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Better Home Improvements

4.3(
14
)

General Remodeling, Kitchen and Bath Remodeling, Homebuilders,

... +13 more

About us

Dependable Contracting Service that's in and out on time & on budget. 31 plus years experience, bringing the best of each trade (peer reviewed) to get you, the customer, the highest value for your dollar.

Business highlights

40 years of trusted experience

Services we offer

Home, Kitchen, & Bathroom Remodeling. Decks. Windows. Siding. Roofing. Home Additions.

Services we don't offer

Ask for more details.

Amenities

Free Estimates
Yes
Warranties
Yes
Senior Discount

10%

Accepted payment methods

Check

Photos of past projects

Reviews

4.314 Reviews
Write a review
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
64%
4
7%
3
7%
2
21%
1
0%
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.6
value
4.0
professionalism
4.3
responsiveness
4.2
punctuality
4.3
Write a review
Showing 1-14 of 14 reviews
Don L.
10/2015
5.0
remodeling, home builders, plumbing, roofing, replacement windows
  + 3 more
We were extremely pleased with the end result. The job was finished on time and on budget. Ed's a good guy that aims to please. He went to great lengths to ensure the new roof line, windows, siding, and trim matched the original, exactly. Looking at the house from the outside, you would never know that there had been a room addition. The sub-contractors were conscientious, pleasant and unobtrusive. And, they cleaned up after themselves every day. Yes, there were a few glitches along the way, but Ed was there to smooth them out. He's easy to talk with, so straightening out any misunderstanding is just a matter of having a rational discussion with him.
Description of Work: Added second master bedroom and bath over the garage and added baths to two existing kid's bedrooms. This project included removing the roof over the attached garage; adding a support beam down the center-line of the garage; framing, plumbing, wiring and insulating the new rooms; installing a new roof; finishing, painting, and flooring the new rooms; installing showers, vanities, toilets, and lighting; extending the heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation ducts into the new rooms, matching the exterior siding and trim to the existing siding and trim; and finishing the interior of the garage.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$100,000
mike H.
10/2015
2.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
a
Description of Work: a
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
2.0
value
2.0
professionalism
2.0
responsiveness
2.0
punctuality
2.0
Cheryl C.
06/2015
5.0
remodeling, home remodeling
  + 0 more
Amazing! The workers were pleasant, friendly (even to our cats) and very professional. They cleaned up very well and paid attention to every detail plus more!
Description of Work: Installed wider door to bathroom so a handicapped person can enter without assistance. Also reinforced flooring. Electrical plug and thermostat needed to be moved over to accommodate the new door.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,260
Response from Better Home Improvements
When your customers are so nice, it is easy to do your work, and getting along is the best part of the job, it makes it enjoyable...
Robin S.
12/2014
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: Updated 3 full bathrooms, rerouted a sump pump, added a closet. I couldn't be happier. Everything went like clockwork...I've never before had a project start & finish on time! Everything looks beautiful. Admittedly there were a few glitches along the way, but BHI was great about rectifying things quickly & to my satisfaction. I would not hesitate to recommend them.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Dianne H.
12/2014
3.0
remodeling, replacement windows
  + 0 more
unknown
Description of Work: I am so disappointed in this contractor. Everything started out great. He was friendly responsive and professional. The day of the installation his helper showed up alone. We both called his cell which had a full mail box and could not receive messages. The helper worked alone and did a fabulous job.when Ed finally showed up he said he totally forgot about me because he was repairing his nephews car. He could not finish the trim on the replacement windows ans some work on my front door due to time constraints. As an act of good faith I paid him in full. Big mistake on my part. He never returned so the job is unfinished.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
3.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
4.0
$1,300
Melanie P.
11/2014
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
.
Description of Work: I am not in the position to pay the additional cost require to complete the project for a Big Deal that I purchased.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Carolyn K.
10/2014
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: 2 windows replaced, new siding, new trim, new shutters, new gutters & down spouts, new outdoor lights. Went very well.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Richard S.
08/2014
2.0
countertops, remodeling, home remodeling
  + 1 more
We only received an estimate. Actual construction work was not completed.
Description of Work: I had purchased a $55 Custom Kitchen or Bathroom Design Consultation with 3-D Plans directly from Angie's List representing Better Home Improvements. Before I was able to contact Better Home Improvements I received a call from Ed. He obtained my info from Angie's List and called me before I could contact him. I thought this was great. Ed came out to my home and we had a pretty good discussion about what was desired - essentially a total redo of our master bathroom. This was to include a walk-in shower, heated floor, toilet and vanity. His estimate was much, much higher that what my wife and I expected, nearly two times higher. We discussed some possible changes/modifications, but were unable to find sufficient savings. We never have received any 3-D drawings or renderings. I feel as though I paid for an estimate that other contractors provide as part of their business. There was nothing to set this estimate apart from any others that I have received, except the cost was significantly higher than I expected. I was not dis-satisfied with the overall concern and details that Ed provided. He listened well and provided good recommendations. However, I do not feel I received the services I paid for in the certificate.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$31,000
Response from Better Home Improvements
I listened to what he wanted ,his wife was not present during this first visit I asked if to reschedule and he said No! I put together his wish and want list as he explained his Master Bathroom the size of most 2nd bedrooms, was right over and unheated Garage. He had installed a new Buderas furnace about 40 feet away from the M.B. and was unwilling to put additional zone to heat the floor, the correct and long term best approach, which told me this was not his first quote for this bathroom. So I put together a quote, based solely on his wishes , needs, wants and taste which was expensive.. I Had over $11,000.00 in fixtures alone. that's before demoing the entire bathroom to studs, floor joists and ceiling joists, add in new insulation, new 3/4'' t&g plywood sub floor, 1/2'' Hardi board, new insulation in walls and ceiling to updated code, new Moisture resistant sheet rock taped and floated out 3 coats, New plumbing lines , drains and vents, new electrical, GFCI, electrical floor mat for floor heating, new shower recess lights, new Vanitiy lights, new exhaust fan dusted to exterior, new toilet and seat, new Vanity, stone top porcelin sink and new faucet, new BB heat as backup, new baseboard trim, New Shower over sized base, new shower valve and trim, new faucet, and new Glass tall sliding shower doors, Painting two coat primer with mold & mildew resistant additive to it, 3 coats of finish paint with same additive, all new trim, Tile floors and walls. If you have champane taste and a beer minded budget it is hard to compete with that mind set and give you all that you want.. His wife chuckled at his response to the quote, he never asked for a 3d rendition which would of come, after 2nd appointment and together told me what they really had money to spend on and which style of design they wanted. We did not get that far, I spend a good 20-30 hrs in prepping and preparing quotes, and have always been a middle bidder. I won't do cheap and fast, and there is no reason t to be a expensive contractor, quotes should be fair, Quality and and designed based on Customers needs and budgets, which I was unable to arrive at.
