The ISD team truly made our dream home a reality. Building a new home can be incredibly stressful…read morewith an overwhelming number of decisions, but Ashley, Elisa, and Kyleah streamlined the entire process. They partnered seamlessly with our contractors and vendors to create a beautifully coordinated, cohesive look. After we shared our design preferences, they executed our vision flawlessly, handling everything from the fixed architectural elements and finishes to the furnishings, decor, and exterior. Some of their unique proposals made a world of difference--we can't even imagine what the house would look like if we had stuck to the original plans! They care deeply about their work and are genuinely dedicated to client happiness. We still can't believe this gorgeous space is ours and are so thankful we had them as our partners in this process!

Working with Ashley and her team was truly a fantastic experience from start to finish. She took…read morethe time to understand our vision and translated it into a home that's both beautiful and functional for our family. Her design process was organized and thoughtful, she provided detailed drawings and layouts that made the construction process much smoother and more efficient. Our contractor loved the clarity, and we appreciated how everything stayed on track. Ashley's pricing was fair and transparent, and she worked within our budget without ever compromising on style. Most of all, Ashley and her team are incredibly kind, professional, and easy to work with. Communication was clear, timely, and always respectful. We felt genuinely supported throughout the entire process. Our family couldn't be happier with the end result. If you're looking for a talented, trustworthy, and genuinely lovely designer, Ashley is it! We wholeheartedly recommend her. Bottom line, Highly recommended !!!!

We had the misfortune of hiring this firm for a total remodel project in San Mateo, and caution…read moreprospective customers to factor in our experience. Among three firms we asked to bid, they were not the cheapest but they were available right away (now I know why) so we hired them, despite cautionary comments from a prior customer and a vendor who occasionally works with them. Boy, do we regret our decision. The first month or so was fine. No hiccups no problems, and they were as nice as can be. Then when we started getting the bills, we noticed errors (all in their favor of course) for items that they knew were taken out of scope, and duplicate charges that were being booked in different line items on prior bills for the same work. We started to examine every charge after this, and in every single bill there were extraneous charges. Had we not stayed on top of this, we would have paid thousands more than necessary. Kyle, the owner, and Judy the accountant, have absolutely no ethics, and will try to sneak in every excess charge they can. Even in an industry known for being dishonest, they stoop to a new low. And the work is shoddy. We had a lot of problems with their plumber and drywall subs so the work had to be redone again and again, and it's still not right. They hire the cheapest subs they can find, pay no attention to the quality, and will steal from the subs too. If you HAVE to hire these people, pay attention to every line item and do the supervision of the subs yourself, because they certainly won't do it. And the "project management" was a joke. She was so bad they fired her, but we paid the price literally and figuratively for the confusion she caused. I would run, not walk, from these people.

I found AoC/Jerry through our internal referrals board at work, and initially was impressed with…read morethe quote and work promised, but then the problems started. I hired them to lower a hallway ceiling and expand a closet wall, and install central AC. They went 15% over the bid, which was annoying though I suppose it happens (the review at my work said they went over too). What bothered me was that some things that went over seemed like they should've been factored into the quote to begin with. Things like installing the furnace flue pipe, and moving lights that were originally on the wall above where they knew the new ceiling would be. (Although I did opt for an upgrade to recessed lights when they asked, they up-charged me nearly 4x what a friend said his cost -- $300 for each one vs. $80!) The lights also don't line up very well, though there isn't much to be done about that now and it's not a huge deal -- just annoying because I like things done neatly. The AC guy was also planning to put a vent in a closet DOOR of all places, in my main bedroom, because he said he had to run a direct duct to the bathroom, which was stupid. Luckily I'd stopped by that day before he did anything and told him to prioritize getting a proper vent to my bedroom over the bathroom (duh). Immediately when they said the work was done, Jerry started pushing for as payment the same day, even though I was staying out of town for work for just that one day. When I had questions about additional costs that appeared on the final invoice (the first invoice had already been marked up and he'd said at that time that there shouldn't be more extra costs), he got very snippy. So, whatever, I was too annoyed to argue and spent my lunch mailing the check. When I did get home next day, I discovered that they had failed to reconnect one of the light switches that operated the hallway lights. I emailed Jerry, and he claimed they "had no way of knowing" how the original lights were wired, then said he'd charge me MORE to fix it! Ridiculous. I told him I didn't feel that I should pay more for them to properly make it so my light switches worked the way they did before he started, and he never replied. So, yea, the work is fine IF you stay onsite and psychically know what they're going to mess up before they mess it up. Otherwise, expect attitude and overcharging for stuff they should've done right in the first place.

