We hired JRL to design and build a custom bar room in our home that involved breaking down a wall between our family room and formal living room. We solicited several bids and decided to go with JRL because they assured us it would be completed by Christmas. As of today, it still has not been completed. Up until less than a week before Christmas he insisted it would be completed. It never was. If he would have been honest with us, we could of scheduled Christmas dinner at another family members home. The entire process has been a nightmare. Broken promises, no shows, excessive overcharges for items that should have been part of Jim's architects drawings (he hires his own) but conveniently left out so when you find out you need them (like GFI's, proper lighting), he can overcharge you. He will come in lower but price the lowest level of product - you need to be very careful here with him. This is how he comes in lower. Also, you DO NOT have to pay $500 for a quote. Do not let him talk you into this. He will tell you that he has this super duper design software package that will enable him to walk you through the design, open and close cabinets, etc. When actually is your basic CAD software that he doesn't even know how to operate and almost every general contractor has. If you are duped into paying it (like I was) he will then try to sneak in another $200 - $300 for an engineer that you never agreed to and should be his cost. He will sell you his services based on his expertise and accreditations. However, after the first check is cut, you will not see him again, ever unless you insist he shows up! He has a much less experienced person show up at your home to manage the job. ALSO, if you do for some reasons decide to go with JRL, PLEASE have an attorney review the language in his proposal/contract. Make sure you take out any language that pertains to paying his legal costs, paying for supplies he has ordered if HE cancels project (read this condition carefully), eliminate broad clauses that he has that allows him to upcharge you for increased costs, trash removal, take out no internet purchases for fixtures, buy your own fixtures and appliances, JRL marks them up considerably. By the way, I have never had to sign such a one-sided contract/proposal on any remodeling projects in the past and I have had several large ones. I should have known better but the promise of "done before Christmas" sucked me in. Do not agree to pay him weekly as "his" bills come in. There should be a percentage paid as the project progresses as other contractors do. DO NOT pay him the last installment until all the work including your punch list is completed. I held back an agreed upon $300 for completion of punch list. A week after my check was cashed; he filed a legal complaint for the $300, plus $6,000 in legal fees and damages due to business HE lost. I believe he did this to another Angie's list member if you read all the reviews. If you would like to discuss in more detail, please feel free to email me at dwesemann@verizon.net. I am a single homeowner and far from an expert on home repair and remodeling. I wish I would have had some warnings prior to selecting JRL. read more