"Bruce is a hard worker who knows his stuff. Fast, friendly, knowledgeable - could fix any problem presented (and there were many)." Lori Murphy, Washington, D.C.
"I could simply describe what I needed and Bruce took care of everything. He was able to make marvelous suggestions for designs!" Betty Pyne, Vienna, VA
"Excellent workmanship! The cabinets are beautiful and we are very pleased! We will definitely refer you to others!" Dulles Area Association of Realtors, Leesburg, VA
"Your ability to problem solve and think creatively has been a real asset. I have no hesitation in recomending your services to others. Pam Tinker, Frog Pond Early Learning Center, Alexandria, Virginia
"Great job!" Stephen Hawk, Ashburn, VA
"I highly recommend Bruce. He does everything from carpentry to plumbing! He is a pleasant person to have around - quiet, on time and takes no breaks. Just keeps working." H. Myers, Alexandria, VA
"The quality of craftsmanship exceeded my expectations. Bruce Moose saved me time and money." Kris Clark, Leesburg, VA
"Your skills and ethic of hard work are why you are so successful." - Marjorie Messiter, Falls Church,Virginia
"As a homeowner and small business owner, I can assure you that the professionalism shown by BruceMoose.com set him apart from anybody you are likely to deal with. In short, on time, corrected all problems in a very timely manner, and did so at rates that are considerably less expensive than other companies. I highly recommend Bruce Moose." - David C. Bailey, Alexandria, Virginia
"Bruce Moose met or exceeded my expectations: Excellent." -Denise Passarella, Leesburg, Virginia
"The quality of work is outstanding. Bruce Moose performed admirably!" - Todd A. McGowan, Leesburg, Virginia
"I just wanted to drop you a line and that you for the beautiful work you did on my home during the past month. I have received so many compliments on the exterior lights! The efficient manner as well as the orderly way in which you executed the job shows. I appreciate your landscaping advice. You lost me on the electrical terminology, but the end result is fabulous! What a pleasant change, thanks to you. Bruce, again, thanks, and I look forward to working with you again in the future!" - Terri Rader, Alexandria, Virginia
Member:
GRAHAM YOUNG PO BOX 52 DUNN LORING, VA 22027
Category:
Remodeling - General
Work Done:
Yes
* More Weight is given to a report where work has been completed.
Hire Again:
Yes
Home Build Year:
1930
Description Of Work:
This regards work done on my small, one-bedroom cottage in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. I hired a contractor with the purpose of having the structure rendered habitable. It had been vacant for some time and required extensive remodeling. The scope of work reached from gutting parts of the interior to re-plumbing the entire house to tiling the bathroom. Immediately below are the categories and details of work. Next below are my comments on the contractors performance. DETAILS OF WORK Prep: organize home and contents before starting work Gutted kitchen and bathroom to studs and subfloor Installed new base and wall kitchen cabinets Installed new sink, refrigerator, oven and microwave Installed new kitchen and bath GFI circuits and outlets Installed new hot water heater Installed new baseboard heater circuits, wiring and heaters throughout the house Installed 250 amp breaker box to match new upgraded (from 60 amp) electric service Installed new entrance door and locks Repaired drywall throughout the house Stippled surface of ceiling patch to match surface of adjoining ceiling Caulking and painting of all crown molding and baseboard Primed and painted walls and ceilings throughout the house Framed: bathroom knee wall, shower walls, and doorway at front entrance Custom wood trim and carpentry Floor refinishing in dining room, living room, entrance and bedroom New oak quarter-round throughout the house New sub flooring and new laminate flooring in the kitchen Driveway clearing, repair and gravel Septic inspection, pressure cleaning and pump out, and tank cover replacement Repair to drain plumbing at toilet Replaced water supply lines throughout the house Extended shower water pipe vertically to raise level of shower head New main water shut off valve and hot water shut off valve Framed and tiled bathroom backsplash with imported, Italian ceramic tile New concrete tile backer board in bathroom floor, walls, and shower Tiled bath floor, walls, and shower Installed marble bathroom entry threshold Installed new kitchen, bedroom, and dining room ceiling light fixtures Installed new bath lighting and exhaust fan Installed porch light Installed smoke detectors in kitchen and living-quarters Installed sound insulation in shower walls Thermally insulated floor (fiberglass bats, R-19) Insulated basement exterior door (foam board, R-9 ) Air-tightened house in spots throughout (spray foam, caulking) Installed framing and peg board for homeowner s tools and shelving for supplies Installed fire extinguisher Installed platform for picnic table in side yard Construction and household debris removal
Member Comments:
This contractor has proven to be most competent. All work was performed with unusual care and attention to detail. For example, in accommodating for the out-of-square dimensions of this vintage cottage, he employed numerous tricks to fool the eye. You really can't tell it's flawed. He brought to bear a strong sense of what it takes to achieve habitability. It was his idea that in my tiny galley kitchen the stove nevertheless be full size and that the floor in such a space be durable laminate, rather than the actual wood it so effectively emulates. I left the selection of wall color to him and results surely redeemed that trust. My forlorn entrance way required new treatment and this contractor surprised me with a fabulously selected nine-light door the features of which perfectly complemented the existing design context. Perhaps not every client of this contractor would require him to exercise such faculties but it would have to be reassuring that he have them. He also knew how to anticipate the problems of landlordship. For example, he knew to install durable quarter-turn shutoff valves at sink, lavatory, and toilet, so I wouldn't get a call about any full-turn valve predictably having a leak. He apparently has experience in real estate sales and as a landlord because he certainly came up with the right results. I found this contractor easy to communicate with and effectively empathetic with my intentions for the house and grounds. He did some work gratis, like locating, picking up, delivering, and placing used but choice furnishings I gave him the purchase price for. He provided many supplies, materials, and components (like matching white ceramic soap dish and toilet roll holder) off his truck. I did not pay any premium for the imported Italian tile he used for the lavatory back splash. The work was performed quickly and spiritedly. This was a extensive interior remodeling project for so small a house. It came out great. I truly have nothing to complain about. I strongly recommend brucemoose.com.
Overall
A
Price
A
Quality
A
Responsiveness
A
Punctuality
A
Professionalism
A
Client Feedback on Initial Consultation from Angie's List:
Member Name:
Margaret Spaloss
Report Date: February 21, 2009
Category:
Drywall
Work Done:
Yes * More weight is given to a report where work has been completed.
Hire Again:
Yes
Approximate Cost:
$65.00
Description Of Work:
Design consultation for basement remodel.
Member Comments:
Bruce Moose was very thorough in explaining to us what it would take to finish our basement. He also opened our eyes to a way to remodel the basement in a way that would make it much more spacious. He has a very high standard of integrity and customer service.
Even for a small remodeling job, doing an estimate entails driving (often through bumper to bumper traffic) as much as an hour, listening to the client's requirements and evaluating the work site for an hour or two, driving an hour to the office - then spending several hours estimating materials and time required. While it takes several hours to perform an estimate, and the minimum charge is four hours, the charge for an estimate is just one hour.
Hourly: $85 per hour in Northern Virginia - in one-tenth hour increments.
The minimum charge per visit is four hours. A mileage charge of $1.50 per mile applies for materials picked up for the client.
Evenings (after 5) and weekends: Time and a half.
RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
The amount of time available to schedule each day and week is limited.
In the event of client cancellation, billable time for that period is lost. The client agrees that the retainer or contract amount shall be forfeited.
