Zen Space Makers

I hired Zen Space Makers to renovate a bedroom to accommodate 3 kids. If there is one word to describe Zen Space and Sander Hicks, it is speed. The whole process from initial design to finished product took roughly two weeks. The quality of work was also impressive and they were quick to make fixes where they were called out. They didn’t leave the job until it was completely finished to my satisfaction. Of course the kids loved their new room and I’m looking forward to see them grow into it.

Having a major remodeling with demolished walls and construction is never easy while you are living at home. Zen space makers crew were exceptionally efficient and professional. They delivered everything they promised with constant updates on their progress. Their pride in their craft was evident in their attention to every small detail (we had lots of custom work). Truly appreciate Sander (the owner), Carlos (foreman), Randy (PM) and the rest of the team for all their hard work and quality craftsmanship.

From start to finish Sander and his team were communicative, professional, and extremely clean. His range of work is amazing. I’ll be hiring him again soon.

Sander and his team were in and out in one day and created a beautiful window for our campaign office, which is especially impressive considering this was a pro bono job! It really made a difference in our workspace and we're so grateful Sander was willing to help out our grassroots campaign. Absolutely recommend!

Sander and his team at Zen Space Makers provided us with a brand new loft bed for our 4-year old daughter that has completely transformed life in our small studio space. I can't thank them enough for the time they took to consider all of the small details and constantly look for ways to make the final product look better than we had imagined. Sander is particularly attuned to the needs of families with young children and how best to cater to the needs and desires of finicky children :) We had many opportunities along the way to provide feedback and ideas to Zen Space Makers throughout the design process so we felt very comfortable and confident that the finished project was going to meet our vision and expectations. Sander was a true collaborative partner throughout the process and his staff were top notch craftsman who not only know their stuff but are very pleasant and professional people to have around. Five Stars for quality, effort and follow through!

We highly recommend Sander of Zen Space Maker, without any hesitation or reservation. If you need/must complete any construction, home/office/retail improvement or remodeling work perfectly, and at highest quality, Sander Hicks is the person who will get it done at the so over-the-top level!

Beautiful work on a custom piece of furniture that included shelving and drawers. The wood is high quality and Zen Space Makers aligned the grain across the front of the piece, drawers and cabinets. I also appreciated the openness and great suggestions during the planning session when we designed the piece.

Sander and the folks at Zen Space Maker were great. This wasn’t an easy job, but they did it creatively, professionally and affordably. Sander is a true craftsman who cares about every aspect of his work. He is also an incredibly kind human being. Thanks, Sander. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Sander has an amazing attitude and is very reliable. I would hire him again.

I had a fantastic experience with Zen Space Makers for a custom loft bed and office space project. Their work matched the initial 3-D render perfectly, showcasing their precision and skill. Sander and his team were not only experts in carpentry but also in professionalism. They kept the workspace clean daily and maintained excellent communication throughout, providing regular updates. I highly recommend Zen Space Makers for their top-notch craftsmanship and outstanding customer service.

I wish I could give the company five stars, but unfortunately my experience has not been that great. The loft looks beautiful, truly a work of art. And he even built an altar for my Buddha which I thought it was a very kind and generous act. But I'm not a 100% sure of it's safety. First, there were a lot of miss understanding in sizes, partially because I didn't read the contract as I just trusted the company and the owner. After a few back and forts we were able to renegotiate the sizes where I ended up with something smaller than I had in mind, but didn't have to pay extra. Than there was a problem with the ladder color which did not match the color of the loft and I had to pay his company extra to paint. Later, I found out, that although I asked him several times about making sure that the library sliding ladder was safe, he had placed wheels that doesn't lock. Lastly, two months later, something that looked like two nails, started to pop up on the loft floor which I found out by hurting my right foot on one. I asked him to come and take a look because I was worried since I got hurt and the area was squeaking. His reply was that his worker did not use nails and that he is too busy so he would not come twice since he wanted me to buy the locking wheels from Amazon in order to send someone to replace it. I got hurt for the second time on the nails or staples that are coming up, this time on my knees. I sent him images of my injuries and he still refused to come or send someone to check it out so I nailed them down myself. Finally, after buying the locking wheels, I asked him to come and replace it and to please take a look at the nails or staples that are coming up again and he couldn't send someone for another week or come himself because he was going away for the weekend. Apart from the nails or staples that are coming up towards the entrance of the loft which is an area that is also squeaking and making me worried about the safety of the loft, the job was not left very clean. The mail or staples that been coming up has caused me to damage one of the lofts as neither my neighbor or myself have been able to remove it. Other than that, everything looks great and there has been no issues with the second loft placed on the bedroom.

