Jane from Bridlewood

Jason and his crew are true craftsmen. They sanded and stained our floating oak staircase. They installed new spindles and newel posts to update our staircase from colonial to contemporary style. They also installed new interior doors with glass panels and baseboards and an oak floor in our upper hallway. They left our house virtually dust-free. Such a superb job! They exceeded our expectations. Jason was very good at communicating with us every step of the way. He was very conscientious to ascertain what we wanted. The company website is very inspiring and reassures customers that Jason and his crew know what they are doing.

We have had an exceptional experience with Paint My Cabinets. They provide detailed guidelines so that we knew what was expected of us and what could expect from them. Paint My Cabinets responded quickly to our questions. He set out a project plan and kept to their time commitments. The in-home painter was very proud of her work, precise, knowledgeable, organized and pleasant to deal with. Our cabinets are beautifully finished. Paint My Cabinets sets very high quality standards. We bought new hardware so our cottage kitchen has a very contemporary look. The world would be a better place if there were more suppliers followed the example of this company.

I have asked for Mori to service our furnace and AC annually for years. Hes very personable. He is meticulous and thorough in his work. He answers our questions well. I trust his work and advice.

Ozzi is a superb contractor and we are happy to recommend him. He is an excellent communicator, and keeps his commitments. We were able to schedule him to paint our primary bedroom within a week, although we were not in a rush. Ozzi's quote was reasonable. He sets high standards for his work especially the prep work. This makes all the difference in the final quality of the painting job. He is personable, flexible and a good listener. We will definitely hire him again.

Our Toto toilet was plugged and efforts with snaking, plunging, Drano, etc did not work. Turns out that it was a mechanical failure. We called Drain King after reading about them on the Home Stars website. They set up an appointment for us within a day (ours was not an emergency). They booked a time, sent a text reminder and then just before the appointment, they texted a photo introduction for the plumber who was enroute. Michael is a very personable plumber who enjoys being a plumber. He tried but when he discovered that the toilet could not be repaired, he recommended a replacement. We set up a follow-up installation appointment. The cost of snaking the toilet was credited towards the toilet replacement. He delivered and installed a new toilet. It's really great to have found a reliable service provider.

I found WCP through the Home Stars quote system - one of 4 companies who responded to our project. Competitive pricing. Eugene who did the work, was very conscientious and particular. He responded positively to feedback. He provided good advice. This work was in preparation , in part, to exterior painting in a couple weeks. Fresh paint will look terrific next to cleaned siding and eaves. I will be calling WCP again… this time to clean windows.

I got 4 quotes ranging from $1700 to $5600 before signing with E Zi Painting! Zsolt won our confidence and trust for the job. He provided a written quote (including Benjamin Moore paints) and confirmed that he was insured by WSIB. He did not disappoint. He repaired a hole and bulge in our hallway ceiling created by rainwater last year in a major storm. He prepped and painted a bedroom, hallways, along our stairway and basement wall. All surfaces were well-protected and he and his associate vacuumed as they worked. Zsolt caulked around all door frames for a smooth painting edge. The work was completed quickly and the painting was well-done. I would definitely consider hiring him for another project.

Our HVAC system was installed in 2011. Dan of Cozy Comfort reviewed our situation and recommended a make (Carrier) and model and completed the paperwork for govt incentives. In recent years, we have asked for Mory, a Cozy Comfort Tech to perform the annual maintenance and service on our system. Tech’s come and go, but Mory has distinguished himself as being memorable, personable, reliable and knowledgeable. I trust his judgement and would recommend him to friends and family.

