Get matched with top dry rot, water or pest damage major repairers in Boston, MA

"We had a small water leak from a Belmont springs water bottle that soaked a rug and a floor. We were concerned about mold and called JH Cleaning. They came exactly at the time they said they would come. They were very friendly and professional. They tested for mold and then treated for mold. We were very happy with their service.
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"So Many Problems!! (though they tried hard to resolve them) Do NOT make the mistake we did and let them talk you out of pulling a permit. The work by this contractor should definitely be inspected. MA Design quoted a low price, used cheap (Home Depot grade) materials, and relied on workers with limited English skills. Plumbing and carpentry were problematic, seemingly due to inadequate training for some workers, spotty communication and quality control from supervisors, and some sloppy attention to detail. We should add that our foreman, John L, and the workmen were willing enough to fix problems after we discovered them, though we had to pay for time and materials when we found MA Design’s quality standards to be unacceptable. The end result of the bathroom remodeling seems OK and we hope that no more nasty surprises turn up in the future. The two supervisors are generally courteous and anxious to please, but poor communication with their workers and sometimes with us seemed to be typical for this contractor. Here are specific examples of our problems: PLUMBING 1. The plumber (apparently not licensed) installed the wrong shower controller in the wall, tiled over the wall, then tried to hide this mistake by sticking on the control handle taken from the shower controller we had specified. Of course, the controller did not work properly and we discovered what had happened by poking through the unused shower parts and calling the manufacturer. To correct this error, MA Design had to cut a hole in the plaster wall of our hallway. MA Design did repair the plaster but now we have an additional painting job because of their mistake. 2. We also discovered that their “plumber” tried to attach the tub spigot to flexible PEX tubing rather than to a solid copper pipe anchored to a stud in the wall. The spigot worked loose in just a few days. No qualified plumber would have made such a rookie mistake. Repairing this error also required the hole in our hallway wall. Clearly, no qualified supervisor inspected the plumbing before the tile went up in the shower enclosure. 3. Just 2 months after MA Design wrapped up the work, we found a serious water leak coming from the ceiling below the remodeled bathroom. This ruined the ceiling and of course ruined the paint job we had just completed in the room below the leak. To their credit, the supervisor quickly came out, cut a hole in the ceiling, and replaced a flawed PEX tubing fitting with a quick-apply fitting to stop the leak. MA Design then cut away large sections of water-damaged ceiling in two rooms, let things dry out for a few weeks, and applied mold-kill spray to address the mold that had formed. It seems that a fitting on the PEX tubing was not properly crimped. This reinforced our belief that the MA Design workers doing plumbing on our job were not well qualified and that MA Design did not choose to or did not know how to inspect work adequately. Several weeks later, MA Design eventually had the joint repaired by a licensed plumber and repaired the holes in the ceiling. 4. The shower enclosure tiling was done OK for the most part but we found holes in the grout around some tiles. We suspect that the grout job was substandard for another reason: the grout sealing the tub to the floor is cracking and flaking after only 2 months. CARPENTRY 5. We replaced the bathroom window with a safety glass window but MA Design replaced the prior window trim and window sill with lesser quality trim and no window sill whatsoever. This was a complete mismatch with the rest of the house. MA Design quoted use of “standard” trim. If MA Design’s estimate assumed replacing trim with something so obviously out of place with the rest of the house, this should have been clearly stated in the quote. We ended up paying to rip out their trim and replace with trim that matched the rest of the house. In fact, the lumberyard’s “standard” trim exactly matched the trim elsewhere in the house so we felt that MA Contracting’s use of “standard” to describe their materials was deceptive. 6. They also installed a new window in an adjacent room. They made the exterior windowsill out of a very knotty piece of pine, inviting future rot. Even worse, no drip edge was cut into the underside of the sill, which could lead to water wicking under the sill and getting into the exterior siding. No well qualified carpenter would have made a mistake like that. PAINTING 7. MA Design did very little painting for us, just some primer application after drywall installation. Still, the workman on our job made a rookie mistake. He applied primer to a repaired ceiling with a rough wall roller and then applied primer to the doorway trim with that same roller rather than with a brush or smooth roller. The result: the formerly smooth doorway trim now had a rough, thick layer of paint that looked and felt awful. It took us 2 hours of sanding to restore the doorway trim to a smooth surface. This experience reinforced our general impression that many, if not most, MA Design workmen are not properly skilled or trained for the work they are doing. COORDINATION & COMMUNICATION 8. We agreed at the outset which fixtures were to be bought by MA Design and which by us, but MA Design sometimes bought the wrong items, which resulted in confusion and delays. In many cases, we ended up buying the needed fixtures ourselves just to keep the project moving. 9. On at least 10 days, workers were expected but none showed up and MA Design did not call to inform us of this in advance."

