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    Richard Smith General Contractor

    3.8 (17 reviews)

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    Uneven install of baseboards
    Emily K.

    My name is Emily and Richard Smith was recommended to me by Lumber Liquidators via the Home Service Store installer network. This is to inform the general public that you should NOT hire Richard Smith given the documentation below. Pre Install: I was referred to Richard of 'Richard Smith General Contractor' (RSGC on Yelp) by Lumber Liquidators through the Home Service Store. He didn't show up for our first appointment which I took time off work for. When I called 15 minutes after he was supposed to show up, he said there was a miscommunication, was apologetic, and asked to reschedule for another day which I was willing to. He offered me a discount off his original estimate for a total of $4k (which still seemed liked a lot for only 900 SF) but I decided to go with him since Lumber Liquidators and the Home Service Store recommended him. I should have looked on Yelp before agreeing to work with him. It would have saved me a lot of frustration and money. Another contractor who I have worked with and who does great work had offered to do the job for $2,500 but I had already said yes to Richard, thought he would do a good job since he specializes in hardwood installs, and I had already paid a small $400 deposit, and didn't want to go back on my agreement with him. I wish I would have never worked with him given the experience that I have documented below. During Install: Richard didn't show up for the first day of the install until 2 or 3pm. He sent 3 guys who work for him but he didn't tell me they were coming instead of him. They started tearing everything out and cutting wood and soon there were plums of dust everywhere. To my disappointment, when I came home, I saw that nothing was covered in plastic. My leather couch, hardwood table, everything in my kitchen, my new light fixtures, and all my clothes were covered in a thin film of demo and wood dust. Stains: When I got home after their second day on the job, they had installed the wood in one of the bedrooms, the kitchen, and a guest room. Every couple of feet there were stains on the floor. It was was spilled soda or a sticky flooring glue material and it took me an hour just to clean the stains from one of the bedrooms. There were even stains under the bed which I wouldn't have noticed if hadn't moved the bed to check. See pictures below. Property Damage and Uneven / Broken Boards: My base boards were in good shape so I wanted to reuse them instead of buying new ones. Richard took them off to put in the new flooring and put them back on. But in the process, he broke many of them and, instead of replacing them or telling me, he just nailed them back to the wall. See pictures below. In addition the broken base boards, he put a big hole in my closet, stained my walls and reinstalled uneven baseboard. He didn't tell me about the hole in the closet, he just put the base board back on covering half the hole. See below. Holes in Floor: There are 10+ holes in the floor. It looks like they were made with the nail gun. Or maybe the holes were already in the wood, but if that's the case, those planks of wood should not have been installed. Below are pictures of pencils sticking out of some of the holes. Uneven Install of Wood: In one of the closets, the wood was installed unevenly and the baseboard was reinstalled anyway which looks really bad. Poor Timing: Richard originally estimated 3 days for the 900 SF job. Once we saw there was a big bump in living room, he estimated an extra day. We started on Friday. He said he would work Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I texted him Sunday morning asking what time his guys were coming since it was already 9am and no one was here and he said they wouldn't come until Monday. Lack of Professional Skill: When the carpet was pulled up, it was clear there was a big bump in the subfloor. Richard said I should just put wood over the bump. I asked if that would just highlight the big bump and he said yes but do it anyway. He also said I could do carpet instead of wood even though I already bought all the hardwood and even though that wouldn't fix the big bump but just try to cover it up. Richard told me that in order to level the floor, I would have to tear out my front door and pay him $4,000-5,000 to make a customer door that would accommodate leveling the floor. He also said it would take an additional week or two. I called another contractor who I've worked with and he came over the same day, took one look at the floor, and said he would level it in one day by replacing the subfloor (ply wood). Richard told him he wouldn't be able to fix it, especially not in a day, but he did fix it in a day and it only cost $800. No Regard for Security: To get into the house, I told Richard's guys where the lock box was and left them a key so they could lock up when they left. When I checked in midday, my key was hanging from the key hole on the outside lock at the front door. Conclusion: Don't hire him

    In an old apartment, Richard Smith General Contractor did a great job installing new laminate floors.

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    Review Highlights - Richard Smith General Contractor

    Alexa (owns the family business) is an amazingly professional woman, extremely empathetic, customer service oriented, good listener, responsive and respectful.

