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Description Of Work: Total gut of 1970's hall bath and remodel; wainscoting; new banister and spindles.
"Our first contact with Fran was though Angie's List. He promptly returned our call and we set a date for him to come look at the job. Fran was the third of three contractors that were going to bid on the work we wanted done. He was very meticulous from the moment he entered our home with measurements and a through discussion of our expectations. He wanted to give us an honest, fair estimate so that there were no surprises. After getting estimates from all three we decided to go with Fran. His price was between the two but our decision was based on his reviews and his professionalism.
The lead carpenter on our job was Steve. Steve showed up every day and on time working very meticulously to get every last detail perfect. The detailed wainscoting took a while because he is such a perfectionist. The bathroom could be on a magazine cover. Small details that other contractors would not pay attention to were skillfully done. Every inch of that bathroom is perfection. I want to use it now even though I have a great master bath. Fran showed up on the job often to check on its status and checked in with me at least weekly to make sure I didn't have any concerns. At the end of the day they cleaned up carefully as to not interrupt our life too much. I wish we had met Fran earlier when we had other work done! Can't say enough about him and will use him again!"
Wendy Brian, 12/7/15, Doylestown, PA 18901
Description Of Work: Installed a fire rated door from family room into garage. Moved gas lines and electrical lines. Removed a bookshelf. Reapplied trim and flooring and stained floor to match. Built steps into garage. Repaired holes in walk from previous outlets and painted and trimmed door.
"Fran gave the most detailed estimate of the three that I got. He took an hour to make drawings and go over details of what the job entailed. The final estimate was very detailed and I believe the price was more accurate than the others. When I hired them they arrived on time and were very polite. Drop cloths went down and a wall of plastic went up around the work site so there was no dust. Every night they removed everything and left the job immaculate. Once the door was installed and finished It looked like it had always been there. Friends came over and didn't even notice it until I pointed it out. It is this kind of professionalism that I look for in a builder and will look forward to more work with this company."
David Schumann, 12/23/15, Huntington Valley, PA 19006
Description Of Work: We had a copper pipe that developed a leak and caused water damage to 3 walls in the basement, as well as as destroying the carpeted floor. Francis arranged for his team to replace the damaged dry wall (cut, tape, spackle, sand), the insulation, the carpeting, and paint the entire basement.
"The job went very well. His carpenter/painter (Les) did a fantastic job from start to finish. He was always on time. Every single day, he started by laying out a drop cloth from the front door to the basement steps so as to not track any debris into the house while coming in and out with supplies or bringing up dust from the extensive sanding he needed to do in the basement. At the end of each day, he would remove the drop cloth and even made sure that the front porch had no debris on it. He tidied up the basement each day before he left. He is courteous, respectful and trustworthy. I did not hesitate in leaving him alone in my home to do his work. The basement looks brand new. We are very pleased with his work."
Anne Bondiskey, 11/9/15, Horsham, PA 19044
Description Of Work: Francis White and his crew built a beautiful detached three car garage with a large basement area to be used for storage.
"First let me say that Francis White and his team are extremely professional. They are prompt and hard working; arriving early each day and working long hours. Francis met with us multiple times to review the designs and work with us to make changes; he was upfront and candid with what would and would not work and valued our feedback as well. He met with neighbors when they had questions about the project. Francis and his team were very respectful of the neighbors and always cleaned up and never left a mess. They realized that we have young children and never used vulgar language and were always very amiable when our children wanted to watch. The one and only day they could not do work on our garage, they called in advance to let us know.
His work is of the highest quality and he included us on every decision and filled us in on each step of the work. Each person in his crew is knowledgeable and were willing to field our questions. Though our garage was not an easy project, as it was dug into a hill, the work exceeded our expectations. We are so happy in fact, that we have asked Francis to do an even larger project for us. It was the attention to detail that sets Francis apart from other contractors; it is apparent that he is a perfectionist, takes pride in his work and customer satisfaction is his number one priority. I have recommended Mr. White's work to friends, neighbors and colleagues because we are quite certain they would be as satisfied as we were."
