Client Reviews:
We have heard that renovating is a painful experience due to inevitable delays and over expenditures but regardless we needed to renovate and update our ‘70’s home. After asking around we looked at two different renovations; a kitchen and a bathroom done by Dustin Carleton owner/operator of Carleton Contracting Inc.. Once we saw Dustin’s work, we looked no further.
We met with Dustin many times during the planning stages. He was willing to work around our schedule and meet us over lunch hour or in the evenings. He was excellent in taking us through what was expected of us and what we could expect of him.
Importantly for us, Dustin clearly has an artist’s eye and vision and was able to see the potential in our home. We contemplated also hiring an interior designer to assist, but after meeting with Dustin just once, we decided against anyone else being involved because Dustin understood what we wanted and showed to us that he could make our plans even better.
Right from the start, Dustin understood that we did not have the desire, time or design ability to stand in a store for hours and pick out paint colors, and cabinets, and tile and countertop and taps and… and… and…and figure out how it all went together. Thanks to Dustin we did not have to do any of that labor. He would bring us 3 samples of something (ie. flooring or cupboard doors) for us to pick one. He would gently guide us to what he thinks worked the best, but he was also very gracious and accommodating when we were adamant against having something. He worked with us to make sure that we were happy and that it all still worked together beautifully.
We did new siding, new roofing, an addition to the entry way, an entirely new kitchen/living room including removal of walls, new flooring on three levels, counters and cabinets. There was new paint throughout most of the house, two new bedroom closets were build (one out of the old chimney chase – amazing!) and many other changes. Dustin was very upfront regarding the cost and as the project progressed kept us apprised as to how it was going on the financial side, especially when we added more work and projects that were not part of the original proposal. He was also very accepting of these additional jobs without any complaint to us that it may affect other work that he had going. He fit it in and made it work. He made us feel like ours was the only job he had and it was his priority.
During the deconstruction Dustin discovered several structural flaws with our house. Again, he was frank with us about the issues he discovered but in the same sentence tell us how he had fixed them or was going to fix them. There was never any question that he would leave the problems as is and just do the job that we hired him to do. He took that extra step every time, made sure the house was fixed right and, as best he could, fit into the budget.
We had to move out of our house for 4 months but we would stop by to see the progress. We were always amazed at how tidy and secure Dustin and his crew would leave the house. Walls would be torn down and plumbing detached but at the end of the day you would hardly know that anyone had been in the house. All debris was swept up and garbage taken out. We never had any concerns that the kids or dog would get a nail, screw or piece of wood in their feet. Temporary walls were put up to secure the house when needed.
Dustin also handled all of the necessary permits that we needed from the City and made sure that everything that he and the sub-contractors were doing was proper and would be approved.
Dustin was very easy to get a hold of – for us we would text him and he would respond very quickly. He was also accommodating about staying a bit later at the end of the work day to talk to us and answer our many questions and give us updates on the progress. He was always professional, friendly, polite and prompt. His employees as well, Shad and Rick, were pleasant and hard-working. We never felt uncomfortable having them in our home.
There were some delays and mess-ups with other trades along the way, but it was clear to us that Dustin was on top of these delays and doing what he could to work around them and pushing to have the work completed. On two occasions, there were major problems with sub-contractors tasks. Both times Dustin came to the house (on his off time) to assure us that the problem would be fixed.
Over the months that we worked with Dustin it became clear that he cared about the quality of his work and how the finished product would look. We also came to believe that Dustin cared about us and how we would function in our renovated home.
Of particular note is Dustin’s immeasurable carpentry and artistry talents. While some of the jobs were outsourced, the items that Dustin himself built are stunning. Our new railings and book shelves are spectacular. Further, when what we originally planned for our kitchen island countertop was unavailable, Dustin used his skills to create for us a one-of-a-kind, stained concrete countertop masterpiece. It is beautiful and exactly what we had wanted.
Early on, Dustin commented that the entire way we live in the house will alter after the renovation. He was so correct. Our new, modern, more functional kitchen, our large entry way and the new closets with the fantastic organizers (that Dustin picked and I did not even know I wanted till I had them) has made every day in our home more pleasant. Yes, as we had been warned by other homeowners, there were some painful delays and mix-ups but not due to Dustin’s work. In fact, the end result is so wonderful that we will be thanking Dustin for many years to come as we enjoy our ‘new’ home.
There is still a project or two to be done in the home that my husband believes he will complete – but I know that we will be calling Carleton Contracting Inc. to get it done. We would highly recommend Dustin Carleton and Carleton Contracting Inc. for any job, big or small. Without a doubt: BEST!!! CONTRACTOR!!!! EVER!!!
