adapted to problems that arose and made last minute alterations. The finished bathroom is just what we wanted Ross is determined to get it right and will not cut corners. I highly recommend Romber Works and will return for future remodel work.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for the report. We really enjoyed working with the member. A few minor unexpected things came up. When we explained them to the member he appreciated the input and the fact that we want the job to be not only completed but done correctly. Most customers feel the same way. We always try our best to keep the communication clear and to treat the customers home as if it were our own. Thanks again, Ross Brown"
Joseph R.
Nov 2011
We were extremely pleased with the outcome. Ross was meticulous throughout the entire project.
He prepared a detailed cost estimate and timing, and stuck with it perfectly.
During the course of the project various unknowns developed, which required unique and customized solutions.
Ross provided practical, cost effective solutions to those challenges, and executed these flawlessly.
His team was pleasant to work with. Always courteous, on time, and willing to listen and adjust as needed.
The renovation lasted 5 weeks, and we got the house back in a very clean, move-in condition.
Romberworks is a family business. Ross takes pride in his work ethics and his craftsmanship - and it shows.
He prepared a detailed cost estimate and timing, and stuck with it perfectly.
During the course of the project various unknowns developed, which required unique and customized solutions.
Ross provided practical, cost effective solutions to those challenges, and executed these flawlessly.
His team was pleasant to work with. Always courteous, on time, and willing to listen and adjust as needed.
The renovation lasted 5 weeks, and we got the house back in a very clean, move-in condition.
Romberworks is a family business. Ross takes pride in his work ethics and his craftsmanship - and it shows.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you very much for your comments. We enjoyed working with the members. They have done a few remodels in the past. So when the unexpected things came up it wasn't a shock. Instead we were able to move ahead quickly with the solution. Some things can only be decided at the time of the project. Understanding this made the project run smoothly. The important thing is that in the end we have what the owners wanted and like. The best way is always a joined effort and I happy we could work so well together. Thanks again, Ross Brown"
Joel A.
Aug 2011
Ross of Romber Works LLC, is a true professional. He returned calls immediately, he showed up on time, he did exactly what he said he would do, and the price he gave on the estimate, was the price I paid. He calls back when he said he would, he was on time, gave computer generated (neat and detailed) estimates and contract, did a wonderful job, is a very neat worker that I will use again. Professional from beginning to end. I highly recommend him. I really can't imagine a job he couldn't do.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"We had an enjoyable time doing this job for the member. My wife and daughter helped with this one and the member was very considerate offering drinks and having lunch together. We're always happy when the customer is happy. We try to keep that as a priority to offer real service instead of just getting in and out. Thank you, Ross Brown"
Lydia E.
Aug 2011
I have a small, old house with a full basement, 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, and small back porch -- all rooms needed to have their outdated and hazardous outlets replaced, and I needed a couple of new ones installed, including one outside. I found Ross Brown right here on Angie's List, where he already has a number of people very happy with his work. Ross was very responsive to my initial call, came to do the estimate as scheduled, sent me a pdf with the estimate within a couple of days, and we scheduled the work for approximately a month later.
Ross came early to do the work and stayed most of the day. He was in constant touch with me to ask about my preferences when there was a question, and in fact we chatted about kids and art and work off and on throughout the day as he worked. At one point he needed to install another breaker, went to the hardware store and purchased it, and installed it. He was accommodating and very engaging. It is worth mentioning that it was brutally hot all day, and since the electricity was turned off, there was no A/C for him to be able to work in comfort. It was particularly hot by the time he got to installing the outside outlet, and the sun was beating down on him mercilessly. This part of the job entailed his running up and down the stairs numerous times to check his positioning of the holes he drilled and the wiring he was working with. It never fazed his good humor and professional attention to detail, so that it would be done exactly right.
After the work was done and he left, I realized I had made a mistake in giving him an answer to one of his questions and needed one outlet re-replaced with one that had a switch. He emailed me an invoice the next day, and in my reply I noted that this error had happened and asked him a couple of questions about replacing it myself (I had never done it before but planned to follow what he had done). Instead of answering, he promised to stop by within the next couple of days and do it himself! Not a small thing, since he is not close to me geographically and is insanely busy with major projects, and I was touched by his considerateness and highly appreciative.