Shane D.
07/2014
5.0
closet systems, drywall, remodeling, woodworking
  + 2 more
What started as a wall paper and wood board removal turned into an remove a wall and open up a stairwell project! After discovering a compromised 17' joist, an engineer was brought in to provide a repair solution. That's when I contacted Ed at Better Home Improvements. The project was planned for two weeks and was done on time and on budget. All structural work was done in the first 3 days, drywall and finishing on the last 7 days. The site was cleaned up each night and kept orderly. Given all the challenges of this being a farmhouse from the 1902 timeframe, they did a great job and I'm very happy with the results.
Description of Work: They installed 7 LVL beams to support prior construction compromises to Joists and open up a small second floor stairwell. They rebuilt a closet that was shrunk to open up the stairs and replaced all drywall leaving it ready for paint. They also installed finish trim on 9 windows & 5 doors and also did installed 4 rooms of floor trim as well.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$6,000
Response from Better Home Improvements
I enjoyed working with [Removed member name] they are open to ideas and appreciate good work. I look forward to the opportunity again. Thank you
Natalie D.
07/2014
2.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: He did not bring any type of portfolio to show his work. He wanted me to do all the work, as far as designing my bathroom. I was really looking for some design ideas on re-doing my bathroom and there were none given to me. No quote was given to me, he just said he was expensive.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
1.0
punctuality
2.0
Response from Better Home Improvements
First of all I enjoyed the appointment, it went 2.5 hrs. After going through many ideas, most the daughter liked, the Mom would reject, after 40 minutes of Several catalog shopping, a question came up do I have a brochure of Bathroom 's I've done, I said no, but would you like to have my references, they said no, I offered and thought they agreed, to send them to a huge Showroom 15 minutes away, so they could look and see everything possible that would allow them time and comfort to make decisions... Bathroom's like Kitchens are never the same, at all, each person's choice is exactly that, theirs, with every suggestion being turned down, I thought this would be the Best way... They asked for prices on all items, I gave and told them, a higher range to work with.They then could make choices of their own..like, they then wanted a full price, I told them that about 9 hrs would be needed to complete a quote and a design, that i needed an idea of what fixtures, Tiles, Vanity, Lights, Paint, window, and colors,they'd use to complete a 85% quote, and that it usually 2-3 appointments, before a total price and design can be nailed down, with all of their choices included.. This system I have found always works betters, for 31 years it has been successful. What I find difficult to understand is while getting ready to leave, the 1st appointment, Mom, Daughter and Grand daughter said that they will go down to the showroom, See Sharon,(Showroom Personnel) did not need me to go with them, they would talk, Look, and be in touch within a week to ten days.. They all walked me out to the car and happily waived good bye..I am sorry for not reading the situation better and wish them Luck in re-designing their Bathroom... Oh yeah I just got a contract after 3 appointments for 3 bathrooms one home, the client did all her shopping Via the internet, asked for quality review and suggestions on performance of the job to make it a easy and quick on them.. That is my Goal, to make it there choice, desire and deliver that to them.. Thank you Ed Janicki
Shane D.
01/2014
5.0
remodeling, home remodeling
  + 0 more
.
Description of Work: Review needs and existing kitchen, completed plans and estimates for the work.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$50
06/2013
5.0
bathtub refinishing, plumbing
  + 0 more
My interaction with them was very positive. They gave me a very good feedback and ideas about placement and design. Their estimate was very fair. People should definitely seek their advice and their estimate. They may not use them as their contractor but they should definitely use the company to help them pick one.
Description of Work: Better Home Improvements gave us an estimate for putting in a hot bath upstairs.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Emily C.
06/2013
4.0
remodeling, home builders
  + 0 more
The price is expensive compare to other contractors
Description of Work: flooring
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
1.0
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
4.0
$10,000
Response from Better Home Improvements
I did enjoy meeting and working with the Customer, however, But, I did not do any work there. I quoted to Supply and Install 1/2'' plywood down first, (both CDX for wood flooring, and AC plywood or asked/needed because existing sub flooring and direction of floor joists were off, roughly 40 sheets of plywood, 4 cases PL300 Glue,, 8d ring shank nails, screw down AC/Dura-rock, supply and Install moisture barrier, supply nails for approx' 1800 sf of 2 &1/4", customer supplied bruce oak pre-finished flooring, Install oak .1800 sf., ALso supply and Install Porcelin Tile in two full bathrooms and slate flooring at two entry locations. Cut 14 doors bottoms re-attach base of door and primer cut work and reinstall 14 doors
Debra C.
04/2012
5.0
remodeling, home builders
  + 0 more
OUTSTANDING! We believe Better Home Improvements, who's been in business for 28 years, we feel that the outcome of the project was absolutely outstanding. As one would expect there were a few glitches along the way which were treated efficiently, professionally, and resolved in a positive and proper manner. Best of all the project was completed on time and within budget.
Description of Work: This is the fourth project that we have hired Ed for. From remodeling a home; to creating a business training area and office suite. On our latest project Ed laid the ground work from ground zero to the finished project of an oversized two car garage with a work area plus an in-law apartment. He was in charge of all the sub contract hiring, equipment, materials, and all town permits. Ed was present on the job site every day even when there were no subcontractor's present. The worksite was alway clean and orderly. Work always seemed to move forward at a brisk pace and the final project was outstanding.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$210,000

