Dear TJB Homes:

My wife Faith and I just wanted to write to let you know how much we are enjoying our new basement in which you recently completed. The basement came out way beyond our expectations and we always look forward to showing it off to our friends and family. The entire process from Rick doing the planning to Hank making the finishing touches was completed very professionally and within 2 days of your estimated date of completion. After living in a TJB home for the past four years we knew we could not accept anything less for our basement refinish than the quality that we have come to expect from TJB. We had 2 other builders do comparison estimates and one of them was a friend and neighbor of ours. After he completed his estimate he admitted that he could not do it for any less than what you had offered and stated that your estimate was very competitive especially considering TJB's reputation for their quality. I will be more than enthusiastic in the future for anyone looking for a reference on TJB Homes and ensure them that they will only be settling for the BEST if they choose you for anything they may need to enhance their quality of life.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

December, 28, 2001

Jason,

It's about one year since our kitchen remodeling project and past due putting our feelings on paper. In this post year, I think I have said, 'I love this kitchen!' at least once a day three out of four days. Thanks again for your design ideas, for using great subcontractors, and for your patience-we could not be happier with the end result (we are at "96" on a happiness scale of "100"). Frank, by the way, says that had he known how much more I was going to cook in a remodeled kitchen, we would have done it years ago.

Both guests who remember the old kitchen and new friends who are in the house for the first time extend compliments first on the cherry cabinets, secondly on the decorator tile an the backsplash, and third on the space utilization. The compliments on the cherry cabinets include cudos for the style, the color, and the finishing-we have had furniture makers, construction foremen, and woodworking hobbyists all make positive comments on the quality of wood and workmanship.

After those big-ticket items, including the granite as well, our guests love the spice drawer, the "double drawer" with the sliding utensil tray, the large full-extension pan drawers, the 18-inch floor tile, and the open space under the peninsula.

I would verify the following for any of your prospective clients:

• We sought bids from five contractors before signing with TJB. You were the most prompt in replying to us, in making design changes, and in answering telephone calls. Some bidders, even though we asked for certain items, would not cost those things for us. You always did.

• We chose TJB because of your attention during our bidding process and because we wanted custom cabinets. You quoted a price which included the cabinet design of our choice, the color of our choice, the interior of our choice, and the blueprint of our choice. Best of all, TJB delivered: I think we used every possible square inch of space and the cabinet design and color not only complements but matches our existing dining room furniture.

• We were very happy not only with Todd Muehlhauser, your cabinet maker, but with the electrician, the plumber, the floor tile guy, and the intercom guy. Even the person who came out just to install two glass shelves and a glass pane to the corner cabinet immediately realized a measurement error had been made and took care of it. Our compliments to you for managing the project so efficiently: even though there were some delays beyond your control, the sub-contractors were always rescheduled as soon as they could do their next part.

• I know that I could never manage a construction project. You were unbelievably patient with our constant questions and our occasional distress about what ultimately was a small detail. Sometimes when I would call your cell phone, I could imagine you looking at the LCD and being tempted not to answer (smile), but you always did or returned the call very quickly.

Jason, we also want to thank you for the idea of opening up the space under the peninsula, for adding the bead board behind the shelving, for insisting on the wide crown molding, including putting crown molding on the open wall without cabinets, and for the sink you picked out for us.

I used to work with a guy who, in response to any distressing situation, would say, "Today's big deal is tomorrow's so what." It's an appropriate cliche for the kitchen - a few tiny details that irritated us at the time are pretty insignificant as far as the whole. In the interests of balanced feedback, however ... if there were a magic wand ...

• We love the sink shape but wish the big bowl were on the right.
• We have a 9 foot TV above the peninsula but wish that space had been the half inch bigger that would have accommodated a 13 foot TV.
• We "think" the peninsula legs would look nicer sitting on top of the tile and bolted down (??) rather than being tiled in.
• We wish we had just one more under-counter light under the glass cabinet.
• We think we would have the pantry doors in line with the refrigerator panels.

I have to say that not one visitor to our home, including two sons and a daughter who examined the finished project at length, have made any negative comments.

In summary, we love our kitchen. We love to entertain and this design works about 500% better than the old one. The most frequent first comment is, "This is so rich looking..." followed soon by the observation that we will get our money out of it both in enjoyment and in resale.

Thanks,

Dear Rick:

I wanted to let you know how pleased I am with your remodeling job on my townhouse. I feel so fortunate to have found you after my initial experience on this project with another remodeler who turned out to be a scam artist, I am grateful that you were willing to take over a project that someone else had abandoned. I also appreciate the suggestions you made that improved the end result.

I would have written sooner, but I have been too busy quilting in my spacious new quilt room. I have several new projects on the "design wall" and may never leave the room again - except, of course, to soak in the great tub in my wonderful new master bathroom. My friends are all jealous that I have such an ideal space to do my quilting in. My daughter-in-law says she's going to sneak over to soak in my tub the next time I leave town on vacation.

I appreciate that although my attitude during this project was not the most positive, you and your staff and subs always treated me with courtesy and respect. Mostly I appreciate that you did what you said you were going to do when you said you were going to do it! After waiting four months for the other guy to do a two month job, your approach was refreshing and I am exceedingly grateful.

Please feel free to share my letter, use me as a reference and or my project as an example whenever you wish.

Sincerely,
Suellen Carroll