"I had gotten very busy and had to reschedule once or twice- they were very flexible and accommodating. Also, they got very busy, they were trying to finish up some outside jobs and The owner explained that it was going to be at least 3 weeks. He let me know right a way if that didn't work for me, they could refund me the cost asap. I appreciated his honesty and his desire not to tie up my money. They came to look at the job, 3-4 weeks after our phone conversation. There were 2 guys- they were thorough as they looked and took some measurements. They were also on the phone with the owner. I told them what I thought and what I was trying to figure out. I was told they would have to get back to me with the estimate and other particulars, and that was fine. My situation changed and I couldn't actually put in the time to deal with such a job regardless of what they told me. But the owner told me the job was bigger than I thought- they could do some repairs, but it wouldn't be sufficient with the amount of damage- and it would definitely take more that 8 hours, probably 3 weeks. I didn't have that kind of time or money, and asked for a refund. I had to go through Angie's list Refund Process, but it was okay and it took a while, but it was done. A week or two later the owner called to see if I got my refund and just to follow up and check in. I really appreciated his follow up. He emphasized that he wanted me to be satisfied either way. That's what I call GREAT Business."

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This is actually the second time we have used Superior Kitchen & Bath. The first time they gutted and created a new powder room for us. It was such a wonderful experience we hired them again to gut and remodel another full bath. At the same time they also remodeled a lower level family room and laundry room that had been heavily damaged by a sewerage backup.

II can't say enough about Brandon and Jane and the crew of Superior Kitchen and Bath. They are professional to the ultimate degree. Brandon and Jane have assembled a crew (and subs) who are expert craftsmen in their particular areas of expertise. From the carpentry (both rough and finish) to the plumbing to the floor and wall tiling to the painters who were neat and efficient beyond description, everyone that worked for Superior on our project was beyond competent. It was so comforting to know that we were in such capable hands.

Both Brandon and Jane are amazing businesspersons. They started by listening carefully to our ideas and gave us great advice. They were open, honest and "upfront" about everything. Then we received the most detailed and complete project estimate we had ever received from a contractor. It was totally transparent and we knew exactly how much each area of our project would cost. That allowed us to better manage our budget and work collaboratively with them to establish our priorities. Their contacts with suppliers made choosing tile and marble a breeze, especially since Jane was right beside me, helping to make detailed design decisions that can sometimes be so overwhelming. Throughout the whole process I always felt that Brandon and Jane were "partners on OUR team". We had complete confidence in them which made what could have been a very stressful time (what remodel isn't stressful!) a wonderful experience.

II could go on and on about all the fun this project actually was. Brandon and Jane actually gave ME, the homeowner, a "to do" list with a timeline so that the project stayed on course. They have all their projects planned out so carefully that not a minute is wasted. If things don't go exactly as planned, Brandon is the first to call and explain the scheduling or supply issue. Even though I knew that they were managing more than one project simultaneously, I always felt that we were their "number one priority". I suspect that they are such good organizers that every one of their clients feels the same way. This feeling of confidence and security about a contractor is priceless!

Our project actually came in under budget as Brandon always tried to find the most cost effective but acceptable way to do something. He was also very respectful of our budget limitations and suggested reasonable and appropriate alternatives.  I would not hesitate to hire Superior Kitchen & Bath again and I would encourage any homeowner who wants peace of mind, a fair and honest contractor, complete budget transparency and the highest quality work done in their home to definitely consider Brandon and Jane and their crew at Superior (they are a well named company!) 

