"On time, on budget. Managed a very messy job without disrupting other parts of my home. Covered access point with plastic and cleaned up when done. The work was completed very well. I would hire them again and highly re ommend them."
"Doug was affable and punctual and gave us a reasonable estimate for the job. Unfortunately, we saw very little of him after that: his workers (also very friendly and punctual) openly admitted to us that they had very little idea about the project they were working on, that not much had been explained to them. It was difficult to communicate with Doug about design/issues that came up since that communication almost never happed in person, only via text, and it became clear that the project was not clearly thought out before being initiated (by us or by Doug, although we would have hoped that as the professional, he would have foreseen some of the issues that arose). Ultimately, we asked him to stop working on the project without its being completed after his team drilled into the basement concrete without covering vents or warning us to do so (he later told us he thought he would have been "smart enough" to foresee the preparation needed for him to install a drain in the basement), resulting in a thick layer of concrete dust covering all of our possessions throughout our whole home, necessitating hours of cleaning on our part. Since then, having found other non-Angie's List contractors to complete the unfinished work, every single one of them have offered harsh critiques Furko Construction's planning and execution, which is of course very frustrating for us to hear. My real critique though is not of Furko Construction, but of Angie's List: multiple times now we have employed a top rated contractor from Angie's List and that contractor has been (although all very friendly and prompt with estimates) a mistake. The contractors who have done good work for us have warned that Angie's List is deceptive in its ratings/reviews and that businesses can pay for the standing they have, corrupting the idea that good work leads to a good rating or prominent placement. I'm not sure what merit there is to this idea, but we will not be using Angie's List again after this experience. Furko Construction means well, but ultimately does not plan well, follow through, or take responsibility for mistakes."
"We hired Anthony to perform a bathroom and basement remodel. I can't say enough about how pleased we are in every aspect of Anthony and Mark's work, cost and professionalism. The communication and reliability was always timely, thorough and just excellent, which are things that lack in a lot of contractors we have dealt with in the past. Although we had many challenges during the job, Anthony handled them all with flexibility. It was a true collaboration from beginning to end. Not only was he easy to deal with, but the work was done way above our expectations with a focus on attention to detail. He also made sure everything was cleaned up at the end of every day, even if I said not to worry about it. Overall, these guys went the extra mile and made a difficult job enjoyable for us. We will be coming back to A&J for any plumbing or remodeling needs in the future."
"Rough Diamond Construction Company did an excellent job remodeling my family room/basement. Nate's attention to detail and his expertise was well worth every dollar paid. He was always in contact with me as well as advocating for me when I had a water problem in my basement with the company who initially made the repair. Because of the water problem I experienced in the summer, I decided to have the entire room renovated - new floors, walls, ceiling, doors, etc. Nate and his crew were professional and efficient. The end result is that the room is absolutely beautiful. I would recommend Nate and his team to anyone - you won't be sorry."
"The porch demolition and rebuild took two and one-half days. I am very pleased with the results and all the comments I have received from friends and neighbors have been positive( including one from a neighbor who is a professional contractor). Tony's crew worked from shortly after sun up to sundown in 90 degree weather. A different neighbor who observed the men working praised the effort the crew put forth. I plan on using McCann's next summer for more work. P.S. Sorry for the delay in the review."
"They called and said they were working another job near me and would stop by to take a look at my steps. The arrived 10 minutes later evaluated what needed to be done and told me they would come back later that day.
They came back when they said they would and repaired my steps. They look great!
I would definitely rehire them! Courteous, no double talk and, they listened to what I wanted!"
"Overall Brian and his sub-contractors did an excellent job at meeting our expectations. They delivered a final product that left us extremely satisfied. - Price o During the initial quoting phase Brian was extremely responsive. Of the roughly 10 contractors that were willing to quote our work scope, Brian’s estimate was one of the most competitive. o Throughout the entire process he held to the base price. He was willing to accommodate on several occasions for small changes (i.e. paint colors, window placement, etc.), was reasonable for changes outside of work scope after the contract was awarded (change of countertop material, change in wiring) and worked with us when unexpected items arose (ceramic sub-floor). - Quality o The work that was conducted surpassed our expectations. A majority of the work was done correct the first time. That which wasn’t (minor paint touchups) were immediately corrected. Brian was always willing to accommodate our requests and never made us feel as though anything that we asked was unreasonable. - Responsiveness o Brian met with us weekly to walk through our project on a weekly basis. We would review the work that was completed and examine the upcoming work scope. He was always available via phone to address any of our concerns and attentive to email as well. - Punctuality o See above. The crew was able to complete the project in the agreed upon 3.5 month timeline. - Professionalism o Brian and his sub-contractors were all very courteous and professional. For a family with two young children (1 & 3), they made the process as painless as possible. Everyone did excellent work and were very accommodating with our schedules."
"Joe and team did A Great Job fixing my Kitchen Sink Leak. It was leaking in A discreet location where they did reconstruction plumbing putting everything back intact. He was efficient on call back time and completing service. I would hire him immediately if I ever need more contracting services. I Highly Recommend!!!!😄"
"A++++++. Bladamire and his team were PHENOMENAL AND SO HELPFUL! As a small business owner and designer, I know quality work and reliable contractors when I see them. He showed up when he said he would, even on a weekend, met my deadlines and his pricing was very reasonable. He went above and beyond my expectations and not only will I hire him again and again, but I recommend him to anyone I can. He can do EVERYTHING."
Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts
Yes, a one-story house can have a load-bearing wall. The load-bearing walls in a single-story home are usually the exterior walls. If the house has a basement with exposed walls, the arrangement of the beams can help indicate what walls are load-bearing.
No rules state how much of a load-bearing wall can be removed. Rather, you need to adequately support any area that is removed. Support should always be added to as much wall area is being removed. Failing to support the area properly will result in structural damage.
By careful planning and reinforcement to maintain structural integrity.
Removing a load-bearing wall is best handled by professionals. However, if you have the skill set and decide to DIY the project, you will still need at least one additional person to assist you. Aside from helping with demolition, you'll need another hand to install the new support beam.
Yes, you can find ceiling joists using simple tools if a stud finder isn't available.
Using a hammer requires patience and a keen ear. Gently tap the ceiling in a grid pattern, listening for sound changes. A hollow sound indicates space between joists, while a solid, dull thud suggests a joist. Mark the location with a pencil and confirm by tapping from different angles.
Alternatively, you can use a nail, but this method will leave small holes. You'll feel increased resistance when the nail hits a joist. Mark the spot and repeat the process every 16 or 24 inches to map the joist locations. This method is considered less reliable than using a stud finder.
The Pittsburgh, PA homeowners’ guide to contractor services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
When you’re tackling a project or hiring a contractor, it’s helpful to know key carpentry terms. From end grain to dovetail joints, here’s a complete list.
House framing is one of the first parts of building a home. To do this, you’ll want to hire a rough or unfinished carpenter. Using this guide, you’ll know what questions to ask and where to look for your house framing contractor.
