"Estimate was a bit low and should have given more time line for things we cannot control like inspections other than that they did a most excellent job with building a deck with footings! Their craftsmanship was outstanding!"
"I am so grateful to have had such an excellent contractor. A basement remodel in a 1920s home is always going to have surprises and puzzles to solve. Mike took on the challenge, made awkward spaces more comfortable, and added a bathroom where there was none. He communicated carefully every step of the way, and offered options and great suggestions. His tile work is beautiful and he pays attention to details. I wholeheartedly recommend Mike."
"Shire Group did an amazing job with the exterior and interior work done to an add-on room on my property. Ben and Isaac were great to work with on everything from communications, expectations and updates throughout the job. I'd highly recommend working with Shire Group!"
"These guys were great! I hired them to install a laminate floor & baseboards in my lower level & they completed it quickly & professionally! I then used them to install a vanity/sink & toilet. Although the my bathroom was not plumbed for this, they were knowledgeable enough to get it done! I will continue to use them for all my handyman needs. Just a couple of nice guys with great talent!"
"We have been extremely happy with all the work that Adam and his crew have done for our home. Adam is professional and personable. We highly recommend him for any and all home projects, small or large!"
"In 2017, when I was looking to purchase a house in the Rockford area that was needing a full siding install I contacted GF Company in Belvidere. IL, who I found on Angie’s list and at that time GF Co had great reviews. Strangely enough these great reviews are no longer to be found on Angie’s List. It should also be noted there is a GF Siding in Cherry Valley. IL, this is Not the company that I did business with. Ariel Zmijewski (the owner) got me a quote quickly and I decided to purchase the house. A few months later in July 2017, I contacted Ariel again to discuss the finer points of the quote, the price was revised slightly and the Ariel mentioned that once a deposit was paid work could start 6-8 weeks later, but said the install would be finished before the cold weather arrived. I started creating a color layout and Ariel provided some feedback on what would work and not work. To this point I was very happy with progress. In September 2017 I paid a deposit of over $8k (about 44% of final price) and awaited updates for a start date. Nothing happened. In early March 2018 I contacted GF Co by phone stating that I had been very patient and they had had $8k as a deposit for the last 6 months and I had nothing to show for it. After a couple more calls and emails Ariel showed up with his foreman Mark and they said that work would start in the middle of the following week. Much to my surprise the work started on time. Over the course of the next 4 weeks Mark and his crew worked hard, only missing a few days due to bad weather, I even agreed to having some extra work done by the team, some wooden entrance steps that needed replacing for an additional $2.5k. By early May 2018 the job was finished the house looked great and I was very happy with the work and appearance and was getting compliments from neighbors too. The balance of owed of over $10k was paid with 48 hours of the work being finished. Again I was happy with work done, until… A few months after the install a TV cable box started having troubles. Cut a long story short the wall socket died because cable was suddenly defective, also the crew had moved the exterior cable input box and this didn’t help the issue. Comcast fixed it, but I now have an exterior cable showing and they had to drill through the siding. Then around Halloween 2018, less than six months after having the install completed, I noticed that a piece of siding (6ft approx.) had become detached underneath a window, trying to pop it back into place did not resolve the issue. After checking all the other exterior windows I noticed 1 other window was about to do the same thing. I called the GF Company main number and left a message with the receptionist for Ariel to contact me. No response. I called again a couple of times and left more messages still no response. In March 2019 siding problem under windows still Not fixed, I called GF Company again, no answer, and no voice mail. I called a couple more times on different days still no answer or voice mail. I then sent an email to the company and to my surprise I received a response from Ariel stating this was the first that he had heard of it. About a week later (3/26/19) he showed up at my house to view the problem. Ariel stated that he would get someone over to fix the problem, but would not give me a date or time. On 4/2/19 I emailed Ariel again asking for confirmation of a repair date ? Nothing but crickets… On 4/30/19, I sent another email to Ariel requesting that the repairs be completed before the end of May 2019, again no response. Quote / contract says: Customers will receive a Lifetime Warranty on Material and Workmanship Reported GF Company to Illinois BBB on 6/5/19."
"Alex was here on time. Did a great job replacing the damaged column and secured it in place, as it apparently wasn't when the house was built. Cleaned up the mess and even sent me pictures of the progress."
"About two years ago, the KBS team (including Alberto and Elizabeth) completed a remodel of our house to accommodate a family member with disabilities. They were fantastic: excellent communication, attention to detail, recommendations and project coordination. Super responsive and friendly, too! We are so happy with the results and had a really positive experience in the planning and remodel itself."
"Mother Earth Cleaners is very well managed and the staff are well trained, efficient, and respectful. They use kid-safe and pet-safe cleaning products and do a great job. I am a regular customer in that I hire them about 4 times per year to clean my home. Although I'm not a weekly or even a monthly customer, I receive consistent and top-notch service at a great price. You can trust Mother Earth Cleaners to do a great job. If you have any concerns after they've cleaned your home, they will address them."
Barndominium Builders questions, answered by experts
It can, especially with the rising popularity of treehouses that go beyond the ones designed for kids. Adults can now use them as office spaces, yoga studios, or quiet treetop retreats. That said, a treehouse can appeal to families with children or adults who might want to convert it into a space of their own. Depending on the buyer, they may be willing to pay extra for the unique feature.
You can use a variety of wood to build a barn door, but the most common options include 1-by boards and 2-by boards for the backing and the decorative boards on the front of the door. Softwoods like pine will save you some money and should hold up well, while hardwoods like maple and oak will stand up to more wear and tear. You could also build the backer out of plywood to minimize the cuts you need to make. Whatever you decide on, make sure the width of the wood is compatible with the mounting brackets you buy.
The difference between a pole barn and a stick-built barn is in the construction. Large poles in the ground provide support for pole barns. For stick-built barns, 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 lumber (known as sticks) create a frame around load-bearing beams. Stick-built construction is far more popular for residential homes. Pole barns are more cost-effective because they require fewer materials and less labor.
It is recommended that you check with your local building official on barn building requirements and rules, since size restrictions vary greatly from region to region based on what your property is zoned for. Some cities limit barn construction depending on if your property is residential or commercial. The three main factors your building commission will evaluate are:
Height and lot coverage: How tall your barn is and how much of your total property it occupies
Setback: Distance between barn and property line
Easement: Legal right for another owner to access another’s property
The pro you need to hire to build your shed depends on the shed you purchase. A local handyman or general contractor can help build a prefab shed for you. However, if you’re looking for a custom shed, contacting a shed builder near you is the best option. Make sure you get quotes from 3 pros to decide on the best pro for your job.
The Oregon, WI homeowners’ guide to barndominium building
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
If home is where the barn is, a barndominium may be the dream house you’ve been looking for. Here are all the details you need to know about barndominium costs.
A barndominium offers lots of advantages, including durability and versatility. But is building a barndominium the right choice for you? Let’s find out.