    Contact information

    126 Boston Post Road, Lyme, CT 06371

    Service hours

    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    Closed
    Tuesday:
    8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    Wednesday:
    8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    Thursday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 AM
    Friday:
    8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    Saturday:
    Closed

    Licensing

    Insured
    Eco-friendly Accreditations

    LEED Accredited Professional
    No
    Energy Star Partner
    No
    EPA Lead-Safe Certified
    No
    Use Green Products or Work Practices
    Yes
    State Contractor License Requirements

    All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.

    *Contact business to see additional licenses.

    All skilled traders and home improvement contractors operating in the State of Connecticut are required to be licensed or registered by the State Department of Consumer Protection. License or registration identification is required to be on all advertising, business cards, signage, and contracts. You can check to see if a contractor or tradesperson is licensed or registered by going to: https://www.elicense.ct.gov/

    Service Categories

    General Remodeling,
    Kitchen and Bath Remodeling,
    Homebuilders,
    Windows,
    Plumbing,
    Finished Carpentry and Woodworking,
    Roofing,
    Drywall,
    Countertops and Backsplashes,
    Closets,
    Bathtub Restoration,
    Basement Remodeling

    FAQ

    Better Home Improvements is currently rated 4.3 overall out of 5.

    Sunday: Closed

    Monday: Closed

    Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

    Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 AM

    Friday: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

    Saturday: Closed

    Better Home Improvements accepts the following forms of payment: Check
    Yes, Better Home Improvements offers free project estimates.
    Yes, Better Home Improvements offers eco-friendly accreditations.
    No, Better Home Improvements does not offer a senior discount.
    No, Better Home Improvements does not offer emergency services.
    Yes, Better Home Improvements offers warranties.
    Better Home Improvements offers the following services: Home, Kitchen, & Bathroom Remodeling. Decks. Windows. Siding. Roofing. Home Additions.
    Ask for more details.

    Contact information

    126 Boston Post Road, Lyme, CT 06371

    Service hours

    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    Closed
    Tuesday:
    8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    Wednesday:
    8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    Thursday:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 AM
    Friday:
    8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    Saturday:
    Closed