As I entioned in my May review, Spiros repaired our windstorm damage quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately the integrity of our 15 year old roof was not up to scratch and in August we discovered a leak in our hallway ceiling. Following 3 months of discussions with our insurance company and evaluations by their adjusters, it was determined that the leak was our responsibility. It was an easy decision to call Spiros to discuss our options. A new roof was negotiated. Spiros is very thorough when he explained the job scope, his terms and conditions- he lays it all out so there are no surprises for anyone. He and his team completed the work late in the season. The roof looks terrific - we opted for new plywood sheathing and high quality shingles and turbine vents. The job site was left impeccable - no loose nails or shingles. Spiros is trustworthy, very personable, and pragmatic in his approach. He loves what he does. I wish more household contractors would perform to his high standards.

Early last summer we decided to stop in to investigate a new display of sheds, bunkies and garages encountered to our Kawartha cottage. We were greeted in a very friendly manner, given a colour brochure and price list. We were very impressed with the shed designs, ability to customize and that they are delivered prefab. The sheds are solidly designed and constructed. They are assembled by the Amish in northern New York State with Canadian wood, and shipped to Canada. Ours was delivered to our gravel pad last weekend. We were able to choose the size dimensions, quality, number and location for windows, the colour and type of siding and roofing, and even the swing of the entry door. We have looked at other competitive sheds and no one comes near this for price/ value/ quality of workmanship.This business is run by 3 brothers and their Dad. They are very personable and easy to work with. They manage details well and keep to their commitments. An excellent experience!

While time and rainfall will only determine whether or not this repair is resolved, Peter was very prompt in his response to have a look at my roof. He booked an appointment and kept to his time commitment. He re-sealed around vent and we agreed that if problem persists, he will return.

Discovered thru Home Stars, I sourced quotes from 3 suppliers. While Air Force wasn’t the lowest quote, they provided the most detailed explanation of their cleaning process and a written quote. They sent a reminder message and called before arriving. Technician was personable and knowledgeable. Work was done well and I believe more completely than previous supplier (post Reno) 6 yrs ago. Technician showed me before and after photos of my house ducts. Very pleased with process.

Used HomeStars to locate a reputable roofer to replace missing shingles in 2 places on our roof. Spiros was one of 2 companies to respond quickly to my request for a quote both by email and phone. Kept promise to come by while in the neighbourhood and called ahead to make sure that I would be home. Spiros is personable, friendly and courteous. Checked the health of our roof and blew out eaves on our upper storey. Challenged him on pricing but he says that he is competitive and his work is high risk. I’ll probably ask him to quote when my roof requires replacement.

I was looking for drapes to include in new colours and finishes for my bedroom. I took along fabric samples and paint selection. Within minutes, the sales advisor was recommending ready-made drapes in various shades and fibre contents. We toured the store just to make sure that I considered many possibilities. In the end I bought a set of blackout-lined panels that are going to look simply fabulous in my room. We found a colour shade that was challenging to match elsewhere in Toronto. I believe that Drapery King offers excellent consulting services, an unparalleled selection of ready-made drapes and fabrics. Not keen on their exchange only policy but they were willing to negotiate with me in good faith.

We have had a bad infestation of mice. They got into our birdseed stored in the garage and had a feast! They found their way into our basement through an electrical cabling hole in an adjoining wall. Now they are in the attic. We have cleaned up the mess, sealed off the hole. Ray set poison baits in the attic and also mouse population monitoring stations in the garage, attic and basement. Appreciated his approach to listen first then set out a plan of attack without using scare tactics. He will be back in 2 months for follow-up at a cost of $100.00. I called another firm who immediately suggested it would cost $600 plus they were adamant that we were adamant it was rats without corroborating evidence.

George Margerum visited our cottage to quote the project. He later provided a written quote including proposed building materials required. Two weeks later he returned to do the project. He had to punch a hole through the roof in order to provide exterior ventilation since there wasn't enough clearance in the attic to take the pipe to the soffits. Job was completed well and site was left clean and neat. Positive attitude and knowledgeable.

