Testimonials

While the final payment on a project keeps Commonwealth's business engine running, it is the letters of appreciation that fuel the CommonWealth team's enthusiasm and love for their work.

August, 2009

We could not even have predicted how well it would have gone or how
happy we would be before you started our remodel.  For one thing, we
could almost set our clocks by your staff because they were so
consistent.  The one day Steve was held up, we actually started to
worry, because he was ALWAYS on time. 

We really looked forward to the job log so much, that on the occasions
when there was no entry, it was a disappointment.  It was always a
treat to read about what had happened or what would happen each day.
We practically became dependent on it. 

Your employee's communication skills were excellent.  We were kept
informed all along the way by Alan, Steve, and Dave.  Shrutee was so
good about getting our Change Order details pulled together.  Melissa
was excellent in helping make decisions and letting us know when
decisions were needed. 

We're just crazy about the way it all looks now - it's beyond what we
imagined.  You've giving us something with that WOW! factor that we
wanted.  We've gotten LOTS of compliments.

Mike and Clark
Lake Barcroft, VA 

2009

My kitchen renovation was a great experience.  Darren is very honest,
dependable and talented in his profession.  His crew showed up every
day on time at 7 am and they worked a full day.  You do an excellent
job at communicating the progress of the project and coordinating
schedules of other tradesmen, such as the electrician and plumber, as
well as the building permit inspectors.  You kept to the schedule yet
handled unexpected and hidden structural problems to insure that in
the end, the total kitchen remodel was done right.  Darren built me a
fabulous kitchen that I will proudly and happily enjoy for many years
to come! I highly recommend you to anyone that is looking for
trustworthy and true quality craftsmen for their next remodeling
project.
 
Sincerely,
- Terry, Washington, DC

March 25, 2009

I am installing and have installed my amplifier, tuner, controller of my large screen digital TV from Verizon, the unit that actually controls the screen and DVD and VHC player.  I have been able to make the necessary adjustments (holes etc) to allow the passage of all wires but I need some advice on the façade that was a drawer to make this look good.  By the way your work was fabulous and we are enjoying the remodeling efforts tremendously.  The quality of organization and workmanship was superb and the more I am around the cabinetry, the more I appreciate the workmanship.

- Tom Shepler, Vienna, VA

2009

I wanted to thank you again for referring me to Darren and his
company.  You hear so many horror stories about contractors that I
thought you would like to know about our really positive experience.
Darren has been fantastic.  He's a terrific manager who has kept
everything going at a good pace and per schedule and budget (not
counting the many add-ons we couldn't resist!).  He's a delight to
work with, very patient, accommodating and creative in finding
solutions to design problems (plus, he has great taste so I often just
defer to his judgment for fixtures, etc.).  And the workmanship is
absolutely top-notch and all of the crews and subs are a real pleasure
to have around.  I really can't say enough good things, and I have
very high standards -- or so I'm told by my husband, colleagues and
friends who often tell me I expect too much!  In this case, my
expectations have been met and even exceeded. 

So, I am very happy and just wanted you to know that.  So that others
can have the same happy experience, I encourage you to tell your
clients about my experience, as well as your colleagues and fellow
agents.  I know, as a recent buyer of a townhouse needing renovation,
that such a recommendation would be very welcome. 

All the best,

- Gail, Washington, DC

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March 16, 2009

I wanted to thank you again for all of your valuable assistance and expertise while we were building the house.  Your exterior drawings were so helpful, although I am not certain that every suggestion was executed, we were able to achieve what we were looking for.  The balance of construction went well and we are very happy with the house.  We moved in mid-December and have been busy settling in. 

Also, I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed working with Melissa.  The time I spent with her helped me understand my options and the tradeoffs I would have to make with the space constraints and different appliance locations.  She was easy to work with and very knowledgeable.  At the ninth hour, we dumped the guy I had been working with . . . and started fresh. . ..   In the end, I really do like my kitchen.  It is certainly smaller than my Valestra Circle kitchen but actually more efficient when I am cooking. 

Btw, the Valestra Circle house sold in mid-September in one week {in the middle of the housing crisis}.   I have no doubt it sold so quickly because of the Commonwealth kitchen and renovation project. 

- Nancy S., Vienna, VA

March 9, 2009

We were pleasantly surprised by your accounting of allotment expenses for our remodeling project last year.  And even more pleasantly surprised that it included a small refund check to us.

What was really the biggest surprise to us is our belief that most remodeling companies, had they made such a review, would not have told us about it if they had found that we had overpaid, however slightly, and would not have issued a refund check.

I guess that we should not have been surprised.  In every step of our project, we have been impressed with the professionalism of our company, impressed with your keeping us informed about the process, impressed with the quality of the work, impressed with the follow-up in making minor adjustments after the work was completed, impressed by the people.

All in all, you can see the word that keeps reappearing.  We’re impressed with you!

- Bobby and Jill Miller, Vienna, VA

"Today Alan replaced our Brew Express so quickly and well that we made 10 cups of coffee and I still made it to work by 9:00 am.  We really appreciate the way you back up your customer service promise so consistently... and you can be sure we tell people often what a great experience we have had with Commonwealth.  Thank you for taking all the steps to get us up and running in the very important coffee department.  Have a great weekend too.

Thank you to Alan for coming so early and getting the job done."

- Susan and Keith Bonney, McLean, VA

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"You guys are the BEST. I mean it.

