"We were extremely pleased with the quality of the work performed. We had such a positive experience with O’Dell Contracting Inc. on a recent major home repair job that we immediately contracted with them to replace the roof on our 27 year old house. I recommend O’Dell Contracting Inc. without reservation! It has been my experience that Dean O’Dell takes an active interest in making sure that home remodeling work is done in a quality manner."
"This was my third time working with this contractor and each project was a pleasurable experience! As was the case with the other two, they started this project on time and finished on time! All the work was done according to strict Mount Lebanon code. They made suggestions based upon their experience i.e we wanted a six foot high shadow box fence but while Mount Lebanon code allows for a six foot high privacy fence of just about any style, they do not allow, by code, a six foot high shadowbox fence. Steve Hilpert proceeded to build us a 4 foot high shadowbox fence (the maximum height allowed by code) with a custom built 2 foot high trellis section which Mount Lebanon subsequently approved. The fence looks beautiful! I was nervous about cutting a big hole in the wall of our addition to install the sliding glass door. Now the door looks like it has been there all along! It came out PERFECTLY! The deck is also beautiful and solid as a rock! We had an issue with the location of our two central air conditioning units off the back of the house. The other contractors (which I found here on Angie's List as well) said they would just build over these units. Not knowing anything about central air conditioning this seemed reasonable to me. Steve was the ONLY contractor who told me that you absolutely CAN NOT block the air flow above the units! Not only that, he was honest enough to tell me that moving the units should be done by a qualified HVAC contractor. Now that is a contractor you can trust! All work was completed on time and within budget. The same crew arrived early each day and were polite and professional. The job site was spotless at the end of each day! If you are looking for a trustworthy, professional contractor, you can not go wrong with SC Hilpert!!!"
"Phil is open to suggestions and ideas that the customer has and executes it beautifully and in a timely manner. We wanted the yard fenced in, but still wanted to see the wooded area and not feel 'boxed' in. We went with Pickets on the two sides for privacy and a California style fence-chain link bordered with wooden planks. In doing so, this opened up the landscape and are able to see in and past the yard. Phil did an awesome job! we have so many compliments from people in the surrounding area and has been in contact further asking if anything additional is needed. his prices a re reasonable, he puts in the work, very honest and will let you know if there is a better option for the longevity on the finished project. I can't speak highly enough of him and really has been a great contact to have with general contracting as well."
"It went well, they are very customer service oriented. Cris is the best! Workmanship was good and all encompassing. Very impressed with the granite installers leaving me with only 1 seam in a tight space."
"Mark and Judy at Central Lending were the best that I have worked with in the industry, I absolutley would recommned them for your finanacial needs for your home. The were understanding and had all of the resources that we needed. They both were extremely professional and definately know the business. I will never use another provider and will HIGHLY recommend them to all of my clients (I am also a realtor). I can not say enough about this company. Paula Stewart Howard Hanna Realty "
"We were so pleased with the work we had done. In fact they were very helpful in keeping our expenses within our budget while allowing us to upgrade and making our home so progressive yet cozy. We told our our friends about La Villla."
"Our job was difficult, particularly because the team had to work around our house elevator, which could not be compromised because my brother, who is wheelchair-bound, lives with us and uses it every day. Rick and Bob were both innovative and meticulous about the work. Their workers were polite and cleaned up after themselves every day. I could also see how the knowledge of the older craftsmen was being taught to the younger ones. I was very comfortable having these men in my home, and would highly recommend them to anyone needing work done on their home, particularly if you have something tricky. These guys will figure it out."
"Loay Jabbar provided the information I needed quickly and clearly. I immediately signed up for full coverages for our two homes because of the discounts offered and because of the quality of service that Loay is saying and promising Choice Home Warranty provides to its customers. I have bad experiences with other home warranty companies so I am hoping I found the best company that would deliver the best service."
"I called for a bid. I know it's late in the season for scheduling ext painting and wasn't surprised that he was booked but based on the phone response I would not call this contractor again. As someone who works in customer service I make a habit to acknowledge it when I see it done well and conversely, it's irritating when it's poor. The contractor might consider having a receptionist handle his calls. I wasn't sure I had called the right number because the man did not identify himself or company when answering. After confirming I had called the right number, I quickly explained the job. He advised that he was booked for two months (not surprising) but then added "so I can't help you". Hmmm, so are you retiring in two months? Or are you just not interested in my job....ever... I was polite when I ended the call, but to be an A rated Angie's List-er you need to have a little bit more professionalism...in my opinion. "
"Brian has a crew of specialize partners who can perform any aspect of construction needed. They are the best I have ever hired, their quality of work is their #1 concern. They stay as long as it takes to do it right. Our countertops to be removed were glued on along with many screws, it took many extra hours to remove, but Brian and his team worked patiently and did the job without damaging the cabinets underneath. His quality and experience make this company#1 with me. In fact when he was done finishing up re-installing my new faucet, he looked up at my kitchen chandelier where one of the lamps was coming lose from the socket and he reached up and fixed it, while a local lamp specialty store told me it would take major reworking and be very expensive to fix, Brian did it on his own in about 5 minutes and saved me $500 from the lamp store. He is very reasonable and very sweet and calm to work with. My sister and I cannot say enough about our good fortune to have found him.
Custom Home Builders questions, answered by experts
To get a quote from a builder or general contractor, contact them over the phone or online and explain your project. If you already have house plans drawn up, they’ll need to review them to determine the project's scope before providing you with a quote. Ask for your quote in writing and compare quotes from several pros before choosing the best one for your needs.
A construction manager is particularly useful in the case of a large-scale build with custom design elements, so it’s usually worth it to hire one. They can help manage your budget, maintain quality control, oversee timelines, and navigate unexpected hurdles. While construction managers are pricey, they can actually save money in the long run by identifying cost-saving opportunities and ensuring the project stays within budget.
Modular homes last an average of between 50 and 75 years, and high-quality modular homes can last for 100 years with proper maintenance. For comparison, a standard home lasts 50 to 100 years and can push to 150 or longer with good maintenance. Modular homes provide better long-term value in that they are significantly more affordable and can last almost as long, but some buyers are wary of modular home longevity, so the actual value if you sell could be lower.
Modular homes can be a great investment, especially for those who find the prices of stick-built real estate too high. Modular homes are usually much more affordable because they’re mass-manufactured and then assembled on-site or delivered mostly assembled. If they’re installed properly and by professionals, they can last for between 50 and 100 years, potentially making them an outstanding investment.
A contractor can install your shipping container home in as little as 90 days. This is notably quick compared to a traditional home build, which can take more than a year (providing there aren’t permitting or construction delays that make the wait even longer). For the quickest installation, choose a prefab container home.
The Braddock, PA homeowners’ guide to custom home building
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
When building a home, going custom gives you the freedom to create your dream house. Learn about the cost to build a custom home and the factors to consider.
The cost to rebuild a house after a disaster or demolition depends on the house size, features, and more. Learn what affects the cost to rebuild a house.
Building your dream home starts with hiring a builder. Here is how to find a builder who understands your needs and preferences for your brand-new home.
