MODEL MASONRY

I found Model Masonry and Tile through a recommendation from Sir Grout of Boston, who I'd contacted via Angie's List (I'd mistaken Sir Grout for a tile installer) to find a new tiling company to take over from another firm who I wasn't happy with. I'd not have picked MMT based on their Angie's List ratings (luckily for me, I didn't spot them on Angie's List until right near the end of my search, as I'd probably have skipped them otherwise), but the way the project went just shows you can't always take Angie's List ratings at face value, and still have to do plenty of research. My project was to replace a kitchen backsplash with 2x6 glass tile. My first attempt at doing this involved searching Angie's List for a few well-rated firms, getting the usual 3 quotes, and then picking a company I thought looked good. That first firm demo'd the old backsplash, put up concrete board, and then started tiling, but after 3 days I pulled the plug (the work quality was up to par - uneven tiles, wavy lines, tiles jutting out, bad cuts, etc.) and decided to cast a wider net and do far more due diligence. It's at this point I stumbled across MMT, and I also spoke to five other firms or individuals, some ranked very highly on Angie's List, and others recommended by friends, contractors or tile showrooms such as Fitzgerald Tile in Woburn, MA. Having been unhappy with the first firm I'd hired, I had a better idea as to the questions I should ask, and had an example right there in my kitchen as to what I didn't want. I asked detailed questions, had on-site visits, and spoke to references. MMT was the one that came out on top - they didn't seem afraid of working with glass tile in the way some other firms were, were very patient in answering my numerous questions in a very thorough way, and the reference they provided was extremely positive to say the least. The way my backsplashes turned out ended up being stunning, and the MMT crew turned the whole project around in 1.5 days including demo of the previous partial installation, putting up foam board (not concrete - cleaner, easier to work with, the latest and greatest substrate apparently), putting up the tile with perfect cuts, and then grouting. The result is perfectly straight lines, superb quality overall, and something that I've been admiring since they finished. If you're a nit-picky perfectionist like me, and want a tile installation to match, these are the guys to go with. I can't recommend them highlight enough, and am now planning on using them for some larger projects later this year.

They applied the wrong sealer and it was overly shiny and very, very slippery. We had paid $2000 for the services. When we realized the surface they had applied was faulty, Jamie responded to our call saying he had made the error in applying the wrong product and would fix the problem. However, over the past 4 months they have sent only 1 person for a few hours each time to strip a few tiles. That process has never been completed despite many calls to Jamie and many reassurances from him that the task would be completed well. It is now November -- calls to Jamie and the owner, Adam, have not been returned and we are left with a major problem. We are very frustrated and angry and want our money returned. It has been a disaster.

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fine for the first year, then stones started falling out

They were awesome. I would defintely hire them again. They had a huge crew, did the job quick. I would highly recommend them.

Adam was amazing from the first meeting! We had talked to dozens of masons/ landscapers about moving some granite stairs from one side of the house and arranging them in a different configuration elsewhere. All of the others said it couldn't be done due to size of the granite pieces, the finish, etc.. Without hesitation, Adam assured me that absolutely, it was not only possible, but a great idea to do this! He suggested creative way to arrange and finish the granite that we hadn't thought of, re-sized and re-finished our materials. Our front landing and stairs now look amazing! Adam worked with our very specific time table and even helped problem-solve when we needed some concrete footers for our new deck project. His crew even provided some extra hands to help install them. The crew was delightful. Smart, hardworking and cheerful - we noticed that they laughed a lot while working together. That sort of energy is contagious and was a pleasure to have around our home. Oh yes, and they also did excellent chimney repair while they were here! If we hadn't known, we wouldn't be able to tell where the 50-year old masonry work ended and the new work began. Hire them!! We are happy that we did.

I called to schedule a meeting in order to get an estimate. After waiting for half an hour past the scheduled time, I called and left a message. I didn't hear back until the next afternoon, when I got a message indicating that Tyler had been on a flight that was delayed. A week or so later, I decided to try again. This time Adam was supposed to meet me so I planned to go into work late. Again, when he was half an hour late I called and left a message. I got a call back within 15 minutes from Tyler who said that he thought Adam was heading my way and he'd try to track Adam down. A few minutes later, I got a call stating that Adam had been called to an emergency job and couldn't make it. While I understand that emergencies come up, unless you're involved in an accident or giving birth, you can at least call and let the person who's waiting for you know that you won't be there. After experiencing this unfortunate treatment twice, I had had enough. I'm not sure if this is just incompetence or if these guys are swamped due to being one of the few masonry services on AngiesList -- but if what I experienced is at all routine then they are going to destroy their reputation.

Adam and Tyler were a pleasure to work with from start to finish. Our call was answered upon first attempt to contact this company and we received a time that was convenient for us for an estimate visit. After the estimate visit we received, within 1 day, a very professional invoice detailing the work to be done and the prices for each portion of the job. We indicated that we would like to sign on and were provided with a link to an online invoice, allowing us to make payments online which was very convenient. Although we were in no hurry to get the job done, Model Masonry had an opening within 1 week of the estimate and the job was done the following day. We received an update via phone as to the fact that the workers were on their way the morning of the job, even though they were running right on schedule. Once they arrived, on time, they were efficient, professional, and knowledgeable. The job was done well and to specifications and was completed in one day. Upon speaking with Tyler on the phone, we were able to add to the job some additional haul away of old masonry material, free of charge. This was a huge help to us. In addition, at one point our neighbors, whose driveway abuts the gravel laid down, asked that some of the gravel be pushed back to allow for their car to fit into their driveway more comfortably. We were able to speak with the men performing the work and they were courteous and agreeable in meeting our neighbor's requests. All work and materials were cleaned upon completion of the work and our plants were not disturbed during the process. This was a painless and quick process and we would hire Model Masonry again!