In short, Ross is a professional and wonderful to work with. I recommend him highly to anyone with any kind of a job, small or large, in his areas of expertise.
Ross came early to do the work and stayed most of the day. He was in constant touch with me to ask about my preferences when there was a question, and in fact we chatted about kids and art and work off and on throughout the day as he worked. At one point he needed to install another breaker, went to the hardware store and purchased it, and installed it. He was accommodating and very engaging. It is worth mentioning that it was brutally hot all day, and since the electricity was turned off, there was no A/C for him to be able to work in comfort. It was particularly hot by the time he got to installing the outside outlet, and the sun was beating down on him mercilessly. This part of the job entailed his running up and down the stairs numerous times to check his positioning of the holes he drilled and the wiring he was working with. It never fazed his good humor and professional attention to detail, so that it would be done exactly right.
After the work was done and he left, I realized I had made a mistake in giving him an answer to one of his questions and needed one outlet re-replaced with one that had a switch. He emailed me an invoice the next day, and in my reply I noted that this error had happened and asked him a couple of questions about replacing it myself (I had never done it before but planned to follow what he had done). Instead of answering, he promised to stop by within the next couple of days and do it himself! Not a small thing, since he is not close to me geographically and is insanely busy with major projects, and I was touched by his considerateness and highly appreciative.
In short, Ross is a professional and wonderful to work with. I recommend him highly to anyone with any kind of a job, small or large, in his areas of expertise.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you very much for the kind report. It was a pleasure working for the member. I find most people are pleasant when your pleasant and this always makes for a good work atmosphere. We're always happy to help a customer with their project and just be neighborly at the same time. Thanks again, Ross Brown"
Larry B.
Jul 2011
He does good work.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"We always happy to help out even with small jobs. Ross Brown"
Jeannette R.
Jun 2011
Our experience was wonderful. We got at least seven estimates and decided to hire Ross. He was not the least expensive and we now know why; he uses only the best materials. I know we made the right decision. He was always on time, He was extremely neat and cleaned up every night. He always explained what he was doing for the day, address every problem that arose and fixed it. We have no knowledge in this field and anyone else could have taken the easy way out and just patch things up and move on. I have learn so much about how things work behind my beautiful tiles. I had an idea of what I wanted and he provided good suggestions along the way. Pior to beginning the project he always responded to any of my questions in a timely manner. I am so happy that what I envision has become reality. I LOVE my bathroom. We will be using Ross for future projects and highly recommend him.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your comments. I've found that most appreciate knowing why some things are done and others are not. We are more than happy to help educate our customers. You were both a joy to work with and look forward to handling future projects with you. Thanks again, Ross Brown"
Larry B.
Jun 2011
They came in and assesed the job. They are really nice and do great work. They are very pleasant to work with.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your report. We are happy to handle even small jobs. Thank you, Ross Brown"
Cynthia A.
Mar 2011
We originally used Romber Works last year when we needed custom woodworking done to a damaged floor and door trim. However, Ross and his team have proven to be incredibly versatile in their skills and capable of doing much more than just finished carpentry. They were timely in coming to see damage we incurred from a frozen/leaking toilet and quickly provided an estimate. They did an excellent job, completing the work on time and on-budget. Shortly after our first incident, we had an ice dam that damaged the roof and ceiling on a dormer. The situation required immediate stabilization to protect our interior from further damage, and Ross made the time to do this for us, juggling his schedule to accommodate our emergency. He once again provided a fair and reasonable estimate that helped us manage our insurance claim, and finished the work on-time and on-budget. The work was fabulous - in fact, the ceiling looked better when he finished than it did before the damage! He also referred us to an excellent roofer to deal with the exterior work on the house.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"We always treat customers the way we want to be treated. Emergencies come up and I'm glad we were available to help. Ross"
Kathy T.
Feb 2011
He began work on pre scheduled date, he arrived at the job on time every day and cleaned up before he left every day, The job was completed on time . We are very satisfied with his work and would not hesitate to use his services again.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your report. It was very working with you both. We we're able to make changes along the way very easily. Which makes the process flow without any hitches. Enjoy your new kitchen, Ross"
Michele O.
