Kevin A Klepper A-1 Home Improver Construction Co

"My phone calls go directly to cellphone and answer every call,or when somebody leaves a message I call them by close of business myself personally...This person never called me and left any message,or they called all the contractors on Angieslist and got confused and thought they called me,it happens all the time."

"It was a pleasure to assist this member in the process,and unfortunately went with somebody less expensisive.I wished her luck."

"A simple phone conversation and explaining to the member that we don't fix bad contractor remodels simply upset him..When I asked why he didn't call me from start since he was an Angieslist member for years,he wouldn't answer me except for to start screaming and carrying on imaturely.He was complaining tub was put in wrong,tiles were off center,sink doesn't work right,shower has no pressure etc...I guess thats the kind of contracting and contractor he needs,not professionals that do bathrooms for $30,000.00 but some inexperienced low balling contractor that gave him what he paid for,,,"

"The kitchen was $37,893.44.For their mother.The closets were $15,000.00 for the daughter as well as a $27,760.10 for a bathroom remodel.One of the nicest families to work for and look forward to all of their next projects"

"The member and I met 3 years ago at Starbucks ,when Angie Hick came to NYC when she first started Angieslist here,and held a coffee break..He at that time told Angie he was hiring me without me knowing,I only spoke to him once on phone and had been back and fourth with e-mails. The member had also gave me a considerably large deposit to assure when the apt came I would make the time When he finally found the right apartment he called me and we met. The apt neeed a total rehab from top to bottom. The member informed he was getting married and nobody in contracting would be able to please his wife's taste and medical concerns but I assured him I would be able to and not to worry. Starting the process with paperwork and approvals was an absolute nightmare. Between the management company ,board approvals ,NYC buildings dept,and licenses and insurances it became another full time job with them. We got the green light,and The member had everything picked out 3 years previous for entire apt and had all the websites and info readily available to start everything. The major problems started with knocking down solid concrete walls in kitchen area and bathrooms,and everything being rotted from cement, all the wire lathe had to be replaced as well as all new plumbing and electric. Everything was brought up to code with inspections. All the closets were gutted out,and all new wood flooring in bedrooms to match the L/R D/R Foyer areas, parquet and sealed with latex 8 coats,as not to create an allergic reaction to the member's wife's allergies and reactions to most chemicals. All the walls & ceilings were grinded down,and plastered welded to accomadate all new skimcoat plastering,13 layers to be exact to take all inperfections out throughout apt including closets. Sanding between layers for finest smoothness, and cleaning up daily, became a major role in project,as not to have dust laying around for the member's allergies to flare up upon inspections. Next was all crown moldings were put up throughout apt except for kitchen and bathrooms,and all new base moldings and all new doors and custom made closet doors 10' high,and all custom made shelving chemical free and basic pine clear coated for shelves throughout. Brass polls were placed for hanging that gives a real sleek very elegant vision of closets,not like competive closets everyone else has. The bathrooms were done in matching 18x24 gorgeous marble imported,and the tubs reglazed for classy old style deeper and less complicated with bldgs procedures in ripping someones ceiling out in apt below,the member's didn't want to inconvenience anyone. Kohler pedastal sinks and kohler toilets as well as clear shower doors by Kohler were installed and all grouted white. The kitchen is the best part of the renovation,the cabinets were picked out 3 years previous and ordered 4 months in advance,custom made and chemical free and extremely high end as well as appliances and porcelin 24x24 floor tiles Thank you very much for allowing me and my men to do such a wondeful apt and to make you both very happy. Cabinets were $31,406.08,Granite $13,042.30 and appliances around $17,902.07,and the total for this project came in at $265,789.44"

"Well,it's not easy to make everyone happy,but we do alright.....I don't always have the time for these smaller jobs since we do more larger scale projects,but can sometimes accomadate and try to do so without streching everyone thin and be able to give impecable service.And yes,we all do love what we do even after over 30 years in business and working......"

"I am a licensed plumber and have a small plumbing company in Brooklyn. I was contacted by Kevin Klepper to install a water filter at the client’s home. While keeping appointments is very important to me and my business, in this case, I was unfortunately unable to do so. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience we caused the client, but please understand that the fault lies with me, the plumber, and not with Mr. Klepper. On the day of our scheduled appointment, I was called to an emergency in which the gas for an entire building had been shut down. Although it was short notice, my office called the client and left a message letting them know that I would not be able to make it, and would it be convenient to reschedule for the next day. The following day, I had to renew my license at the NYC Building Dept and was delayed more than three hours. My office called the client again and left a message telling them about my delay and that we would like to reschedule with them. The client called back, understandably upset about having another cancellation. We explained the situation and said that we understood if they would like to contact another plumber who might be able to do the job right away. At this point, I felt terrible that the customer was upset and that I hadn’t been able to complete the job for them. After the complaint was posted on Angie’s List, my office contacted the client to apologize and offer to mend the situation, but during the conversation the connection was lost. We called back immediately and received no answer, but left a message repeating the apology and offering to perform the service at half price or at no charge. We never heard back from the client. Again, I would like to apologize for the entire situation and would still be willing to work with the client to make this right."

