Glickman Design Build

As stated above both the addition and the repair were done in a timely fashion and had excellent results

They are very professional, they did a beautiful service, easy company to work with and high quality of work.

Unfortunately, 15 minutes after our phone call, I received a "Dear John" letter from Russ. The letter is below: "Thank you very much for considering Glickman as a contender for your project. I think we would do a fine job for you…designing, planning and building your project. Unfortunately, the way our process works, we would need to charge to provide a meaningful estimate. For example, from the scope you described, the ballpark seems like it will be more than $100k and less than $150k. However, for us to estimate it, we would need to be engaged in a preliminary design process. This is the first step in a successful design/build process. Our team would measure existing conditions, draw as-builts, draw concepts and present a proposal as noted below. The fee for us to engage in the design process would be minimum $750. At the conclusion of the Phase 1, we would provide a ballpark estimate guaranteed to be within +/- 15%. We cannot give you a meaningful estimate unless we undertake the Phase 1 feasibility study/preliminary planning process. It sounded like you have 7 other firms who will provide this process for you free of charge…at least they will provide a very close ballpark estimate which they will guarantee to stick to?? If that is the case, it does not make sense to engage us for a fee to do what they will do free of charge. After your research, if you decide you would like for us to help you via a Phase 1, please contact me ASAP. Thank you very much! ~Russ Glickman" I was absolutely shocked by so I called Russ to ask about the email. He had to look up the email to remind himself of what it was about (which was a shock), and then, he said he "just didn't have time to come out to look at the job" because "there's only one of me." I told him I was confused by that we had scheduled a time and on his website, he appeared to have a large team. He informed me that "Joe, my lead VP just left to do his own kitchen contracting business so it's all me." I explained to him that he had been highly recommended and that I wasn't sure what the disconnect was. He said that he was "sure all the other firms have sales guys and I don't." I told him that the two firms who had come out both had been the owners and that it was very helpful. He asked "why don't you just have your architect friend draw something up and have folks bid on it." I told him my architect friend is an INTERIOR architect and that I am interested in hiring a design build firm that can take it from concept through construction. At this point, it was clear something else was going on so I asked him, "Russ, what's really going on here." And he said, "I just don't believe you're going to hire me." I asked why. He said, "because you are talking to 7 firms and that tells me that you are cheap." At that point, I knew I would never work with Russ Glickman or Glickman Design. I told Russ it was a shame that he felt this way since I have a BMW, my husband is a lobbyist, we own two houses, and we certainly could have afforded to hire them. My advice: stay far away from Russ Glickman and his team. They clearly make judgements about people and, unless you like that kind of attitude, beware. I did tell him that I was going to write a review, which must have concerned him since he sent this email: "Thank you for your follow up call. As I mentioned, my sales rep has tendered his resignation. I am very short handed. I would love to help you. I appreciate the fact that your architect highly recommended me. However, you have contacted 7 other firms who seem like good design/build firms. And, I am swamped personally. I could not move my appointments already set Wednesday or Thursday. I think you needed me to meet you this week or early next week. Unfortunately, my schedule is jammed and it may be a week or so before I could meet you at your home. If you would like to visit our office to meet our staff, see examples of our design process and if you can bring in photos we can discuss how we may best be able to help you. I am sorry you are disappointed that I could not meet you this week." While on the surface this may seem to be a nice email, it isn't accurate. He never said he'd "love to help me" in fact he said the opposite, and said "I don't believe you'll hire me" and he based that, I'm sure, on looking at the home value of the house I was discussing with him as well as the fact that I'm calling seven design-build firms. So again, if you like someone who is going to be judgemental, make assumptions, tell you he will see you tomorrow at 2 pm and then send you a Dear John letter, feel free, but I would not touch Glickman Design Build with a 20 foot pole and do not find this to be the way a reputable business conducts business.

