If you're reading this review and dozens of others alike, probably finding yourself on an anxious quest to ensure you're house isn't the next feature on a disaster home-remodel show; take the time to pause here with Handy Mensch, read some reviews, and invite Lenny to come talk to you and take a look at the project. Our project is large, and scary, and home remodel shows make this stuff look easy. It is not; and master tradesmen like Lenny and his team of expert craftsmen are exactly who we needed to help us navigate through our multi-part project. From the initial consult, we knew we found our contractor. Immediately stood out above the other bidders as his focus was not on the pretty end-state of the project (I saw their project pictures and knew he could get us there); but the reality of the project in forms of engineering, the structure, the foundational milestones needed to successfully complete the scope of his effort, and genuinely caring about the safety of the house itself. Lenny was straightforward and authentic; his written proposal was clear and fully represented each detail he somehow managed to take note of as we unloaded the entirety of the project on him. Project Scope: Removal of load bearing walls, installation of massive 24' beam, foundational footers, electrical (new 110 and 220 lines), HVAC (movement of ducts), paint/drywall, lighting. Timeline: want to say we were on a 6-8 week timeline. Lenny's team upheld their milestone dates; we did experience delays due to delayed deliveries as a result of taking on a project during a global pandemic - thank you COVID. However, more importantly, thank you Sean for keeping us on a tight timeline while navigating through supply chain issues and being able to still align inspections and sub-contractors on schedule and on time. Sean was a wonderful project manager, managed our daily/weekly expectations, helped guide us through the many decisions along the path, and helped smartly align ourselves for the future phases of this project. Any issues or concerns we had; Sean was on site and made sure everything was addressed properly and promptly. Day-to-Day: Ideally, you do not want to live in a house-remodel. Handy Mensch, specifically Dan, made that as best possible for us to live in the house during the project. Their team wrapped our work area in a protective barrier that allowed not only us, but also our pets to live and function in the house without having dust and debris littered throughout the spaces we needed to live and work in. Dan went above-and-beyond each day tediously cleaning up the work area. Reality folks, its construction, there is going to be dust and debris - legit amazed in how good the team was at keeping the dirty at bay. Dan; thank you and thank you for your patience and answering of my many, "Whatcha Up to today, or What's That?" curiosities. We highly recommend Handy Mensch for whatever your home project may be. We will absolutely look no further than Lenny and his team for our next project! Keyword time: #building #construction #home #remodel #quality #honest #contractor #good #great #on-time #builder #kitchen #load-bearing #remodeling #general contractor #handy man #handy-man #integrity #satisfied #pro #best general contractor read more

Lenny and his team did an excellent job on a major kitchen remodel for us that involved lots of moving parts and special features, including installing a large La Cornue stove from France, a large wooden exhaust hood custom-made to match the stove, a tile mural, a large and heavy T-shaped island, a set of barn doors, and a large sink/workstation with two faucets. In addition, as part of this project, Lenny and his team remodeled our adjacent back entrance area from the garage, laundry room, and butler's pantry and updated our powder room. We knew the HandyMensch did great work because they've done several other projects for us over the years, including updating three full baths in our home and building a downstairs office/music studio. But the scale of our kitchen-plus remodel dwarfed these other projects, and I'm happy to say that Lenny and his team really met the challenge and delivered an incredibly beautiful and functional end result over a five-month timeline. My husband, who's an amateur chef, now even has a spacious appliance garage behind a beautiful barn door to store all his large kitchen tools, including a pasta maker, meat slicer, KitchenAide mixer, Cuisinart, air fryer, and his super-sized pots and pans, so that our beautiful counters can stay clean and clear. Lenny has real craftspeople on his team who care deeply about the quality of work they produce, and they are also some of the nicest, most work-with people you will ever meet. They are great problem solvers, too, who can think creatively and cleverly when things don't go exactly as planned. And they are clean! Our project started with the demolition of our old kitchen and laundry room -- the flooring, the cabinets, the appliances, everything came out, including part of a wall. They partitioned off the area where they were working and brought in air scrubbers to minimize the construction dust throughout the rest of the house, which we really appreciated. The remodel was done in early March, just in time for my son to bring five friends home from college in the Midwest to enjoy their spring break in DC. That really put the new kitchen to the test. We fed eight people around our new kitchen island/chef's table very comfortably, and the kitchen layout worked wonderfully on our homemade pizza night, providing ample space for all of us to make the pizzas on the top of the T-shaped island across from the stove, then top the pizzas on the sink/workstation that has inserts that turn it into extra counter/buffet space, and then eat the pizzas on the bottom of the T-shaped island that functions as the chef's table. It all flowed perfectly in the space! Overall, the result of this major remodel -- the new kitchen, laundry room, butler's pantry, and powder room -- exceeded even our high expectations. Kudos to Lenny and his amazing team! read more

