A Fresh Start Project Management

I am relatively new to the area, so when I was ready to renovate my kitchen, I really didn't know where to begin. A friend of mine mentioned Chuck, so I set up a time to meet. What is unique about Chuck's services is that he brings in contractors, painters, and electricians for you to interview. I wouldn't have known where to begin in finding reliable, quality work. This way, you have a choice and feel like you can make an informed decision. Chuck saved me from making a very costly decision from the start. I had planned to go with darker cabinets, as mine were natural (yellowed) oak that I hated. But given my kitchen placement, Chuck explained that I needed to go lighter because of the lack of direct light in my kitchen.Chuck helped with a concept of a kitchen design before we even started looking at cabinets.Even though I was somewhat uncertain that I would find lighter cabinets that I liked, I was able to find cabinets that I absolutely feel in love with and so we began. Any time we met, Chuck would have an agenda so we would make good use of our time. Each month he provided an invoice with a summary of everything he did, so you always knew where his time was spent. His fees were part of my overall budget for the kitchen. Chuck would stay in touch with all of the contractors, make sure they were on schedule, and stop by on a regular basis to make sure things were going well. He has a good eye for catching things that weren't up to par or needed to be corrected. He provided a lot of guidance and moral support when I was torn on some decisions, and was very patient with me when I changed my mind on some things (multiple times). We took field trips to look at lighting, granite, and a cooper fabricator. He found ways for me to save money on some of the kitchen items, researched specialty items on the internet, and was available for any help needed in the process. He had a timeline set up so I knew what we would be doing when, but also allowing some necessary flexibility in the schedule. Chuck is extremely knowledgeable, punctual to a tee, and fun to work with. I got the kitchen of my dreams, and feel like I made a friend along the way. Kitchen renovations aren't the easiest, and this iwas my first, but if I did it again (or any project for that matter) I would certainly call Chuck!

The process went beautifully – and as anyone who’s been through a large renovation project knows, that’s saying a lot! This was a long-distance project for us as my husband and I were still living and working in New York City while the renovation of our retirement home was going on 85 miles away. Staying in close touch with us every step of the way, Chuck Jones, the head of Fresh Start Project Management, solicited and reviewed bids, hired, supervised and managed the local contractor and tradespeople, provided us with continuous progress reports and a running list of expenses and issues, attended closely to our requirements and style preferences, researched and presented us with a variety of materials, appliances and other features from which to choose, provided extremely helpful design and organizational advice, and generally took on the bumps and snags that any such project presents and smoothed them out for us – with skill, energy and good humor. And he did it all at a reasonable price ($50 per hour) and while keeping the entire project within our budget. We’re now in our dream retirement home and can’t recommend Fresh Start Project Management highly enough!