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Avatar for A & B Floors

A & B Floors

5.00(
21
)

A & B Floors

5.00(
21
)
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers

Do you want your floors to be a show stopper? Gorgeous floors make a room, and at A & B Floors, we have been making rooms beautiful with our custom installed and refinished floors for nearly 20 years! We are your one-stop shop for flooring materials, installation and refinishing. We have extensive experience installing flooring materials from all of the major flooring manufacturers. We keep up to date on all new materials, installation methods and state-of-the-art equipment via our membership in the National Flooring Association and our network of suppliers. Also, we are Certified Bona (TM) Craftsmen. Whatever your project, big or small, call A & B Floors and we’ll take care of it all! Disclaimer: A&B Floors does not install materials purchased through outside dealers. Come see our showroom to find the floor you're looking for!

"A&B Flooring is an A+ company. Ed was a pleasure to work with and offered competitive pricing. They were dependable and the quality of work was outstanding. Gary is an excellent craftsman and did an amazing job from start to finish. Would highly recommend and will call again for my next project. Thanks for everything...we love our floors and new stairs!"

Susan G on December 2022

Do you want your floors to be a show stopper? Gorgeous floors make a room, and at A & B Floors, we have been making rooms beautiful with our custom installed and refinished floors for nearly 20 years! We are your one-stop shop for flooring materials, installation and refinishing. We have extensive experience installing flooring materials from all of the major flooring manufacturers. We keep up to date on all new materials, installation methods and state-of-the-art equipment via our membership in the National Flooring Association and our network of suppliers. Also, we are Certified Bona (TM) Craftsmen. Whatever your project, big or small, call A & B Floors and we’ll take care of it all! Disclaimer: A&B Floors does not install materials purchased through outside dealers. Come see our showroom to find the floor you're looking for!

"A&B Flooring is an A+ company. Ed was a pleasure to work with and offered competitive pricing. They were dependable and the quality of work was outstanding. Gary is an excellent craftsman and did an amazing job from start to finish. Would highly recommend and will call again for my next project. Thanks for everything...we love our floors and new stairs!"

Susan G on December 2022


Gutter Glove of North Carolina LLC

4.80(
66
)

Gutter Glove of North Carolina LLC

4.80(
66
)
Customers say: True professional
Recommended by 93% of Angi customers
Recommended by 93% of HomeAdvisor customers

Award winning. Gutter Glove of NC LLC is the premium supplier of gutter protection system in the State of North Carolina. Additional contact names - Richard Stroup, Louis Sauer. Additional phone - (919) 696-8839. Award wining.

"Owner Ricky Stroup was infinitely patient with us, as after our initial meeting it took us over a year to hire his company to do this work. During that year, we had multiple conversations with him regarding the scope of our project, and he was as willing to contract the scope as to expand it. He wrote several proposals for us, so we could see the financial impacts of our different scope options. Our indecision on scope, and delay in scheduling, never caused any frustration or ill will on his part. Mr. Stroup was helpful, friendly, and patient throughout! His team installed everything in one day, and all who worked on our project were extremely courteous and professional. We have been very impressed with the quality of the work. Working with Gutter Glove of North Carolina was an enjoyable experience, and I recommend this company!"

Elizabeth H on October 2018

Award winning. Gutter Glove of NC LLC is the premium supplier of gutter protection system in the State of North Carolina. Additional contact names - Richard Stroup, Louis Sauer. Additional phone - (919) 696-8839. Award wining.

"Owner Ricky Stroup was infinitely patient with us, as after our initial meeting it took us over a year to hire his company to do this work. During that year, we had multiple conversations with him regarding the scope of our project, and he was as willing to contract the scope as to expand it. He wrote several proposals for us, so we could see the financial impacts of our different scope options. Our indecision on scope, and delay in scheduling, never caused any frustration or ill will on his part. Mr. Stroup was helpful, friendly, and patient throughout! His team installed everything in one day, and all who worked on our project were extremely courteous and professional. We have been very impressed with the quality of the work. Working with Gutter Glove of North Carolina was an enjoyable experience, and I recommend this company!"

