NJ Home Restoration

We contacted NJ Home Restoration to remodel our kitchen based on Angie’s list reviews. We ordered new kitchen cabinetry and granite counter top from a dealer and provided a layout and blueprint for the installation. The work also included laying down a new tile floor, new tile backsplash, removing the soffit, refinishing the ceiling, painting, and installing new recessed lighting. Problems started from the beginning. When the soffit was removed, they found water/sewer pipes. To continue the work, it was necessary to re-route all pipes above the ceiling level. Eric assured us that he and his crew were qualified to perform the work. Since they claimed this was not included on the original quote, we agreed to pay $3000 extra for this work. However, their plumbing skills were poor and they needed several tries to get watertight connections, plus they broke into the dining room wall. Ceiling painting and spackling was acceptable with a few imperfections around the recessed lighting. Wall painting was a different story. We noticed that painting was not done on the wall hidden by the washer and dryer. Had we not looked behind the machines, it would have been left unpainted. After they left, we realized that they did the same on the side and back wall hidden by the refrigerator (see picture). Eric and his crew installed the new cabinetry and over the range microwave/hood combination. My wife immediately noticed that the cabinets and the microwave were too high from the floor. She realized she was not going to be able to use the microwave as installed. She asked Eric whether it was possible to bring it down a little, maybe installing an additional shelf under the cabinet. Eric claimed that this high was the standard and he could not install a shelf because of several unconvincing reasons; it was suggested she use a step stool to reach it. Even for me at 6 ft. tall the microwave was above eye level. I went back to the store where we ordered the cabinets, to figure out what the problem was. It was there that I learned, that for some reason he did not discuss with us, Eric and his crew installed the top cabinetry about 4 inches higher than it was called for in the blueprint. After an unpleasant discussion, he finally accepted responsibility and agreed to reinstall the cabinets at the proper high, as called for in the blueprint. The tile backsplash was installed properly. However, the grout between the backsplash and the granite countertop is already cracked, after just a few months(see picture). The caulking job between the cabinet molding and the ceiling is already cracked all around (show in the picture). The finishing around the kitchen window trims was so poorly done, it had to be re-done. Installation of a new tile floor was also a headache. Eric did not want to install tiles under the refrigerator and gave us a thousand, hard to believe reasons, why it was not advisable. After the floor was completed and during re-installation of the microwave/hood combination, they moved the stove forward and left it there overnight. That’s when we realized that they had not fully tiled underneath the stove, as agreed, either. After pointing this out, Eric grudgingly agreed to do it. Overall, the new tile floor job was poorly done. There are many uneven tiles. This becomes obvious when mopping the floor. In addition, the new tile floor was about ½ in. above the hallway tile floor. Eric installed a wood reducer between the uneven floors. It was so poorly done that it broke within a month (see picture). He has refused to come back to fix it. In summary, I would not recommend this contractor to anyone. Dealing with Eric was difficult and at times unpleasant. He was overheard saying “I am very good at being dismissive.” That sums up very well our experience with him when issues arose. Their work, at best, was amateurish. I am surprised by the positive reviews I read in Angie’s list. I wonder whether they are genuine.

Eric and his team were on time and kept in touch with me through out the project. They were very clean and organized. The project was managed by Eric and Keith who were on the job the job daily. The kitchen looks great. We really like the tile work and trim that they did around the cabinets.

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iEric was definitely the easiest handyman/contractor I've ever dealt with.  He and his guy (I forget his helper's name) were clean and respectful.  He showed up on time every day and still gave me a phone call to let me know he was on his way.  I could leave him alone in my house without having to babysit (like I have to do with other contractors).  The peace of mind that brings me is invaluable.  He came in on budget, which is something most other people fail to do.  Also, he can actually make decisions on his own without having to run every little thing past me.  If you hire Eric you can worry about your own job and life, and trust Eric to do his.  He does really really beautiful work.  I think that impressed me even more than the quality of his service.  The quality of his work is just brilliant!

Went very well. Eric explained all the work that needed to be done, and it was all done in a clean timely manner. Very impressed would highly recommend his company to anyone. Will definitely use him again for future projects.

