apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

just renovated my apartment and used scott chatel of chatel contracting (http://www.chatelcontracting.com/). a few caveats: he's not the cheapest around, but he does quality work. and when things inevitably go wrong, scott will make sure mistakes are righted.

WARNING: In response to arlyn's message of 4/3/06 recommending Chatel Contracting, I feel compelled to let the readers know that my wife and I had to replace Scott Chatel as our contractor a couple of weeks ago. Our renovations were supposed to be completed in early December, and they're still only about half done. We have two babies, and we still don't have a kitchen. The quality of the work that was done was either poor or not done according to designs provided. Scott fought us tooth and nail over correcting the shabby work. Eventually, we just gave up. Be warned that if your job doesn't finish on time, Scott will likely disappear and go on to other projects... of course after he has your money. If you do risk hiring him, make sure you schedule payments based on performance benchmarks, not on a weekly basis as he will request. That was our biggest mistake. We may very well end up in a lawsuit with Scott, depending on how much it costs us to fix and finish his work.

I know a GOOD contracting company in case someone looking for options. They are VERY affordable and doo a great job. They renovated the whole house for me. LOVED it.

Call David he's GC
718.737.6798

they don't have a website but they can refer to jobs they did prior. i looked before selecting one. Good luck

I am an architect who has worked with McCormack Contracting in the past. I recommend them without reservation. Very professional and very high quality work.

EXPLINATION OF WARNING: Unforunately it has just recently come to my attention that I received the previous scathing negative review from my former client and friend Gil Isidro. I was distressed when I read his account of the project Chatel Contracting, my firm, had contracted to do for him and his family. I would have expected a more accurate account of his grievances due to the fact that we were close friends, finishing no less than three previous projects on his former brownstone, attending his wedding and then requesting that I do his complete renovation to his new brownstone. Having experience in the trade for 31 years and being in business 25 of those years under the same name is a testament to the quality and service my firm provides every client we work for. If anyone has any question about my integrity and professionalism which is at the core of my firm, please contact me at Schatel@aol.com so I can supply you with the references of former satisfied clients that continue to have Chatel Contracting as there prefrerred contractor year after year. And to answer any questions about this unfortunate account. I can assure you there are always two sides to every story.

DON'T USE DON PERRONE based in Brooklyn. His company did a bathroom renovation mid-January which he said would take 6-8 days to finish. He even listed on his website that it's done, which it clearly is not. 2 months later and I'm still waiting for his plumber Doug to come replace the shower body that he broke. I call and text and email and they either don't return my calls or they don't show up when they say they're coming or they keep saying tomorrow, tomorrow. Not to mention, Doug put in my new tub not knowing how to install the trip lever (which stops the drainage), and I wound up with a really cheap push drainer because the trip lever will not function unless he removes the tub. They say they can do small to large jobs and you don't have to pay upfront, but that's not the case, they still ask you for the money even if the job is not done. STAY AWAY from these guys.

DO NOT USE MCCORMACK CONTRACTING!
They are very sloppy and unprofessional. The labor that they use is unskilled, and apparently undocumented. They provided a contract for work renovating my brownstone, then additional costs appeared out of nowhere. If their lips are moving, they are lying. The management staff behave like thugs (especially Enda). Avoid the hassle. Use another contractor.