RM in Newmarket

Every year I have the exterior of my house sprayed to prevent incursion of carpenter ants. These guys' quote was cheaper than the other 2 companies I've used over the last 10 years. BUT !!!!!! The other guys both send someone who sprays most of the siding, soaks it around the door and windowframes and lots around the foundation. This guy dribbled a tiny stream around where the house meets the ground. He wasn't even wearing a mask, that's how little he was spraying. He SAID he sprayed around the doors and windows but it wasn't even wet up there when he left. The other guys' used to say 'wait a couple hours for it to dry', this company left nothing there TO dry. I'd expect a pest control company to know that ants can climb up trees and drop onto the roof, so more than just a little line at ground level is needed to keep them from finding a way in. It's obvious I have lots of trees near the house. I am really disappointed with this service, compared to the 10 other years this has been done, I don't feel at all confident that it will do anything. The savings was NOT worth it. I foresee having to get them back in a month or so when the ants move in, and what a pain to have to call them back for something that should be done better the first time. ADDENDUM: The company tried to say "wrong company" on my honest review, to avoid responsibility. I have the receipt, Homestars verified it, so now I think EVEN LESS of these guys, because they could have simply said, "sorry we'll try harder next time" or such, but instead they tried to pretend I was mistaken. As if they couldn't check their own records and see the truth for themselves. Shame on you.

Although it was hard to get him to return our calls at first, once we finally had a quote there was good communication and the job was done quickly and well. We were glad to spend the money for his services.

The owner Paul is very friendly and has an amazing memory - he remembers his customers by name. The location is secure, has a gate which is locked except when staff are on site. Access is very convenient. I would absolutely recommend this facility to anyone.

Mike the owner explained things clearly, and had a great vision of finished options to outline for us. His men did a great job, the deck is very solid and looks way better than expected, and they spoke to me about any issues as they came up so I was never left wondering what was happening. They finished the job on time including cleanup. Mike checked back with us afterwards to make sure everything was satisfactory. The company name might be "cut stone" but they do all kinds of work besides driveways, and I would definitely call them again if I had any more carpentry work to be done.

Shawn gave us a good list of items to beware of, with a clear explanation in the report of their relative seriousness. Even gave a cost estimator for suggested repairs. Willing to answer all questions, and flexible enough for our appointment times. He was very, very helpful in our purchase decision and we are very glad we hired him.

My house is old and the toilet was cracked. Turns out that in the time of this house standard "offset" for a toilet (from the wall) was 10", now it's 12". A 12" won't fit unless you tear out the entire pipe from the toilet and RELOCATE IT to match a 12"!! Major, ugly job, not a DIY. Dummies at Home Depot told me that 10" offset toilets don't exist any more. But I called Powell, asked if they could get one, and they had several of them in stock, and nicely priced too! Another time these guys also had a bathtub faucet that fit my old piping without having to tear out the wall and relocate all of that. Powell has saved me a lot of work, a lot of hassle, and a lot of money too by having the right stuff to fix an older house, and their people know just what you are talking about.

Job was changing all old galvanized pipe in the house to copper. He changed everything except lines to bathroom sink, "because they were too hard to get at". I wasn't happy, but allowed this. Later the connection he made between these and his new copper lines started to leak. A guy came back and made a new connection, which also began to leak in a few months. Eventually I changed these lines myself, but mad that I had to because it should have all been part of the first job -- estimate was for ALL pipe in house, not "except bathroom sink". Meanwhile the math was wrong when he made up the final bill, and he wrote down a $200 discount but didn't subtract it from the total. Didn't notice that at first, overpaid by $200, then later noticed and phoned. Secretary could not do math and argued. Eventually got the money back but not friendly. Worst of all is their "service partner program". The plumber told me that if I signed up for this, I would pay so much a month for one year but it would entitle me to a percentage discount on the work, which was worth more than the total monthly sum over the year. So I signed up, and got the discount, and had the plan amount put on my credit card every month. BUT the year ended and they kept taking the amount off every month. I had to keep cancelling it. They told me there was nothing about 'one year only' in the plan. Well when the plumber is in your house he's the company's rep and you can only go by what he tells you, and "Louis" said one year.