"The crew did a fantastic job trying to correct a previous scrupulous contractor's work. They were courteous & friendly & were truthful about any limitations to their skills. Would definitely recommend."
I had contacted five other contractors before finding Barry and his stellar team. Two contractors were no shows and three showed but did not return with an estimate, even after several calls to them. I knew that the job would be challenging and would require a skilled architect and contractor. While where the pool sat was level ground, the ground surrounding it was not, it provided very difficult elevation changes. Additionally the deck had to marry to the house and Florida room elevations, which were also different. I also wanted the deck boards to carry over the pool edge all around the pool - an oval pool within a disparate geometric deck (probably why the other contractors ran away)
Barry arrived on time to provide an estimate, made some initial measurements, addressed material requirements, number of gates, steps, access points, etc. Provided a rough order of magnitude based on estimated square footage and asked if he could have his architect come out. I agreed and he said he would get back to me. Barry returned the following day with the architect, three days after that we had plans and a contract. Two days after that we had a permit, then 3 days later the material was delivered and with it a crew that I can say based on experience before and after the job is in all likely hood the best in the area (not my first contracting rodeo in Virginia Beach). Barry's "A" team is compromised of his son Chase, Fanz Roman and Gilder Roman. The crew was polite, attentive and most importantly WORKED from the time they arrived till the time they departed.
I know Barry had other jobs ongoing in parallel with mine; but Barry showed up regularly to both work alongside his crew and provide supervision for the challenging compound miters (though little to no supervision was needed-they all have mad carpentry skills!). Barry did have to absent himself for a job up north for a day or two; but the team never missed a beat and Barry called me to ensure I was having no issues. One of Barry's attributes that I really appreciated, other than his knowledge and experience, was his responsiveness, whether through email or phone he always answered immediately. I also appreciated that we worked as a team. If there was an issue it was resolved quickly. As an example, it became apparent that the planned deck pattern would not work, though it looked good on paper. Fanz and Gilder designed a solution, laid it out for approval, The result was perfect!
I have two more projects I am saving for. I am not even going to waste my time chasing after other contractors. Barry's price is within the market, his work ethic exemplary and he delivers on his promise, the jobs will be his. I want it right, so I will wait for his availability.
"It went well. I was pleased with the services that they provided and the plan that they came up with. I had no trouble submitting it to the city in order to obtain a permit. They were easy to work with, even coming out on Saturday or Sunday, or the evenings - whatever worked with my schedule. They are really friendly, helpful and easy to get along with. It was a great experience and I plan to go to them for some additional work that I am planning on doing."
"When the team came to work they did an excellent job. They were here on time. They were on time and he did not go one penny over the estimate although they did a little bit more work than we initially had talked about. When they were doing the painting they did an excellent job and cleaned up beautifully and if I had paid twice as much, I could not have gotten a better job, these guys are very very very good!"
Contacted All American painting & Home repair company based on Angie's list reviews. Mr. Wayland (Eddie) arrived, gave us an estimate, took his time explained everything he was going to do and how he was going to preform the necessary work that needed to be done. We had a few set backs based on the weather as this was all exterior work. Paula(Eddie's wife) kept us informed , excellent communication, as to when he would be arriving and when he was not. Eddie and his assistance Orval are hard workers, very detailed, very professional. Windows look brand new.
This is a family owned business, that provide outstanding service, we have referred him to our neighbor, we would not hestitate to use this company in the future. Very pleased. They are located in Front Royal Virginia just to make sure you have the right company.
"They came and gave an estimate, coordinated with me and the insurance company, performed services above expectation. Everyone was very polite and professional. I'm going to use them again soon. "
"I feel extremely fortunate to have found Vicki through Angie's List ! She is an extremely talented person who is very easy to deal with. She has a breath of knowledge that allows her to accommodate my tastes, but also ensure that the overall design is in sync with the design and location of my home. She has a very diplomatic way of suggesting when I'm going astray with my choices and in every case where she has told me "Trust Me" I have been delighted ! She is very aggressive in helping me find the best pricing and often times will work with the vendors directly hence saving me the time. She also has excellent local contacts. Everyone I've worked with through Vicki has been timely, professional, and highly competent. My project is far from complete. I intend to continue to use Vicki and her expert advice until the end !!!!"
