Busy-Bee Construction LLC

John is professional and direct his carpenter is excellent and a joy to have in my home.Will use again .

Very good team! Very punctual and work full days! High quality work, and completed all of the job! Nice crew, very accomodating and flexible. No extra costs other than what was agreed on and approved... Owner (John) is very professional and keeps things moving. Overall- very nice working with these guys! Nice quality of work provided!

We started the remodeling projects of our bathrooms, by interviewing and receiving estimates from three, different contractors. Busy Bee Construction was the most reasonable and flexible for our needs. We liked that they led us in decision making about the two bathrooms, but did not dictate. Both jobs had different needs. We found them very creative and knowledgeable. We liked that they worked out a schedule for doing the work that met our needs. We had guests coming for Holidays, and they were very sensitive to our wants/needs. They always came to work on time, and were efficient and polite. Great care was taken to protect areas around the work area, and every day when work was finished, they would clean up. It was wonderful to deal with workers so hard working and knowledgeable! And, who kept to a schedule we had worked out together! Love both our new bathrooms! Beautiful and functional! We would definitely use Busy Bee Construction again. And, recommend them for any construction job, big or small.

They were timely and professional. We had a lot of problems with the floor. We're not dealing with them anymore, but the floor still has issues going on. So I wouldn't recommend him to people for their floors, necessarily. But he did a great job on the new ceiling, the lights and the cabinets. Everything is really nice. He definitely tried to help with the floor. He just kept using the same guys for the floor, so when something was bad, they would come in and repair it and it would fix one problem, but kind of created another.

We had a lot of work done and they did a great job. They did a lot of retro fitting in the kitchen and completely redid the bathroom. They communicated and always cleaned up afterwards at the end of the work day. They were careful with the animals. They were painstaking about everything.

The scope of the job was a gut kitchen renovation with in our 100 year old house. In addition to the typical new kitchen items, we had a bay window installed, opening to dining room widened, and a bead board ceiling installed. John and his crew were the utmost professionals keeping the job sight clean at the end of the day, and communicating effectively about all aspects of the project. The finish carpentry was excellent. We would certainly hire them again.

We have a bathroom that needs a number of repairs: new floor and counter top, window replacement or repair, tub refinishing, new cabinet door, etc. I sent e-mail inquiries to three companies; John Downie at Busy-Bee was the only one to respond. He came to the house the first Saturday after my e-mail and met with my husband and me. He said he could do the job but that it would make better sense for us financially to divide the work into smaller projects and farm them out to specialists. For example, he recommended that we pick out a new flooring at Lowe's and have Lowe's install it. If he had his crew install the same floor, he would charge us much more. We think he gave us excellent advice and are following it.

We got a very fair quote from him. Did most of his work with the same guy so we'd be seeing the same people on going which was really important because we were living in the house and I got small children so that was important and when he used sub-contractors, it was the same contractors so they knew his work. We didn't have to worry about all of those kind of things. He seems knowledgeable about the permitting process. I like that I felt comfortable enough that his guys were around my kids that I didn't feel nervous, that I could walk out of my house and leave them alone. Even when we paid in full after the job, when we found something that needs to be fixed, he came out and did it. That's something that a lot of people have trouble with.

John's team, which included Gary, Mark, and Tim among others, were great and we trusted them to be in our home every day while we were at work. The team was always friendly, knowledgeable, confident, efficient, and respectful. They showed up everyday when they said they would; we never had to worry about them going missing for days/weeks at a time. The old kitchen was demoed in a matter of hours, and somehow they managed to do it without making a huge mess. Plastic sheets were used in the doorways to keep the dust at a minimum. This was a precedent that was set early on, the site would always be well cleaned. While the work was being done, they kept us informed at every step of the way so we always knew what to expect next. With the house being almost 100 years old, there was always a concern about "old house" problems that could cost us more time and money. Fortunately, as far as we know, there were no major problems, though I'm sure not everything was as easy as they made it look. As for the installation of the kitchen, the tile was layed in no time and the cabinets were installed hours after they had been delivered. The team handled the delivery and installation of all our appliances, and all the finishing work was done with great precision. The difference between a great experience and an incredible one is how the team goes above and beyond what was originally asked of them. For us, the first example came in the form of painting a side entryway attached to the kitchen. As the kitchen started taking shape, it was clear the the entryway was looking dated. The guys didn't mind putting some tile down and some new paint on the walls to freshen it up. The second example occured after all the work had been completed. After using the oven for a couple weeks we found that a defect existed in the oven which caused it to leak gas when in use. Sears refused to take care of the installation, so we were stuck finding someone to come over on extremely short notice. John was the first and only call. He came over and took care of the swap and had it installed at no cost to us. Now that the work is done, we can say, Busy Bee's work was flawless. John and Gary addressed every concern or question we had quickly and efficiently. The project was done on budget and on time. We are already talking with John about the next project. Bottom Line: Our expectations were exceeded, the work was done at a high level of quality and we couldn't be happier.

