Historic Neighborhood General Contractors?

JFman00 · February 04, 2015, 01:47:27 PM

Just went through Arbus, Void, eujax and the Resident and saw only two ads for remodeling (WS Builders and Adley Interior Design) neither of which have many reviews online (none on Angieslist). I have several projects I'd like to get rolling but I'm concerned the average SS/St. Johns GC won't be the best fit for what I have in mind. Any online resources I'm missing in tracking down GCs or recommendations out there?

ChriswUfGator · February 04, 2015, 02:19:21 PM

They're good:

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=119011208154807&refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpages%2FGlory-Homes-Inc%2F119011208154807

CG7 · February 04, 2015, 02:24:42 PM

Gil Cloutier Roofs, Rooms, Renovations & Repairs, Inc. The name is long, but they did 3 projects on my Avondale home, and the work was top notch.

Non-RedNeck Westsider · February 04, 2015, 03:10:57 PM

You might want to send Strider a PM.

Are there specifics in what you're trying to do?

Bill Hoff · February 04, 2015, 05:09:17 PM

Quote from: JFman00 on February 04, 2015, 01:47:27 PM
Just went through Arbus, Void, eujax and the Resident and saw only two ads for remodeling (WS Builders and Adley Interior Design) neither of which have many reviews online (none on Angieslist). I have several projects I'd like to get rolling but I'm concerned the average SS/St. Johns GC won't be the best fit for what I have in mind. Any online resources I'm missing in tracking down GCs or recommendations out there?

Rap & Spar have info on that subject too.

www.riverside-avondale.com
www.sparcouncil.org

JFman00 · March 25, 2015, 08:46:50 AM

Been over a month since meeting with Glory Homes and WS Builders and still no proposals/estimates. Time to try another set of contractors...

JFman00 · May 06, 2015, 03:44:43 PM

Apparently I'm doing something just terribly wrong or my expectations are flawed. Met with another 2 contractors shortly after my last post. Country Times Construction (aka C&T Services of North Florida) has not responded to a follow-up email asking for an idea of when to expect an estimate, and Centerbeam Construction told me 2 weeks ago she'd have something to me by last Wednesday. Is this really such a busy time for contractors that these delays/lack of communication are warranted?

ProjectMaximus · May 06, 2015, 04:43:48 PM

I sent you a private message awhile back and got no response.

JFman00 · May 06, 2015, 05:31:49 PM

I never did say thank you and for that I apologize. However, I wanted to give the people I'd spoken to (had these latest two personal recommendations on the schedule already) more time before going through the process of meeting more contractors. I understand people are busy, but what kind of turnaround time and degree of responsiveness should I actually expect? Rather than doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, I'd like to solidify how the process is actually supposed to work. One contact I haven't mentioned is Dillow Construction, who told me during our meeting outright that the job was too small for them. I'd prefer that to never hearing back.

Non-RedNeck Westsider · May 06, 2015, 05:49:34 PM

Since these are remodels, reasonable turnaround would be 10-15 BD after your GC does a site visit. I wouldn't trust a quote from someone willing to give it sight unseen - too many variables.

After that, they're going to put together a rough estimate and then shop the work out to the required subs, who are then going to take a little time to get their estimate back to the GC. It's probably a good idea to check back after about a week to check in.

ProjectMaximus · May 06, 2015, 06:14:41 PM

No worries. Just so you know he's out of the country on vacation for the next 5 days or so.
BTW, this is my personal GC who we've stuck with now after working with probably five or six different guys. He's doing two flips for us now. Point is...don't give him too much work that it slows down our projects.

Quote from: JFman00 on May 06, 2015, 05:31:49 PM
One contact I haven't mentioned is Dillow Construction, who told me during our meeting outright that the job was too small for them. I'd prefer that to never hearing back.

Yeah I agree. I had folks tell me it's too small, I've had folks tell me it's too big, and I've had folks tell me it's just not the right fit. Double entendres aside, it never hurt my feelings.

JFman00 · May 06, 2015, 06:24:13 PM

Thanks to both of you. Definitely a lot of lessons learned from this experience so far. My biggest mistakes so far have been dramatically underestimating cost, not realizing how long the process could be (3+ weeks before an estimate, months before work starting), and not getting more estimates right off the bat. Had hoped to have at least a rough plan in place before moving to DC but this is half the fun, right?

mtraininjax · May 06, 2015, 06:41:44 PM

Real Estate is especially busy right now, its Spring. You'll pay more now, for sure, do to demand. You may want to interview now and look to start in the fall or winter when there is less pressure. Definitely after the holidays is a good time.

Bill Hoff · May 06, 2015, 07:00:11 PM

Both Intact Construction (Ben) and Bracey Construction (Brad) both do quality work and are familiar with the historic districts.

JFman00 · May 07, 2015, 05:22:56 PM

I heard back from Centerbeam today and was told work could not start until September. My current plan is to put the properties under management and coordinate further GC site visits through the property manager.