The Hungry Carpenter LLC

Owner, Jim Watson, came out and discussed design ideas with us. Set up start date within a week. Gave him a deposit to cover material costs. Materials were delivered to the house and work began the next day. Workers were very knowledgeable and courteous. Project scope expanded to complete staining of cedar trim after work had begun. Extra cost was very fair. Project was completed very quickly, cleanly, and professionally. Would gladly call them for our next project.

Overall, it went on schedule with excellent work quality and ethics.

Great! Just a couple small issues - A permit needed in my city and contractor had not gotten it. This delayed work a day or so. And would like to have seen the alittle more clean up of the area, tho they did get 95% of it. Overall, I am very happy with the work and the company. And will use them again. Thanks Jim and Matt.

I thought he was good. He made the right recommendations, but my husband was able to do it himself.

The owner of Hungry Carpenter, Jim Watson, did a great job of looking over the work at my house and giving me a fair bid. He did an excellent job of replacing some cedar siding boards on my house. The painters were ready to begin, and Jim made sure he got to my house and did the carpentry work in time. His company does all kinds of work, and he seems genuine and trustworthy. He is exactly the kind of person I was hoping to find for future work at my home. He is very easy to talk and work with, and is obviously skilled at the work he does. He even offered to switch my hail-damaged mailbox for the new one I had purchased - at no charge. I would highly recommend him and his company.

I thought it went very well. The demo took a while, but I blame that on the difficult removal of concrete from underneath my mudroom and a large solid concrete set of stairs that required a lot of hard work to wittle down. Once the demo was completed, the job really went fast. The mudroom was leveled and the footings poured. My patio and A/C pad were completed. And finally, the stairs leading up to my mudroom were complete. The construction was a new experience for me, and I'm really glad I worked with Jim and his guys. Everyone was very nice and personable every time I came out to talk about the project. Jim was also always available when I had a question or comment about the project. I've already received quite a few compliments on the new construction, and I definetly plan to work with Jim for further projects.

Jim Watson came out to discuss the details of the work we wanted and listened very attentively and was able to offer suggestions on possibilities for the project. Then he promptly sent out several free estimates for the work as three separate projects with different material options on each project just as we had discussed giving us the flexibility to choose exactly what work we wanted to perform. Once the project had started the materials had arrived promptly even though the weather didn't cooperate. Work soon began and the entire crew working on the project was fantastic. The demolition portion of the project proceeded along smoothly and in the process it was discovered that there was some water damage and leakage to portions of the sunporch that were planning to be kept. They quickly informed me of the discovery and gave me options on what they could do and gave a very reasonable price for the additional labor and materials to fix the damage. Jim has a fantastic group of craftsmen who know what they're doing, are very hard working and did a phenomenal job! Each day they would discuss the plans for the day with us and ask questions about that particular part of the job to make certain that the details of what they were doing would fit with what we wanted. Very impressive organization and great workmanship! The Hungry Carpenter staff is professional and so easy to work with. They do an outstanding job and I'd recommend them to anyone considering any type of work. It was a great experience! Thank you Angie's List for getting us this invaluable contact.

Jim Watson was punctual, enthusiastic and really knowledgable. The deck exceeded our expectations. Suggested a larger gate, something we hadn't even thought about but is extremely useful. All the workers were polite, worked with our schedule and the project was completed on time. One of the best experiences we have ever had with home repair!

I value attention to detail, communication, and quality of work. That's exactly what I got from Jim and his company. He was professional, kept his commitments on appointments, followup and Job completion. His proposal was in a professional format, with the details on each element of the job. In short, easy to do business with, and easy to trust. He and his crew (2 guy's), did a great job on the fence, and it turned out better than I expected it would. His quote was not the cheapest, but the overall quality of the experience made up for this.It is very difficult to find a reliable contractor in the STL market for small jobs. I can recommend Jim the Hungry Carpenter without hesitation and will likely be using his services again.

