Shelter Building & Design

Jon Butler is my go-to contractor! In November 2013 he poured a brand new driveway for me which I love and my neighbors all think is beautiful. On that job he went the extra mile and worked with the city of Vancouver to get the placement correct (since there are no curbs on my street to use as a guide). I decided to use Shelter again when Jon came in with a reasonable bid for my roof and gutters. The job was a complete tear-off of the old roof and the new fascia installation required trimming off the rounded ends of the rafter tails to make the new fascia board align vertically. The previous do-it-yourself-patch-job fascia was slanted because it was attached to the rounded end of the rafter tails (my house was built in 1906) gutters attached to it were tipped outward. Trimming the rafter tails solved the problem of water running over the edge of the gutters. I liked that Jon uses Owens-Corning roofing shingles that have a patented nail strip on them -- extra security against blow-offs in high winds -- that other shingles do not have. The roofing supplier that Jon uses took the time to give me several addresses of installations with each of the roof colors I was considering. That was a big help in deciding which color I wanted. I was also happy to see that Jon had the roofers harnessed while working on my 7/12 pitch roof. Jon added more roof vents to bring it up to code. Cleanup could have been a little bit better... I have been finding staples from the old roof on the ground, and had to have him come back and remove small bits of roofing debris from the front porch roof. Overall the roof is really beautiful and exactly what I wanted. Before starting on the roof, I had to have Jon jack up the front porch to level out the roof line. Then while starting the surface refinishing on my front porch floor, I discovered rotting and weak boards. I had Jon remove about half of the porch boards, shore up the supports underneath, and replace the boards with new ones. Jon is agreeable and easy to work with, and is experienced in may different phases of home improvements. I also appreciate the know-how of Tyler, his main guy.

I received bids from two or three other contractors. I chose Shelter for two reasons: Jon's bid was within my budget, and I was impressed with other Angie's List reviewer comments and photos. I was not disappointed. Weather was a factor in doing the work in November but when it cooperated, the workers were on site and working. Mine was a relatively small job but involved heavy equipment to dig out the site. In addition to excavating the driveway itself, they artfully mounded the excavated dirt in my front yard as I had wanted (for new landscaping plan), and carefully lifted out a small tree and moved it about 8 feet away from where the driveway would be. The concrete was poured in two stages because I wanted a 3-foot-wide strip of exposed aggregate down the center. I am really pleased with the result - exactly as I had envisioned it, reminiscent of old driveways with a grass strip down the center. Jon has a sub who is a concrete wizard! I feel like I have the best driveway in town and I have no reservations about recommending Shelter for concrete work, and might use them again for other projects.

After 20+ years my appliances began to fail and my kitchen no longer reflected my dream. I asked the Shelter team to help me develop a plan to create the kitchen I desired. After a few weeks of discussion and planning demolition began and the remodel was well underway. The process took three weeks to complete. Shelter was wonderful to work with and full of ideas to create my beautiful kitchen.

Jonathan did my remodeling work. The construction is beautiful. I really liked his plan. The work was well worth the price. He listened to what I wanted. He thought of things that I did not think of. He did an excellent job. I am very happy with him. The price was excellent. The work cost less than I thought. I love my new kitchen. I got more than I bargained for. I would absolutely use him again. I have him scheduled to do more work for me. I am thrilled with what he can do.

Shelter Building and Design did an impressive job. The gates speak for them selves. Well constructed and easy to open. As to the concrete, all of the old was hauled off, forms were placed and then it was wait for dry weather which did happen. The green roof took shape and was designed to withstand an earthquake. It was flashed with copper to match my rain chains. Jonathan left spaces in between the smaller concrete sections so I could plant Irish and Scotch moss. The finished patio project is awesome. The new driveway and front walks are amazing. I will never have to edge the flower bed again and with our wet weather the brooming makes it safer. I am working with Shelter Building and Design to plan my next project.