Elizabeth H on October 2018


Avatar for Jay's Painting & Pressure Cleaning Inc

Jay's Painting & Pressure Cleaning Inc

4.87(
38
)

Jay's Painting & Pressure Cleaning Inc

4.87(
38
)
Customers say: Super punctual
Recommended by 94% of Angi customers
Recommended by 94% of HomeAdvisor customers

Experience and Commitment to Quality We have been providing Yorktown and the Virginia Peninsula with interior and exterior painting, pressure cleaning, and wood staining services since 1994. Our commitment to quality is why you should choose us for your next painting project. We know a company is only as good as their employees – that’s why you’ll find superb craftsmen that are well mannered and considerate of you and your home. We make customer service and open communication our number one priority from your first call to schedule an estimate to the completion of your job. To have a successful company, we know that we must do more than simply make promises – we must back our words with actions and provide our customers with reliable, high quality service. "We take pride that most of our jobs are from satisfied customers recommending us to friends and family. Our reputation is built on providing great customer service and professional paint jobs."- Jay Kashin

"great work"

Jennifer V on August 2019

Experience and Commitment to Quality We have been providing Yorktown and the Virginia Peninsula with interior and exterior painting, pressure cleaning, and wood staining services since 1994. Our commitment to quality is why you should choose us for your next painting project. We know a company is only as good as their employees – that’s why you’ll find superb craftsmen that are well mannered and considerate of you and your home. We make customer service and open communication our number one priority from your first call to schedule an estimate to the completion of your job. To have a successful company, we know that we must do more than simply make promises – we must back our words with actions and provide our customers with reliable, high quality service. "We take pride that most of our jobs are from satisfied customers recommending us to friends and family. Our reputation is built on providing great customer service and professional paint jobs."- Jay Kashin

"great work"

Jennifer V on August 2019


Avatar for Murphy Family Electric

Murphy Family Electric

4.62(
1,890
)

Murphy Family Electric

4.62(
1,890
)
Customers say: Quick response
2000 years of experience

Sean, the owner of Murphy Family Electric, first worked alongside his electrician father when he was a mere 14 years old. The experience stuck with him, and in addition to a college degree, he went on to attain his master electrical tradesman license. Book on our website www.murphyfamilyelectric.com Today, he and his team at Murphy Family Electric carry on the tradition and perform electrician services for homeowners Easily book and get deals and pricing upfront. Book direct deal on our website and an appointment today! We have multiple locations with local service options.

"Murphy Family Electric is an awesome company with very competent technicians and reasonable rates. They make the whole process pretty straightforward. I had used them to get my Tesla charger in 2018 (Cost: $799 including material). I was so impressed with their work that when I had a complex electrical job - installing a new 120v outlet requiring a new wire from the circuit breaker - I did not get any quotes but just booked them. That job was done very professionally as well (Cost: $949). Fast forward to Mar 2025, my tesla charger had problems with over heating and intermittent power loss. I called Murphy Family Electric and they sent a technician the same day who came and adjusted/cleaned the connections and spent 30 mins fixing the problem. And to my surprise the company did not even charge me anything for this. So on top of everything else you can add absolutely fantastic customer service to their list of attributes."

Naveen V on March 2025

Sean, the owner of Murphy Family Electric, first worked alongside his electrician father when he was a mere 14 years old. The experience stuck with him, and in addition to a college degree, he went on to attain his master electrical tradesman license. Book on our website www.murphyfamilyelectric.com Today, he and his team at Murphy Family Electric carry on the tradition and perform electrician services for homeowners Easily book and get deals and pricing upfront. Book direct deal on our website and an appointment today! We have multiple locations with local service options.