We chose Jim after reviewing the Angies List reviews. It ended up we made the right call. We met with Jim and had a good feeling about him after discussing the project. We wanted our existing 14' X 16' deck to be completely torn out and to build a new 14' X 35' deck to replace the existing platform style deck and cover the existing cracked concrete patio. He gave as a very reasonable price on the building the deck using pressure treated lumber and TimberTech boarding. I checked out TimberTech and the prices for the TimberTech materials. His material costs were in-line for the product and the labor costs were reasonable. After we agreed on a price based on our design we signed on. The project was originally estimated to be a 1 1/2 week job. Jim pulled the permits with the city and started work after about 3 weeks later. We had to wait on the city approval. Before and while we waited, I checked Jim out with the Better Business Bureau and visited with people that he had done work for in the past. The people were happy with his work and the construction techniques used appeared to be very good. Once work started the city came out 3 times to approve the piers, the framing, and for the final occupancy. No problems were found in any of the city inspections. Once the job started I met with the crew of 2 people (Steve and Homer). They were both very nice and the lead person was definitely a professional and they know how to frame and build a deck. They work well together.Once the deck started to go up it was 4 inches higher than we anticipated due to a better pier design than what we originally had. Our original deck was a step on and off type of platform. We did not have any safety concerns with the original deck. We designed the new deck in similar fashion. With the 4 inch difference my wife and I thought the deck was a bit high and would create possible issues for her mom and the grandkids. We did not want anybody getting hurt. Because of the added height, we added about 25' of side railing and a 14' X 35' step from the yard to the deck. When we met with Jim to discuss our changes, he understood our concern, agreed that it was a concern, and prepared the additional cost estimate. It added another 2 days to the original estimated completion time and of course additional cost due to more materials and construction time. Jim helped and recommended how to do the stairs and rails. I liked the new design better than our original design.At the end of the project all clean-up work was completed as promised.The total project took 2 weeks and we love the job that was done. We now have a deck (not a platform). Everything about the project went as planned and projected. If you have a project to do check them out. Being a weekend warrior and being used to doing all the work myself, I started out very concerned if it was going to be done correctly. I worried about it until I saw the construction process and techniques used. Needless to say, they did a much better job than I could ever do and in a much shorter time frame. I still have work to do around the ranch and I know when I contract out the other projects I will return to Jim and use the same guys (Steve and Homer) to do the work. I trust them now knowing that these guys are good. These guys are a good value and they did not disappoint me in any way. Thanks for a job well done.

Jim and crew did a great job. Jim worked with us on some material and design options and we ended up choosing an Azek deck and a cedar pergola. During the project, they noticed some sagging in the deck support and some sinking of the struts facing the backyard from erosion. For a small increase in the estimate, they put some concrete footings, and added support beams underneath as well. I think I can park my car on that deck now and not worry about it. So not only does it look nice, I don't have to worry when my kids become teenagers and have big parties out there with kids jumping around. I have already recommended Jim to a friend of mine - these guys are class A pro's and definitely know what they are doing. I put a level out there and the deck is very level and strong. The only glitch was they forgot to put in the gate, but they ordered the parts and had it in within 2 weeks. They even helped me carry the stuff off and put it back on the deck after the job was done as I had a sprained ankle and was not very mobile during the project.

You can't start a job if you do not get timely walk-thru and quotes...thus it did not GO !

Jim came out and gave us a bid on a fence which included several options on different materials that we could consider. He sent us a bid that we agreed upon and then set up a time to get the fence completed. His work crews worked hard in 100+ degree weather and were very nice. They ran into some problems while digging the post holes and Jim immediately came out and worked to resolve the issue. Our new fence looks wonderful and we would recommend the Hungry Carpenter to anyone!

All the work was craftsmanlike and thorough using quality materials and durable construction.He paid carefui attention to the scope of work, followed our requirements, and suggested enhancements.We are very satisfied with the quality of work. We are ESPECIALLY pleased with how quickly he came to bid the project, the fact he started within our required time period, and his overall responsiveness and communication. His price beat most or all of the other bids on this project. Not only will we have Jim come and bid future projects, we wholeheartedly recommend him.

Deck looks good using all new Cedar wood with the black aluminum balusters on railing. I have a hot tub which had to be moved around during the work. They did that well. The job took 2 men for 3 days thus completeing in a timely fashion. Although they offered to add a stain I opted to do that myself afterwards using a Penofin Oil Based product - transparent with Western Red Cedar coloring. Overall a good job and would use again if needed for other projects.

I got Jim's name from his brother who was putting in a new patio for me. I called him and he came out to see my project within a day or 2 of my calling him. We talked about what I wanted and Jim gave me a bid right away. He and his men started the fence exactly when he said he would. He also took great care to call me with any questions or tell me when supplies would be delivered. I put down a deposit but did not pay rhe remainder of the money until Jim had walked though the work with me and I was satisfied with the work. I had him do the siding and window screens after he had already started working on the fence. His prices were reasonable and he never added extra costs to the origional work. I am more than pleased with the quality of work. Jim was friendly, professional, and very hard working. I will use Jim and his company any time I have a project that needs work. I am thrilled with my fence and I have gotten many compliments already from my neighbors.

Provided estimate quickly and was reasonably priced. Scheduled construction to meet my wife's need to have the work completed before my son's graduation party. Crew was prompt and the quality of the work was very good. Cleaned up work site before they left. Overall a very positive experience.

