PAUL SLATTERY GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Paul came highly recommended by our realtor to remodel the kitchen when we bought the house. We had big plans to move the exterior wall and make the kitchen much larger so that the kitchen became a gathering place. However, due to the economy, we had to scale back our plans. Paul came up with the solution to put in a bay window that solved our flow problem and fit within our budget. Paul had a strong understanding of all the building codes, and knew the way that the work needed to be completed. He and his workers did the construction and electrical work. He brought in top-notch plumbers, painters and tile setters. He worked well with the cabinet designer that we had chosen. I asked to meet with Paul every morning so that I understood what was going to be accomplished that day and to ensure that we had made all the decisions that would allow the work to proceed quickly. Paul was at my home every day by 7:30 am so that we could meet and I could still get to work on time. He was very clear about the schedule and things that could cause delays so we had enough time to make the decision and not feel backed into a corner. We redesigned the kitchen three times over 5 years, and Paul stuck with us throughout. The first design was back due to the economy. We reworked the second design because we found a heating vent where the dumb waiter was supposed to go. Whenever we ran into a design quandary, Paul was thoughtful about the situation and kept our design goal in mind. He often came up with the exact solution to solve the problem when the architect and designer were stumped. Our cabinets were semi-custom, and some cabinets were the wrong size. The three floor-to-ceiling cabinets were too tall. Paul re-hung all the cabinets so that they didn't have to be remade. That would ruin our schedule. He worked with other cabinets to make them work when there were issues. Our backsplash was out of stock when we went to order. We picked a different back splash, and the random pattern was unsettling to me. I was sure that we had made a mistake. Paul worked with me for an hour to find a way to lay the tile so that the pattern worked. I left the house thinking that we would have to redo it. Paul worked with the tile layer and worked. I was completely amazed when I got home. It was absolutely gorgeous. Paul and his crew were very respectful about the property. They were very aware that we had to live in the house while the construction was going on. They did everything to minimize the dust and chaos. The job site was always very clean and well organized. There was a problem where an outside light was broken. My husband had used a specialized fitting to install the light. Paul found the fitting and fixed the light without a problem. Paul was very flexible in order to make sure that we were happy. I wanted the kitchen to be very bright and warm. We went with recessed lighting, and I was concerned about having shadows. Paul installed the lights and had me check it out to make sure that I was happy. I saw shadows, and was concerned that the lighting didn't line up correctly due the crazy layout of the existing floor plan. I wanted him to stagger the lights. He took my concern about the shadows and added a light. When we talked about the pattern of lights, he said that I would be unhappy with the staggering once the cabinets came in. He had earned my trust by then, but I was unsure. I asked him if he would be willing to redo it if I didn't like it when the cabinets got in. He said that we could discuss it. Once the cabinets came in, he was right. He was expert in dealing with the building inspectors. During an interim inspection, the city inspector said that the lighting didn't meet the code. I was on edge because we just agreed to add the extra light and the city wanted us to reduce lights. Paul worked to understand the inspector's concern. The inspector didn't realize that Paul had used upgraded lighting, and we were well within the lighting requirements. I was worried about schedule because Paul liked to talk - a lot. He is a jovial person, and the conversation could go on for a while. However, when we needed to end the conversation, Paul was able to shut it down without being offended. As a talker myself, I had to manage that so that I could get to work on time. It never seemed to jeopardize the schedule, though. I always felt that Paul was thoroughly supervising the job. Paul knew everyone that he worked with, and seemed to have long working relationships with the subcontractors. Everyone was clean, professional and skilled. I am very protective about who is in my house, and yet I never worried about the workers or leaving the house while construction was going on.

He was punctual. His crew was neat and orderly. We are very pleased with his work.