MC MASTER CONSTRUCTION INC

The winter of 2013-14 was colder and snowier than most in Northern Michigan, and we experienced problems with ice dams due to the persistent cold. Our ice dam formed at the edge of the sun room roof of our home. It was exacerbated by 3 skylights in the roof of the sun room which leaked heat, melting the snow around and on the skylights. This melted snow froze when it reached the cold edge of the sun room roof. Subsequent melt backed up and leaked into the roof and wall of the sun room. Water leaked from the joints in the drywall and most of the openings around windows and doors. Damage was done to the insulation in the roof and walls, the drywall and the floor. Since insurance covered most of the cost of repairs, I obtained their approval of McMaster Construction to perform the repairs. I called Mike McMaster and he came to the house within a day to inspect the damage. He recommended removing the ice dam before beginning any repair work and recommened that the skylights be replaced with newer designs that would lessen the probability of future leaks. Mike subsequently met with the insurance company's estimator to agree on the work that would be done. The scope of work included removal of the ice dam, removal of drywall and insulation from the affected wall and ceiling, removal of trim around windows, doors and floor, removal of damaged flooring, drying out the ceiling, wall and floor cavities damaged by water and reinstalling insulation, drywall, trim, and flooring. Also included were sealing and painting the new drywall, refinishing the wood floors to a consistent color and gloss. Mike also noticed water spotting on the finished ceiling of the lower level below the sun room and sealed and painted that ceiling. Mike and his team began the process of repair within a day of getting approval from the insurance company. The began by removing the ice dam which took several days to completley remove the built up ice. Inside the house, they erected a plastic barrier wall between the sun room and the rest of the house to keep dust and dirt isolated to the sun room and also to minimize heat loss as they opened up the wall and ceiling and removed the insulation. They brought in an industrial dehumidifier to accelerate drying out of the walls and floor. Drying out actually took about 4 days before they could begin installation of new insulation, drywall and flooring. When it came time to refinish the floors, my wife and I vacated the premises, since we did not want to put up with the dust and smell of the refinishing process. Prior to leaving we selected a stain to be applied to the flooring. After the floors had been sanded and stained, Mike called us and reported that the old oak boards had not taken the stain well and a blochy appearance was the result. He recommended re-sanding and trying a different stain. We decided to re-sand but leave the boards natural applying only a polyurethane finish. The second sanding was not in the original estimate but Mike recommended it anyway because he knew we would not be happy with blochjy stain. As part of the repair project we also contracted with Mike to replace the skylights. Insurance would not pay for this part of the project. Concurreent with the ice damage repair, we had also contracted for replacement of the 21 year old roof on the house. Mike coordinated with the roofers for the replacement of the skylights. He allowed them to remove the old roofing before removing the old skylights and installing the new ones. The roofers then installed the ice and snow shield and flashing for the new skylights. This coordination saved me about $600 that had been in Mike's original estimate. Throughout the process McMaster Construction was professional and diligent in pursuing the repairs. They were very thoughtful with regard to our home; they laid down tarps from the door to the work area and the installed the plastic barrier wall, and always cleaned up after themselves at the end of each work day. The quality of work done was very high. When something unexpected came up Mike simply took care of it, e.g. when the refrigerator in the kitchen was moved to sand and finish the floor beneath, the water line to the ice maker developed a leak. Mike shut off the water supply, went out and purchased some new tubing and connectors and repaired the leak. I am very pleased with McMaster Construction's performance on this job. I will certainly call them for any future work I may have and recommend them to others.