Ian owns his own small business and is "HANDS-ON" with everything including details. He is busy but…read moreworth the wait if you want excellent work. He is extremely reasonable and informs you on everything he will do and what it will cost. We are preparing for siding and new window installation (& entry doors); Ian installed the entry doors for my apartment building. I included 3 pictures of the doors and his work; the exterior, interior, and a close up of the interior frame (perfect precision). Ian also installed the entry locks. In my opinion he is a 'rare breed' of contractors...conscientious, reliable, and meticulous. Don't believe he has a website yet (too busy), but here is his email: ipcblkwd@gmail.com Don't hesitate to contact me about Ian Claytor | BlackWood with any questions you may have of information you feel I can provide you with. Thanks, Sandy

Buying a house in the peninsula isn't easy... with crazy prices, fast turnaround times and…read moreconstantly changing inventory, it's so hard to keep up with all the chaos while staying motivated. We were also very picky about picking a realtor, and interviewed many people in the area to find someone with the right experience and personality. We were referred to Denise by a family friend and wow- she made this whole process seamless. We went from almost giving up on getting everything we wanted - a nice neighborhood, 3+ rooms, not break the bank, good schools... but we were able to get that and MORE all within our budget! We were able to close on the VERY FIRST offer we put in within 30 days of our first conversation with her. One of the BEST things about working with this team (outside of their amazing work ethic), is the connections they have. From off market showings to having a direct line to a rolodex of contractors, we felt so lucky to have access to everyone we needed - from electricians to architects to sellers agents. Everyone has been great to work with, and she's constantly been in touch with us even after closing on the home. Denise said to us "I do this because I love doing it" multiple times during this process. It really does make a difference to have an agent that loves what they do. She was made for this industry and I can't say enough good things about her. And I'm always for more girl power!! Stop your search for an agent right now, and give the Laugesen team a call ASAP!

I can't say enough great things about Denise. She's a very kind person who genuinely cares and took…read morethe time to fully understand my needs. Although this was not my first time selling a house, this was my first time by myself since I lost my husband. Denise went above and beyond by walking me through every step of the process, made sure I was aware of every detail and truly made this easy and painless for me. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her and couldn't image going through this without her. Denise's expertise runs deep and her network runs wide. Her, along with her team of contractors and designers helped me to sell my house in an efficient and timely manner. Not to mention, we stayed on schedule and on budget. She is savvy about real estate and she listens to her clients because she truly cares. She is passionate about what she does and it shows because she is good at what she does. Thank you, Denise! I can't wait to work with her again.

I cannot recommend Rachel Ni highly enough. From the very beginning, Rachel took the time to truly…read moreunderstand what I was looking for, and it was clear she was committed to finding the right fit rather than just making a sale. She consistently went the extra mile, surfacing options that aligned with my needs and showing incredible patience throughout the search. When it came time to put in an offer, Rachel's expertise really shone. She provided excellent, level-headed advice and guided me through the process with a level of professionalism that made me feel completely confident. At the end of it all I ended up in the perfect place, within my budget. If you're looking for a realtor who is proactive, insightful, and genuinely dedicated to her clients, this is your realtor.

Working with Rachel Ni was such a wonderful experience. From the start, her deep knowledge of real…read moreestate and her great communication with other agents really stood out. She has an amazing ability to see what's coming next in the market and plans the right strategy accordingly. And Thanks to her smart approach and strong negotiation skills, we won a bidding war and bought our dream home. Now we have our big backyard where our puppies can run and play. We truly recommend Rachel Ni to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, caring, and proactive realtor who knows how to make things happen

I am a general contractor in the city and have had a chance to work with Apparatus on several…read moreprojects. All the projects turned out great and in no small thanks to their skillful efforts. As a contractor I am a big proponent of necessary preconstruction work being done well and in great detail. All the Apparatus's drawings have been very detailed and helped me produce detailed estimates and also minimized the amount of change orders during the construction. Remodeling projects in San Francisco, and most of residential and light commercial ones are, have a higher need for a very intimate understanding of construction techniques. Merging of old and new in a lasting and ecstatically pleasing way is a challenge. The Apparatus team always stepped in and found the right construction detail for the right situation. As a builder I highly recommend them.