John Downie met or exceeded my expectations in just about every way. His initial quote was very reasonable and we loved the fact that he provided a detailed breakdown of the costs. The only additional costs were due to changes that we made later on. John also adhered closely to the timeline that he laid out, which was important to us as we were living through part of the remodel. While John would stop by to supervise, most of the work was done by his crew (especially Gary), who we found to be extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and patient with us as they spent time going through the project on an almost daily basis. Whenever we wanted to make a change in the project, John and his men would do their best to accommodate our requests, or let us know on those occasions why they would recommend against it. The quality of the work was top-notch and it really gave us confidence that they were doing things the right way, with good materials and pride in their product. Overall, I was thrilled with our experiences and I intend to hire John and his crew for future projects as well.

How did it go?.beyond amazing!!! They respected my input and design. They were honest enough to recommend changes to enhance the overall plan and they were right. Kept me informed daily on what was to be accomplished. Their 1st job was to remove the existing cabinets. They did this with great care so I can donate them. I picked out the perfect tiles for the the new floor and back splash at the recommended Fitzgerald Tile in Woburn (floor) and Stone One in Methuen(granite counter top and backsplash). My kitchen was gutted. Amazing new recessed lighted was installed. A new window replaced the old. Wiring was upgraded and brought up to code. The painting was done extremely well. The exterior work to match the siding was better than I could have expected. An exciting day was when the cabinet install began. I have never seen such attention to detail, corners so perfectly mitered and time invested so it was done to a very high standard by the craftsman, Mark, who installed them. This was also reflected in the tile work done for the floor and backsplash. They cleaned up daily, were courteous, friendly, professional and very invested in the finished project. There were no big surprises re the cost from the estimate done by Busy Bee, another huge plus. The cost was beyond fair for the caliber of the work done. The work was completed as within the expected time frame, a pleasant surprise. As I wrote at the beginning, unlike any of my other experiences. I can unequivocally, recommend Busy Bee Construction. They will be coming back here for a bathroom remodel and a new addition...

Excellent craftsmanship, courteous crew, good suggestions and very responsive to our needs. Sometimes communication between the foreman and owner and us wasn't as clear as we'd like it, resulted in miscommunication and a few issues that we would have liked done differently BUT, any construction project is subject to these kinds of problems. We did have to ask multiple times about getting an estimate; BUT to be fair, we were changing our mind and the needs of the project were very specific. We did have to contribute a lot for design solutions, so we would have liked the contractor to have been more forthcoming or creative in this area, however, he was not an access design specialist. At completion, it all worked and we are very happy with the design and space. No project is ever perfect. All issues were resolved amicably and the subs were all top notch. This is an excellent company dedicated to quality construction and service.

Can,t say enough NICE things about John and his crew. This was our first major renovation and it was such a positive experience!!! Soooo impressed and thrilled with the finished product that Busy Bee Construction is the ONLY construction company we will contact for future(kitchen) remodeling.

We only regret that "A" is the highest grade we could give for John. We interviewed and received estimates from 5 contractors for our renovation. John's was by far the clearest in several respects - most importantly in terms of detail and relative expectations of cost. John also came across as extremely competent and confident. John and all of his 6 or 7 employees and sub-contractors were thoughtful, intelligent, and dedicated to doing high quality work - real craftspeople. They were also extremely considerate in minimizing the messiness and interruptions to our lives (we work at home). Importantly, when problems arose (as they inevitably do in such projects), John was extremely responsive, and we always felt that he dealt with us fairly and even generously. He let us know when he was and was not coming, and, when any issues arose, *he* called/emailed/texted *us* - even emailing at various points to ask how we liked a particular step he'd taken. In contrast, we've usually found it difficult to chase down contractors when we needed to discuss something. We've had a number of renovations done to the 2 houses we've successively lived in in the past 15 years, and, fortunately, the contractors have mostly been pretty good. Nevertheless, John is by far and away the best - we are *extremely* pleased with the way it turned out.