"Its alrght,I can take some constructive crititism.First off,things were a little vague in contract,no big deal my job is to take care of it.But this client was virtually impossible from start,and thats ok to because we do more then contract and went above and beyond the call of duty,the problem was the client wanted to be on top of my men and I for the 8 hours and pointing,and when I would go out for materials or lunch, he would grab my men and repeatdely tell them what to do and how to do it,and wanted more coats of paint then the contract read,as well as many other things.When I asked him to please not do that,he said ok,and repeated it again and again telling my men what to do without speaking to me,so I told him off,and then he tells me he has a PHD well thats great,what is that gonna do in this situation.So he repeatdely went against my asking nicely,and then made demands not related or even in contract..He then proceeded to threaten me with holding my money .The job was gorgious,and the place had been lived in for 30 years by him and wife and 28 year old daughter and was a dump,one of the worse apartments I had ever seen on the eastside of Manhattan.The apartment looked like it belonged in South Bronx Housing project,with paint and plaster actually falling in every room all over apt,the bathroom had so much soap scum and mold in tub and on tiles,we couldn't even get it off with Tilex and scrapers.The place was dirty to the point dust mites wouldn't have survived the living conditions.The kitchen appliances were so old and dirty I had to tell my men don't put any of our food or water in the refrigerator or anywhere near kitchen.Absolutely disgusting,and expecting miracles and yes we did and still not happy.."

"EVERY TIME THIS MEMBER CALLED ME FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR THE BAD CONTRACTING WORK SHE HAD DONE, WE RAN TO TAKE CARE OF HER, SHE HAS BEEN PATIENT AND OUTSTANDING AND KNOWS THE VALUE OF "HIGH END" GENERAL CONTRACTING NOW AND APPRECIATES IT....THANK YOU SO MUCH AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT CALL......."

"MY APOLOGIES TO THIS MEMBER FOR HIS FRUSTRATION. NOW LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT REALLY HAPPENED...THIS MEMBER CONTACTED ME BY E-MAIL EXPLAINING HALF THE DETAILS OF WHAT HE WANTED DONE,I E-MAILED AND ASKED FOR MORE CLARIFICATION,I DIDN'T HEAR BACK FOR A FEW DAYS,THEN GOT AN E-MAIL ASKING HIM TO CALL HIM,HE GAVE ME A CELLPHONE NUMBER THAT WAS DISCONNECTED,AFTER TRYING MANY MANY TIMES AND GETTING SAME DISCONNECTION MESSAGES AND TRYING FOR 3 DAYS AND E-MAILING HIM SEVERAL TIMES TO EXPLAIN THIS AND NEVER HEARING BACK FROM HIM FOR A WEEK,AND THEN HE E-MAILED ME AND SAID HE GAVE ME THE WRONG NUMBER AND GAVE ME THE NEW ONE...WELL, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TRY AND GET A TIME AND DAY TO MEET FOR AN ESTIMATE,I GAVE UP AND GAVE IT TO ONE OF MY ASSOCIATES TO CALL HIM. THEN IT WAS THE SAME STORY,THE MEMBER CALLED AND KEPT LEAVING MESSAGES THEN FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF MEMBER WHO SET A TIME AND DATE THEN CANCELED OUT...HE CALLED AGAIN AND SET UP A TIME AND DATE,AND THEN HE HAD TO CANCEL,THEN THE 3RD TIME AND DATE SETUP UP WAS THE DAY OF SNOW STORM WHICH HE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE TRAIN DOWN FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY BUT HIS TRUCK WAS IN GARAGE FOR A REPAIR AND COULDN'T AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BLIZZARD ANYWAY....SO THEN WHEN KEITH TRIED TO SET ANOTHER DATE AND TIME THIS MEMBER GOT REAL NASTY AND TOLD HIM FORGET IT.THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO EXPLAIN AS OWNER OF THE COMPANY ON WHAT REALLY TOOK PLACE..."