"Murphy Family Electric is an awesome company with very competent technicians and reasonable rates. They make the whole process pretty straightforward. I had used them to get my Tesla charger in 2018 (Cost: $799 including material). I was so impressed with their work that when I had a complex electrical job - installing a new 120v outlet requiring a new wire from the circuit breaker - I did not get any quotes but just booked them. That job was done very professionally as well (Cost: $949). Fast forward to Mar 2025, my tesla charger had problems with over heating and intermittent power loss. I called Murphy Family Electric and they sent a technician the same day who came and adjusted/cleaned the connections and spent 30 mins fixing the problem. And to my surprise the company did not even charge me anything for this. So on top of everything else you can add absolutely fantastic customer service to their list of attributes."

Naveen V on March 2025


Avatar for Window Universe

Window Universe

4.53(
352
)

Window Universe

4.53(
352
)
Customers say: Quality work
2003 years of experience

Window Universe is a major window and door replacement company with locations serving the entire Washington, DC area, Fredericksburg and Richmond. Alexandria phone is 703-595-4499, Fredericksburg is 540-907-4960 and Richmond phone is 804-441-8060. They are licensed, bonded and insured in Maryland, Washington, DC. and Virginia. Additional Contact Jane Malasko. Services include replacement windows of all types (including bay windows, bow windows, casement windows, sliding windows, double hung windows, etc.), energy efficient doors including French doors, patio doors, entry doors and storm doors. All installers are extensively trained and certified to perform their work. As a result, all windows and doors come with a lifetime warranty.

"Everything went well. They arrived on time, did a good job, cleaned up after themselves, and the communication was great. I would hire them again."

Maritza O on December 2020

Window Universe is a major window and door replacement company with locations serving the entire Washington, DC area, Fredericksburg and Richmond. Alexandria phone is 703-595-4499, Fredericksburg is 540-907-4960 and Richmond phone is 804-441-8060. They are licensed, bonded and insured in Maryland, Washington, DC. and Virginia. Additional Contact Jane Malasko. Services include replacement windows of all types (including bay windows, bow windows, casement windows, sliding windows, double hung windows, etc.), energy efficient doors including French doors, patio doors, entry doors and storm doors. All installers are extensively trained and certified to perform their work. As a result, all windows and doors come with a lifetime warranty.

"Everything went well. They arrived on time, did a good job, cleaned up after themselves, and the communication was great. I would hire them again."

Maritza O on December 2020


Avatar for Largo Marble & Granite

Largo Marble & Granite

5.00(
17
)

Largo Marble & Granite

5.00(
17
)
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers

Established in 2009, We have traveled as far as New York and North Carolina to meet our customers' needs. No matter the size or scope of the project, we will fully commit to meeting the needs of each of our customers.This is what makes Largo Marble and Granite different from the rest; we treat each and every customer as a relationship - not a just job. Our fabrication shop and showroom is located in Sterling, Virginia. All of our stone fabrication machinery is less than 5 years old and made in Italy. We pride ourselves with the fact that all cutting and polishing is done in our shop with water. This not only ensures a safe and sustainable working environment for our employees by virtually eliminating potentially harmful airborne dust; but it also provides the highest quality finished product.

Established in 2009, We have traveled as far as New York and North Carolina to meet our customers' needs. No matter the size or scope of the project, we will fully commit to meeting the needs of each of our customers.This is what makes Largo Marble and Granite different from the rest; we treat each and every customer as a relationship - not a just job. Our fabrication shop and showroom is located in Sterling, Virginia. All of our stone fabrication machinery is less than 5 years old and made in Italy. We pride ourselves with the fact that all cutting and polishing is done in our shop with water. This not only ensures a safe and sustainable working environment for our employees by virtually eliminating potentially harmful airborne dust; but it also provides the highest quality finished product.


Avatar for Tough Builders Inc

Tough Builders Inc

5.00(
21
)

Tough Builders Inc

5.00(
21
)
Customers say: True professional
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers

Founded by Hector Vasquez back in 2005, Tough Builders, Inc. has established itself as one of the greatest and prestigious providers of construction focused interior renovation services and building. We provide a professional renovation and installation services with a real focus on customer satisfaction. Our construction Services is a multi-task company. Additional email - [email protected].