I called three different companies to quote on our hedge project in the Kawarthas. The Cedar Fuys provided the most detailed quote, requested photos of the site and asked the most detailed questions. Their quote, aside from the lowest price provided the most value. They believe that planting the trees rootball to rootball provides a dense hedge. They recommended 3 times the trees versus the other quotes that I received. They arrived as expected, having called ahead on the day of delivery. A crew of three worked very hard to dig a trench in tough ground. They amended the soil with topsoil, sheep manure and bonemeal. I was given verbal and written care directions plus a warranty. I wish more contractors had this level of service and product!

Two teams arrived within days of my request. They cleared our Maple key-laden eaves. The team cleaned inside and out of our glass Solarium. It's like cleaning an elephant; not easy work! The outside surfaces of all windows and their frames were cleaned. Our home is surrounded by gardens and they were not disrupted during the work. Windows are sparking clean!

I was able to book an appt with Bob within 24 hours and at a mutually convenient time. Our central vac lacked suction. Bob asked me to conduct a simple test to determine if a blockage in the hose was the root of the problem, before we booked an appointment. Bob determined the blockage was due to a sloppy repair job done by irrigation installers who had likely damaged the pipe and used plumbing pipes to fashion a repair. Hot welding solder had also perforate the piping in other places. No wonder the vacuum was underperforming. Great problem-solving and resolution by Bob. Bob is a very positive and funny repairman who tells good stories while he works. It's obvious that he has a passion for the business he owns and runs. The world would be a better place with more Bob's!

A cold sunny January Saturday morning provided an opportune time to remove clutter from our garage. We had a massive old and incredibly heavy TV, closet doors, an old shag rug, post Reno tiles and wood trim and various other things that we wanted to get of. Just Junk arrived at the promised time, loaded their clean and empty truck and took it all away.

Our 20+ yr sidewalks were no longer looking attractive. There were gaps between stones where weeds were growing. Antss have brought sand to the surface undermining the sidewalk making it noticeably uneven and ice had caused some heaving. RoyalTown was doing a major project next door. We were so impressed with their capabilities we asked for a quote, then proceeded to have the work done later in the summer. The sidewalks look fabulous. The stones were relaid on a refilled sand base, tightly together. A sealing compound was shaken and swept into all crevices and wetted down. This compound was not available when our driveway and sidewalks were originally laid. The compound hardens to prevent weed growth and ant damage. The worksite was left in excellent condition.Danilo Otero, the owner, is frequently onsite. His staff are meticulous, hardworking and friendly. Perhaps a bigger endorsement is that friends, other neighbours and family members have seen the work and have requested quotes. RoyalTown will have a hard time getting out of our neighbourhood!

Great Northern' s sales rep Phil gave me excellent advice when I called for a quote to ensure that I was getting competitive quotes, I was getting estimates that met the building code. Other competitors were not as straight- forward on doing a job that would meet the code; a building permit is required in the Kawartha Lakes. Northern's team arrived at my cottage on time, set up quickly and got to work. They kept a clean worksite and finished the job in our crawlspace in about four hours including a cementatious layer. Very impressed with their staff and the quality of their work. Team showed me how density was tested as a reassurance that the job was being done well.

Kingsley Malcolm was our contact at this store. Kingsley is very personable. He is very creative and promised that we would be thrilled with his team's work. He wasn't wrong. He delivered an excellent installation of a Valor gas fireplace, stone surround and custom - finished mantel, within our agreed -to timeframe. The worksite was well-protected during the work and left in excellent condition.

We wanted to replace a Norway maple that had died on our front lawn. We visited the Stevens farm in July while in Stouffville. They provided an informative brochure and price list. We were impressed with their stock and the wide selection of beautiful trees. We contacted the owner, Henry by email. He booked an appointment to come and see our site and to discuss the best tree variety for our growing conditions. He sent us a detailed quote by email.We placed our order with the understanding that our tree would be planted this fall, weather permitting. Henry contacted the city to have the site marked in order to avoid hydro/ cable/ gas services. Our new maple was planted seamlessly this week. The hole was dug with a 65" spade that cut through the soil like butter, leaving a deep hole. Stevens' installer, Gord returned a couple of hours later, with our new maple (Autumn Fantasy) and placed the tree neatly into the hole, ensuring that it was straight. The tree was mulched, the site was cleaned up, and we are ready for next summer's growing season. Stevens' prices were very reasonable for the size of tree we purchased, especially when compared to local nurseries and the City of Toronto boulevard tree upgrading program that we participated in last summer.

