We recently contracted with Cook Construction & Design, LLC for remodeling of our attached one car garage into a living space. Initially we decided that we would contact 2-3 businesses to obtain estimates for this work. The first one we contacted was Cook's. After our initial contact with Brian Cook and his follow up with his drawings and estimate on what this project would cost us, we decided to go with Cook Construction for the following reasons:

1. Brian's professionalism, demeanor and his foresight in understanding what we wanted to do plus his ideas on what we could do was essential to what the project should be.

2. Cook's estimate on the overall project was within the scope of what we were considering.

3. Our personal knowledge of Cook Construction & Design, LLC work product history and of the Cook family.

We are pleased with our decision and would recommend Cook Construction to anyone wanting any type of construction product, whether it be a remodeling, repair or new construction.

We were kept abreast of what and when work was being done, suggestions and new ideas were considered during the project and even with additions and deletions from the original contract, we came in under budget.

Most of all Cook Construction have an excellent work crew, friendly, knowledgeable and very professional. Led by Greg Cook, his son Chris and Brian and Kupe. At the end of their work day, our site and property was well cleaned and maintained so not to interfere with our daily lives.

Brian Cook stopped by to view the work being done and to make sure that what we had discussed in the beginning was taken care of and that we were satisfied with the work completed.

This was the first major work we have had done to our property and in the end, we're very pleased with the work that Cook Construction & Design, LLC performed and will call them again in the future for any other projects we may want or need.

Sincerely,

Judy & Larry Malsch 12-20-2011

This contractor was hired to rebuild our front porch which was falling apart. They spent 2 days on the front porch. The contractor stated that they had to use extra materials and labor to reinforce some of the frame, which they did not contact us about for permission for any extra cost. After looking under the front porch, I can't see all the lumber that the contractor itemized in the billing invoice and I noticed that the supports for two beams are not supported. The itemized list also stated that all the material was pressure treated however I can see boards are not. There is an area where some boards stick out above the adjacent boards and need to be further sanded to create a level area. The description of the job also included two holes at 48" below grade for new post supports that were not done.

The second part of this job was for the contractor to demolish the existing stairs from the first floor to the basement and rebuild a finished staircase. The materials used were supposed to be of a finished material ready to be stained. The material that was used was a pine wood that was rough. The treads on the stairs are not actual treads but are basic 2x6 pine material. All the treads and risers were nailed down and not with a finish look. Some of the treads are not level and when you walk on them you can feel your foot is on an angle. The reveal on all the skirt boards on the staircase are not the same. One reveal is 1/8th inch while the reveal on the other side of the stairs is about 3/4 inch. The treads and risers ALL have gaps. All of the risers and treads they used nails instead of screws which, although not the preferred method, would have been okay if they were not all over the treads and risers in places that will be seen on stained material.

The landing that separates the first floor from the basement, the cut material has the grain showing to the outside instead of a bull nose for a finished look. This landing has 2x1 material planks instead of a plywood so that a hard wood flooring can be installed as was discussed by us to the contractors after the stairs were completed not to our liking. Also please note that materials that the contractor listed as being used were not used.

We tried to talk to the contractor several times through out the process and actually stopped the construction in order to work out the details. The contractor got an attitude and kept saying stuff like "when you caulk that it'd look fine" or "if you buy this material you can cover this up" etc. After several discussions in which it was evident that the contractor was not going to do what we hired them to do, even giving us two options in which we could either take the extra work done on the front stairs (which was not authorized) at no charge and we deal with the stairs as is or he would charge us for the extra work and would finish the basement stairs to our liking, we decided to have them finish the drywall they had started and end the construction.