"Honestly couldn't be happier. The crew was awesome - they showed up when they said they were going to show up, did what they said they were going to do, and fixed a few little things that we requested without any fuss. They were in and out in 2 weeks when the other contractors said 1-2 months. Literally our only regret was that we wasted so much time with flaky contractors before finding these guys. We'll definitely be repeat customers!"

Kellie M on March 2025

Founded by Hector Vasquez back in 2005, Tough Builders, Inc. has established itself as one of the greatest and prestigious providers of construction focused interior renovation services and building. We provide a professional renovation and installation services with a real focus on customer satisfaction. Our construction Services is a multi-task company. Additional email - [email protected].

"Honestly couldn't be happier. The crew was awesome - they showed up when they said they were going to show up, did what they said they were going to do, and fixed a few little things that we requested without any fuss. They were in and out in 2 weeks when the other contractors said 1-2 months. Literally our only regret was that we wasted so much time with flaky contractors before finding these guys. We'll definitely be repeat customers!"

Kellie M on March 2025


Avatar for H R Stairs & Rails

H R Stairs & Rails

4.94(
34
)

H R Stairs & Rails

4.94(
34
)
Customers say: Super punctual
Recommended by 97% of Angi customers
Recommended by 97% of HomeAdvisor customers

Over the past 30 years, H R Stairs & Rails has completed more than two thousand stair and railing projects under the direction of master craftsman Hooshang Rashidi. We take pride in our work and strive to exceed our client's expectations. We are "Staircase and Railing Builders". Our craftsmanship & attention to detail positively impacts the delivery of H R Stairs & Rails finished products, from complex staircase designs to small stair repair and baluster replacement. By concentrating all our efforts on staircases and railings in the Washington DC Metropolitan area we are able to provide our clients with specialized expertise, allowing us to provide superior workmanship and service. We look forward to being your staircase contractor. Cost is determined by the job.

"I can only reiterate the many positive Angi reviews discussing the high standard of work produced by Mr. Rashidi and his assistant. Mr. Rashidi was able to begin work one week after providing an estimate and completed the job in four days after working steadily throughout that time. We are more than satisfied with the result and would highly recommend this company. Real craftsmanship at a reasonable price."

Ellen L on May 2022

Over the past 30 years, H R Stairs & Rails has completed more than two thousand stair and railing projects under the direction of master craftsman Hooshang Rashidi. We take pride in our work and strive to exceed our client's expectations. We are "Staircase and Railing Builders". Our craftsmanship & attention to detail positively impacts the delivery of H R Stairs & Rails finished products, from complex staircase designs to small stair repair and baluster replacement. By concentrating all our efforts on staircases and railings in the Washington DC Metropolitan area we are able to provide our clients with specialized expertise, allowing us to provide superior workmanship and service. We look forward to being your staircase contractor. Cost is determined by the job.

"I can only reiterate the many positive Angi reviews discussing the high standard of work produced by Mr. Rashidi and his assistant. Mr. Rashidi was able to begin work one week after providing an estimate and completed the job in four days after working steadily throughout that time. We are more than satisfied with the result and would highly recommend this company. Real craftsmanship at a reasonable price."

Ellen L on May 2022


Avatar for Window Nation Lorton

Window Nation Lorton

4.24(
406
)

Window Nation Lorton

4.24(
406
)
Customers say: Quality work
2006 years of experience

At Window Nation, we know replacement windows. We’re third-generation window replacement experts who have been lucky to provide homeowners replacement windows, siding, and doors for over fifteen years. We opened our first showroom in Maryland in 2006, quickly growing to serve homeowners in cities across the country – and we’re not stopping there. We’re grateful for every homeowner who has trusted us to upgrade their most important asset: their home. We’ve learned a lot about home improvement over the years, but the most important thing we learned isn’t about window replacement. We learned the home improvement industry isn’t about offering the best windows, siding and doors; it’s about the relationships we build with our customers.

