NORTHSHORE MASONRY & RESTORATION LLC

I began communicating with Greg in August of 2010. My request was for an estimate for repair of loose bricks on front steps and tuck pointing of entire brick house. I received an estimate promptly. After reviewing the estimate I requested a revised estimate for some additional work (building up concrete around window wells). We continued to correspond via email through mid-September of 2010. On 9/28/2010 he indicated he could start work at the end of the following week. Nothing happened. I wrote back mid October to ask if it was getting too late in the season to begin the work. He said weather is typically good through Thanksgiving. Then nothing happened. In mid-April I wrote to ask what happened and if he was still interested in doing the work because I was getting ready to write a review of my experience for Angie's List. He wrote to say that he'd like to stop by with his mason toward the end of the week and then they could get started. I wrote back saying that although I would be out of town when they wanted to start the work, my husband would be around after work. Again, no one showed up. I emailed him on 4/22 to ask if I should find someone else to do the work. I never got a response.

The owner came out promptly and gave me an estimate. The work was scheduled in a timely fashion. Two men spent three days working on the project. They were very polite and quiet. They worked hard and did a beautiful job. One small grout line needed more attention after they left. The owner returned and had that line attended to. A very nice experience. I was amazed at how they returned an old floor to its original shine.

It was very positive. They offered the best price and they have an Angie's List discount. They were responsive. The only thing I would say that was interesting for future reference is to communicate a specific time frame. We paid a flat amount and it took quite awhile for them to finish the project. It wasn't a problem for us, but for someone who is in a hurry they might need to communicate that to the company. I would hire them again.

The work went well and overall, we are satisfied with the work. In fact, we have contracted with Northshore for some additional work. In general, the work was done on time, they cleaned up the mess each day and the workmen on site were courteous at all times. Where they had to remove some bushes, they replanted them after completing the work and the bushes appear to be thriving. All in all, we give Greg Lemke and Northshore a strong positive recommendation.

Greg came to the house to provide us with an estimate and started and finished the work in a timely fashion. He set up a scaffolding for himself paying special attention to our plants and the neighbors driveway. When the cutting started he made sure our windows and our neighbors windows were closed. All stones were labeled and reinstalled to maintain the original architecture of our home. The old vent hole was filled in and it was matched with stone and mortar so well you wouldn't even know there was a hole there last month. In regards to the lentals, the old lentals were removed and new ones were replaced. The new ones were coated with an anti-rust membrane and paint. The area was cleaned up at the end of the day.

Greg arrived immediately after my phone call to review the project. He was on time and very professional. I received the quote for the job and a copy of his insurance within a few days of discussing the project. I felt the quote was priced right where I had expected (I had two other quotes.) I chose Greg's quote based on the quality of some other work of his that I had seen. The project start was delayed about a week while Greg located bricks that were the exact size of what was already in the house. During this time, there were also numerous discussions on the exact arrangement of the new layout to ensure that I would be happy with the completed project. Once the actual work was started, it was completed within about three days due to good weather. The clean up work after the job was excellent.