This was one of the biggest home projects we have done and while I was nervous something would go wrong, Busy Bee turned out to be a terrific company to work with. They gutted our 2nd floor bathroom (original to the house with tons of pink tile!) and while it was small, created a beautiful new bathroom that feels more spacious and looks terrific. We were not the most organized of home owners - when the time came ready to start the project, I hadn't even finished picking out all the materials, including the tub. But John was so helpful including tracking down a tub that was similar to ones I had shown him and within budget. He was very helpful overall in suggesting where to get products and the overall design of the space. The workmen were also great - they were working in the bathroom right next to our main bedroom and kept everything so clean and under control, which was impressive considering they were working in a very small space. After our job was done (on time and on budget!) we referred him to a friend of ours who also had a good experience.

John Downie and his crew were such a pleasure to work with, and we were thrilled with the results. John was punctual and professional throughout the process, and he stuck to his budget. His team arrived on time every day and kept us in constant communication. They were extremely polite and professional and went to great lengths to keep the work area clean throughout the process. The job we had was big. It required adding new plumbing to an area that had no plumbing, and we encountered a few unexpected problems along the way. John was very diligent and kept a quick pace with the progress. He also came up with suggestions on how we could arrange the bathroom to maximize a very tight space. The results are beautiful! We have two beautiful new bathrooms, a remodeled basement with excellent lighting, and a new laundry area. We feel like we have a whole new home. I would definitely recommend Busy Bee to others. If we have other remodeling needs in the future, Busy Bee will be on my short list to call.

II was extremely pleased with Busy-Bee. I got four estimates which were all in the same range, and I chose Busy-Bee because John seemed like he would be the easiest to work with, and that turned out to be the case. He was very responsive and answered all my calls and emails promptly. The project started on time and took four weeks and I was very satisfied with that. There was a minimum of disruption to my home and living arrangements. John was very helpful when I was undecided about what to do in certain situations and gave suggestions without trying to push me in any direction. He recommended Stone One in Methuen for my countertop and tile. Their selection and service were excellent as well. John?s crew was courteous, friendly and accommodating. They took time to answer my questions and were respectful to my home and me personally. The quality of the work was outstanding. I made a couple of changes to the original plan and they obliged without issue. If there were any changes they needed to make they consulted me ahead of time and explained the reasons thoroughly. At the end of the project there were a few minor issues to deal with and they were fixed immediately without any push back. My reason for the B rating for price was because all bids were roughly the same. I felt the price for the work done was fair. I will definitely consider using Busy-Bee should another project come up.

We couldn't be happier with Busy-Bee. The full kitchen remodeling was completed within 8 weeks, as per John Downie's original estimate and we love our new kitchen. The house was constructed in 1895, so it was no surprise that once construction started and the demolition was completed, it became clear that some additional work was required. The added cost for this work was reasonable and it did not delay the scheduled completion date. Dan and Mark, who were the principal members of the crew that worked on our kitchen, take real pride in their craftsmanship and in delivering a quality product. They worked exceptionally hard and really went the extra mile to make sure that we were happy with the outcome. These guys absolutely deserve the A rating that they have received! We learned about Busy-Bee from one of our friends who loved the job they did and we will also be recommending them to our friends.

John and his crew were EXCELLENT! They were professional, on time, enthusiastic, patient, and above all flexible to any changes or suggestions that we presented to them. John takes great pride in his and his mens work which is evident in the finished product. Communication is excellent and consistent whether through texting, phone calls, or email. They arrive early in the morning and work throughout the day and clean up their mess before they leave. I will use Busy-Bee Construction for all our future construction projects or any home improvements.