Maria Weinstock, 8/21/15, Blue Bell, PA 19422
Description Of Work: Commercial building improvement including fit out of our call center, removal of walls, installation of acoustic wood and fabric paneling, installation of French doors, new rugs, electrical work, and tile work in break room.
"The retrofit of our commercial space was done -from start to finish- professionally, on time, and under budget. As the work progressed, F.X. White provided timely suggestions that not only improved the look of the office space but also saved us time and money. The job supervisor and work crew were great to work with. The contractor came up with a novel approach to prepare the call center space to secure the acoustic wood and fabric panels. They saved us tens of thousands of dollars over the other bids we had received. Our project was completed ahead of schedule, with excellent fit and finish, and as noted above significantly under budget. The F. X. White workmen also cleaned up the workplace every day, leaving the rooms neat and clean."
Christopher Bell, 4/3/15, Holland, PA 18966
Description Of Work: Complete remodel of our kitchen, including new appliances, floor, doors, and windows. Lots of custom touches.
"The work took about eight weeks, and it was completed on schedule. F.X. White was a pleasure to work with throughout the entire project. They have a lot of experience and expertise in planning, designing, and installing high-end kitchens. The team of skilled tradesman did an excellent job from start to finish. We are very impressed with the workmanship and professionalism of F.X. White Builders. We have used them before as well for other home improvement projects. In every instance, they have met or exceeded our expectations."
Christopher Bell (second project with Francis White), 4/3/15, Holland, PA 18966
Description Of Work: Francis X. White Builders completely rebuilt a fixed garage door that appears on the side of our house that originally was a garage door to our garage until the garage was changed into a living area of the house. He removed the original door and built a replica garage door from scratch.
"Fran White and his workers did a fantastic job. The door looks like a real garage door! Magnificent! Fran White is a true professional in every respect. During the past three years, he has performed a host of household repairs and renovations to our 38 year old 3,500 square foot home, and each job was done to perfection. Although a bit pricey, the work that Fran White does is worth every penny. Having Fran White as your builder insures high quality work, impeccable craftsmanship, friendly and trustworthy workers, and above all else the comfort of knowing that "the job will be done right" and done to your complete satisfaction. Put another way, you can take a vacation during a Fran White project and return home to a masterfully completed job. We did. We highly recommend Fran White!!! In fact, Fran White will be performing more household repairs and upgrades for us during this upcoming Spring and Summer."
Gail Jadico, 7/24/14, Chalfont, PA 18914
Description Of Work: Built an in-law apartment and media room, re-built front portico, put windows in a screened porch and re-finished it inside and out.
"Just completed three major projects. Fran, Steve and George were terrific every step of the way. Fran competed a great design for newly finished space, and Steve and George executed it perfectly. They were punctual every day, reliable, trustworthy and always willing to go the extra mile. The work is extremely high quality. Fran's suppliers were great to deal with. He coordinated everything, from selections to deliveries. For a few items we chose to use our own suppliers and he was flexible, cooperative and helpful with that as well. We had a very specific budget for one of the projects and Fran worked with us to find options to help remain within the limits. Fran is an excellent communicator and there are no surprises. And we can't say enough about Steve and George who consistently exceeded our expectations. You may find a lower bid, but you won't find any better value for your dollar. And you may wait a bit to get into his schedule, but it will be worth it. We will use Fran and his team again."
Ann Koloski, 10/13/14, Newtown, PA 18940
Description Of Work: Fran and his crew installed new windows in our Family Room, constructed a cover over our patio, put new siding on the outside walls where the cover is, and installed a new flagstone patio with brick edging for the entire patio.
"We have used Francis X. White builders for six projects at our house in the last several years. I cannot say enough good things about the care that Fran and his guys take while working at our house. They clean up the work area every day so you can use the space near the work area. The craftsmanship and materials they use are always top notch. I would highly recommend them to perform work at any of my friends and family."
