Totally OT- Contractors?

[Amy]

I need the names and numbers of as many contractors (tile layers, plumbers, electricians, brick masons, wood floor installers, dry-wall installers, deck builders, landscapers, etc.) as I can get together. We are (hopefully) planning a major remodel of my house and I need some quotes. I am in Birmingham, if that helps. If you have a hubby that does work like this, or if you (or a friend or neighbor) have had some good work done at a decent price, would you mind posting the contact info? Or (since this is a public board) you could email it to me at this email address:
amy @ thelazygarden.com (remove spaces).

Thanks!

[AlabamaGalSusie]

I have used Bob Whitley, 521-5727, a TON. I mean, we are basically rebuilding our house from the inside out. (Plus, he built a really nice house for my grandparents in Blount County.) I'm not saying he's perfect, but I keep going back to him. There's always going to be some kind of problem, but Bob has always readily and willingly fixed any problems; in fact, he has fixed things that he realized were problems just because he didn't want to be associated with it. In short, I like him because his word is his warranty, and he's given us good warranty service.

I've heard great things about Irwin Brothers construction.

We're currently working with Chandler Landscapes, 967-9244, and, although he hasn't done any work for us yet (we're still in the planning stages) so far I'm pretty impressed because he made an appointment for a set time, called and asked permission to move it up from 11 that day to 10, then showed up at 9:59:55. Having tried and tried and tried to get somebody to install a back yard for me, and having been yanked around with "I'll call you when I'm in the area," I was stunned and really impressed that he not only made the appointment, but was in communication with me about it and showed up on time. His proposal is reasonable, and I really think we'll use him.

Nelson Glass
Standard Heating & Air (high end, but that's important stuff)
Action Electric ... Troy Houk is the owner and I like him a LOT

[Amy]

Awesome, thanks so much! Yeah, regarding problems, I talked to a friend of mine this morning who has owned a landscaping/contracting business in the past and she assures me that I have have cheap, fast, accurate and reliable, but not all at the same time :lol: So I am expecting the odd bump in the road. If you say Bob Whitley stands behind his work than that is what matters.

I will look the others up and get their numbers. I'll need some estimates probably in a month or maybe two, but I am just in the information gathering stage right now. I have to figure out what I feel like we can do and what needs to be professionally done.

How disruptive is it to live in a 'remodeling zone'? And do you have a specific organizer or 3 ring binder or system or computer program or anything to help you plan things out?

[AlabamaGalSusie]

Remodeling is EXTREMELY disruptive! There's just no way around that. When we bought our house, it was divided into a triplex ... three apartments on three different levels. Our strategy has been to do one level at a time, so we've never been out of living space. I still have to do the main floor, especially the kitchen, but I knew that when I renovated the basement, so it has a full, if small, kitchen in it, so we can use that when we do the main floor.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably hire an architect or an interior designer to spec everything out. I mean, holy cow, I had to pick out every little thing and say where everything went ... where do you want the light switch for this, that, and the other? And what kind of light switch? And will there be enough space between the trim and the light switch? Which faucet do you want? Which sink do you want? Will the American faucet you want fit in the German sink you want? (No, by the way.) The whole process is extremely time-consuming and money-consuming. But I have nice bedrooms, sinks, faucets, floors, etc., and my light switches, well they just rock. They look like old-fashioned push-button switches (and some of them are), but they have dimmers. Sweet.

[Amy]

That sounds awesome! I am at heart a home renovation geek (at least the watching part, we'll see how much I like the work part, LOL) and I would love to see before and after pics of your house.

Shannon has an architect friend who can probably come give us some hints as to whether we want to mess with the floorplan, and about adding some doors into a wall and enlarging windows and whatnot. I think (hope? :lol) I have the time and energy to figure out much of what needs doing.

[Andi]

My husband is a general contractor! Give him a call. Lucia Repair 533-3677 His name is Jason.

[Amy]

Awesome! I will add him to my (so far very short) list, and thank you!

[brasilmom]

I have a tile guy that is just fantastic. His name is Eloy and his number is 205.229.5910. He is doing a bathroom for me too and he works on new houses as well as remodeling. HTH.

Miriam

[Amy]

I am bumping this up because we closed on the loan last Friday :happydance: and I'm ready to get things moving :D Anyone have any good carpenters, contractors, landscapers, masonry workers or tile people? I am getting my list together!

And thanks everyone for the names and numbers so far. :)

[MadandERsMomma]

My hubby (Pete) is an awesome painter.
The Painting Company 369-8143

[EmmysMom]

WOW! This is a great thread!!

We've had the worst luck with contractors!

Thanks!

Cindy