We contacted The HandyMensch about a task that no other handyperson was willing to take on during two years of intermittent searching: replacing the now-defective Blum Compact 33 hinges in our kitchen cabinets. The response from the first call was positive and encouraging; the return call (from Mr. Berger) confirmed that The HandymMensch could do the job. The Handymensch works on a time and materials basis, but in this case we had the materials and needed someone with the tools and expertise to replace the hinges and rehang the doors. Mr. Berger mentioned that if we had any other tasks that "our" HandyMensch could take care of while there, to simply ask them to be looked at. The net result was the cabinets are all repaired, AND we have a cranky bi-fold door replaced and behaving better than the old one ever did, AND we have a new storm/screen door (another task hanging in space for two years due to lack of someone show up and do the job), AND we have a new doorbell. The last two items required Dan, the HandyMensch for our oy veys, to go to a hardware store, purchase the items to be installed, and return and complete the installation. He also disposed of the old items for us. All this came to a total of time and materials of three-quarters wht we'd been quoted recently for just the hinge replacements. In addition, Dan was personable, polite, informative, responsive, and a steady, no-nonsense worker. Altogether one of the best service experiences imaginable. read more

I had a dream for the last few years of having a bar in my basement. I spent a significant amount of time struggling to find companies with experience building bars. While I found companies that did renovations and a few of them had experience building bars, most preferred to take on larger projects than mine and also gave unbelievably expensive quotes. Fortunately Handy Mensch, led by Lenny Berger was recommended to me. I met with Lenny, and he had some great ideas and recommendations and was willing to take on a smaller project like mine. Lenny and his team guided me through the project, connected me with a designer and together we planned a bar layout with cabinetry that resulted in a design that matched what I was looking for and also provided me with a 3D rendering of what the finished bar would look like. Once I greenlighted the project, Handy Mensch took over and assigned a project manager, Sean to oversee the construction. They built the bar from scratch in our basement and used an incredible carpenter along with tile and counter artisans. Sean was always available and there most of the days which gave me a great conduit for questions and concerns. The bar came out better than I could have imagined and became not only a great entertainment hangout but also an oasis during the pandemic as I could hang out at my bar, pouring a draft of a great beer and enjoying life. Thanks Handy Mensch for bringing my bar to life! read more

While I haven't actually had any work done yet, my early experience with this company tells me this is an honest and knowledgeable contractor, I recently became concerned about an area of sloping (and a small bit of sagging) on my upstairs level and figured I needed to bring in a structural engineer to diagnose the problem. After reviewing photos I sent showing the slope and asking me questions about it, Lenny said that while he COULD come in with his engineer (who would rip up the ceiling below), he said that a costly structural evaluation might be premature and suggested instead that I monitor for any change in the slope over the next couple of months (taking careful measurements with a level) and observe if any cracks form in the adjacent drywall. He told me to call him if anything changes, and it would only be at that point we would take next steps. This is the first time in decades of home ownership that a contractor has told me that a situation might be stable - and thus hold off on repairs while we determine that - and spent a good amount of time on the phone explaining it all. And while I have prepared myself that in a couple of months I may need a large structural repair anyway, Lenny has proven that he will not "oversell" me but rather recommend the most cost-effective plan that solves the issue. Now THAT is a mensch! read more

HandyMensch remodeled a bathroom for us. From initial design through final detailing, every step was efficiently and skillfully carried out. The owner personally met with us to discuss our wants and survey the space. His design team met with us at the house, then presented a plan that made great use of our space and updated the overall look. They then met us at a kitchen and bath supply store to help us choose tile and fixtures. The assigned project manager met with us in advance and kept us informed about start date and schedule throughout the project. He immediately informed us of issues and potential delays and always presented solutions. The production team prepped the house so there was little dust beyond the actual worksite. Carpentry was almost furniture quality, while the electric and plumbing work was very well done also. While installing tile, the team consulted with us because one of the tile designs we had chosen was not quite what we had anticipated. We worked out a very good solution. Painting brought it all together. Best of all, the lead carpenter identified and fixed minor flaws and oversights with superb attention to detail. We highly recommend HandyMensch for remodeling projects. We would use them again. read more