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    Ron Cohen

    Ron Cohen

    (13 reviews)

    Ron completed a kitchen remodel for us about a month ago, and we are so happy with his work! It…read morefeels like a completely new space, even though we didn't move any walls. We kept the sink and the stove in the same places, but changed pretty much EVERYthing else. It was a three month long project, and with the wrong contractor it could have been torturous. We moved the fridge and the dishwasher and the oven; put in all new cabinets, counters, backsplash, and flooring; knocked the wall to the dining room down to a half-height wall; put a window cut-out in another wall; made one exterior window smaller to fit cabinets underneath it; upgrade the ceiling lights and added under-cabinet lights; and took out a false ceiling that had loomed over half the room. We now have so much cabinet space that we haven't even filled it all, even though we got rid of a china cabinet and a sideboard that we had needed for storage before. And all the counter space is a dream come true! Throughout the process Ron was very communicative on the work he was doing, what was coming next, and how things were progressing overall. He checked in when he had questions, and offered suggestions and advice--but also listened to what we wanted. He texted us for smaller matters and called when he needed to discuss bigger ones, or met with us at the house before he started work for the day. He worked well with the city's building department to manage the permits and inspections. He also managed the sub-contractors (we had to upgrade both the electrical and plumbing), and sought out better prices for us on materials without cutting corners. He has a great eye for detail, and is meticulous in his work. He made sure we were happy with each stage of the work, and that we understood the decisions and trade-offs to be made along the way. I would highly recommend Ron, and we will definitely hire him again when we tackle future remodel projects.

    Ron did a great job remodeling our garage into a gameroom/office…read more This was a substantial project involving drywall, flooring, ceiling, window replacement & electrical work. Ron listened to my requirements, and offered useful suggestions. Him and his colleague worked diligently, and paid a lot of attention to detail. The project took as long as Ron said it was going to take. Ron communicated well throughout the process, keeping us updated on the progress, asking questions in moments of ambiguity, but not overwhelming me with minor details. Overall, I'm very happy with Ron's execution, and would hire him again for future projects.

    Xpress Kitchen & Bath

    Xpress Kitchen & Bath

    (91 reviews)

    $$

    Xpress Kitchen & Bath remodeled our kitchen, three bathrooms, and our laundry room. They exceeded…read moreevery expectation. - Finished early: Steve, the designer, originally estimated a 13-week timeline (same as another contractor we interviewed), but Majid, the owner, Kevin, and their team delivered everything two weeks ahead of schedule. - Accurate, transparent pricing: The initial estimate included materials and labor. We made several additions and deletions along the way, and every change was priced fairly. The final cost ended up within 2% of the original estimate - no surprises, no hidden fees. - Excellent design support: We met with Steve many times to refine the floor plan and choose materials. His guidance was thoughtful and patient, and we loved the final design. - High quality materials: Most selections came from their showroom, and everything was top-tier. For example, they recommended porcelain tile instead of the luxury vinyl many contractors push. - Outstanding workmanship: Majid was on-site almost every day, making sure everything was done right. He often suggested improvements that weren't specified in the contract, always with our best interest in mind. - Great follow-up service: After completion, a few minor issues came up. Kevin and later Lawrence responded quickly and sent someone out right away. We highly recommended Xpress Kitchen & Bath for any remodeling project.

    Once again, this team delivered an incredible experience from design to execution. Though this is…read moreour second project with Majid, Steve and team, the photos speak for themselves, so I wanted to give a special shoutout to their integrity. They have honored their one year warranty not once but twice. Since completing our master bathroom last Summer, the team was called to address a tiling and tub issue. The tub ended up being faulty; regardless, Majid sent his plumbers to address the issue. We cannot express how grateful we are for our beautiful bathroom that we enjoy every single day. They stand by their workmanship and deliver incredible service and projects. Thank you!

    Wise Builders - Kitchen remodel

    Wise Builders

    (304 reviews)

    North San Jose

    We had an excellent experience with Daniel from Wise Builders on our kitchen remodel. From the…read moreinitial consultation through completion, their team was professional, organized, and easy to work with. Communication was clear and consistent, so we always knew what was happening and what to expect next. The craftsmanship and attention to detail really stood out -- from the cabinetry and countertops to the finishes and overall layout. The crew was respectful of our home, kept the job site clean, and stayed on schedule as much as possible. Any questions or small adjustments were handled quickly and professionally. The final result exceeded our expectations, and our kitchen looks and functions better than we imagined. We would absolutely recommend Wise Builders to anyone considering a kitchen remodel and would gladly work with them again!