I wanted to drop you a note to tell you how happy Ruth and I are with the work that Commonwealth did on our remodeling project. As you know, half of our house was worked on, and the results were spectacular. Every phase of your work went smoothly.

... it was apparent that Commonwealth's success comes in large part, from really listening to the needs, desires and dreamsof your customers."

- Glenn Gemmell, Fairfax

"We love the new space and kitchen!"

- Tammy and Dan Scandling

"I've been expediting plans for builders since 1988. Your plans are consistently SOME OF the best I PROCESS. You've surrounded yourselves with people who are technically competent and really know how to listen. I only have to tell you once when there's a new county requirement. It really makes a difference in getting your plans approved. The reviewers like to see your plans come across their desks, and it helps make my job easier."

-Barbara Coe, October 2004
Architectural Plan Expediter

"We are loving our remodeling job, and have been called by several folks for referrals--which has been fine with us. Our kitchen especially gets rave reviews.

Thanks!"

-Karen, Arlington, VA

March, 2004

"Susan,
My house sold for above list and we had six contracts on it. And I'm sure it's due in large part to the wonderful work that you did on it. Everybody loved it and they wrote to us nice letters about what a beautiful house it was. So you should feel very good about that - we certainly do!

I'm calling to talk to you about the new house that we bought. We are going to be moving in late May and anxious to get started on some of the remodeling that we want to do.

I do have a wish list!"
- Amy Kett, Vienna, VA

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"We are thankful you came into our lives last spring. You have the innate talent, cultivated expertise, intelligence, industriousness and character to succeed!"
- Joan Houston, Vienna

"So, everyone saw this hurricane coming. And on Wednesday, I went out and did my regular seasonal test. I pulled the plug on the sump pump and filled the stairwell with water from the garden hose. Sure enough, there was a comforting beep as the battery-powered back-up pump kicked in and pumped out the sump.

"However, hurricanes can generate a lot of water fast and there's a limit to how long a battery can keep the back-up sump going if the power to the main pump goes out for an extended period. I wasn't going to take any chances.

"So Thursday I went out and bought a 55AH gel cell and a bilge pump (the guy at West Marine said he was selling a lot of bilge pumps that day, but none of them to boat owners). I wired them up through a knife switch and went to bed.

"Sure enough, at 11:30 pm the main power failed. I went downstairs with the rain pounding on the windows and waited. And waited. And waited some more. Nothing happened. I went upstairs to the sofa and dozed off but checked the stair well in the basement every hour all night. Nothing happened. Ever.

"In fact, the power to the main sump pump stayed out for 30 hours-through the hurricane-and never once did the battery back-up pump have to kick in.

"That's because the drainage system Commonwealth installed in 2000 worked so well that all the storm's water was channeled away from the house and ran off without ever getting into the sump.

"In future storms, I plan to get some sleep. Thanks everyone."
- Steve Thompson

"I couldn't ask for a more positive experience. The work was completed earlier than projected. You consistently came up with better ideas than we had to solve those inevitable problems that come up in any remodeling job. Thank you for a job well done! "
- David Esquith, Arlington

"There were no disappointments during construction. You met our expectations in quality and design. We were really impressed with the quality and dependability of your subcontractors. The project seemed to go almost perfectly."
- Cap and Helene Oliver, Vienna, VA

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"Perhaps the string of mild winters in recent years had us hoping, if not expecting, fewer weather challenges but we realize that things like the weather are not under your control. And a construction plan finishing around May dovetailed nicely with our plans for the summer. All things considered, then, we accept the risks we took in scheduling our construction for this time of the year and the weather consequences that follow from it.

"In that context, we wanted to send a quick note to let you know how much we appreciated the efforts of (your employees) over the weekend. We are most grateful for their responsiveness and efforts to 'rescue' and assist us in the face of unusual and trying weather conditions.

"Indeed, it seems to us that (your employee) has been faced with some real challenges in keeping our project moving forward. As I believe we mentioned during our earlier discussions, we are neophytes in dealing with construction work such as this. But based on our experience to date, we've been very happy to have Jason tending things, and his efforts in working with us and making things happen have certainly kept us very content with the project's progress."

-Kate & Barry Johnson

"My family and I wanted to thank Commonwealth for the amazing job you did on our kitchen remodel. You transformed our previously non-functional and unattractive kitchen into a gorgeous room that is inviting to our guests and allows both the family cooks to work!

"Each stage of the process really showed off your talents. In our initial session with Susan to discuss the remodel, I particularly appreciated how she intently listened to what I said about where the space worked and where it didn't. She worked incredibly hard to create a functional design within our modest budget and succeeded beyond our wildest hopes.

"In the building phase (your employees) were terrific advertisements for Commonwealth. (Your employee) was punctual, hard-working and dedicated to making sure we got exactly what we wanted out of the kitchen. As you know, this part of the job was not without its problems-but we always felt that (your employees) were upfront about what needed to be done and the additional costs that would be involved. (Your employee) worked hard during the whole process to get us the right cabinets, to stay within our budget and was always cheerful and easy to work with.

"The other craftsmen who worked on the kitchen were equally good and it is a real testament to the quality of your company how many talented perfectionists you have assembled in one place.

"We are delighted with the beautiful kitchen you created for us and would be happy to talk with your prospective clients about our Commonwealth experience. I'm convinced that you never get a true measure of a company's integrity and capability until things don't go according to plan-and I'm equally sure that there isn't a company out there that would get higher marks than Commonwealth Home Remodelers.

"Wishing you great success."

-Kristin & Randy Wood