LS in Annex

I did my research online and emailed three companies. Buildstrong stood out from the start. Rene (the owner) replied to my enquiry quickly. We set up an appointment within the week. He showed up on time. (Small details but they matter). Now here's the thing: if you are a woman home-owner, you know those contractors who treat you like you don't have any common sense and can't make decisions? Well Rene is just the opposite. We talked through the work and the options. The conversation was respectful and thoughtful. There was not one iota of mansplaining. So refreshing. The work itself was in two parts. Both times, the people were terrific - really skilled at their work. Jason led the parging team and he was funny, professional, and thorough. From start (enquiry from me) to end (final invoice), a total of just over two weeks. I would recommend Buildstrong without reservation.

Walter Townshend and Son were recommended by a neighbor who is a contractor. I asked them to quote on a chimney rebuild -- also to verify that a rebuild was indeed necessary. They confirmed it was necessary, and in retrospect after my experience with them, I'm not sure I believe them. First, they sent me to a subcontractor - John McTaggart. John gave a verbal quote "5000 dollars". Why that much, I asked. And please give me a breakdown. There was limited information in the breakdown. But after getting more thorough quotes from other companies for the same price, I determined to go with Townshend. They showed up, did the job in two and a half days, and left. 5K? Yikes - why so much for so little time? I didn't get it, and just assumed I'd been taken for a ride. Oh well Then in December I called in my chimney sweep to clean it before using it for the first time. After setting off the smoke detector, he informed me that the chimney had problems plus there wasn't a chimney cap. So I phoned the company again and they said they'd send someone over. The next morning, two guys showed including one so hung over he sat with head in hands on my couch. They fixed the installation error but refused to put a cap. "That costs extra," I was told. Extra? On top of 5 thousand dollars? So I phoned John McTaggart back. Yes it would cost extra because it wasn't part of the original quote. What? I told him that I assumed the entire chimney was part of the original quote and that I hired him to inform me what I needed. He then said that he wouldn't charge me installation nor a mark-up on the cap. That I would owe him about $30. I was furious, but agreed. Fine. Install it. I'll pay your $30. An hour later, he phoned me back and said that even though the cap wasn't part of the original quote, he would provide it for free. The cap was installed and that's the last I heard of him. Untrustworthy -- quote changed, incomplete and incorrect installation, tradespeople that were hung-over. I feel ripped off and angry. Do not use this company. Do not hire a contractor named John McTaggart. And thank goodness for the chimney sweep -- him I'd recommend and give 10 stars to.