    The one bathroom in our 1918 house was in serious need of an upgrade. We chose WISE because they…read morewould hold my hand through the design and build process. All prior interior work in our house had been done by handyman. I really appreciated the communication from our project manager Marc. He created a WhatsApp chat with me and the incredible designer Jocelyn. They were both consistently responsive to any of my questions or concerns -- and opened my mind to design options. Jocelyn spent time in our home, drafted plans, took me shopping, and sourced all the fixtures. From her spreadsheet I was able to find less expensive options for some items. I appreciated the input and control I had on these expenses. Since we needed to move out, I had a tight timeline for the project -- mid October until Thanksgiving. Marc and the team did their best despite City of San Jose delays with inspections. We were able to move back in before the final inspection. Every member of the team was kind and courteous. Marc also did a great job working with the window vendor that specializes in older homes. I'm rating the experience a 4.5 out of 5 for two reasons. I was disappointed that the medicine cabinet, switch plates, and hooks were initially installed unevenly (it was corrected). I expected more attention to detail. And I was disappointed in the wear & tear that happened on my wood floors as well as the overall dust in my dining room. I was warned that things would get dusty -- but didn't understand the extent and would have packed away more things. WISE offers lots of support with design -- they could also offer as part of their package a full cleaning! I offer this feedback to help others calibrate their expectations. Overall it was a positive experience. I waited several months to post this review until I returned from travel and could see how things were settling after regular use. I'm loving the new bathroom and recommend WISE.

    Masterful Construction - Whole Home Renovation Project _ Kitchen

    Masterful Construction

    (34 reviews)

    After starting our project with another company, we realized that once demolition began, progress…read moreslowed down significantly. Since we were short on time, we decided to find a new contractor to complete our new house. Masterful jumped in and started construction even before all the design details were finalized because we couldn't afford to waste any time. Atar , the designer, stayed in daily communication with us to finalize the design while the crew, managed by Nur, began work on the rough electrical and plumbing. We genuinely felt like the whole company was focused on us, even though we know they were helping other clients at the same time. We only wish we had met Masterful sooner. Thanks to all their hard work, we got exactly what we wanted and are truly grateful.

    We bought an old house and decided to turn part of it into a real master suite by adding a new…read morebathroom. We had a general idea of what we wanted, but nothing too clear. When we met Yuvi for the first time, he immediately understood our vision and came up with great ideas and creative ways to make it work within our space. A few days later, Yuvi came back with two detailed quotes and patiently walked us through both options. He answered all our questions and helped us choose what would work best for our home and budget. From there, everything moved smoothly. The permitting took around three weeks, and construction was finished in about two and a half months, right on schedule and with no surprises. We also want to mention Adrian, the designer, who was such a pleasure to work with. He helped us choose all the materials and finishes while staying within our budget. His eye for design and attention to detail made the whole process so much easier and enjoyable. The combination of functionality and style he brought to the project made a huge difference. Throughout the whole process, the crew was respectful, clean, and very professional. They paid attention to every little detail, and it really shows in the final result. Our new master suite looks amazing, and it feels like it has always been part of the house. We are so happy we chose Masterful Construction for this project and would absolutely work with them again in the future.

    Patkowski Construction - Kitchen remodeling, San Jose, CA.

    Patkowski Construction

    (123 reviews)

    We hired Wojtek to renovate two of our bathrooms, and we are beyond thrilled with the outcome. From…read morestart to finish, the entire process was handled with professionalism, making it a completely stress-free experience for our family. Wojtek was fantastic at managing entire project and coordinated all crews flawlessly so we didn't have to worry about a thing. All work was completed in a timely manner and when done everything was left clean. Wojtek was honest and upfront with estimates from the very beginning and there were no surprises. While it might have been slightly pricier than other quotes we received, the quality of the work and piece of mind were defenetely worth it. We would highly recommend him and his crews to anyone looking for a high-quality, reliable and professional general contractor. We will defenetely reach out to Wojtek with our future remodels!

    We hired Mr. Patkowski for our bathroom remodeling project…read more Out of the six contractors I considered, he seemed the most reliable and knowledgeable. He assisted with all the small details that are usually hard to figure out. The work was completed strictly according to code--no shortcuts, no rushed or sloppy work. He was also very careful to protect the surrounding areas from dust and made sure to clean up thoroughly after each visit. Overall, it was a pleasure working with him. I highly recommend Mr. Patkowski and will definitely hire him for my next project.

    Level Up Home Builders - Level Up Home Builders excels in design and build services, combining creative design with expert construction for project management.

    Level Up Home Builders

    (78 reviews)

    We hired Level Up builders in November of 2024 for a kitchen remodel . We had interviewed two other…read morecompanies but ultimately felt the most comfortable going with Eli our salesman and project manager. The pace of the job was very smooth right off the bat and only picked up once the work started. During the design phase the team including Liane were very pleasant to work with. Liane was extremely patient and helpful while she met us at two design stores to assist us in choosing colors and layouts. Once the work started, we were very impressed with the site prep as Eli delivered on keeping as much dust out of the the rest of the house. He made sure crew setup plastic sheeting throughout the whole bottom floor with zipper doors included so we could still access the living room and upstairs. From here, we were very pleased with the pace of things. Eli and his team are very eager to work and do not make you wait. The demo happened very quickly and before we knew it we were moving very quickly through rough electrical and plumbing. The rest of the job went very smoothly and ended up being ahead of schedule. At any time if something was not right, Eli was very open to our suggestions and critiques and always made sure his crew fixed the issue. Once the work was done Eli was very responsive and always made sure any minor issues/details were address and fixed.

