Jk Barlow Construction

Description Of Work:

Completely remodeled our family room and a small adjoining room. This was the second extensive renovation that Jim completed for us this year. Prior to this project, Jim had completely remodeled two bathrooms in our home.

It couldn't have gone better. Jim had to remove sheetrock and address a dampness problem on the cinder block foundation. He applied drylock and insulated the walls. He then framed out the walls with metal studding, and completed that part of the job with new sheetrock and wainscoting. In our family room, he was going to remove existing paneling and apply fresh paint, but he found that the paneling had been applied over wallpaper, so he discussed this with us, and the decision was made to leave the paneling in place and paint over it. But, what he did, to make the look more interesting, was to install a chair rail. He used white paint, below the chair rail, and a soft beige color above the rail. It created a beautiful, warm and inviting effect. Jim installed two new exterior doors in the family room and two new storm doors, and what a wonderful job he did! They are so well insulated that the room is now warm and cozy with no drafts around the new doors. Then Jim created a new mantle for our fireplace, which, when I saw it for the first time, just blew me away. It is absolutely gorgeous. Then he removed the carpeting in both rooms and installed new laminate flooring and again, a beautiful job.

Both rooms and an entryway into the family room were trimmed with beautiful crown molding. In our smaller room, I had asked Jim to install wainscoting. Well, he didn't just install the "traditional" wainscoting, but he custom built the wainscoting panels and of course, it's beautiful. Jim is so creative, and has some wonderful ideas to make the project kind of "pop". A good example of this is a set of shelves that Jim built for me and installed them in my family room. I have a set of Rockwell figurines that my mother had purchased years ago and never displayed. I inherited these when my mom passed away, and I, too, had no place to display them. Well, Jim solved that problem. He built three shelves for me, mounted them on the wall and then installed new ceiling lighting over the shelves. Now, I am proudly displaying my mom's figurines and I couldn't be happier. Jim also installed a new tile floor in our downstairs hallway which is just the touch it needed.

This was not our "first rodeo" with Jim. The first job he did for us was several years ago, when he installed a new tile floor with radiant heat in our kitchen.. Since that time, he has remodeled three bathrooms, complete with new tile floors and showers. He has changed all of our interior doors, using solid wood doors. He has installed two new garage doors and openers. He has caulked all of our windows, pressure washed the house and has made some small, minor repairs to the outside of our home. Just before he began the recent remodel downstairs, he fulfilled another request of mine and that was to install a new pantry and cabinet in my kitchen. I had the pantry, two days after I first mentioned it to him.

I have to say, we have had absolutely no complaints with any of the work that Jim has done for us. He is here when he says he'll be here, his price is fair and he brings some great ideas to his work. Speaking of his work, it is impeccable. He works as if he is working on his own home. I can't imagine that there is anybody out there, who does better work. I would absolutely recommend him for any household remodel or repair. He is not just a wonderful contractor, he has become a great friend. All you have to say is, Jim I need... or Jim, I want.....and he is on it. Always with a great result.