Clear Construction

Jon was amazing with great ideas to resolve a long standing problem and was the best communicator I've worked with so there was no confusion and I always had someone to resolve any issues that came up along the process.

Jon was hired to be the General Contractor of the gut rehab at a 3000 square foot residence after my partners and I tried to manage the job ourselves. He took on the project after the demolition phase had been completed, and the initial re-plumbing was underway. One characteristic of several which set him apart from other General Contractors we've dealt with in the past was his eye for detail. Some examples: He noticed right away areas where the plumbing was not correct (i.e. not strapped adequately), and areas where it would impact the finished result negatively (i.e. controls not centered on shower walls); the framing materials used on the two additions from the 1980?s were a different size from that of the original residence, therefore the doorway dimensions at the finish phase would not consistent without remediation. Upon being hired for the project Jon fired the plumber for refusing to cooperate, and from that point forward, choreographed the remodel by vetting and hiring various contractors and carefully supervising them. He established realistic time-lines and provided us with calenders so we knew in advance what was going to happen, how long it would take place, etc.. Prior to each major activity (i.e. window/sliding door install) he would walk us through the process. Jon kept us away from the politics of the remodel, and his low-key, non-confrontational attitude coupled with his 'quality first' and organizational skills got rid of the anxieties and stress we were experiencing before he arrived. I found out after the fact that he surprised the neighbors (who were already tired of the constant remodeling happening at other homes on our street) by introducing himself and asking what time in the a.m. would be alright to do some concrete saw-cutting and jack hammering! What kind of G.C. thinks like that anymore? As he once explained to me, he treats each project as if it were happening at his own home. Whenever we would visit the project at the end of a day, the job site would be found swept clean, and tools put away. During the morning, Jon would be seen going through a question and answer session with the trades, tracing the steps they would undertake. This process, I found out later, allowed him to assess potential problems ahead, and find solutions. Jon is an advocate of green and sustainable practices. Examples include: FSC certified hardwood flooring; a recirculating tank for the tankless water heater; recycled cellulose insulation; high efficiency appliances and plumbing fixtures; low voltage recessed lights; dual glazed, low-e windows and doors; careful calculation of building materials to minimize waste from cuts; use of recycling containers for waste debris; synthetic grass; mist irrigation on the hillside. With regard to design, Jon offered winning suggestions that with minimal additional expense created maximum results. Some examples: Cedar lined closet cabinets; white laminated glass interior doors; 1?2 inch thick back bar shelves; bull-nose edges on the stair treads; squared rain gutters. Mock-ups of cabinets for the bathrooms and bar would be fabricated to test out the design ideas. When it came to cost, he would comparison shop in order to find the best price. Jon wasn?t sold on the idea that ?Cadillac? branded appliances were the best. Some examples: He researched and found a lesser known brand yet durable beverage coolers and ice machines on the internet for the bar- and they look just as high-end as the more famous brands; Jon negotiated and saved nearly 50% on the price (versus that of other suppliers) of Spanish limestone for the 2000 square foot deck. He taught and supervised the tile setter how to work with the material, resulting in labor savings amounting to several thousand dollars. His constant, clean cut, and professional presence on-site ensured that the first-rate results we looked for were delivered. As a seasoned real estate investor I was impressed enough to buy out my partners and move into the place.