Our three-car garage was structurally damaged when a car accidentally hit our home while parking in our driveway. We initially contacted a large general contracting company who referred us to Lenny Berger, owner of HandyMensch. Two of the garage doors, the structural supports, and stucco were all significantly damaged. We didn't realize the full extent of the damage until the beam supporting our second floor master suite over the garage began to sag. Lenny and his team responded immediately to our call and installed supports until he arranged for a structural engineer to assess the damage. Once that was complete Lenny and team implemented the structural repairs, replicated our custom garage doors, and installed and matched our existing stucco. The work was completed on time and on budget using high quality materials. Sean, Lenny's site manager, checked on the project daily, and Lenny was on site weekly if not multiple times during the week. We had confidence in the work each step of the project. The job sight was always neat and clean at the end of the day. Lenny and Sean are skilled professionals, and are a pleasure to work with. Our garage is beautiful and stable. We highly recommend HandyMensch. read more

HandyMensch is a TOP quality remodeling company. I was pulling my hair out over some urgent remodeling projects that needed to be finished on a super tight schedule! (In the middle of the Holiday season no less) I contacted a couple of companies but HandyMensch was the only one that could promise a quick start. Lenny told me he could complete my projects within the needed timeframe and most amazingly...he did!! Lenny and his team met with me go over every detail before starting the remodels. Lenny is very knowledgeable and provided me with lots of good advice and suggestions. His selection coordinator and experienced vendors also made things so easy. They helped me immensely with choosing materials, paint color, carpeting, etc.. I also had an outstanding project manager - Sean. Sean was meticulous in keeping me advised on every step as the work progressed. He managed all the subcontracting schedules to perfection and was an absolute pleasure to deal with. I hardly had to do a thing! I would most certainly recommend HandyMensch and will use them again for future remodeling needs. They really exceeded all my exceptions. Truly I have never had such a rewarding contractor experience! read more

We utilized HandyMensch for a full remodel of two small-ish bathrooms. This included moving of walls and plumbing. HM was very knowledgeable and transparent about the process, what would work or wouldn't work, and generally just helpful in working through what was a substantial remodel (at least for us). The quality of work was great, and any minor changes that we identified / wanted they were very responsive on and quick to update. For example, there was an instance where we wanted a change to the direction of tile relative to how the tilers had put up a portion of tile in one bathroom. We were able to work with the project manager who worked with the tilers to make the change quickly and efficiently. Our project manager was just incredibly nice and helpful throughout the process, and was quick to respond and help us with anything along the way. HM was also very transparent with respect to anticipated timing, and were able to complete the work in accordance with that outlined timing. Overall we were very happy with our experience with HM and would definitely use them again in the future. read more

Lenny and the HandyMensch are the best contractors we have worked with since moving into our house. Lenny and his team are upfront, put everything in writing, and are easy to communicate with. They remodeled our entire guest bathroom, which included moving plumbing and installing everything new (tiles, vanity, sinks, soaking tub, accessories, shower, fan, lights, etc). Everything came out perfectly. Lenny and his team are very detailed and don't try to rush in and out to get the job done. If we did notice something off or had a question, his team would immediately respond or adjust the problem. Also, he kept us informed on status real-time, which enabled us to go about our daily lives. At first, we thought his price may be slightly higher than other contractors, but used him based on other recommendations - It is well worth it because of his attention to detail and the fact that he sticks to the budget up front and any changes are in writing so we avoid all "surprise" charges that other contractors throw in on a regular basis. We highly recommend using Lenny. read more

HandyMensch redid the supports for our overhead screened-in porch (over concrete patio from walk out basement). They handled all the aspects of the job: the engineering design for new supports, going thru the permitting process and doing the actual project. In beginning, I met with Lenny's team, including an engineer to discuss what we were hoping to have done on the project. The team listened to us on how we wanted to keep the concrete patio space open as possible - the engineering design met our goals. Communications were suburb - the team provided weekly status updates of accomplishments for that week and what was expected for following week as they constructed the new foundations and supports for the overhead screened-in porch. We liked how the team, when pouring the concrete for the foundation, got it flushed with the existing concrete patio. With supports along edge of the patio, we retain the open space of the concrete patio under the porch for enjoyment of backyard activities. We recommend HandyMensch for anyone doing patio/decking work. read more

Great quality work, terrific craftsmanship, and a fair price. Lenny Berger is very professional and friendly and, most importantly for me, was great at helping me focus and make good choices when, with what I recognize is my own nearly nonexistent sense of aesthetics, I had no idea what to do. Handymensch has a crew that does some work themselves and solid subcontractors, all adding up to what was a terrific interior remodeling job in my Fairfax County home as soon as I closed on purchasing it. I hired Handymensch to install hardwood floors throughout the main level and laminate in the basement; install ceramic tile and granite countertops in my kitchen; install lighting throughout the main level; and completely remodel my master bath, including tearing down a wall and replacing the tub and vanity and installing tile. It was all beautiful work, and I'm sure I'm leaving out work they did that slipped my mind as I typed this. I plan to use Handymensch for any small jobs and large going forward and recommend them to anyone. read more