~ Jackie Melin
We met with Dustin many times during the planning stages. He was willing to work around our schedule and meet us over lunch hour or in the evenings. He was excellent in taking us through what was expected of us and what we could expect of him.
Importantly for us, Dustin clearly has an artist’s eye and vision and was able to see the potential in our home. We contemplated also hiring an interior designer to assist, but after meeting with Dustin just once, we decided against anyone else being involved because Dustin understood what we wanted and showed to us that he could make our plans even better.
Right from the start, Dustin understood that we did not have the desire, time or design ability to stand in a store for hours and pick out paint colors, and cabinets, and tile and countertop and taps and… and… and…and figure out how it all went together. Thanks to Dustin we did not have to do any of that labor. He would bring us 3 samples of something (ie. flooring or cupboard doors) for us to pick one. He would gently guide us to what he thinks worked the best, but he was also very gracious and accommodating when we were adamant against having something. He worked with us to make sure that we were happy and that it all still worked together beautifully.
We did new siding, new roofing, an addition to the entry way, an entirely new kitchen/living room including removal of walls, new flooring on three levels, counters and cabinets. There was new paint throughout most of the house, two new bedroom closets were build (one out of the old chimney chase – amazing!) and many other changes. Dustin was very upfront regarding the cost and as the project progressed kept us apprised as to how it was going on the financial side, especially when we added more work and projects that were not part of the original proposal. He was also very accepting of these additional jobs without any complaint to us that it may affect other work that he had going. He fit it in and made it work. He made us feel like ours was the only job he had and it was his priority.
During the deconstruction Dustin discovered several structural flaws with our house. Again, he was frank with us about the issues he discovered but in the same sentence tell us how he had fixed them or was going to fix them. There was never any question that he would leave the problems as is and just do the job that we hired him to do. He took that extra step every time, made sure the house was fixed right and, as best he could, fit into the budget.
We had to move out of our house for 4 months but we would stop by to see the progress. We were always amazed at how tidy and secure Dustin and his crew would leave the house. Walls would be torn down and plumbing detached but at the end of the day you would hardly know that anyone had been in the house. All debris was swept up and garbage taken out. We never had any concerns that the kids or dog would get a nail, screw or piece of wood in their feet. Temporary walls were put up to secure the house when needed.
Dustin also handled all of the necessary permits that we needed from the City and made sure that everything that he and the sub-contractors were doing was proper and would be approved.
Dustin was very easy to get a hold of – for us we would text him and he would respond very quickly. He was also accommodating about staying a bit later at the end of the work day to talk to us and answer our many questions and give us updates on the progress. He was always professional, friendly, polite and prompt. His employees as well, Shad and Rick, were pleasant and hard-working. We never felt uncomfortable having them in our home.
There were some delays and mess-ups with other trades along the way, but it was clear to us that Dustin was on top of these delays and doing what he could to work around them and pushing to have the work completed. On two occasions, there were major problems with sub-contractors tasks. Both times Dustin came to the house (on his off time) to assure us that the problem would be fixed.
Over the months that we worked with Dustin it became clear that he cared about the quality of his work and how the finished product would look. We also came to believe that Dustin cared about us and how we would function in our renovated home.
Of particular note is Dustin’s immeasurable carpentry and artistry talents. While some of the jobs were outsourced, the items that Dustin himself built are stunning. Our new railings and book shelves are spectacular. Further, when what we originally planned for our kitchen island countertop was unavailable, Dustin used his skills to create for us a one-of-a-kind, stained concrete countertop masterpiece. It is beautiful and exactly what we had wanted.
Early on, Dustin commented that the entire way we live in the house will alter after the renovation. He was so correct. Our new, modern, more functional kitchen, our large entry way and the new closets with the fantastic organizers (that Dustin picked and I did not even know I wanted till I had them) has made every day in our home more pleasant. Yes, as we had been warned by other homeowners, there were some painful delays and mix-ups but not due to Dustin’s work. In fact, the end result is so wonderful that we will be thanking Dustin for many years to come as we enjoy our ‘new’ home.
There is still a project or two to be done in the home that my husband believes he will complete – but I know that we will be calling Carleton Contracting Inc. to get it done. We would highly recommend Dustin Carleton and Carleton Contracting Inc. for any job, big or small. Without a doubt: BEST!!! CONTRACTOR!!!! EVER!!!
~ Jackie Melin
Just a short note to thank you again. I still love this floor! The slight distress, the tone. It really is excellent. I’m happy every time I look at it. You’ve helped make this not a house but a home.