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JMC Painting specializes in Interior and Exterior painting no matter how big or small the job!\n\nDry wall demo and Installation available!\n\nWe refinish all wood interior and exterior sand stain and polyurethane! Doors stairs moldings cabinets trim exterior porches patios benches etc. \n\nSherwin Williams paint and Minwax stain products used! \n\n3D Wall Paper Installation available! \n\nPressure Washing Available!\n\nCleaning Services available as well!!\n\nOur number 1 priority is your satisfaction and smile! \n\nSenior Citizens and Veterans 10% off! \n\n??!\n\n

"For just $2400 his crew came in and gutted my very out of date bathroom to the studs and stripped out all of the old tile. From there they framed in my new tub/shower, put new walls up, installed my new vanity and sink, then put down all new ceramic tile. I liked the job they did on the tile floor so much, I had them put matching tile in my kitchen which also came out better than I could have imagined it would. There ended up being just about 850 square feet of tile including walls and floors. I'll be calling Mike again when I'm ready to update more rooms."

"Leak occurred from top floor unit down onto ceiling and walls of 2nd floor unit in a condoized 3 family in South Boston. Dan Conway came out and assessed the damage, assured us that there was no remaining wetness and mold behind wall.  2nd floor owner wanted to take a look behind the wall so Dan removed a small section of wall to confirm. Wall and wood was dry. 
Hole was patched, stain blocker applied, and walls and ceiling were painted. Work took 3 visits to house. After work was completed and Dan was paid, we noticed another blotch on wall and Dan came back and fixed without a new invoice. Will do business again.
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"Edgar showed up on time & got right down to the issue. There was no testing done or a sample taken. He did give an overall scope of the work to be done. Luis sent his Certification, but no invoice was presented. It was decided that the damage done did not warrant any remediation."

"Throughout this challenging year, SGH has continued to serve faithfully and excellently as our property management company by taking care of our weekly and seasonal needs (trash, pest control, fall clean-up, etc.). In the past, SGH has also managed several large projects for us (porch replacement, new fire alarm system, new roof, repaving of lot) at no additional fee. Whenever there is an unprecedent emergency, such as a plumbing leak, SGH responds promptly and efficiently to handle it, and when a new project is required, such as small masonry work or new wallpapering, SGH has quickly provided vendor contact information to handle. They are an excellent, friendly, and dedicated group, and have served us well the past several years."

"The 2 men that were sent to perform the service were friendly and professional.  They were on time and I received a reminder phone call the day before.  However, the wait time for an open appointment was about 3 months. I called in October and they scheduled me for January, but I was in no rush so I scheduled.  I opted to have the additional service of cleaning and tuning up my furnace motor, which seemed to be in rough shape (result of not changing filter often enough), and applying the disinfectant solution and spray since the additional cost for these services seemed fair.  (My ducts were not cleaned for over 10 years and I saw for myself the condition of the motor.)  I in no way felt pressured or like I was getting a "hard sell".
I purchased the $88 deal on Angie's List, which I admit makes the total cost seem like a huge mark up.  However, after subtracting the additional work I had performed, the total cost was in line or a bit lower than other quotes I received or found online for duct and dryer vent cleaning.  I also noted the writing on the deal that stated there would be an additional cost for more than one main line and return (I have 2 main lines and 4 returns), so I was not shocked by the price. I think disclosing an approximate price for these additional parts would satisfy a lot of the complaints I have read.
One problem I had was with the dryer vent cleaning.  After the service was performed, I noticed my clothes were still wet after going through the dryer.  I took the line apart myself and pulled out handfuls of lint.  I called to report this because I was afraid of the fire hazard and just wanted some assurance that the other work was not faulty.  The response I got from the receptionist was not great. I was offered a refund for dryer vent cleaning (~$30) or for someone to come back, but no apology or desire to make sure the other work was done right.  Luckily, the owner was in the office.  He got on the phone and was excellent.  He promised to come by the next day (a Saturday) and check all work.  He arrived as promised, inspected and took pictures of the air ducts and gave the dryer vent a second look (apparently I did not remove all the lint when I took it apart, so he made sure it was done right).  Honestly, he saved this review.  I would use this company again because I know if a mistake is made, they will make it right (despite some of the bumps mentioned).
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