Project Scope
This…read moreproject included full exterior renovation work consisting of vinyl siding installation, ledger stone work, porch flooring tile installation, trim installation, and related exterior finishing work on the home.
Initial Consultation - Grade: A
My initial meeting with Lewis Debrickus was excellent. He listened carefully to my ideas, walked the property with me, asked thoughtful questions, took measurements, and showed genuine interest in the project. He provided a fair and timely estimate within two days. I selected him primarily based on his labor cost and workmanship value, as I was handling much of the materials and planning myself.
Communication Before the Project - Grade: A
From the initial meeting until the project began about a month later, Lewis and I stayed in regular contact through emails and phone calls. His communication was consistent and professional, giving me confidence that I had chosen the right contractor. I received estimates from eight different contractors for this project, and Lewis's price was by far the fairest while still demonstrating a clear understanding of the scope of work.
Project Start - Grade: A
On the first day of the project, Lewis Debrickus arrived with George and two additional workers. George served as the on-site foreman and managed the crew throughout the day. Lewis returned at the end of the day to check on the progress. The work went smoothly, the job site was kept clean, and it was clear that good progress was being made. George was friendly, knowledgeable, and a hard worker, and the rest of the team also performed well.
Project Progress - Grade: A-
The first week went as planned, and I was pleased with the progress. Whenever issues arose, George discussed them with me and resolved them promptly. I also requested additional repairs that were not included in the original contract, and Lewis charged very fair prices for the extra work.
During the second week, two days of rain delayed the project. Communication slowed somewhat during that time, but we stayed in contact, and once the weather improved, the work resumed without any problems. Although Lewis spent less time on-site, he remained available by phone whenever I needed to speak with him.
Subcontracted Work - Grade: B
Some of the work, specifically the stone installation, was subcontracted. The final result initially did not fully meet my expectations, and I take partial responsibility for that outcome based on decisions made during the project.
After realizing I had additional stone available, I requested that the remaining porch wall be completed, and that section was finished differently than originally planned since it was initially intended to be covered by a J-channel.
Because of these changes and layout adjustments, it is understandable why a couple of areas are not as seamless as originally planned. There was still one or two areas that concern me slightly; however, Lewis reviewed the work with me, agreed that some corrections were needed, and addressed those issues to my satisfaction.I am satisfied with the overall appearance of the finished stonework.
Porch Flooring Tile Installation - Grade: B+
The porch flooring tile installation produced a final result that I am happy with overall. However, the installation took approximately one week to complete for a 4-foot by 29-foot porch, which was longer than I expected. During the installation, I identified a couple of areas that required correction, and those issues were addressed. While applying the tile and grout sealer, I also discovered a few grout joints that had been missed. Despite these concerns, the corrections made and the overall appearance of the finished porch met my expectations.
Overall Summary
Overall, the project was well managed and produced a strong final result. Lewis Debrickus demonstrated fair pricing, good communication, and professionalism throughout the project. Although there were quality concerns with portions of the subcontracted stonework and the porch tile installation required a few corrections, Lewis acknowledged the issues and ensured they were resolved.
Based on my overall experience, I would recommend Lewis Debrickus to homeowners looking for a contractor who offers quality workmanship, fair labor pricing, and stands behind his work by addressing concerns when they arise.
Overall Rating: 4.6 / 5