Zen Space Maker was fantastic! I provided drawings of what I had in mind and Sander and his workers brought my vision to life. My son has a small bedroom in a NYC apartment so we needed a custom loft bed. I could not have asked for a better designer.

Sander Hicks, operating as Zen Space Makers, was a disaster. he lied to us, he bullied us, and he ripped us off. The carpenters who came today to inspect his half-finished job (for which he DEMANDED full payment a few days ago) literally laughed at some aspects of the job - screws protruding about 3/4 of an inch under the loft, spackle showing all over, pencil marks still on the wood. he used Framing lumber, which has a particular kind of edge, so edges dontmeet up - the ladder to the loft has problems, as does the railing. We are filing a complaint with the Dept, of Consumer Affaris to get $$ back - he wanted an insane amount (4500) and even though we paid only 65%, we are advised we overpaid. This guy was desperate for money - so much sothat my husband wondered ifhe was on drugs. When my husband was not around,he tried bullying and intimidation. He really seems off. When we finally gothim out, and I checked YELP, I kicked myself- atleast 4 peole described nightmares with this guy. one told me he lost his license. STAY AWAY, this guy is NOT SAFE - really feels like he isoff. Plus the work is just a mess. he brags about his other jobs - a publishing company, a failed political campaign, and now I see that he is NOTa carpenter. He really kinda winged it with our job. today the carpenter (who may be extra picky) pointed to one choice (done to save money) that will allow dust to collect, and to framing that is "just plain ugly" as well as poorly constructed. No contract, no professional scope, this guy was a TOTAL MESS. And that was before he started name-calling - he calledme "miserable" andmy husband a "Virus" among other things. He almost eems like he could be violent, and another former client says he specializes in intimidating women. stay away!!! Photos are all of the work that Sander Hicks claimed as a "finished" job. You will see nail heds, unsanded surfaces, a poorly-constructed ladder with loose joinery (and uneven from one stair to the next) and some huge screws andbolts that I am told "anyone" would have ground down. They are being fixed by a trained and capable person who insists that such protruding bolts are not acceptable in an area where kids hang out. the messy surfaces are what he called a"Whitewash" and also, annoyingly, a "cheap and cheerful" finsih, his PRICES, however, I now am told, are far from CHEAP. he wanted $4500!! STAY AWAY!!!! I honestly think this guy could even be dangerous....

I do not even know where to start about how happy I am working with Sander and his guys. From the designing phase Sander was very patient and thoughtful about what I wanted and was very sensitive to give me the best options I have working with a budget. He was so responsive with my many inquiries regardless of the time of the day. Well, I have to say comes installation day,even the guys Jose and Elias worked thoughtfully and diligently to put this beautiful bed up. You can really see they care about their work because it radiates in the beautiful bed they have made for me. Every single detail from design, the quality of the materials, the beautiful details they have incorporated into a craftmanship that will be such an honor to have in our home for many years to come. These guys are artists and artisans of their work and is worth every penny.

My boyfriend and I love our new loft! Our room was 90% bed until Sander and Elias came and gave us our floor-space back. They were on time, courteous, friendly and overall incredibly professional. Their work is beautiful, and the materials and craftsmanship exemplary. I feel comfortable recommending NYC Lofts/ Zen carpentry services to anyone looking to maximize their space in a stylish and functional way.

