Narcisso Referral letter

Subject: Reference for John Altenburg from Melissa's previous client.

Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 19:36:31

I meant to send a note a couple of weeks ago about John Altenburg. As Melissa mentioned, my renovations were extensive. I worked with several sub-contractors and certainly wish I had found John Altenburg earlier in the process. While I demanded near perfection from my subcontractors (I was my own general), it was a constant struggle making sure the work was done to my standard. I followed behind them with squares and levels and did not hesitate to tell the contractors to perform the work better. I had quality work done, but it was a full time job following behind people. Until I found John Altenburg. John Altenburg does superb quality work, is dependable and fair, and does everything correctly the FIRST time without supervision. His work quality is excellent and his judgment is outstanding as well.

I remember one subset of projects I left him with and went on vacation while he worked. One of those demonstrates my absolute trust in his work: I had previously constructed a freestanding wall in the middle of a former sunroom to make a headboard for a bed on one side and a walk-in closet on the backside. I had this vision of a shelving unit to make the headboard for the bed, plus add interest and feature the vaulted ceiling. I drew my idea and left John to build using his judgment while I was gone. Did I mention I had already wallpapered this wall and the wall paper "popped" through the shelving unit he built? I told him not to damage the wallpaper and left town. I had no reservations that he would do anything less than spectacular - and perfect even down to the dado joint snug fit (that he made by hand).

On top of being an excellent builder, John is a good person. He went out of his way to help with items not part of the project. He fixed a leaky sink (with my permission) because he saw it and knew it needed to be done. He was also the only person I could call whom I knew would show up and help me when a rat died in my ductwork under my house. My house was on the market and suddenly smelled like a dead animal. (I lived on the water and you can keep the rats out of the house but they are always around outside.) Even though John is so far above this work (he would never say that) he actually came to my house and took out the dead rat and replaced the ductwork. He was truly the only person I knew would show up. It was a dirty job, and he did it because I needed the help.

I can not say enough about the quality of John's work. He extended my deck with an interesting design. He built another custom shelving system for me which tapered out on a curve. He built my carport and would not budge when I wanted the roof line one way, but he knew the angle for run off was not sufficient. He worked on several types of projects for me and each carried the same level of quality work.

I know from personal experience it is much less expensive to have a project done correctly the first time, even at John's rate. It is much more cost effective in the long run to have someone like John build it correctly the first time. The peace of mind I had while working with him had no price tag. Compared to the other workers - who were also good but needed supervision - I would pay anything to have John do any work I could offer. It is my pleasure to give a reference for John.

September Welborn