A review for Straight Up Masonry

We have a brick front and there were a number of bricks in various spots that were breaking down and some serious tuck pointing work needed to be done. We found Tony on Homestars and liked what we read. Tony was always very courteous and friendly and really knew his stuff. <br /> We were very impressed with how quickly and and effeciently he worked and did miss a few spots after review and came back the next day to finish them off. He did a really nice job matching the bricks to the rest of the house and also mixed the mortar himself to work with the old style of bricks our house used. Very pleased. My conly comment would be that he said it would be a 2 day job but ended up b eing a 1 day job so for a 1day job, the price I considered to be a little high. for a 2 day job it was about right. However he did a great job with no hassle and that is worth a lot in itself.

A review for Hobson Landscapes

First of all I would like to start by saying overall we are pleased with the result but getting to that result had some bumps along the way creating more stress and problems then I was hoping for during this reno. Ted is a very nice and honest contractor and does decent work however there are some major problems in the area of communication.<br /><br /> There was a lack of good communication both between us and Ted, and between Ted and his crew. There was very little attention paid to details and virtually no review of the details before hand. We tried to discuss all these things before the start of the Job but it was left that it would all work out and we didn’t need to do this.<br /> To be fair as well we did have a lot of rain and bad weather for the first part of the project and I know this can create some issues and am factoring that out of this review, it has no impact on my rating. There were a number of things I would say were not done “as if it was their own house” which is what I expect for a 10/10 rating. Examples include: - not cementing high enough on the fence post that was installed, when I mentioned it they added more, but it was done poorly (rushed I think) and I had to re-do it myself.<br /> - not taking care when putting in the pavers to use the “nicer” looking side and avoid putting 3 bad corners together. This is another thing I ended up doing myself since it was something I could do in the evening.<br /> - Adding some cement based caulking at the corner of the house and the cement was done so poorly (I think from a new worker) that it would have caused more problems then it was intended to solve.<br /> - There were a number of things also done poorly and while His crew attempted to fix them, they were still not done the way it should have been had it been done correctly in the first place but going back a third time seems like too much stress to handle and we can fix it ourselves down the road and frankly I expected a bit of a discount for some of these issues. <br /> - 2 of the 3 deck lights were visibly crooked and had to be straightened out <br /> - The lights for the garden and deck took almost 4 weeks to come in yet we were advised to pick them out 1 week before the end of the job when this should have been something done when we first signed to contract so that it could all be done at the same time. <br /> - tried to talk us out of doing a cicurlar herb garden at least 23 times which was in our plans and something we definitely wanted. <br /> <br /> We were however very pleased with some of your suggestions and recommendations including the river rock under the fence between our yards and the fact that you re-sanded the entire pathway for the neighbours (due to a few disloged stones as a result of our fence post replacement request). Also the cedar board in front of the shed. I was also very pleased with the attention and quality of the work done for the window sill (your masonry guy does really nice work). <br /> In summary I would say as long as you are watching what is going on and make sure ALL the details of your project are worked out before hand. Do a detailed walk around with your drawing and what you are planning and make sure it is written down what is expected and is to be done. Sure things can change once stuff actually gets laid out properly but at least you wont come home to surprises that you were not expecting. I would also suggest to Ted that he take the time to really walk through and look at what his crew has done and he would see these things before we did and correct them himself, thus causing us to be pleased instead of stressed about having to mention all these little problems since it felt like they were received with some apprehension.

A review for M.G.S. Lawncare

I found M.G.S Lawncare after they ran a daily deal offer and decided to try them out for Window Cleaning since we just had lots of construction done and the windows were very dirty. Not only did Greg show up Early, he showed up 1 WEEK early  perhaps a mis-entry in the appointment book but I was pleasantly surprised. For $20 I have to say they did a really good job, fast, and friendly. Also a regular rate of only $35 is still a great deal for the work done. I would have liked however if he had upsold me on also cleaning off and washing down the dirt that collected onto the flashing around the windows since the dirt from the windows just ended up on the bottom of the windows flashing and thus still very dirty but to be fair this was not part of the job of what was agreed upon but I wish he had said look, for an extra $10 I will make sure the siding/flashing and window sill are cleaned up too. If he had done that without asking or done it with an upsell, it would have been a 10/10 rating for sure Also the back door which is just one pane of glass was not done (but again its easy to do and I did it myself but it would have made a better impression). I highly recommend them based on the one visit to my house and I plan to have them come back in the fall again to clean the windows. Hopefully all the staff work as well as the owner.

A review for Gator Custom Windows Ltd-

Gator windows did a fantastic job installing the windows. They put down drop clothes and carboard everywhere, and cleaned up better than any other contractor we have had. They are very couteous and professional and showed up on the day they said they would show up which was very important because we had a tennant moving in the next day! They also cordinated the delivery of the Loewen windows to arrive at our house right after they got setup, very impressed by that. The only thing that i find is a little lacking which is why they get a 9 and not a 10 from me, is the fact that it is hard to get Harold to call back sometimes especially before we had even ordered anything (not all the time though). There were a few instances where we had to leave a couple messages or emails before he responded to us. Still waiting on one clarification response, but other than that, a terrific job and we will use them again to replace our doors this coming spring. Also when in the show room the lady that was helping us was not all that friendly or helpful, but Bill and Harold more than made up for that.