Came the day after I called to look at site and make a bid (no charge). Jim's bid was much less than the other bid I got. He coordinated his work with the hot tub company as I had a new hot tub installed. He is quick to respond to any questions or concerns by phone or email. He usually responded to an email within 30 minutes. He took care of all communication with U City about permits. He suggested where we could go to look at composite deck options and revised the bid when we changed our minds about the deck material. Quality work on the deck. It looks great. Cleaned up every single scrap when done. He built me portable steps for hot tub from same material as deck that was not in the bid at no extra charge because he saw my old portable steps were falling apart.. A pleasure to work with. I will use him again when I need a carpenter.

Amazing. He projected completion in a week and completed the project by Friday of the same week. The workers arrived in a timely manner (usually 30 minutes before expected) and put in a full day. They were also very professional. One part of the project, that hadn't been discussed with Jim in the original bid, was a bench around the tree. They went ahead and built the bench. It looks wonderful. The workers cleaned everything up, but owner Jim, came on Saturday to make sure the clean up was complete. I would use this company again in a hot second. I would recommend this company to anybody with complete confidence.

Jim came out quickly, gave me what I thought was a very fair estimate, and completed the work timely. I am kind of picky, and he came back quickly and willingly twice- once to re-align a section of fence that I thought was crooked, and again to replace a wooden fence slat that was overlooked. He was very easy to work with and I am very happy with the work. I would definitely use him again on another small job or a much bigger one.

I received two other estimates beside the one from Jim Watson (The Hungry Carpenter). He gave me the best price.Immediately returned my phone calls. Very prompt on giving me an estimate and getting me the drawings so I could submit them to the Association for approval.After getting approval from our Association, the turn-around time was amazing. They started our project on Thursday and finished on Friday. Jim and his guys are very professional and accommodating.We are very pleased with the finished project and will be using them again.Now we can actually fit furniture on our deck and enjoy the view.

It went very well from start to finish. Jim started when he promised and the work took no longer than he promised. He had anticipated one week and he actually finished one day early. I was very pleased with the quality of the work and the professionalism shown. I was not constantly called to be asked questions as often happens when someone is working on a project in your home. The work went well and seamlessly. Jim also thoroughly cleaned up and discarded all debris at the end. I would definitely use again.

Of the three companies that I contacted, this was the only one to follow through with a complete estimate. The estimate was for just over $1100.00 with me providing the door and the replacement locks. They were to supply 550.00 in materials and 570.00 in labor. They did not start on the date they indicated and I had to call to see when they would start. They started the following week. A subcontractor showed up and spent 8 hours installing the new door and the locks. He did not indicate to me that there was an inch difference in door height of the new door. This resulted in having to have the wood trim replaced. This subcontractor also used my bathroom about six times while he was there. The locks all worked fine but the door was "twisted at the bottom" during the install and so it did not close properly and you could see light all along the handle side. I called the owner and he sent another subcontractor over the next day. The solution was to move the strike plate over so that the door will stay closed. I now have a door that is very hard to shut and I have to lean on it to close it. The siding that was replaced did not sit flush to the house. I still need to do something about that. The real nightmare is the fence. The second subcontractor started to repair the fence. He put a fence post in and set it in concrete but he did not set it in deep enough. He started trying to construct a new gate and it was uneven, had gaps, was using old pickets from the old portion of the fence that were split. He was also using nails which I specifically stated I wanted screws used. I finally went out and just asked him to please stop. I called the owner. He was supposed to come out at 6 PM that evening to look at the work. He did not show up. We called him and asked him when he was coming and he reluctantly showed up. He agreed that the fence repair was a mess and that he would make it right. He then showed up and took down his subcontrator's work and started his own version. He had started that day about 10:30 and at 3:00 he was getting ready to leave. I went out to look at the work and it was horrible. There were one inch gaps in the gate on each side and the bottom was up several inches compared to the rest of the fence. He had changed the gate to swing in rather than out so the bottom height had to be changed. He had resused boards that had three and four old nail holes through them and this was a wreck. When I pointed these things out he was telling me that there was no other way to fix it because the other fence posts were not level and that it was not his fault. After he left, we decided to call an end to the nightmare. We told him that we did not need any further work done from his company. We had paid him the material costs of $550.00 in advance. There could not have been more than $100 in materials. We did not pay him anything further for his labor.

The Hungry Carpenter (Jim) was one of 3 or 4 businesses I contacted. Jim was the only contractor who could do all the work I was asking to have done. The other guys had a piecemeal approach ( I only do carpentry, deal with this other guy for the painting...). Their solutions were either incomplete or over-priced in comparison to Jim's. Jim and his guys got the work done on time and without issue. I can defiintely recommend his work.

Everything went according to plan and was on time and on budget. My wife and I couldn't have been happier with the work performed. The people who performed the work were pleasant, helpful, professional, and competent. Jim personally made sure the work to be performed was well-defined and he stayed on top of the job throughout. We would use Jim's company again in a heartbeat.