"Love our new Grand View Windows from Window Nation 17 Windows and 1 Sliding Glass Door We did quite a bit of research, explored a lot of companies and choose Window Nation for our project. And we are happy we did. The whole process from presentation to installation was easy and efficient. Reza arrived at our house on time for the presentation. He inspected and measured our windows and then launched into the presentation. Reza is knowledgeable about the Window Nation offering as well as the products offered by his competitors. As mentioned, I did some research and had an idea of the features that we wanted and what we should pay. Reza presented the Window Nation Grand View line, which meets our feature requirements, and after a bit of back-and-forth negotiation we settled on a price that was within our range and fair to us both. After signing, Reza described the next steps and set expectations. Overall, the presentation took only about an hour and was relatively painless, with no high-pressure tactics. Several days later, Mike came by to inspect our windows and confirm measurements for the build specifications. This took only about a half-hour. Mike answered some questions about the installation process and said that the windows and door could take up to 6 weeks to build. Imagine our surprise when we received a call a week later to schedule our installation. On installation day, the three-man team arrived on time. They introduced themselves and the team lead, Ted, described the process and then they got right to work. They tarped the paths to all the windows to protect the floors. They were very careful and respectful of our house. The entire team was friendly and polite and experienced and highly skilled. You could tell that they’d done this a time or two. The outside trim work is fantastic and the inside finish work is great. All 17 windows and the sliding door were installed in a single day. Ted went over the operation of the windows and door. The windows and door look and function great. We couldn’t be happier. If you are considering a window or door replacement project, we strongly recommend that you engage Window Nation. They will treat you right."

Richard M on April 2025

At Window Nation, we know replacement windows. We’re third-generation window replacement experts who have been lucky to provide homeowners replacement windows, siding, and doors for over fifteen years. We opened our first showroom in Maryland in 2006, quickly growing to serve homeowners in cities across the country – and we’re not stopping there. We’re grateful for every homeowner who has trusted us to upgrade their most important asset: their home. We’ve learned a lot about home improvement over the years, but the most important thing we learned isn’t about window replacement. We learned the home improvement industry isn’t about offering the best windows, siding and doors; it’s about the relationships we build with our customers.

"Love our new Grand View Windows from Window Nation 17 Windows and 1 Sliding Glass Door We did quite a bit of research, explored a lot of companies and choose Window Nation for our project. And we are happy we did. The whole process from presentation to installation was easy and efficient. Reza arrived at our house on time for the presentation. He inspected and measured our windows and then launched into the presentation. Reza is knowledgeable about the Window Nation offering as well as the products offered by his competitors. As mentioned, I did some research and had an idea of the features that we wanted and what we should pay. Reza presented the Window Nation Grand View line, which meets our feature requirements, and after a bit of back-and-forth negotiation we settled on a price that was within our range and fair to us both. After signing, Reza described the next steps and set expectations. Overall, the presentation took only about an hour and was relatively painless, with no high-pressure tactics. Several days later, Mike came by to inspect our windows and confirm measurements for the build specifications. This took only about a half-hour. Mike answered some questions about the installation process and said that the windows and door could take up to 6 weeks to build. Imagine our surprise when we received a call a week later to schedule our installation. On installation day, the three-man team arrived on time. They introduced themselves and the team lead, Ted, described the process and then they got right to work. They tarped the paths to all the windows to protect the floors. They were very careful and respectful of our house. The entire team was friendly and polite and experienced and highly skilled. You could tell that they’d done this a time or two. The outside trim work is fantastic and the inside finish work is great. All 17 windows and the sliding door were installed in a single day. Ted went over the operation of the windows and door. The windows and door look and function great. We couldn’t be happier. If you are considering a window or door replacement project, we strongly recommend that you engage Window Nation. They will treat you right."