Philip Voltz, 11/17/14 Richboro, PA 18954
Description Of Work: Renovated almost the entire house after a pipe broke and flooded the house: new carpeting, new hardwood floors, new drywall wall and ceilings, new paint, new bathroom including fixtures and tiling, new kitchen including cabinets and lighting, new hvac system, new ductwork, basement wall repair.
"Francis X. White Builders did an excellent job in every respect. The day the water pipe broke, they were at our house immediately to survey the damage and help coordinate the demolition work and cleanup while my wife and I were away. It was a tremendous relief to know that someone we could trust was helping deal with demo crews, the insurance company, neighbors, etc. until we got home. Once the house was ready for reconstruction, they prioritized our schedule knowing how difficult it was for us to live in a hotel as a family. Equipment and supplies were ordered immediately and work started as soon as possible. We were back in our house in very short time and on the day Fran (the owner) promised on day one.
The quality of work is top-notch across the board whether it was drywall, painting, tiling, electrical, or anything else. The crews took pride in their work and were determined to satisfy any of our expectations. In one case, the team came back 3 times to focus on a ceiling repair until it was perfect even under the harshest light. Fran was very helpful in guiding us through the process in a number of ways. He was clear about the decisions required and kept on top of every issues to make sure the schedule was not delayed. He guided us towards suppliers who provided good quality products and were responsive to our needs. He coordinated the entire process dealing with the contracting teams, material deliveries, access to the house, cleanup, etc. He took care of everything.
Most importantly, Francis X. White Builders is a company and are people you can trust. They are honest, straightforward, and I always felt like they were looking our for our best interests. In the end, this is what I appreciated the most. I would recommend Fran and his team without reservation. Their pricing may be higher than the lowest estimate you may find- but it worth every extra cent you might pay. I will never use another company for any work at my house."
Scott Butler, 5/15/14 Chalfont, 18914
Description Of Work: Replace bay window with French doors (needed to add dry wall, and repaint interior wall); small patio deck and steps using timbertek; install siding on one wall of the house; install outdoor lamps and storm lights; upgrade electrical outlet.
"Very professional. Workmanship is very refined with utmost attention to detail. Fran and his son Dennis were very accessible and very easy to work with. I am not sure how to comment on the price since we did not get any quotes from other contractors, we just trusted all the excellent comments from Angie's list. Will definitely use them again !!"
Arrene Santos, 5/24/14, North Wales, PA 19454
Description Of Work: The job was a big one involving making three rooms into two, one an expansive kitchen. Walls were removed, rebuilt, wood floors installed throughout the entire main level and upstairs, air conditioning installed and a small deck built off a new kitchen slider.
"Fran provided an initial set of designs. We selected one and refined it several times with his guidance. We were very pleased with some of the suggestions he made. His knowledge and common sense approach helped us feel confident on the design. Once the job began, every day (Monday through Friday), Curt was on site. This was far different from our experience with a previous contractor. The job site was neat and orderly at the end of each day. Curt was terrific and an expert craftsman. Dust and debris was surprisingly kept to a minimum, even though a ceramic floor was ripped out and walls were removed (the plastic strips were an annoyance, but they did the job). Fran was meticulous and set high standards. He ripped out some crown molding that was slightly off even though we couldn't see it. Communication was good all the way through. I think producing a great result was every bit as important to the Fran as to it was to us. That's the highest compliment I can give."
Tom Mayfield, 5/23/14 Chalfont, PA 18914
Description Of Work: A complete remodel of the entire basement living area.
"Fran White and team created a basement living area that is second to none. Fran takes the time to assist you right at the beginning with the design of the space by providing his expertise and knowledge so that you maximize everything you can out of the available area. Fran stays with the project on a daily basis and is always available to update you on the progress of the project. Fran White builders created a complete bar & entertainment area, including a custom bar with a granite countertop, custom shelving and title flooring. They also created a business office space, with hardwood flooring, drop ceiling and wood trim throughout. And finally, they designed a TV viewing area with hardwood flooring and custom wood trim work as well as a custom 15 ft long, ceiling high bookshelf system. Complete professional and highly talented is how I describe Fran's team. Never missing a day and always mindful of your house. I have used Fran and team many times and they never disappoint, in fact, they always exceed my expectations. If you want it done correctly and you want to have faith in your contractor, call Fran White today. You will never be disappointed."
