In short, Brush and Hammer Builders is polite, fair, thoughtful, and (most importantly) competent -…read morevery competent. I had the pleasure of working with Anthony and Adam on a newly constructed home. The biggest challenge for me was doing it from across the country. I never got to see the home or walk through it between the time I saw the empty lot and 5 months later when it was finished. Here's my review of Brush and Hammer. GENERAL CONTACT/ CUSTOMER SERVICE Anthony was and continues (12 months later) to always answer my phone calls and respond to my text messages promptly. I'm so impressed with his professionalism and responsiveness. CONTRACT NEGOTIATION Anthony was more than fair during the contract negotiation phase. He was willing to strike/edit 3 of his contract terms that made me uncomfortable. He also quickly updated his contract to meet the current standard Maine home construction contractual terms established by the State government. I really appreciated how detailed the construction contract was written. It spelled out everything that would be included/excluded, budgets, and expectations of me as a customer/client. We found the budgeting for every area to be spot on with our expectations. We were able to reach a compromise on a number of upgrades we did to our home that was more than fair. Perhaps the biggest testament to how great this process went was that there was no need to involve lawyers. The contract was written in straightforward language that was easy to understand and edit. DESIGN We love Anthony's sense of style and taste. He was a huge help in guiding us through the many selections we, as buyers, have to make throughout the build process. We had to select siding, countertops, lighting fixtures, finishing, hardware, door styles, cabinetry design, bathroom vanities, bathroom tile, paint colors for walls and cabinets, etc. Anthony would always provide us with 3-6 great choices, but he also allowed us to move outside those choices as well. He gave honest and polite feedback if he thought we were going in a direction that maybe wasn't good. He also pointed out how changes to one selection impact the other choices in terms of what would or would not work well together. BUILD The build phase was impressive. Even though we were not on site, Anthony texted us pictures on at least a weekly basis and at times, daily. I noticed a few things that I wanted changed such as the placement of windows, or moving some of the framing around for the fireplace framing and he was able to accommodate those changes quickly. He also put in a bathtub that did not match our taste. I think he swapped it out within 48 hours of us giving him feedback. Most importantly, since we were across the country, the fact that he sent us pictures allowed us to assess whether the build was happening as we wanted it. The transparency was amazing. When we told our friends about what our builder was doing, they were shocked at how closely Anthony involved us throughout all stages of the build. I would say Brush and Hammer has a commitment to customer satisfaction that goes well above and beyond the average builder. I would also say Anthony's attentiveness to little details such as placement of outlets, light switches, HVAC vents, etc. was really very thoughtful. FOLLOW-UP/PUNCH LIST Perhaps the most impressive part of working with Brush and Hammer builders has been (i) how few/little issues we've had with a new home which speaks to their quality, and (ii) how quickly they've responded to the requests to address the minor issues that we've had. And they continue to do it 12 months AFTER we closed on the home. New homes are incredibly complex from the structure settling to the water, HVAC, and electrical systems. Anthony has quickly addressed any minor issues we've had with any those systems. Typically, I would say we had our issues resolved in 4-7 calendar days. If it was something like heat (due to a defective component from the furnace manufacturer) in winter, then we had our issue resolved in less than 24 hours. Where most builders fall short and disappear after closing, Brush and Hammer steps up their game and ensures their customers are happy. Anthony is a savvy businessman with a keen sense of marketing. He thoughtfully protects their reputation and brand by ensuring their customers are happy with their homes and with them as builders. FINAL THOUGHTS I highly recommend them and hope to work with them again at some point in the future for either my parents or in the distant future for myself.