They encountered a lot of unusual issues in our 1938 house (1/4 inch diameter copper pipes, cellulose walls, unusual drain configurations). None of them were a problem. They were timely, professional and we are very pleased with the final product. As an add on to the bathroom project, we asked them to replace our electric stove (which died during the course of the bathroom reno) with a wider gas stove. What seemed a simple job ultimately required them to plumb the kitchen for gas, cut down some of the existing cabinets, and relocate the dishwasher. I tried to minimize the cost of the project by buying a reconditioned range on EBay. It was purported to be in 100% working condition but after John and the guys installed it, the oven didn't work. I bought a new one and the seller said they would move the non-working one to the garage for me. After almost a month and a half without a working range, I found myself on Presidents Day morning with two 36" ranges in my tiny kitchen. Turns out the delivery guys were not allowed to move the other one. I texted John in a panic and he said he'd see what he could do. That afternoon he rallied his whole crew at the end of their normal work day and descended on my problem. In a little over an hour they had the dud moved to the garage, and the new stove installed (as well as the free dishwasher that came with it). From the beginning of our work with Busy Bee, John assured me that we were in good hands and that we were going to be happy in the end. I had no idea what lengths they would go to be sure that was true and I can't thank them enough. I would like to nominate them for an award if you guys are still doing that. Thanks!

Busy Bee did an excellent job remodelling our bathroom. Their bid was in line with the other A-rated businesses on Angie's List. This means they do things right and don't skimp out on any of the details. They were pleasant to deal with, always prompt, and were very respectful of us and the cats. They handled all of the permitting and inspection issues and always brought in good specialists when necessary (electrical, plumbing, tiling). When we asked for proof of licensing they didn't hesitate to send us a copy. They also went to bat for us when a vendor shipped us the wrong tub. Every day we'd poke our heads in the bathroom, and I was always pleased to see well-roughed electrical, or capped-off plumbing. There was no question in my mind whether we'd pass inspection. For the most part they were very clean, but one day we discovered a fine layer of plaster dust all over the hallway and neighboring room. They offered to clean it up when we brought it to their attention. Otherwise despite the two dumpsters of trash that was created during the process the rest of the house remained clean. We weren't always on the same page with regard to our stylistic choices -- we had a very modern, dwell-ish idea for how we wanted things to look and sometimes Busy Bee had trouble believing that we really wanted things that way. And on a couple of occasions they would make stylistic choices on their own, like for the moulding or the new window frame, that didn't match with what we wanted. But they took direction very well, and let use handle our own purchasing of fixtures and tiles. And when we explained how we wanted things to look they executed it brilliantly. We are very happy with the new bathroom, and it's now the warmest, most level, most solidly built room in the house. I would gladly hire them again for another project.

Everyone who worked with John was very polite, clean, punctual and checked with us and explained the work every step of the way. We are very pleased with the quality of the work and with the results. Thanks Busy Bee!

Overall we are fairly pleased with the work done. The old bathroom was floor to ceiling blue and pink tiles, so the end result is beautiful compared to that. The project took 4 weeks to finish and we feel that it took longer than necessary even with 2 additional unexpected days of demo and framing. It wasn't until there was a mistake made in the bathroom that the process hurried up to amazing pace with 4 people in my house at one time. It felt as if John had too many things going on at once and the attention to detail that we expected was overlooked. I had to restate what we wanted for certain things several times over and even with that the wrong color grout was used in our shower, which we feel is a tremendous oversight. John offered to re-do it, however it would have just added more time onto the project and we were anxious to have our bathroom back since it is the only one we have and had spent the 4 weeks of the remodel sharing our 2nd floor tenants bathroom (they are family). There were other small details that were overlooked as well, and again, John offered to fix them, but we decided to let it go and do it ourselves. We were not completely disappointed but also not completely satisfied.

I can not say enough about how pleased I am by the job Busy Bee did to remodel my bathroom. They were all so professional and courteous in their work ( especially their worker Dan). They cleaned up each day and never left a spec of dust. We really enjoyed having them in our home and were so pleased with the results. I would rate them as a A+++ and to recommend them to anyone. K. Healy

Very well. It presented some challenges for such a small bathroom but John and his crew were able to handle it quite well. Work was started on time and finished on time each day with the clean up done in a professional manner. Quite pleased overall.