Richard M on April 2025


Avatar for Ballard & Mensua Architecture

Ballard & Mensua Architecture

4.75(
20
)

Ballard & Mensua Architecture

4.75(
20
)
Customers say: Super punctual
Recommended by 90% of Angi customers
Recommended by 90% of HomeAdvisor customers

Ballard Mensua Architecture, led by Seth Ballard, NCARB, AIA, is a boutique architecture firm with a focus on creating truly custom designs and solutions for our clients. We have very strong vendor and contractor relationships, a result of our detailed understanding of construction. Unlike many architects, who like to design and then hand over control to the builder, Ballard Mensua maintains control of management of the project throughout construction. We have a unique cost-study process that helps to put our clients in control of spending... and results in completion of projects on budget.. almost unheard of in this business. Our designs speak for themselves... see our website at www.ballardmensua.com. Our business philosophy is that all clients should be a reference and we work hard to make sure to see projects through. We also have a unique ability to do very large projects without tearing a house down... we save much of the house and build around it... saving sometimes 10 dumpsters of landfill (truly green). Finally, where many architects bring their large ego and force their designs on clients... Ballard Mensua prides ourselves on tailoring designs to each client, listening to specific needs and working hard to make sure that our designs fit what a client is looking for. Additional email - [email protected].

"We just finished a spectacular custom home project in McLean, VA and we are so very grateful to Seth Ballard and his team! If you are considering hiring his firm, look no further. There can be no better architect in the DC/VA/MD area – and his pricing is more than fair. We first picked Seth because we loved his architectural style and heard that he had a reputation for ensuring that his plans are executed with impeccable precision and attention to quality. Also, his references were stellar….without exception, his former clients offered glowing praise for his talent, diligence, and follow-through. And now that we are former clients, we understand why. We always knew we were going to have a gem of a home with Seth at the helm. What we did not fully appreciate at the beginning was his proven ability to help us STAY ON BUDGET and his deep bench of connections with first-rate contractors and subcontractors who were prepared to bend over backward to meet Seth’s exacting standards. Here are just a few highlights from our experience: CONCEPT PHASE: During the initial meetings at our home, Seth went the extra mile to learn all about our lifestyle, future needs, architectural likes/dislikes, and budget. During this stage of the process, he would effortlessly make freehand drawings to help us visualize potential styles and layouts. We ultimately elected to go with a craftsman design, with lots of wood features inside and out. PICKING THE RIGHT PROPERTY: Seth joined us for car rides through the local neighborhoods, helping us to scout out the property that was best suited for our construction plans – free of any potential HOA or permitting snafus. DESIGN: With Seth’s guidance, we iterated on different design options. The design phase was high-tech and highly visual. Lots of 2D and 3D elevations, plus 360-degree videos. At each step, Seth clearly identified the estimated construction cost, and we would make decisions about what to dial-up and what to dial-down. For example, we elected to go with a cheaper asphalt roof (rather than slate), but with a more premium window. There were literally dozens of choices like that, and Seth did a superb job of helping us to make the right trade-offs and to “value engineer” the house. PICKING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR AND SUBS: One of the things that distinguishes Seth from the competition is that he works closely with a handful of contractors and subcontractors who have already been “pre-screened” for excellence. Seth connected us with a general contractor who was not only honest and diligent, but whose carpentry was truly “artisan grade.” Seth also drew upon a stable of outstanding subcontractors – in areas such as HVAC/plumbing, electrical/lighting, structural engineering, cabinetry, tile, drywall/paint, countertops, hardwood flooring, landscaping, etc. It was perfectly clear that these subs were striving to deliver the highest quality and exemplary service. Why? Because Seth was an important source of repeat business for them. This made them extremely responsive. BUDGETING: Seth developed detailed spreadsheets estimating costs for every aspect of the project, as well as options for “enhancements.” Once we made our choices, he was instrumental in securing a FLAT FEE CONTRACT with the builder (inclusive of subs) for everything we wanted. To provide even more control over the cost, the agreement specified that certain items would be “owner provided, contractor installed.” This meant that, regardless of whether we bought pricey appliances or tile or flooring, it would have no impact of the builder’s fees. To his credit, Seth’s estimates were quite accurate, and the project stayed on budget. ARCHITECT FEES: We negotiated a flat fee for Seth’s architectural services, and got way more than we bargained for. We had no idea Seth would stay so engaged throughout the project -- micromanaging every detail, and even offering interior design suggestions (e.g., stains and paints, cabinet and window designs, furniture layouts, etc.). It became clear that, regardless of how much we had agreed to pay in fees, Seth was “all in,” and was committed to ensuring that the end result was perfection. To be sure, in any large construction project, there will be some hiccups. But this was yet another area where Seth shined. Rather than being indifferent, or pointing the finger at those who were actually at fault, he would step up to “own the problem” and take charge until the issue was resolved. In one such case, he developed a design tweak that saved us money and produced a more beautiful result in the process. We never had to stress too much, because we knew Seth was 100% engaged and we could trust that the final work product would be a treasure of a home. One final thought. While Seth’s tremendous talent is obviously perfect for large custom projects, we have no doubt that he can deliver outstanding value for smaller home renovations too. When we did kitchen/bath renovations in our prior home, we naively thought that a “design-and-build” firm would deliver the best solution. With the benefit of hindsight, we could have done so much better hiring Seth as the independent architect and separately hiring a builder who would be accountable to the architect. The result would have been better quality construction, a better value, and far less stress. So whether you are about to embark on a modest remodel or getting ready to “dream big” with a new custom home, look no further than Ballard Mensua Architecture."