I don't normally do reviews, but I felt I had to this time.  At first glance our bathroom looks great!  I was so pleased with it, until we found out that the hot and cold water was reversed in the sink and the bath/shower.  The shower control didn't work -- my husband consulted a plumber friend  who told him how to fix it.  We had wainscoting installed with molding on the top.  The molding on the longest wall is pieced three times.  I asked Eric about it when I first saw it unfinished and he told me that when it was patched and painted we would not see the joints.  The patches are very visible and are in places where you can't miss them -- over the toilet and over the pedestal sink. We purchased everything that was needed, including the pedestal sink, toilet, tub, all fixtures and tile.  Eric told us that we needed a 10-inch setback toilet but that was before he took the walls down.  It turned out we needed a 12-inch.  He did replace that himself.  The corners of the shower/tub walls are not straight, which is hard to figure since they were taken down to the studs.  The tiles just do not look straight.  The screen for the bathroom window somehow got broken and was left laying against the side of the house.  It was fine before work was started and Eric did not say anything about it before he left.  There is a bright white very visible "patch" of something on the top of the tub.  I tried to remove it thinking it was paint but it will not come off.  It looks like maybe the tub was damaged when it was installed and then patched.  And last but not least, we have warm water in the toilet tank!  Eric did all the plumbing and electrical himself and we are a little worried about what's behind the walls as far as the electrical is concerned.  I have to say, with all these problems, compared to what it looked like before, the bathroom looks nice at first glance and was completed in the agreed-upon time frame. <br />

My slate pavers were awful in the winter time for shoveling and because there was a lot of dirt in between, my dog would always track it back into the house.  I had many people give me estimates for doing the pavers and many wanted 10 thousand or more.  My patio area is fairly small, but they said the labor for removal and cleaning and re leveling was what had the cost so high.  NJ Home Restoration worked with my budget by offering me different types of pavers to choose from that fit into my allowance.  They sent me different options through email and sent me an accurate estimate that stayed the same throughout the job.  They came in the following weekend and did the whole job in 2 days.  This included the repairs of my roof where it would leak during a rain storm.  They also added the railings.  The owner Eric is also friendly and answers his phone when I call.  His employees are respectful and very clean.  They cleaned the roof and the area where they were putting in the pavers.  Everything looked brand new!

We called NJ Home Restoration after a friend highly recommended them.  He answered on the first call, we scheduled an estimate the same week, based on my availability, Eric ( the owner) was very flexible with timing of estimate.   He emailed me for confirmation of the date and time for the estimate which I thought was very professional and helpful because I had already forgotten.  We went over everything I was thinking of either getting repaired or replaced and he gave me a few pointers from a sellers point of view as well as different ideas for the repairs I needed done.  He was very helpful and efficient, within 24 hours I received an email of the estimate with a breakdown of every room and job.  In the end it seemed like a lot of money, but he was willing and capable of doing all the work, which I would have needed multiple companies to finish.  Overall Eric was very friendly, any time I had a concern he was there to answer the phone and reassure me that the job was going well and that they would finish on time.  Eric kept his word in every way, and the final results were amazing, I know once my house sells I will have no worries when they inspect because Eric fixed it all! I highly recommend NJ Home Restoration, I tell all my friends.  Sometimes its better to work with a smaller company because your the priority than a know larger company who just sees you as a dollar sign.  I already have Eric set up for when I purchase my next house for renovations.

Everything was excellent!! Project was completed in one day! <br />Professional, trustworthy, timely, non- disruptive to the function of household & a very good price!

After this winter my front stairs leading to my house were dangerous and unstable.  I called them and about 2 days later, Eric came by to evaluate the stairs. That night I received an estimate through email and he started the job the following day.  The job took 3 days, the first day was to rip up the old stairs and remove the rubble from the top landing.  The job was suppose to take 2 days but he came back on the 3rd day to make sure I was 100% satisfied with his work.  NJ Home Restoration not only repaired the cracked top landing but also ripped up my old stair and re cemented and realigned them and it came out perfect! They executed the job very professionally and offered many options to what could be done to reassure that the stairs would be very stable and last a long time! They also power washed my walkway to the stairs free of charge! NJ Home restoration offers very competitive rates and I recommend Eric to all my friends.