    We were searching for a contractor to continue along our home renovation journey with an extension…read moreproject. From start to finish the interactions had been very professional, respectful and timely. What sets this company apart was that they knew what they were doing, very experienced and had made the best use of our time in the two in person meetings that we had by answering all the questions we had and giving us exactly what my husband and I needed. We started out thinking we wanted an ADU extension but Nir gave us an honest take on what would work with our home and we were impressed. Out of several handful of people we met we would have gone with Level up if we decided to start the project and hope they pick up our call when we are ready again in a few years. Thank you Nir, Ruth and the rest of the team.

    United Pro Handyman Services - Ilia installing the trim.

    United Pro Handyman Services

    (71 reviews)

    Denny did a great job replacing wood rot underneath my home office window. He gave me an estimate…read morejust by looking at a photo of the rot. He was at my house the next day spent most of the day replacing and perfecting the wood so it matched the surrounding frame - really cared about doing a good job. And the cost was reasonable. As far as United Pro Handyman Service, pleasantly surprised that they got back to me the very day I called them about my job. I can't say that about other handyman services on Yelp. I will definitely be using their service again and will recommend them to others.

    Long overdue review! We hired United Pro Handyman (led by Ilya) in January 2024 for a remodel,…read moreincluding relocating an entry door, adding a partition wall, closing off a fireplace, removing built-ins, interior painting, and exterior stucco work. Unfortunately, our experience was extremely disappointing. The main issue arose with the exterior stucco work, which began cracking within days. Ilya sent his guy to fix the problem and his guy just applied another layer of stucco to cover the cracks! After one week, the cracks became evident and had worsened. My husband and I have decided to go with a different contractor to fix this issue. I had informed ILya about this and he initially agreed to reimburse us for a stucco patch. During this time, we decided to legalize the remodel. From the city inspection, we found out that the problem wasn't just superficial--underneath the stucco, we discovered improper waterproofing, incorrect lathing, and screws that did not comply with California code. This oversight could have led to much larger structural issues in the future. When I explained that this was not simply a patch job but required a complete redo of waterproofing, lathing, and screw replacements, Ilya became unresponsive. Alex, the manager, visited our site multiple times during the project in January and even guaranteed a one-year warranty, promising to provide a formal contract after we made full payment. Despite repeated follow-ups with Andrei, the estimator, we never received that contract. If you're considering United Pro Handyman, I strongly advise you to demand a binding quote or contract that includes all warranties before making any down payment. Be cautious of their "choice" between a 10% discount but you pay for the materials or no discount but they will shoulder the cost of materials--insist that they cover materials, especially for larger projects. They purchased unnecessary items, including insulation pads that were never used, resulting in a complete waste of money. As of today, our newly stucco wall is now ready to be painted. We passed all inspections and it feels so good to know everything was done correctly. We regret our decision to work with United Pro Handyman and recommend others proceed with extreme caution.

    EDR Design Build - Beautiful Open Kitchen & Living room, featuring big skylights, big windows, bi-fold door, kitchen island, and a fireplace in the living room

    EDR Design Build

    (39 reviews)

    Working with EDR Design Build has been a genuinely positive experience. Eddie and Sarmad are a…read morewell-balanced partnership, each bringing complementary strengths to the table. Eddie is friendly, approachable, and highly attentive - always keen to help and proactive about pulling together the right team for the job. Sarmad brings a strong counterbalance with his focus and execution, making the collaboration feel both creative and well-managed. Most importantly, this teamwork consistently results in satisfied, happy clients and projects that run smoothly, with every detail taken care of, from concept through to completion.

    We worked with EDR to build an extension. We met with about half a dozen contractors before signing…read morewith EDR. We looked for a project manager who was knowledgeable and to the point. We liked Sarmad's communication style - methodical and efficient, no extra words. Sarmad was incredibly efficient at managing our project. He made sure to schedule inspections right as we reached each checkpoint in the construction, so every day was optimized. As a result, our project from demolition to completion took just about 4 months. One aspect of our project that we worked closely with Sarmad on was to customize a computer server closet. Specifically, we wanted the closet to be soundproofed and have its own temperature control. Sarmad was very accommodating in our requests to install soundproofing insulation, and even suggested QuietRock drywall to enhance soundproofing. We also worked with the team to install conduits throughout the extension for future cable runs. Throughout the process, Sarmad was responsive to our questions and our requests.

    Richard Smith General Contractor - contractors - Updated May 2026

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