Adam and his crew are EXCELLENT! I was referred to them after a disaster with he company i was originally going to use and he helped me out on VERY short notice. He and his crew were professional, courteous, pleasant, and did a great quality job. I appreciate so much the help and services from them and could not say better things about them! I will be using them for my next project whenever that may be. They treated me and my house as if i were family and the house was theirs, cleaned up, were engaged in my kids presence and explained almost everything every step of the way. i HIGHLY recommend Adam and his crew! he even took his own time to help me with steering me in the right direction with another issue i have been having in the house. A wonderful man, with a wonderful team who does fabulous work! Thank you!!

Good work.

Of the 3 estimates I have received, Adam offered something different that the others did not consider: solid granite steps with a brick walkway which looks elegant upon completion. The team came promptly and everything was finished in 3 days over a period of one week. Emails were answered promptly. I am pleased with their work and would highly recommend them.

They did good work for me. Their quality is pretty high. I would use them again in the future.

Fantastic. Finished the job ahead of schedule and cleaned up his mess and the other contractor's mess.

Adam and his crew were very professional, the price was good and I am pleased with the result. This is an old house and I commend the company on the outstanding job they did leveling a floor that was very uneven. Adam was involved in the leveling aspect of the project. He did not lay the tile himself, however, his 2-3 person crew did the actual tiling and grouting. The crew moved fast. They did a perfect job cutting the tile around the edges of the room.

.They were fabulous. They were very responsive to come out and look what they needed to do. They were very quick in getting me a bid. They did a really good job of getting me updated as to when they would start the work and how they were going to go about it. They were really smart and were able to handle talent that came up during the project. I was very pleased with them and I have recommended them to many people. The price was in line with a couple of other bids that came in so they were fine on price. The quality of the workmanship was excellent. There were a couple of matters with the job that they might have been able to foresee and might have been able to talk about it in the end. But the final product was great. I will use them in the future.

Adam was very responsive and professional. Price was reasonable and cost overruns were minimal and fully justified by the change in the project scope. Work was done in one week, start to finish.

Adam without a doubt is a dedicated, perfectionist in his business. He gives 100% of himself to the project and the customer and has great pride in his work. If you have a specific project or are looking for something creative he has the skills to bring your project to completion and beyond. You will definitely be more than pleased. Soncerely, David Williamson

Adam was very responsive in coming to visit and give us an estimate for the work. He has a good eye for what needs to be done. His crew came to fix the problem with the erosion under the pavers and finished it in a few hours--it now looks as good as new. He and his crew came a second time to place the granite steps, which he had taken care to match as closely as he could with the existing steps. They placed them carefully exactly where we wanted them, and the result looks great.

Adam was extremely attentive to the project. He worked with me at the onset of the project to understand the design, made suggestions for improvement and set the date. He was available on the phone when not at the site, would call back immediately, had his men be on time every morning, would call ahead if detained. The team all worked well with my plumber and electrician and this was an overall excellent experience. There were the usual snags in the project. We ran out of tile, and the dye lot only had 3 boxes left and it was in a warehouse in Bridgeport connecticut. He sent one of his men 3 hours down and turned it around 3 hours back in the same day in order to keep the project going. I was impressed. Then the wet floor of the shower wasn't pitched enough on the slant to drain, and the tile on that floor (all 1x1 inch tumbled glass)was no longer available so he had his man carefully remove every tile and put it all back one tile at a time) Every time there was a glitch in the project Adam was there with a calm manner, great patience, and a willingness to always go the extra mile in order to get it fixed. I have done many renovation projects and suggest that when doing a project, the consumer should do their homework, understand all the details involved, ask lots of questions to understand what is entailed and be available to the project manager for any clear needs so that the result is satisfying. Adam allowed me to be involved, create details suited to my own personal taste and needs, and was the best personality I have worked with. My bathroom looks great. I will have Adam do my next bathroom upstairs this year.

This was one of the most pleasant contractor experiences I have had. From start to finish things went well. The estimate was about the same as for pavers from other contractors, but instead I got natural stone and he even used my existing cobblestones for a border so that the work blended in with my existing yard. When I was unhappy about one aspect of the job he didn't hesitate to remedy the problem. He asked about my feel for the space and made suggestions that fit with what I had in mind as opposed to the other companies that had no imagination. One of his workers returned a few weeks later to install new landscaping. Everything looks GREAT and even my very critical neighbor loves it. I was worried about the level of the path as far as winter ice accumulation and Andy promised to correct if need be; he even checked in with me mid winter to be sure everything was okay!

Job was a small tile repair job, but needed to be done quickly to accommodate impending delivery of a washing machine. Adam was able to come out to see the job the same day I called, and the work was done the next day. His associate who did the work was punctual, neat and thorough, and the resulting repair is all but indistinguishable from the original work! I was very happy with their timely response, their care and professionalism in my house, and the quality of the finished work.

He is very reliable, timely, and great to have around the house (important to me). I would hire him again.

Adam Kersnowski responded to my e-mail query quickly and stopped by to look at the job the next day. I was in a hurry to get the job done and Adam said he could fit me in. He also agreed to haul away some paving debris from my backyard that was left there from a neighbor's project that I have been wanting to get rid of. Adam is a very pleasant guy to deal with, who clearly knows his business. Adam had the great suggestion of adding two granite steps to the front of my walk to level it (the walk previously sloped). Aside from picking the general color of the pavers I wanted, I left the design of the project to Adam, and I'm delighted with the result. I will hire Model Masonry again for future projects and will recommend them to friends looking for quality craftsmanship at a fair price.

Adam Kersnoski came on time and did an excellent job with our tile. He was meticulous and careful. He is a very professional and courteous man. I was glad that he was very careful of our property and that he worked very steadily.