I was asking my architect one day to recommend a contractor. The architect said "well, if you value professionalism and courtesy there is only one choice: Alex Martin." I do value professionalism and courtesy, so I hired Alex to do a one-day project, installing picture moulding in 10 rooms. Alex did a great job with that, so I hired him to do a 3 week project that included demolition, construction, planning, inspections, dealing with difficult neighbors, the whole 9 yards. And guess what: the project turned out great. All 5 projects Alex has done for me have come in on budget (one came in substantially under budget), all were done on time (within the constraints of the weather), the finished work was always top notch, and the price was reasonable.
When Alex shows up to do the job, he usually brings his assistant Jeff, and the two of them work the job in a quiet, efficient, and thoughtful way. When they find something they weren't expecting, they talk about it. They go over their options. They ask for the owner's input if it is appropriate. They pick a course and they follow it. They get work done efficiently, but never in a hurried or sloppy way. Alex's communicates well, his bills and estimates make sense, he is responsible, and guess what else: courteous and professional. Jeff is about as nice and easy going a guy as you'll ever meet. All the subcontractors Alex has brought into my house have been professionals. Alex made sure that when subcontractors came in to my house to do work, they already knew exactly what they were supposed to do, because Alex had gone over the job parameters with them previously.
When Alex is talking to you about project options, he will give you a variety of options, and he can talk about the positives and negatives of each one. They can find the best or the most reasonably priced materials, your choice.
Like any San Francisco contractor who is worth his salt, Alex Martin is a busy man. It is not easy to get onto his schedule right away, but when he says he will be there Tuesday, he will be there Tuesday. And when he says the job will take 3 days, it will be done in 3 days.
Highly recommended. Any serious work that needs to be done at my house starts with a conversation with Alex. read more