Jim McShea, 5/7/14 Lansdale, PA 19446
Description Of Work: We were concerned about potential water damage to an outside wall and roof as a result of high winds and heavy rain. Fran and his crew opened up the inside wall for inspection and the first couple of courses of shingles for a good look. His primo craftsman, Steve, managed the job. Steve opened up 2 holes in the interior wall and inspected on day 1, his crew came in on day 2 and erected scaffolding, on days 3 and 4, they completed the exterior work including adding protective material to prevent any further issues, and painted the interior room wall/ceiling.
"The crew was friendly and knowledgeable, and was there to get the job done as efficiently as possible. Fran's skilled camera work provided the insurer the clear visual references needed to see the nature of the problem and agree to remediation. Fran's estimate was sufficiently detailed to satisfy the insurer, and well within spec for the work the insurer could approve. Steve and his men completely cleaned up after each step, so that disruption to our lives was minimal. As with an earlier job Fran did for us, this one met all our expectations in terms of quality of workmanship and professional conduct. Bottom line: Fran is a contractor and builder of the first rank. He's an exacting craftsman and a joy to work with. He employs workers in his own mold. Steve is an absolute genius builder and a real gentleman. these are lovely people to work with - you will not go wrong."
Myra Carpenter 4/24/14, Doylestown, PA 18902
"We are very fortunate to have found Fran via Angie's list for several projects we have undertaken over the past 2 years, both at our own home and that of our elderly parents. We have relied on his company to provide a host of different services, and have been pleased with each and every job his crew has performed. There comes a point in life where proven expertise, reliability, quality of service and true market value are paramount to home improvement projects. His crew completed the projects and we were very pleased with the results. We have referred Fran to many of our friends who needed an experienced contractor."
Cindy DeMerlis, 4/21/14, LANSDALE, PA 19446
Description Of Work: Renovated two bathrooms.
"Francis X. White, Builder, Inc. did a very good job. We are pleased with the renovated bathrooms. Fran listened to our needs and provided suggestions to enhance our design. He was very easy to work with. His craftsman, Steve, was very careful to keep our house clean while he was working. He was very meticulous laying tile and doing all the finishes. He was also very careful in doing the work that is behind what's visible. His prep work was very exacting. He responded to a couple things that we did not like once we saw them installed and he changed them with no issues or complaints. They were very competent, professional and trustworthy. We are very pleased with their work."
John Post, 3/13/14, Doylestown, PA 18901
Description Of Work: Complete exterior renovation including installing new Hardiplank siding, new windows, doors and roof. Extensive use of composite trim boards and moldings on six dormers and extended eaves - including a front porch, that runs the length of the house, with bead board ceiling, divider beams and custom-made columns.
"Fran and his team, Dennis, (Fran's son) Les, Dan and Brendon, did an amazing job, we could not be happier! We have a 1986, 4,400 Sq Ft Cape Cod that needed all new exterior updating. The team started with a blank slate, we had ideas of what we wanted but the team was integral in bringing our ideas to life. On more than one occasion, we would show Dennis a picture of a dormer, or a porch column that we liked and sure enough - we'd come home that day and the picture would be true to life. They helped with the design and had many great ideas themselves. No detail was spared, from boxing out our radon pipe in trim to making all of the exterior outlets look like they were custom built. Everyone on the team was always friendly, approachable and would stop and make time for us if we had any questions at all. Our 100% satisfaction was always their goal and they proved that out time and time again. We have dealt with several contractors over the years and frankly were not looking forward to the experience again however, Francis White Builders is definitely a contractor that we would recommend to anyone and we look forward to working with them again."
Maxine Vandegrift, 2/17/14, Furlong, PA 18925