"ONCE AGAIN, ANOTHER FRUSTRATED MEMBER WE DID NOT DO ANY WORK FOR EXCEPT FOR SIMPLE PHONE CONVERSATION EXPLAINING CLEARLY THAT A FULL GUT OUT RENOVATION OF A BATHROOM WITH LICENSED CONTRACTING, LICENSED PLUMBING, LICENSED ELECTRICAL, WORKMENS COMPENSATION, BONDING, SKILLED LABOR PER MAN AT $250.00 A DAY, PAPERWORK AND PLANS THAT HAVE TO BE FILLED OUT TO THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT AND GET APPROVED TO START WORK AND POSSIBLE NYC BUILDING PERMITS COST BETWEEN $20,000- $25,000 IN NYC CONDO'S & CO-OP'S- THIS MEMBER IS NOT TAKING THE TIME TO READ REVIEWS CAREFULLY AS MY CLIENTS AND ANGIESLIST.COM HAVE WRITTEN, BECAUSE YOU WOULD SEE VERY CLEARLY THAT YOU CAN'T DO A BATHROOM RENOVATION FULL GUT OUT IN NYC FOR $10,000 MAYBE YOU BETTER MOVE TO VIRGINIA OR SOMEWHERE ELSE... I AM SO SORRY TO SAY."

"THESE MEMBERS WERE FANTASTIC TO WORK FOR, A LOT OF QUESTION AND RESEARCH IN ADVANCE,BUT TRYING TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES ALONG THE WAY. THEY WEREN'T PRICE SHOPPING 20 CONTRACTORS, THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING THE JOB DONE RIGHT AND WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY. EXACTLY WHAT WE LIKE AND WHAT WE ENJOY DOING BEST. THEIR WERE A LOT OF DIFFICULTIES WITH EVERYTHING, AND OF COURSE THAT'S MY EXPERTISE IS PROBLEM SOLVING AND MAKING IT RIGHT AND KEEPING BUDGETS DOWN WHEREVER I CAN THAT'S REALISTIC. THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE WONDERFUL REVIEW AND LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THE KITCHEN AND OTHER PROJECTS WHEN THE TIME COMES."

"MY DEEPEST APOLOGIES... I DID IN FACT HAVE TO CANCEL OUR FIRST APPOINTMENT BECAUSE OF ALL THE EMBASSY'S AND CONSULATES AROUND THIS MEMBERS APT. SECOND APPOINTMENT GOT CANCELED BECAUSE I WAS AWAY AND THE MEMBER INFORMED ME HE WAS IN NO RUSH TO DO THIS PROJECT. BY THE WAY,I CANCELED BOTH APPOINTMENTS WELL IN ADVANCE, NOT LAST MINUTE AS MEMBER CLAIMS. WHEN TRYING TO RESCHEDULE, HE INFORMED HE HE HIRED SOMEONE, AND I WISHED HIM A LOT OF LUCK. EXACTLY ANOTHER GOOD REASON NOT TO RUSH TO EVERY CALL IMMEDIATELY WHEN PEOPLE TELL YOU THEY ARE NOT IN A RUSH AND "SHOPPING AROUND WITH LOTS OF CONTRACTORS""

"AGAIN, ANOTHER MEMBER WE DID NOT WORK FOR, EXCEPT GIVE AN ESTIMATE THAT REALLY UPSET HER BECAUSE OF THE PRICE......$45,000.00 AS FAR AS PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS CARDS, I USE VISTA PRINT, BECAUSE I DON'T REALLY NEED BUSINESS CARDS ONLY WORK BY REFERRAL AND CARRY THOSE CHEAPYS TO HAND OUT, BUT SHE INSISTED ON ONE...I ALSO DON'T SEE A COMPUTER VERY WELL AND DO NOT DO SPELL CHECK. I WRITE ALL MY OWN ESTIMATES AND DO ALL MY OWN PAPERWORK. UNFORTUNATELY, AS FAR AS PAYING ANYONE TO WRITE A REVIEW, YOU CAN'T AT ANGIE'S LIST, THEY HAVE TO BE A MEMBER AND WRITE REVIEW...."NICE TRY" THIS MEMBER WAS REALLY CONFUSED AND VERY FRUSTRATED OVER ME ASKING MANY QUESTIONS AND EVALUATING THE SITUATION. I WAS VERY CLEAR TO INFORM HER WORKING HER CO-OP BUILDING AND ALL THE PAPERWORK AND APPROVALS WAS VERY COMPLICATED AND LICENSING INSURANCES ETC..HER ELECTRIC WAS NOT UP TO CODE,AND PLUMBING AND IN ORDER TO RENOVATE BY BUILDING BOARDS PROCEDURES AND BUILDING DEPTS PROCEDURES, WE NEEDED THAT ALL UPDATED TO NYC BUILDING CODE,PER HER BUILDING BOARD AND MANAGEMENT........WHEN I GAVE HER A PRICE ESTIMATED ON INEXPENSIVE CABINETS FLOOR AND COUNTERTOPS OF $45,000.00. SHE GOT VERY HOSTILE WITH ME AND DEMANDED TO KNOW WHY AND WHERE ALL THIS COST IS COMING INTO PLACE AND I EXPLAINED AGAIN AS I DID ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ESTIMATE AND INTERVIEW PROCESS. AND IF YOU WANT A COMPANY THAT SPELLS CORRECTLY, HAS PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS CARDS AND DOESN'T WRITE THEIR OWN REVIEWS, YOU CAN GET YOUR KITCHEN DONE FOR $75,000.00 - $100,000.00 THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU IN YOUR PROJECT."