HandyMensch remodeled our bathroom and basement and did a fantastic job. The work they did exceeded all our expectations - they clearly have a focus on quality and responsiveness. Everybody on the team was a pleasure to work with - professional, friendly and very knowledgeable. In fact, we asked HandyMensch to take over some other work we had previously contracted to another company because it was obvious in comparison that the HandyMensch team had a better understanding and ability to get it done. The construction process was very smooth. The quality of work and materials were of high quality. The HandyMensch team were extraordinarily clean and tried to be as unobtrusive as possible (I worked from home the entire time and found it to be no problem). Lenny promptly responded to any questions we had. Lenny, Sean, and Dan were absolutely great. We would very strongly recommend HandyMensch and would definitely use them again for future renovations. read more

I highly recommend HandMensch Remodeling! From our first meeting, Lenny impressed me with his knowledge and attention to detail. My project was to remove a wet bar in the family room, and extend that space into a closet directly behind it creating a walk-in pantry with a tile floor, closed by a sliding barn door. In the family room, faux beams were to be removed, and recessed lighting installed. Finally, the room was to be painted including walls, trim, and ceiling. From our initial consult, I was impressed with Lenny's attention to detail. I had received one other estimate of the work, and the other contractor did not notice half of the issues/details Lenny found. The work was completed quickly, safely (masks worn by all!), with incredible attention to detail. The work is flawless, with shelf brackets lining up with grout lines. I could not be happier with the work done and cannot wait to hire his team to re-do my kitchen! read more

Just wanted to share the outstanding customer experience that I had today with http://handymensch.com/ . All communications were clear and responsive, and the team arrived on time to dedicate itself to conduct extremely thorough work on a set of small tasks such as power washing, replacing/rebuilding a shed door, and securing popped nails on a fence. The exact verbiage from my email specifications was reviewed at the beginning of the appointment, and 2 HandyMensch's worked non-stop for several hours to complete their tasks with finesse and no downtime. They secured nail pops that I had not even noticed, and cleaned up as if they'd never made any mess. Their focus was relentless as was their attentiveness to detail. With their reasonable prices, stellar communications, and expert execution, I will gladly hire these folks again and suggest that you look no further for help with those odd jobs. read more

The Handymensch team are the best! They just helped us get our home ready to put on the market - and we have a full-price offer after one day! We needed an electrician, plumber, and painters this time, and The Handymensch team handled it all. I didn't have to shop for anything. Thanks to superior communication and very quick turnaround time, I was able to deal with non-house issues while the work was completed. Small items, like a stick-on door weatherstripping, to larger items, like a new toilet, were given equal care and attention. I was completely comfortable with all of the team members, starting of course with Lenny and Dan, with whom we have worked many times, and now Sean, and the painters and electrician. All are professionals and clearly good at what they do. And Lenny looked over our inspection report for us - very comforting during a stressful time. read more

The HandyMensch recently spruced up my Reston home of nearly 28 years to prepare it for sale. This was the second time I have used The Handymensch, and Lenny and his crew didn't disappoint. Lenny has a very pleasant demeanor and is exceedingly thorough in assessing a home's needs. He knows what changes need to be made to prepare a home for the market. He knows what lighting fixtures will make a basement rec room pop and sparkle and he knows how to coordinate the work flow smoothly. His proposal was detailed and clear. And when more was needed for the project, the additional work order was discussed and then submitted in writing for my approval. I would agree with the details in Lori M's recent review. Like most homeowners, I look at my "old" home and wonder why I didn't do this years ago ... Kudos to The HandyMensch! read more

We needed a master bathroom remodel, so we solicited a few bids. HandyMensch was not the cheapest bid, but we knew that we should go with Lenny because he carefully thought through our unique situation (a very narrow bathroom from the 90s) and clearly articulated our options. We made the right choice. Lenny and his team carefully managed the entire project from start to finish. The entire project ran like clockwork, no significant glitches or delays. We've seen our friends deal with absolutely disastrous renovations, so we are very happy that we didn't have to deal with any of that. And we are thrilled with the final outcome. It is nicer than we thought would be possible given the space. I can't recommend Lenny and team highly enough - if you want a well-run and high-quality renovation, go with him. read more

Lenny and team were amazing! From the time we met, to the project close they took great care to keep me informed of the status, progress and next steps along the way. I am extremely happy with the outcome, but even more importantly, I felt like they were focused on making sure I had a great customer experience. I really cannot compare their level of engagement and communication to any other experience I've had with a remodel or contracting work. They took the time to answer my questions, they asked me questions and guided me to answers I didn't know I needed to consider, and they helped make the vision in my head...appear in my house! They really set the bar for a great experience, and ultimately a great product and outcome. I'm really excited to use the new office and I'm amazed at the result! read more