I went to loftbedsnyc.com after I had a really bad experience with another company (National Furnishing located in the Bronx - dont ever use them). After initially (1 month after order) delivering a bed covered in an uncountable amount splinters and agreeing to re-deliver after sanding, National Furnishings decided to instead rudely cancel my order completely the day that my bed was supposed to be redelivered (2.5 months after order). I was moving internationally, my cargo shipment had already arrived, and I couldn't accept the shipment until my bed was lofted due to the modest size of my room. So, I needed someone else to build me a loft bed asap. I chatted with Hannah over the website (loftbedsnyc.com) and asked if they also do assembly. She told me that the cost of assembly and installation would be included in the price (quote on the website:1500 for any size bed). She also followed up with an email and offered a time for a phone consultation. I decided to go into the workshop. While I am glad I did this because I could see the working conditions and the high quality of the workmanship, I do not think it was necessary for the project as I wanted to a very simple bed, the sketches were not really detailed, and everything was discussed in a 15minute casual conversation. In the workshop, I explained my situation, and Sander and I talked about the details of the design and the dimensions of my room. He explained to me that the quote on the website was inaccurate but that he could build be a queen sized bed with walnut railing and steps for 2050. Having checked out how much queen loft beds were going for, I agreed. Sander quoted me 2-3 weeks for building and delivery, but the bed arrived in less than 2 weeks. I was very happy about this. Sander arrived with two other people to help him install the bed (Jose and Elias). They were very personable and professional. They had all their tools with them, including a saw, and I was rather impressed by how they made changes to some of the pieces on the fly in order to accommodate my room. They were pretty good about cleaning up after themselves as well. The bed is super solid and I am very happy with the quality of the materials and the overall aesthetic. I would definitely recommend this company.

he was quick, responsive, collaborative, and the work came out great. Highly recommend!

My boyfriend and I reached out to Zen Carpentry when we saw their website and positive energy. Fortunately Sander and his team lived up to that image! Not only were they flexible and open to our design, they added their skill and experience without pushing us into decisions we didn't like. A beautiful exchange of ideas. The bed looks amazing! Before a month had passed, the bed was designed, built and installed! It only took them half a day in our space. They work clean, fast and with a lot of joy. Team-work at its best! We are very happy with the beautiful result. We love our cubbie-stairs, and our 2 year old son loves his new playroom.

Zen Carpentry gave our family an interactive piece of art. The live edges and natural wood patterns were carefully selected and installed by his team of carpentry artists. The safety and strength of the loft exist in satisfaction. Our children love their new environment, friends and family are amazed at the final product which is the strongest feature of our apartment. Zen carpentry certainly answered our needs and increased our property value.

This all took place over the course of a few days. After not hearing from Sander Hicks (who it also turns out, is a 9/11 conspiracy theorist), I asked to cancel and for my payment to be returned. I had not received a contract as promised. What followed were harassing emails and a refusal to refund my card. He had been to my apartment to measure the space for the loft, and the tone of the emails was such was that as a young woman I feared for my safety. I began corresponding with a young woman who had a bad experience with him and had left a Yelp review and learned this is a pattern of behavior with Sander Hicks. It took awhile, but with the intervention of AMEX and Paypal, I was able to get a refund, but that was a time-consuming process. I urge anyone considering having a loft bed built to look elsewhere. I was repeatedly personally insulted (including being called a "total b****") and harassed by Sander Hicks, who does not appear to be trustworthy. He also has businesses under multiple names, which is a sign of a con man. I'm writing this to protect others from this horrible experience.

Good. Beautiful piece that has held up well (had for about 8 months now).

We recently had a loft area built in our 16 year old son's room. When we first contacted Sander at Zen carpentry I sent him a photo of a loft bed my son liked but was clearly too big for. I explained to Sander that there were some aspects of that bed's design that we liked, but I did not want a loft bed. I told Sander that I would like a loft area where I could put a bed on top, and then have all the necessary storage built in. We met with Sander at his workshop in Queens. We brought him more pictures of our ideas, we talked about them and drew up some preliminary plans. Sander provided us with plans a few days later. Since it was difficult for me to visualize what he was proposing, I asked him to come to our house and see the space so we could all be clear on what we would be getting. Sander came, we tweaked the design plan according to the room and our needs, and we now have a beautiful loft area in our son's room. Our son loves his new space, and I love the functionality of if. Sander was a pleasure to work with and I would recommend him to anyone. We are in the process of negotiating another project with him. My son's room is organized and now there is Zen in my life.

Zen was punctual, and happy to work with my vision of the loft I wanted. High quality material- wood and quick response when I had questions. Was so happy with the loft, my son has his own space. The finished product really shows all the care that was put into creating it.

We are very pleased with the results from both projects.

Fantastic work. Was able to build on our vision and turn it into more than we could have ever imagined. Really beautiful work.