Initially, he seemed like he was very very knowledgeable, very friendly and gave us thoughts that he knew what he was doing. They arrived on time. They're very good. The crew was pretty quick and efficient. One problem I had was they didn't come with enough materials. They had to reschedule for a completion of some. There were some minor issues that we ran into. They were supposed to paint the chimney cap and never actually did that. It's not a big deal but the other thing was the warranty and we kind of had a fight with them for the warranty to actually be processed. The warranty was the big thing and it was a lifetime warranty and I guess there were personal things that came up. It was just basically what I've learned late, but it took us probably eight months to get the warranty to be processed. That was my biggest concern, but the warranty company ensures me that everything is good even though the paperwork has the wrong number on there and I am assuming that's because they had the wrong number initially which is why they didn't have enough material.
"Once I sent her all the measurements, it took her a little while to get the options back to me. Overall, they're good designs. However, they're very simplistic and give general ideas for space planning. I was hoping to have a better idea for sizes of furniture for the space and some variations on staging. Jill was very responsive when I did have a question. I'm not sure how helpful it is to have a virtual design done. If we lived in similar cities, I'd probably use her again for help with additional designs. "
Most heat in a garage is lost through air leaks in windows, doors, and walls. This is especially true if the walls are uninsulated, which is common in garages. Consider insulating your garage before installing a garage heater to ensure the heat it generates isn’t wasted, making it less efficient.
If your garage door seems to freeze every winter, you can try rubbing silicone spray or petroleum jelly around the edges and rollers of the garage door. However, it’s a good idea to avoid direct application of silicone sprays like WD40 to rubber edges, which could damage them over time. A garage door that frequently freezes shut could need a full replacement, especially if it’s showing signs of rust or other wear and tear.
You should tune up your garage door at least once per year to keep it running smoothly. However, if you notice signs of wear and tear, it’s wise to get a tune-up every six months. Performing regular tune-ups can help you catch small issues before they turn into serious problems.
If you also have a standard door leading to your garage, install a robust deadbolt lock and reinforce the frame with security plates. Then, secure any windows with shatterproof glass or film to deter break-ins. Consider a smart garage door opener for your car entrance, enabling remote monitoring and control through your smartphone. Motion-activated lighting around the garage to deter intruders is a great way to amplify these security efforts. Lastly, educate your family on security practices, such as keeping the garage entrances closed and locked.
On average, a garage door can last between 15 and 30 years. However, this lifespan is influenced by several factors, including the quality and material of the door, local climate conditions, and how frequently it is used and maintained.
Key factors affecting longevity include:
Material: Wooden doors can last 20 to 30 years or more, while steel doors typically last 15 to 20 years. More robust options, like triple-layer steel, can last 25 to 30 years with proper care. The number of layers in a door also contributes to its durability, with each additional layer potentially adding five years to its life.
Maintenance: Regular inspections, cleaning, and immediate repairs can significantly extend the life of your garage door.
Usage and Climate: Doors in harsh climates or those used very frequently may wear out faster.
Components: Individual parts have different lifespans. For example, automatic openers may fail sooner than the door itself without regular maintenance, and garage door springs typically need replacement every 7 to 12 years.
While the door panels are designed to last as long as the door, they should be replaced sooner if they become visibly damaged, impact the door's smooth operation, or create a security risk.
The Fries, VA homeowners’ guide to garage services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Want to add value and living space to your home? Use this guide to figure out the cost to convert your garage into living space to see if it’s worth it.
For most homeowners, a garage needs to be big enough for more than parking a car. Use this guide to figure out the average garage size and how to build from there.
Weighing the options between an attached vs. detached garage? The choice is entirely personal, but we'll help you make the best decision for your property.