We worked with Stuart at Apparatus on a project and he was a dream…read more He was funny and professional and gets the job done. He has a great way of mixing modern elements that are timeless and classical at the same time. Apparatus has a great office as well in Hayes Valley. There is always parking out front and the bonus is that they are just a few doors down from Citizen Cake and you can pick up a cupcake on the way to or from your meeting with them!

AVR REALTY gets a 5 Star Rating from Me! In January, 2023 San Mateo County experienced Devastating…read moreFloods and Storms that created massive damages County wide. My in-law-unit became flooded and I had to be Evacuated for my own safety! AVR Realty took over as Property Managers last year. When they heard of my situation they took immediate ACTION! They saw to it that I would be put up in Comfortable Accommodations until the work was done to replace the carpets with new Beautiful Laminated Flooring. AVR handled my situation with so much Class and Care! After 13 days, Sally said it's OK to return to my unit. WOWWIE!!! The Floors looked Fantastic! I want to let Sally and Gordon know you saved us from the Darkness of Disaster and saw to it that we would slide back into the Sunlight of a New Day. It feels so GOOD to be back home with a SMILE! Thank You Sally, Gordon and Team! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You AVR REALTY! Best Regards, Dave Loobey

AVR Realty are terrible property managers. They are lazy, incompetent, and worse yet will put your…read moreproperty at risk with their negligence. Firstly, AVR did not market my rental property well to find tenants, I did most of that myself. They put it in the MLS and on Craigslist (I had already listed it on Craigslist). They had no idea where else to market it - and who looks for a rental via the MLS?! No expertise or sense of urgency. I did add'l marketing myself and found tenants for both units MYSELF. They paid my property taxes late - TWICE! The first time they paid the late fee and took responsibility, the second time they refused. They claimed they were not receiving the bill, but then they just forgot about it when they paid all their other managed properties' taxes in Dec and Feb? Wouldn't they have realized mine were due at the SAME TIME as EVERYONE ELSE''s? And when they didn't receive the Dec bill, they made no efforts to correct the issue by the time the Feb installment was due. When issues arose, communicated by either my tenants or myself, they were slow to respond and did not find solutions in a timely manner IF AT ALL. Ex the gardener stopped coming in Sept, the tenants emailed them, of which I was not aware. I later emailed them on Mar 3 wondering why there were no payments being made to the gardener. They still had not had a gardener clean up the property when I fired AVR at end of April, so the landscape was in disarray. When I fired them starting May 2024, I moved all bills to be sent to my address as I took over. I asked about payment history of each company where the property has an account (ie PG&E, the water co, garbage co, etc). PG&E reported that AVR didn't pay the Jan bill for my property, they didn't pay the Feb bill, they paid both in March but then canceled the payment before finally making the payment for Jan and Feb at a later date in Mar. ???!!! The style of all three AVR employees who managed or were involved with my property under their mgmt (incl the owner Ross) was completely reactive, never proactive. And sloooooooowww. It was as if not only did they drop balls all the time, but when you pointed out that there was a ball on the ground, you had to repeat it multiple times before they decided if or when they would do something about it. I cannot give them ZERO STARS, but I would if I could.

After a tenant flooded my hardwood floors, I called James on the high recommendation of another…read morecontractor. James came to look things over very quickly, and gave me an honest assessment of what we needed to do. I live in a different city from my property, and coordinating repairs can be tricky, but James went above and beyond to make himself and his team available promptly to pull up all the floorboards, dry them out, and reinstall, all very quickly and thoroughly. I am extremely appreciative not just of the great work done but of James' responsive and empathetic customer service, as he patiently coordinated his repairs with my (ex) tenant to make sure he could gain access. I would trust him on any future work.

We had an amazing experience working with James on window shades for our children's' bedrooms. He…read morewas extremely reasonably priced - and considerably less than the namebrand stores we all know. The outcome is beautiful shades with a lot less hassle and the same amount of quality! James is wonderful and easy to work with. He's highly responsive, and the turnaround time was faster than expected.