A review for Yorkville Carpet Care Company

not so much the results we did not double check on. They did get out all the stains that we pointed out to them in the upstairs bedroom and the stairs never looked better. The basement bedroom is a different story as we trusted it was cleaned to the level we saw upstairs so we did not go down to check before they left. Unfortuantely it was not. There was still surface dirt in several areas of the bedroom (that should have been vacuumed up) there was some sawdust still left in the carpet from the window replacement, and several dark stains which we of course did not point out to the staff, did not get cleaned either. Also, when speaking on the phone the estimate was $100 for the stairs and 1 room but when it came time to pay it became $120 without an explanation. I was too tired to even argue with it and just figured well I know it will end up in the review.... So the price in my opinion a bit on the high side considering this extra $20 that showed up and not enough detail paid to the dark spots in the basement carpet (not the light ones which we already knew were discoulourations that could not be solved). so be sure to mark all the spots you know of that need cleaning and they will do a good job.

A review for Granicor Inc

We originally found Granicor from a friend and we had been left in the lurch from our first granite people we tried to get, and John sounded competent and honest and could get things done quickly. The problem is he never returned our phone calls, trying to arrange an install date was a little sketchy but the counter top did finally arrive. Turns out though granicor does not do their own granite, they have other shops do it for them. We were not pleased with the poor quality of the bevel around the sink edge and the front of the counter top and was told that it is very hard to grind it just right and that is partially true but if someone really cares about their work they will spend the extra time it takes to make it look really good. The polish on the front pice of the granite was also done poorly. John did work hard getting it installed and install did go ok however the counter top ended up cracking from the hole that was drilled for the faucet... guess what nothing he could do about it since it didnt show up until a day or 2 later. To his credit he did finally return (after many calls) and rubbed some sealant into the crack which helped a little but we could still see it... yet there was no offer of a discount of any kind. We are still waiting on the promised breadboard that was supposed to come with the counter top and this is over 1 year later! He constant makes promises such as i will be there by the end of the week. The last time we heard that was in October... now its February. So overall the granite was OK and the install was OK but the communication and constant promises of return phone calls or showing up make this a tiring person to deal with. I suggest going elsewhere for your granite.

A review for Vienna Douglas Collection

Brian and Roxanne at Vienna Douglas are extremely helpful and knowledgeable and have helped us to make many design decisions free of charge including helping us map out the design of the tiling, searching high and low for tile that ended up being sold out everywhere in the City and then finding us a different better solution to our accent tile. We purchased the tiles and bathroom fixtures including shower system, towel racks, subway tile etc. They carry high quality products but still at very reasonable prices. We would recommend anyone who does not have a designer to use Vienna Douglas to help them plan and supply the fixtures and furniture for their new bathroom. Their custom made furniture of which we are getting a mirror, is also high quality and reasonably priced.

A review for Dome Contracting & Insulation

Dome contracting was once listed on the Holmes on Holmes website and frankly took advantage of that fact. They are deceivers and did sub par work. Also said he needed the final payment before the job was inspected because he had to pay his workers. He seemed honest and nice but don't be fooled! he ran with the money and I spent 2 entire weekends finishing up what he said he has already done right to my face. Here is a list of things not done correctly on the job: 1) Did not airseal bathroom fan or air vent to bathroom closet. Able to put fingers right through and push on bathroom fan from attic. Makes us concerned that no air sealing was done to all other air vents and light fixtures, even though Robert assured us it had been done and it was not. I had to go up and do this all myself. 2) Wall by thermostat not solved. John asked Robert to "do whatever you have to do to fix it". Cold draft still coming in after Robert foamed small amount of area. 3) Insulated Box for air exchanger was not closed at ends and left large opening on back side which makes it of no insulation value at ALL, therefore risk of pipes freezing and major damage. 4) Did not blow insulation properly across back of attic on far side of air exchanger. Found pieces of pink insulation (which should have been removed as per quote) in back section. When lifted up, no blown cellulose and can see right to ceiling boards. 5) Attic hatch is still not air sealed. Air is still coming in. Also styrofoam falling off in one section. 6) Frame around hatch constructed of styrofoam, not wood, and not attached securely at corners. 7) Did not remove debris and pink insulation as quoted. Have photos of all the junk left up there (big pieces of wood, etc). 8) Did not lay catwalk board to air exchanger and actually confirmed with us that it had been done. 9) Did not blow insulation into headers properly. We are able to see the hardware cloth we installed to keep the squirrels out. Also you didn't seal up this hole as you stated you would. 10) Debris from cutting out roof vents dumped in attic (left over sharp metal pieces, wood, roofing) did not complete the installation of 7th vent and left holes in the roof that rain started coming through. 11) One of the air ducts was knocked apart and blowing hot air straight into attic!!! 12) Handyman found drywall cuts on ceiling of furnace room to be poorly done and very difficult to repair so whole ceiling had to be replaced 13) Dripped foam on heaters and carpet and walls very sloppy no drop cloths used. 14) Did not blow insulation under shelf across front of house, had to have him come back to do that.

A review for About Pure Air Inc

We found peter after calling around to many places to try and find someone to service a Rinnai (on demand water heater and also our boiler), a few other places we tried came out, looked at it and knid of scratched their heads then said sorry, must be too small to service the house. Well we knew that was incorrect so finally we found Peter and About Pure Air. He instantly dove right into the Rinnai to try and find the problem and did... turns out the whole system has been installed incorrectly and we were days away from losing heat completely! Since the initial work, we had various other problems all related to the poor install of the system as well as some upgrades that we wanted to do and all the work was done professionally and quickly. I can not say enough good things about Peter and his staff and I highly recommend them.

A review for Elte

I have to say I was very excited to find a nice carpet at Elte, we got it all picked out and then the estimate came back (this took too long) then our sales rep was away and the others really could not figure out what to do to help us.... the estimate however was a shocker, 400 square feet became 800 square feet, the price doubled!! not impressed at all with this company.