Joe Pine

They say that 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery'. I've always thought a follow on contract was the best way to flatter someone as it means you were happy with the previous experiences enough that you would want to get more done. Joe Pine Builders are just plain great. We had contracted with them a year ago to sand blast our wood home and refinish it. After 20 years (we had just bought the home) of some neglect, the wood had started cracking and there would be trouble ahead if we didn't get it fixed. This job came out wonderful and everyone who had seen the house before marveled at what had been done. Additionally, in the previous work we had an extension of 20' put onto the porch and had extensive work done on a portion of the house that was built around 1800 (to include adding a new roof with some insulation). Joe and the gang new exactly what to do and preserved this over 200 year old part of the house. The only problem with the first work done on the house is it was so good that we wanted more and that was the job this review is about. Our house has a great room with a long open area (60') with a 22' ceiling. On one side is an outside wall and the other side is the wall leading to a second floor living area. The railing along that area worked but wasn't attractive. The extended open space was too big and likely the least attractive feature of the house and cried out for a loft. But worst of all were the 5 columns supporting the roof from the second floor living area were 4x6s that had all started to warp with one of them having rotated almost 45 degrees at the top and while not a safety issue yet, could be, especially if we see another earthquake as in 2011. So we gave Joe a call and he came out to explain what could be done and then he let his creative thinking take over. We sat over some tea and soon his vision became our collective vision. We had used cedar logs as the bracing for the porch the year before and this would be continued inside making the log home feeling become even more like a lodge. Our work was of no rush so we decided it would be best to take place after Halloween as much of the work was inside and out of the elements. True to his word, Joe, Tim and the gang were ready to roll for us in early November. Some weather issues slowed the gang up (as did Thanksgiving and some time away from the house for us), but the time estimate for the days they could work was within a day and the cost was as estimated (and it was indeed a fair price). As the work progressed, our vision changed just a bit and we wanted a bit more cedar logging to trim an alcove off the great room. Joe understood immediately and we amended the contract to account for that. The new logs went up, but in the process one of them cracked a bit. While not a structural problem, Joe didn't like it and asked to change it out. What was good, wasn't good enough for his high standards. You don't get that treatment from just anyone. I feel Joe and Tim and the crew felt our home was their home and they weren't going to leave it in a condition that wasn't something they wouldn't have at their homes. The new railings are wonderful, the new posts have a wonderful character to them and are capped into the ceiling where they won't warp. The loft is a wonderful sitting area and with the acoustics of the rest of the room is a great music listening area. Joe Pine Builders work is second to none, but even better than that is we have once again felt we have made lifelong friends with Joe and Tim. I don't easily give top notch recommendations, but if you need log home work done, Joe Pine is the only one I would go to. Fair price, great communication, fantastic vision, exacting standards and skill....can't ask for more.