jack l on January 2019

Ballard Mensua Architecture, led by Seth Ballard, NCARB, AIA, is a boutique architecture firm with a focus on creating truly custom designs and solutions for our clients. We have very strong vendor and contractor relationships, a result of our detailed understanding of construction. Unlike many architects, who like to design and then hand over control to the builder, Ballard Mensua maintains control of management of the project throughout construction. We have a unique cost-study process that helps to put our clients in control of spending... and results in completion of projects on budget.. almost unheard of in this business. Our designs speak for themselves... see our website at www.ballardmensua.com. Our business philosophy is that all clients should be a reference and we work hard to make sure to see projects through. We also have a unique ability to do very large projects without tearing a house down... we save much of the house and build around it... saving sometimes 10 dumpsters of landfill (truly green). Finally, where many architects bring their large ego and force their designs on clients... Ballard Mensua prides ourselves on tailoring designs to each client, listening to specific needs and working hard to make sure that our designs fit what a client is looking for. Additional email - [email protected].

"We just finished a spectacular custom home project in McLean, VA and we are so very grateful to Seth Ballard and his team! If you are considering hiring his firm, look no further. There can be no better architect in the DC/VA/MD area – and his pricing is more than fair. We first picked Seth because we loved his architectural style and heard that he had a reputation for ensuring that his plans are executed with impeccable precision and attention to quality. Also, his references were stellar….without exception, his former clients offered glowing praise for his talent, diligence, and follow-through. And now that we are former clients, we understand why. We always knew we were going to have a gem of a home with Seth at the helm. What we did not fully appreciate at the beginning was his proven ability to help us STAY ON BUDGET and his deep bench of connections with first-rate contractors and subcontractors who were prepared to bend over backward to meet Seth’s exacting standards. Here are just a few highlights from our experience: CONCEPT PHASE: During the initial meetings at our home, Seth went the extra mile to learn all about our lifestyle, future needs, architectural likes/dislikes, and budget. During this stage of the process, he would effortlessly make freehand drawings to help us visualize potential styles and layouts. We ultimately elected to go with a craftsman design, with lots of wood features inside and out. PICKING THE RIGHT PROPERTY: Seth joined us for car rides through the local neighborhoods, helping us to scout out the property that was best suited for our construction plans – free of any potential HOA or permitting snafus. DESIGN: With Seth’s guidance, we iterated on different design options. The design phase was high-tech and highly visual. Lots of 2D and 3D elevations, plus 360-degree videos. At each step, Seth clearly identified the estimated construction cost, and we would make decisions about what to dial-up and what to dial-down. For example, we elected to go with a cheaper asphalt roof (rather than slate), but with a more premium window. There were literally dozens of choices like that, and Seth did a superb job of helping us to make the right trade-offs and to “value engineer” the house. PICKING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR AND SUBS: One of the things that distinguishes Seth from the competition is that he works closely with a handful of contractors and subcontractors who have already been “pre-screened” for excellence. Seth connected us with a general contractor who was not only honest and diligent, but whose carpentry was truly “artisan grade.” Seth also drew upon a stable of