When the cable broke on our garage door, I called Dodds. While it was not an emergency, their repairman, Robert arrived within 1 1/2 hours of my call. He quickly assessed the problem and we discussed the solution and estimated price. Once the pull cable was repaired,Robert discussed the care and ongoing preventative maintenance required for the door and its mechanics. Robert is a very articulate person and very passionate about his work. The world would be a better place if we had more people like Robert working in the service industry.

We discovered this store while shopping for tiles along Jane St. While this store is modest, the selection of tiles is excellent, Nazim Kilinc the store owner is very personable. He has creative ideas fueled by Houzz.com and problem solving abilities. He is able to put wonderful combinations of tiles/ formats together for outstanding results. His showroom is undergoing expansion to increase tile displays. Prices are very competitive.

Our honey-coloured solid oak door and adjacent panels had become weather-worn. The stain had turned from a honey colour to an orange shade, so it was time to fix it. I requested 3 quotes from local vendors and decided that Mister Wood was my preferred choice. They provided good advice and a more creative approach to our colour choice. The work took part of 4 days while they stripped off the old finish, sanded, stained and varnished the door. The door looks fantastic. They brought the equipment that they needed, kept a clean work site and left the site in excellent condition. They work with high- quality products. Darlene, Gary and Jeremy were very personable to work with. They kept me well informed of their plans and next steps. I found Mister Wood through HomeStars!

Gus Calderone has a terrific business in Unionville, offering furniture, decorating services, re-upholstering and custom bar stools. We were able to choose the style of chair, the metal finish, and the upholstery. He has an incredible selection to choose from. The order for 4 stools took 3 weeks as promised. The stools are very comfortable and they are an excellent complement to our newly-renovated kitchen. We also had our diningroom chairs re-upholstered. Gus and his team of decorators have an extensive supply of fabric samples. Our diningroom chairs were re-cushioned and re-covered. They are simply stunning! I would recommend this store for their high quality of personal service and attention to detail.

Rudy was recommended by Castle Kitchens to install custom cabinetry in our new dream kitchen. Quite by coincidence, Rudy has installed cabinets in 2 other neighbours' kitchens on our street. He is very detail-oriented and exacting with a very high standard of workmanship. He is very personable and easy to work with. He is a gifted woodcrafter.

Working with Jodi Madray has been a real pleasure. Unlike other vendors we briefed, Jodi was a good listener and really took the time to understand our needs. Without hesitation she came to our house to discuss ideas and to help us to optimize the space. She is very intuitive and enjoyed the challenge of creating a functional kitchen for 2 food professionals. She offered creative ideas on materials and finishes. She recommended contractors with whom she has worked. We opted to work with two of them. Jodi holds them to high standards and she briefed them thoroughly. Her staff members were knowledgeable about our project and were always willing to provide advice/ support. Castle Kitchens shares space with Bath Emporium. The staff in this store are very knowledgeable, and welcoming. We are very pleased with our "Dream Kitchen". Project Scope: Enlarge, reconfigure and renovate kitchen (remove wall), move diningroom to former livingroom space. Replace floor tiling in centre hallway to match that of kitchen.

Rick McAnsh has excellent expertise in LED lighting. He can provide guidance on planning and installing LED flexible light strips and power supply drivers. We had an Electrical Standards Authority inspection on our new kitchen reno. The first item that the inspector checked was the certification of the power supply driver, since there are a lot of poor quality products coming into the country that will not pass inspection. We passed! The light strip provides a very bright, dimmable and even warm lighting over our kitchen counters.