"Trevor has been an amazing contractor who has helped us through the process of installing a large interior door for an office. He has helped ensure the space was properly prepared for installation of the door. The other contractors who have assisted Trevor have also exceeded my expectations. They have been extremely detail oriented and have done everything to ensure the best outcome. I would definitely work with Trevor for any future projects."
"The contractor was efficient, timely and within budget. His workmanship was excellent and his relationship with me as a customer was also excellent. I would use him again."
"Doug Spohn was recommended by the architect we had design the remodel/addition. The first thing that stood out to me was his punctuality. He said he would be over at 10:00 to look it over for bidding, and when he saw he would be about 5 minutes late, he called to let us know he was running a little late. He submitted his bid when he said he would, with the right amount of detail. He detailed the bid in order to allow me to do some of the work and save some money. From day one on the job, he was here when the workers were. His subcontractors were great. They were all very professional, courteous and respectful. The job was finished when he said it would be. He was great choice, and we now have a friend in Doug. I would recommend him to everyone.
"It went very well. Very fast worker, conscientious and professional. The jobs look great. Respectful and knowledgeable young man. Thanks for the help."
"My experience was very good. The work was completed as estimated and the price was reasonable. The contract performing the job was courteous, and friendly. Finally, they cleaned up their mess. I was very pleased."
"Romel is an incredible contractor. He remodeled my apartment including new kitchen and bathrooms. He was very professional and helpful providing always options and recommendations on my budget to always get best price and best quality materials. His work is very high quality, will recommend him for all things remodeling."
"I contacted J Brewer to to get a competitive bid on a bathroom remodel. A representative came out and reviewed the project. I provided drawings and description of the work to be done. After three weeks the representative said he would be looking at the project after lunch and provide a quote. A couple hours after lunch I received a quote with a price spread of over 50% . The quote was somewhere between 23k and 35k. If I wanted a accurate price I would need to pay $250. So they wanted me to pay $ 250 to find out if they where possibly 10k over other highly rate contractors in the area. All of the other Angie list recommended contractors provided accurate and timely quotes. If they had explained to me that if I wanted a price quote that was less than +/- 50% it was $250 dollars I would of stuck with the A rated contractors that provide accurate quotes for free."
"Donna and Jeff (owners) were hands on supervisors. They both patiently answered lots of questions and provided recommendations and resources out of their scope of business. I felt confident that Jeff and Donna knew their business well and that my best interests were being well served. I feel confident that they will respond quickly to any questions that I may have in the future regarding this project. I would recommend them without any reservation. I felt like I was fairly treated and charged a fair price for their services and the system installed. Stated scheduled was maintained with proposed start and completion dates. "
Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts
Yes, using certified lumber and engineered wood products for reduced environmental impact.
A cross brace for a fence gate should stretch from the top corner of the gate’s hinge side to the bottom corner of its latch side at a 45-degree angle to the bottom of the gate. This positioning distributes the bulk of the gate’s weight to the base of the post, taking pressure off the top hinge.
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.
Framing with metal studs can be significantly faster than using wooden studs, provided you have some experience working with the material. While you can use virtually instant pneumatic nailers with wood, metal requires installing screws. However, because metal is lighter, straighter, usually comes cut-to-length, and doesn't require sorting for the best pieces, you can save significant time using metal instead of wood.
Yes, you will need a jack for a rim joist replacement. To prevent sagging and facilitate the removal of load-bearing wood, you’ll need to relieve the pressure from this joint before beginning work.
Due to hydraulics and other specialized equipment, a sill plate and rim joist replacement are not typically a DIY project. Hiring a professional structural engineer and experienced contractors is the best approach to replacing rotted sill plates and rim joists.
The Collegedale, TN 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.