From the owner: We specialize in the planning and construction of new homes and additions, We also engage in…read moreremodeling of kitchens, bathrooms, family rooms, and decks.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!…read more Chase built our house in 1998-99, and we've regretted it many times over the years. So many things weren't done correctly: they put on the hardwood flooring and linoleum after the baseboards were installed, so they go up to it, not under (and I'm looking at the curling edges of the lino right now). The master bath shower was plumbed backwards, and they refused to fix it. The roof leaks - to the point that a piece of the kitchen ceiling collapsed 2 years ago. The duct work was uninsulated in the attic, costing us a fortune in extra heat (and preventing us from getting central AC). The kitchen cabinets weren't hung correctly and the countertops are coming away from the walls. The wall to wall carpets weren't stretched when installed and are now rumpled and lumpy in the centers. We couldn't have the light green vinyl siding we wanted ("no one makes that color" they said) - and yet it's on the house 3 doors down that was completed 6 months later. So many problems, all of which have been ours to either fix on our own nickel or just live with - any problem we called them about got a "well, what do you expect us to do about it" reaction, so we stopped calling. The final insult? They took about 6 months longer to finish than they promised, costing us thousands in extra rent. We have family that have worked with other contractors, for both new construction and renovations, and I feel comfortable rating these clowns as the worst we've ever encountered. I'll say it again: AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

From the owner: For the past 29 years, Chase Custom Homes & Finance, Inc. has been building homes in Maine. We have…read moredeveloped many subdivisions throughout southern, central and western Maine and more importantly, built homes for a lot of fine people and their families. Maine is a big state with a small town heart. If we didn't take good care of our clients, we wouldn't still be in business. Period. But our business hasn't just survived two recessions and depressed real estate markets. We've made a lot of friends along the way. In an industry not known for repeat business, we've built more than one home for many of our clients and receive a steady stream of referrals from others. We go out of our way to build relationships as well as we build homes!

Charlie brought unexpected fun to my garage reflooring and gave me great ideas to freshen up the…read morespace

From the owner: We're your premium total garage optimization partner. Our expert design and installation team will…read morehelp you maximize and organize the space in your garage with durable flooring, overhead storage, wall systems and custom cabinetry. All our products come with a lifetime warranty, which is another way we ensure the quality of our products and the satisfaction of our customers. We'll work with you to provide solutions that bring functionality, flexibility, and design for your garage. Together we'll create a personalized solution that is perfect for you. Services Offered : Epoxy Coating, Garage Cabinet Installation, Overhead Racks, Wall hanging systems. We offer both Residential and Commercial Services.

I was planning to replace my countertops and was referred to this company. They were extremely…read morehelpful and provided a quick estimate. As it turned out i kept my countertops and just changed my backsplash! Good customer service!'

Sales/Estimator/Designer were excellent. installation...you'd be better off with Lowe's or Home…read moreDepot

R.L. Sanborn handled our front stairs replacement with new granite steps in a truly professional…read moreand efficient manner. Matt and his crew showed up on schedule and kept us informed throughout the entire project. It was a fair price and expertly performed. This is the second time I have hired Sanborn Masonry services and would not hesitate to recommend them again! As I told Mat," Long after our house is gone, our chimney and front steps will still be standing."

From the owner: Serving Maine and neighboring states since 1983read more

First off- I can't say enough about Linda- she worked with us over and over to get the right…read morecabinet layout. Wonderful service. We shopped around at many places in New Hampshire and Maine - and they were able to get them ordered and delivered much sooner than everyone else. We are very happy with our gray cabinets. We also ordered quartz and love it. Very very happy with our experience with Cabinet Depot. We had an absolute nightmare contractor but our experience with Linda and Cabinet Depot was the only positive experience in the entire remodel. She was wonderful.

From the owner: At Cabinets of Maine we treat every kitchen like it’s our own. As a proud family-owned and operated…read morebusiness, we bring a personal touch to every project, combining craftsmanship, quality, and care. With unmatched customer service and quick turn around times, we make transforming your kitchen simple, stress-free, and stunning. Plus, we provide free 3-D kitchen designs before construction even begins so that you will know exactly what the kitchen of your dreams will look like!

Excellent work at a fantastic price! Have hired this company on three separate occasions, full…read morebathroom remodel, new roof and a cedar deck with custom pergola. We could not be happier! They were honest, friendly and professional. we would give them 10 stars if it was an option! Highly recommend!

Do not hire these people. They will take your money and run. They took over $8000 from us and never…read morefinished the work. We hired them in July 2019 and as of January 2020, they still have not finished the work. They will keep making excuses not to do the work and then stop answering phone calls. We had a signed contract with them, they took half of the money and completed only 15% of the work then disappeared. Stay sway. These guys are crooks.