Oct 2010
The overall experience was excellent from start to finish. I knew when Ross arrived and after speaking with him he was a true craftsman dedicated to his work and took great pride in the quality of his work. He explained in great detail the process of the job and the steps he would take. This repair was an insurance claim and Ross worked completely with us and the insurance company to insure all parties were happy. Ross was punctual and extremely clean for a messy job to be performed. I would highly recommend his services to anyone who's looking for quality and care in a craftsman.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your kind report. I was happy to work with the member and deal with the insurance company. We had to go through channels with the insurance company which held us up a little, but the member was very understanding with the time issues. I personally have been very happy to work for Angie's list members and hope to continue to do so."
Joseph P.
Jul 2010
Overall, I would rate Ross Brown as one of the best contractors who has worked for me. Without any reservations, I would recommend that you use his services.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your kind report. I have been fortunate to work for so many decent people. Working at the Member's is always pleasant and I enjoy helping them achieve just what they want with their home. Thanks again, Ross Brown"
Paloma M.
Jun 2010
I loved the work. It went through pretty smoothly as smooth as remodeling goes. He even got us a AWESOME price on the granite. He didn't nickel and dime us and actually came in under budget. It was a few days late but that was the granite company's fault ,the cabinets were installed on time.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your great review. I always offer suggestions but the home owner usually has a good idea of what they want and how much they can spend. I just try to work with their ideas and budget. At the same time make sure all options are known. They had thought that granite was out of reach but with fair cabinetry priceing and a break on the granite it worked at. Both we're very nice to work with and I hope they enjoy their updated kitchen for a long time. Thanks again, Ross Brown"
Amy B.
May 2010
We wanted to enlarge our kitchen in a 1920's stone house. Ross arrived the same day I called him and looked over my designs. He took some measurements and e-mailed me an estimate with 3-D kitchen designs within 2 days. They were great! He included everything that I wanted and even had some extras I had not thought of. His prices were much less than what I had gotten from any "big box" home improvements stores. And he was including more cabinets that I had originally thought possible due to our budget. He scheduled the work in a timely manner and showed up promptly. He and his helper were neat, clean and very professional. His truck and trailer are well maintained and look great at a job site. He did a wonderful job and was able to accomodate my requests for some extra work while the job progressed. I changed my mind about having an island counter in soapstone because we ran over budget, but Ross made me a island counter out of granite tiles that I provided and then edged it in wood. It looks fabulous and only cost me $700 including all materials. The soapstone was going to be $3,000. Anywhere he saw an issue he fixed it better than I expected. Just like it was in his own house. The work went quickly and was right on time. He didn't run out every few hours for a coffee break - he put in long hours and the swiftness of the job reflected that. My finished cabinets are beautiful and just what I wanted. He even re-did a door and changed a design on the fly after I asked for an undercounter microwave area. When it came time for the floors he worked around our scheduled camping trip so that he could have the wood floors refinished before we came home. He worked all weekend so that when we came home we could have dry floors. And it looked great. On the last day he spent all day just finishing all the little things. He walked me through and made sure all the doors were adjusted and that i was happy with everything. And he fixed any little thing I asked him to with no complaint. He even took the time to install an edge on my living room fireplace tile. I've been waiting 12 years for my husband to do that!! It took him 10 min., but it was totally cool that he would do "honey-do" work that my husband should be getting around to :) I would totally recommend Romber Works for any carpentry/cabinet/remodel needs.
Response from Romber Works LLC
"Thank you for your comments. We really enjoyed this project. The owner knew exactly what she wanted and had spent years thinking about it and looking through magazines. We just confirmed some of her ideas and suggested some that she may not have been aware of. One her ideas I really liked and I think I'll suggest it to future customers. This is an example of what we like to do. We are not limited to standard cabinets. We build everything by hand and the customers appreciate being able to have just about any idea implemented and done right. Thanks again, Ross Brown"
Licensing
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FAQ
Romber Works LLC is currently rated 4.7 overall out of 5.
Romber Works LLC accepts the following forms of payment: CreditCard
Yes, Romber Works LLC offers free project estimates.
No, Romber Works LLC does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Romber Works LLC does not offer a senior discount.
No, Romber Works LLC does not offer emergency services.
No, Romber Works LLC does not offer warranties.