"unknown"

"THIS PROJECT AND MEMBER WERE GREAT...SHE WASN'T PRICE SHOPPING AROUND AND HAVING 10 CONTRACTORS THERE FOR ESTIMATE WHICH WAS NICE, AND VERY RESPECTFUL TO ME...SHE WAS VERY CLEAR TO WHAT SHE WANTED DONE AND GAVE HER MY SUGGESTIONS WITH LAYOUT,AND SHE HAD ARCHITECT FRIEND DRAW IT UP...THE BUILDINGS PROCEDURES WERE VERY TOUGH AND HAD AN UNUSUALLY HIGH STANDARD WITH INSURANCE, BUT WE MANAGED TO ACCOMMODATE...WE HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH DOORS COMING CUSTOM MADE BACKWARDS AND MOUNTED,TO ELECTRIC NOT BEING SUFFICIENT FOR DIMMERS AND LIGHTS,TO CARPET AND SADDLE ISSUES BECAUSE WALLS WERE NEVER BUILT EVENLY AROUND THIS PREWAR UPPER WESTSIDE APARTMENT...THIS TOTAL OF THIS PROJECT ELECTRIC, DEMO FRAMING AND CLOSET ORGANIZER, AND EVERYTHING SOUP TO NUTS CAME IN AT $17,000.00, AND IS A GORGEOUS CLOSET..."

"AMEN TO MY WONDERFUL CLIENTS AND MEMBERS LIKE THIS WHO TRULY RESPECT AND UNDERSTAND THE ART OF FANTASTIC HIGH END GENERAL CONTRACTING AND APPRECIATE IT AND WRITE A WONDERFUL REVIEW. MOST MEMBERS LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE ARE SHOPPING THE CHEAPEST CONTRACTORS. I FIRST MET WITH THIS CLIENT'S DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW AND THEY WERE VERY CLEAR TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY WANTED DONE. I EXPLAINED TO THEM CLEARLY WE DO HIGH END WORKMANSHIP AND THAT MY MEN ARE SKILLED LABOR AND I AM ON THE PROJECT EVERYDAY. I SENT THEM A TON OF PICTURES OF OLD FASHION STYLE SUBWAY STYLE BATHROOMS I HAVE DONE TONS OF AROUND 5 BOROUGHS THAT ARE HIGH END OLD WORLD STYLE WITH A TWIST OF MODERNIZATION. THEY WERE VERY IMPRESSED AND WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP. I GAVE THEM AN ESTIMATE THAT I SENT OFF TO PARENTS IN BOSTON, AND THEY AGREED AND SENT ME A $20,000.00 CHECK AND SIGNED CONTRACT, AND THE JOB WASN'T GONNA TAKE PLACE FOR 6 MONTHS OR BETTER, AS I DO SCHEDULE MY JOBS WELL IN ADVANCE WITH DEPOSIT AND CONTRACT. I HAD TO ORDER SEMI CUSTOM CABINETS FOR KITCHEN AND ALL DIDN'T WORK OUT AS PLANNED, BUT WAS ALWAYS VERY CLEAR TO E-MAIL THE ENTIRE FAMILY WITH EVERY NEW DEVELOPMENT FROM SINK TO COUNTERTOP TO ELECTRIC LINE FOR MICROWAVE. I CAN SEE WHY THEY WERE GETTING OVERWHELMED WITH THE E-MAILS FROM ME, SINCE I HAD THE MOTHER ASKING QUESTION ON E-MAILS, THE FATHER ASKING QUESTIONS ON E-MAILS AND THE COUPLE SEPARATELY ASKING ME QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS THROUGH E-MAILS AND I WAS ALWAYS SURE I ANSWERED THEIR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS AND COPY AND PASTED AND SENT TO EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY DAILY. THEY TOOK ALL MY SUGGESTIONS AND DESIGNS VERY SERIOUSLY SINCE I SEE APARTMENTS EVERYDAY AND KNOW WHAT RESELL OF AN APARTMENT AND RENOVATION WILL BRING OR GO OUT OF STYLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR BUSINESS AND WONDERFUL REVIEW. IT WAS A PLEASURE WORKING FOR ALL OF YOU."