Not at all. The prices went higher and higher, apparently we could not get the builder to understand that gjoing from budget of $250K , to get exactly what we wanted, landing on above $400K then finding out civil fees and flooring, ect... were not included. After long bitter struggle, we walked away from a $35K deposit and did not get the work done. Make sure you get a simplified contract that does provide you with options

The overall experience was excellent. The initial sales part was stressful and difficult since we do not know all the ins and outs. Once the work started it was amazing. The project manager Justin Wigfield is fantastic. He is on top of things and very responsive. He makes you feel like everything is under control and he deals immediately with any problems. The subs that were used were also fantastic. JP who did the masonry was wonderful. Very neat and clean as were all the subs. Javier and his crew did most of the construction and were very helpful. The plumbers were lovely and very helpful. And the Electrician Anthony of Live Electric was incredible and made sure things were right. The rest of the subs - the HVAC and the flooring teams were so efficient that we did not even get to know them. Overall the project was finished quickly and beautifully. We are very happy with the results. I would suggest that anyone who wants to do a major renovation like we did should sit down with the group initially and go over ever element of the contract. There are so many parts and things you do not think of initially. Make sure that you know what is covered and what is not. It prevents confusion down the road. Glickman Design Build was wonderful to work with and this has been a really enjoyable process. We expected things to be stressful and difficult but were pleasantly surprised throughout the entire time with how smoothly everything went.

unknown

Russ Glickman and his team were fantastic to work with. They helped us design the project and then did the work from beginning to end. They specialize in making homes accessible and that is exactly what we needed. They brought their expertise to the project and we were thrilled.

I engaged Glickman to design and install an elevator and handicap accessible living suite in my home for use by my elderly mother. Everyone I met was very nice and knowledgeable. They kept all their promises in deliveries and deadlines. Their designs were creative and responsive to my needs/preferences and they were excellent at communicating with me on issues relating to a balance between my wish list and what could be reasonably done in my home. I did not ultimately proceed with my project with Glickman, but I cannot say enough good things about their design team and the work they did for me.

Russ Glickman and his team were fantastic to work with. They helped us design the project and then did the work from beginning to end. They specialize in making homes accessible and that is exactly what we needed. They brought their expertise to the project and we were thrilled.

Glickman Design Build is totally professional and friendly. They are meticulous with their planning and fabulous with their design ideas. They suggested a flooring that I had never heard of that worked great for our basement level. It was a hard job at times because they had to re-paint and put flooring down in our laundry room in the basement too, which was FULL of heavy things! I was getting rid of "old stuff" at the same time and the guys helped me carry things outside which they didn't have to do.

My wife and I hired Glickman Design Build to complete a kitchen renovation for us when we moved to our new place last November in Montgomery Village, MD. We were very pleased with Russ Glickman & his crews. Everyone who sees it are as impressed as us. Even though the project was not that big and was a rush, they did it and were on time. Very dependable and nice crew. We would surely hire them for future projects.

If you only read the first sentence of a review, let me quickly say that I consider Glickman Design to be the best possible choice for any home renovation project. Their performance was outstanding. We completely gutted our large kitchen area down to the studs and replaced all flooring, cabinets, and appliances, as well as moved a window. The pre-constuction design phase was somewhat long because there were design challenges to making the kitchen flow appropriately. In the end, the extra time was worth it and resulted in the best design possible for the space we had. The designer provided numerous designs and a great deal of her time to assist me in selecting the materials for the kitchen. The project construction was approximately 12 weeks. Living with construction for that period is challenging but the crew worked quickly to restore some function and we had access to the appliances in a short time. In addition to the designer's input, the construction manager was very helpful in solving problems and insuring a perfect end product. His attention to detail and problem solving in the field met and exceeded our expectations. His goal, and the goal of the firm, was to make us completely happy. The crew was outstanding and worked effectively in the kitchen area while protecting the rest of the house from damage or dust. The experience of this team showed in the finished kitchen. We could not be more pleased that we chose Glickman Design for our contractor. I would recommend them for any home renovation project without any hesitation.

.

I returned to the Washington, D.C. area for medical reasons. I had just purchased an apartment and needed to get into it quickly before protracted medical procedures ensued. The Glickman squad gave superb service. Friendly, hard-working, accommodating. When I hit a snag on what to do about a certain design matter, the construction director was quick to offer suggestions, which I almost always agreed to. It was a relatively small job, but the quality was excellent, and I am delighted that the price came in at less than $30,000 which is what I had told them was my limit. Thank you fellows for a superb job, well-done and in very quick order.