outstanding subcontractors – in areas such as HVAC/plumbing, electrical/lighting, structural engineering, cabinetry, tile, drywall/paint, countertops, hardwood flooring, landscaping, etc. It was perfectly clear that these subs were striving to deliver the highest quality and exemplary service. Why? Because Seth was an important source of repeat business for them. This made them extremely responsive. BUDGETING: Seth developed detailed spreadsheets estimating costs for every aspect of the project, as well as options for “enhancements.” Once we made our choices, he was instrumental in securing a FLAT FEE CONTRACT with the builder (inclusive of subs) for everything we wanted. To provide even more control over the cost, the agreement specified that certain items would be “owner provided, contractor installed.” This meant that, regardless of whether we bought pricey appliances or tile or flooring, it would have no impact of the builder’s fees. To his credit, Seth’s estimates were quite accurate, and the project stayed on budget. ARCHITECT FEES: We negotiated a flat fee for Seth’s architectural services, and got way more than we bargained for. We had no idea Seth would stay so engaged throughout the project -- micromanaging every detail, and even offering interior design suggestions (e.g., stains and paints, cabinet and window designs, furniture layouts, etc.). It became clear that, regardless of how much we had agreed to pay in fees, Seth was “all in,” and was committed to ensuring that the end result was perfection. To be sure, in any large construction project, there will be some hiccups. But this was yet another area where Seth shined. Rather than being indifferent, or pointing the finger at those who were actually at fault, he would step up to “own the problem” and take charge until the issue was resolved. In one such case, he developed a design tweak that saved us money and produced a more beautiful result in the process. We never had to stress too much, because we knew Seth was 100% engaged and we could trust that the final work product would be a treasure of a home. One final thought. While Seth’s tremendous talent is obviously perfect for large custom projects, we have no doubt that he can deliver outstanding value for smaller home renovations too. When we did kitchen/bath renovations in our prior home, we naively thought that a “design-and-build” firm would deliver the best solution. With the benefit of hindsight, we could have done so much better hiring Seth as the independent architect and separately hiring a builder who would be accountable to the architect. The result would have been better quality construction, a better value, and far less stress. So whether you are about to embark on a modest remodel or getting ready to “dream big” with a new custom home, look no further than Ballard Mensua Architecture."

jack l on January 2019

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Carpentry questions, answered by experts

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 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.

There are both temporary and permanent ways to enclose a carport. If you’re looking to enclose your carport for the winter, a canvas enclosure could do the trick. It won’t be as protective as a permanent structure, but it can offer some protection from elements like snow, rain, and wind. For a permanent enclosure, you can add extra walls, add a new vertical roof, or a lean-to addition on one side of the structure.

There are a few easy ways to locate a wall stud without a stud finder. First, try knocking on the wall with your knuckles. Most parts of the wall will sound hollow, but when you tap over a stud, it will sound more solid. Alternatively, since studs are spaced 16 or 24 inches apart, you can measure those distances from a corner of the room, which will always have a stud.

Enhances property value, ensures safety, and provides a sound basis for future construction.

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