Yankee Southern

I’m much, much more than satisfied with the job done by Yankee Southern. My living room looks like an entirely different space – so beautiful. It exceeds even the high hopes I had going into the project. And no more leaks! Over the years, I’ve heard so many nightmarish stories about the experiences of people who’d hired contractors – the workers didn’t show up when they’d promised, the work was shabby, the workers didn’t clean up after themselves, and the costs ran way over the estimate. So, I thought long and hard about my project. My experience with Yankee Southern was the anti-thesis of those awful stories. When I first described my project to the company’s co-owner, I was emphatic that all the work be done before my sister visited me from out-of-state. He told me that, although he couldn’t promise to meet my deadline because of the inherent unpredictability of construction work, he understood my preference and would honor it as well as possible. Despite the multiple, serious problems encountered in the course of the job and in the face of my numerous additional requests, Yankee Southern met my imposed deadline for completion. They sometimes went to extraordinary lengths to meet it. Just one example: the workers cut the crown molding for the living room outside, on my uncovered porch, under a market umbrella, all day long in the pouring rain with temperatures in the forties. The quality of the work done is excellent, due to the workers. They are not only highly professional, but creative. I suspect that most of the folks who worked on my home are perfectionists. More than once, I said “Look, I’m not a perfectionist. This is an old house, with odd angles and unusual inclines. That looks great!” When I said that to a painter, he looked at me then examined the wall again. Finally, “I just wouldn’t be happy with that,” he said. So, he kept working until he was happy. The man who coaxed my fireplace into beauty is an artist. When I told him of my plan to paint the stone fireplace white, he immediately objected. “There’s color in that stone,” he said. “Just let me clean it and show you.” I did. He did. He was right. I got out of his way. All those who worked in my home, skilled and unskilled, were unfailingly courteous and respectful of me and my property. They clearly tried not to disrupt my day more than was absolutely necessary. I felt comfortable having each one of them in my home. I so appreciate their care not to let my dog outside as they were in and out with materials and equipment. My dog specializes in adventures, and I’m too old to chase her. I was particularly impressed and gratified by the contractor’s regular communications with me, in person and via text and phone. He typically came by the house twice a week, to touch base with me and to supervise the work. He kept me informed of the construction schedule for the coming week. he answered my texts promptly. He is a warm and highly personable young man, the perfect face for his company.