"THIS MEMBER AND HER HUSBAND WERE SPECTACULAR TO WORK FOR. SHE FOUND ME ON HERE AND HAD ME MEET WITH HER HUSBAND WHO CAME DOWN FROM CONNECTICUT. MET WITH ME 10 MINUTES, GAVE HIM THE ESTIMATE AND WE WROTE THE CONTRACT AND HE GAVE ME HALF DEPOSIT FOR THE JOB WITHOUT SKIPPING A BEAT OR HESITATION. THE JOB WASN'T GONNA START FOR MONTHS, BUT BECAUSE OF MY LONG OUTSTANDING WAITING LIST MOST OF THE YEAR, I WAS ABLE TO FILL OUT THEIR ALTERATION AGREEMENT PACKAGE FROM BUILDING CO-OP BOARD, SUBMIT SCOPE OF WORK, SUBMIT LICENSES, INSURANCE, ETC AND PLAN. IT TOOK THE BOARD MONTHS AND A LOT OF COMPLICATIONS AS ALWAYS APPROVING AND GETTING PROPER SCHEDULING, BUT THE MEMBER AND HER HUSBAND WERE PATIENT AND KNEW I HAD IT UNDER CONTROL AND WAS REPUTABLE AND EXPERIENCED FOR 30 YEARS TO KNOW WHAT TO DO. AS A MATTER A FACT, THE MEMBERS WERE NEVER THERE AND HAD ANOTHER PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND ONLY SHOWED UP AT END OF JOB WITH CHECK IN HAND AND WERE PLEASED. ON TIME, ON BUDGET AND EXCELLENT WORKMANSHIP. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR BUSINESS. I REALLY APPRECIATED IT."

"AGAIN MY APOLOGIES TO THIS MEMBER AS I DO ADMIT THAT MY PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS ARE ALWAYS VERY CLEAR TO EXPLAIN PRICE STRUCTURING IN ADVANCE SO THAT THERE IS NO MISCOMMUNICATION THAT WE DO NOT DO BATHROOMS, FULL GUTOUTS FOR $5,000.00, AND TO MOVE ON IF YOUR ARE PRICE SHOPPING CONTRACTORS. I DON'T HAVE THE TIME FOR THAT AND CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO WASTE ANYONE'S PRECIOUS TIME EITHER. AND I DO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR AS MY PROFILE STATES WE ARE A HIGH END GENERAL CONTRACTING FIRM AND CLIENTS THAT WE HAVE WORKED FOR HAVE WRITTEN IN THE COST OF THEIR PROJECTS, BUT IF YOU MEMBERS TOOK THE TIME TO READ THEM INSTEAD OF CALLING EVERY CONTRACTOR ON THERE AND THEN WRITE A BAD REVIEW, YOU WOULD SEE THAT. I GUESS IT'S BETTER OFF I SCREEN CLIENTS ON PHONE THE WAY I DO. CAN IMAGINE IF I WENT TO WORK FOR THIS MEMBER WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND MY COMPANY THAT I HAVE WORKED EXTREMELY HARD TO BUILD REPUTATION FOR 30 YEARS AND MY FAMILY'S 150 YEARS OF IMPECCABLE SERVICE TO NEW YORK STATE WITH NO CREDIT PROBLEMS, NO BANKRUPTCIES, NO LAWSUITS, NO ANYTHING. I GUESS I AM DOING SOMETHING RIGHT SCREENING POTENTIAL CLIENTS. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND HOPE YOU FIND A CONTRACTOR TO DO YOUR MOTHER'S BATHROOM FOR $2,000."

"THIS MEMBER HAS DONE BATHROOMS AND KITCHEN AND OTHER PROJECTS WITH ME AND WAS GREAT TO WORK FOR. SHE ALWAYS TOOK MY SUGGESTIONS, ADVICE AND DECOR IDEAS AND WAS EASY TO WORK WITH. THANK YOU. WE WILL SEE YOU SOON FOR ANOTHER RENOVATION."