LR in Toronto

Work done in May 2014. Silver plated candlesticks from grandmother badly tarnished and after cleaning looked like new! Initially went to fancy store (Bay/Bloor) who said $110 for cleaning, and $700 for re-plating and not sure if polishing would do any good. Second store on Yonge south of Bloor said not worthwhile cleaning and would cost $650 to re-plate. Toronto Silversmiths would have charged only $400 for re-plating, said cleaning would produce an improvement but could not guarantee how much of an improvement. Cost of $70 (plus tax) not $110. To my astonishment the tarnishing was completely gone (previous stores claimed silver plate so worn away could see metal underneath). I was so impressed I also took a teapot and a two-piece serving dish ($96 for both) which came out very well. All done within estimated time period, called me when done. 177 Weston is slightly set back from Weston Road in short row of stores behind a parking lot. Not fancy premises, but does great job for reasonable price. Was told work done on premises.

Washer was leaking water. Had used this company in past with good results. Called in late April and told that previous repairer(Duke) no longer worked for them. Repairer did not open washer. Said drum cracked and electrical control not working. Would cost $600 to repair and not worth it. Hired another repairer who opened machine, checked filter (clean) and then found drain pipe had become loose. Replaced it. Charged same as Appliance Service People but fixed washer. Machine has worked perfectly since.

Previous repairer had claimed washing machine had two items broken and would cost $600 to fix. Called Can All (recommendation of superintendent) who checked filter was clean, then opened machine and found pipe had slipped out of place. Replaced pipe and machine has worked since. Came when expected

Condo Renovation in Annex. Trent and his workers turn up when they say they are going to turn up and stay with the job until it is done. If Trent's workers are here, and he is going to be slightly late for a meeting, he phones to let you know. Trent also returns phone calls quickly if he cannot answer immediately. Final costs as agreed to. Floor Work: Pre-existing stone tiles(hall), carpet(living room and den) and two layers of vinyl flooring(kitchen) removed and replaced with underpadding and engineered wood flooring. Kitchen: kitchen cabinets, bulk head, all appliances and sink removed (kitchen company put in new cabinets and countertop); Trentco installed mosaic tile backsplash, new sink, faucet, refrigerator and dishwasher, additional electrical outlets and new overhead lights, and various fixtures. Altered small wall to accommodate new refrigerator. Bathroom: removed old bathroom floor tile, shower surround, vanity, toilet and linen closet; installed new floor to ceiling marble tiles throughout, new vanity with new sink and faucet and marble counter, new toilet and linen closet, new wall mirror, new thermostatic control in bath/shower and new bathroom fixtures. Soundproofed wall in bedroom, new electrical outlet in den, adjusted wall in hall and installed sliding and bifoldal mirrored doors. Repainted throughout condo. Trent tries to save the homeowner money. He found the exact same mosaic tile for me at a couple of dollars a foot cheaper and passed the saving on to me. Trent and his team are also very good at making adjustments to fixtures which I ordered elsewhere and which needed tweaking in order to fit on walls, etc. They are also very pleasant to work with and Trent is always cheerful and sure any problems can be solved(which they were). Work, except for a couple of minor items and two doors which I had ordered through "big box stores" and which came late, finished when expected. The only reason I did not give a "10" was because sometimes, for minor items, they will go ahead without checking, for example, which "white" I want for the trim, and because sometimes, if either you or they suggest changes, you have to make sure to check who is paying any additional cost. But these are minor squibbles. Many thanks to the homeowners who gave the great reviews. (Please note cost includes appliances and materials.)