Community Resources

Recommended Services

Baby Sitting

Tamera - tamaraforbesdc@yahoo.com

Dog Walker

Tails of the City
Xuan-Huong Nguyen
(202) 669-7230
www.tailsofthecitydc.com

Comment: "We like them. They are always able to accommodate the dogs, even with short notice."

Fire Wood

James W. Ridgley
tufftennis@aol.com
Fire Wood 1 cord for $180.00, half a cord for $90.00 (2004 Prices)

House Keeping

Sandra Lopez
(301) 254-4349

Paloma's Cleaning Services, Inc.
(703) 864-7634

Home Repair/Improvement

Appliance Repair

Bruce Savery
(301) 910-3117

Comments: Very nice, responsive and punctual. His prices are very reasonable too. I highly recommend him for any small or large appliance repair.

Concrete

Mogoo
Jamie
(301) 526-1006

Comments: The price was fair, and they seemed to know what they were doing. There were some delays and it took longer than I wanted, but I would probably use them again.  They're big enough but not too big.

Electricians

C & A, Inc.
Ann or Gus
(301) 277- 8370

Comments: Tell them that "Bloomingdale resident Nelson Marr referred you."  Not the cheapest guy in town, but very fast, thorough, and knowledgeable.

H.F. Electrical Service
Faustino Hernandez
(240) 535-1869
(240) 535-1571

Commetns: Tino has done a fantastic, professional job for our renovated house. You pull the permit or he can. He handles both big and small jobs alike.

Wayne Johnson
(202) 907-6163

Comments: Local resident, prompt, courteous, knowledgeable reasonable and a heck of a nice man.

Another Comment: Another raving recommendation for Bloomingdale resident electrician, Wayne Johnson. Prompt, courteous, knowledgeable reasonable and a heck of a nice man.

Floor Refinishing

Ronnell James
(202) 498-9864

Comments:"We've been quite happy with Ronnell. He does a lot of work for people around here."

David Slone
301-922-4209

General Contractors

R & R Decorators
Tillman Robinson
(202) 439-3800

Renaissance Development
Mark D Richardson and Richard D. Hanks
(202) 321-1293 (Richard)
(202) 607-5655 (Mark)
(510) 217-7012 (Fax)
rdh@rendev.com
mdr@rendev.com
1718 M Street NW #331
Washington, DC 20036

T.R. Young Services, LLC
(703) 385-3343
RYoung1012@aol.com

Comments: We had many contractors come through to do some projects at our house. Thomas Young had the most experience and renovates many houses in our neighborhood. He was very informative and specific about how the job should be done and came in right on estimate. His prices are very fair and his staff personable and hospitable. I highly recommend him, especially given some of the other horror stories I have heard from other homeowners about general contractors.

Handyman

Carlos Antezana
(202) 744-5050

Comments: Handyman extraordinaire . He put up all my fixtures (towel racks, picture hangng, etc,) in double quick time and best of all came when he said he would, cleaned up after himself, and was very reasonable. Also very honest and with a great eye for style... he'll tell you if what you propose to do will lower the value of your house, be hard to maintain etc.

Landscaping/Lawn Care

Garden District
Joe Carmack
1801 14th Street, NW
(corner of 14th and S Streets)
(202) 797-9005

Ross Edwards
(240) 305-7373

Comments: Ross has a small landscaping/lawncare business. I've used him for approximately 2 years and he's provided good service.

Masonry

Edgar's Masonry Construction, Inc.
3414 Groveton Street
Alexandria, VA 22306
tel: (703) 717-0404
cell: (703) 906-6718
fax: (703) 717-0600

Site Manager's Note: Edgar is best known for quality historic masonry restoration.

Long Fence
Carol
(301) 693-2688 (cell)

Comments:We are having concrete pavers installed in our back yard to create a parking place, as well as a deck. The best price that we found to do the pavers, believe it or not is Long Fence. The pavers are a little more expensive than just having poured concrete, but Long Fence was by far the best price that we found when we were getting bids. The crew that is installing it is doing an excellent job, and we have the support of a large company like long fence if we run into any problems.

H.A. Martin Masonry & Concrete
Harry Martin
(703) 222-9278 (voice)
(202) 528-1047 (cell)

Mogoo
(301) 526-1007

Painter

Kirk De Fontes
301-562-9333

Comments: Kirk is my painter because he is meticulous and detail-oriented, and he can do complicated decorative finishes or simple color schemes. He has a degree in Fine Art and has an extraordinary eye for color. If you need color consultation and want your home to have a cohesive color palette, he is fabulous. His prices are reasonable as well.

Tom Nixon
(240) 338-6210

Comments: The best painter I have ever used. Neat, clean, very reasonable prices, and excellent work. Quotes a price and sticks with it and will advise on color schemes, purchase the paint and work around your schedule. Very honest... he has the key to my house.

Another Comment: Tom is the best painter I have ever encountered. I had him paint the interior of my house and stain the back porch. Everyone who visits is astounded at the results and even more amazed when I tell them of his reasonable prices. He is extremely honest and now when I need him to do anything I simply leave him the key and he does what he needs to and returns the key when he's done.

The Painting Company
Rob Garrison
(240) 832-8301

Pest Control

A-One Pest Control
(301) 925-4229

Comments: I have a rental property in Maryland and had the worst rodent problem I've ever seen in my life. I used a well known pest control company that requires a signed contract and was thoroughly disappointed with the number of times they had to come out to treat the house. After several tries, I contacted Buddy at A-One and after several days you could see a noticeable difference and now my house is rodent free. He is very good

Plumber

Thomas E. Clark, Inc.
(301) 608-0550

Comments: I know, I know, they're not based in DC. But they are an old family-owned shop and they do good work. I've worked with George Comer on new radiator lines and a new boiler and water heater, new sewer lines, and new water supply lines. I have usually been pleased with their work.

As with any contractors, though, you should be very specific about what you want and what you don't want (e.g. if you don't want them to drill holes in your joists, make sure they know this).

J.A.G. Plumbing
Jose Gallardo
Home: (703) 560-6526
Cell: (703)400-6170

Comments: Jose has worked at my home on T Street NW on several plumbing projects (bathrooms, kitchens, patio drainage, new pipes) and has excelled in being very reliable, honest, reasonable in price, punctual, hard working and delivering expert quality work. He speaks fluent English, wife Rosalba can set up appointment to review project. Very fair in pricing and hard working.

Site Manager Comment: Jose has been recommended by several people.

Roofing

Maggio Roofing
Scott Siegal
(301) 891-1390

Wagner Roofing Co.
4909 46th Avenue
Hyattsville, MD 20781
tel: (301) 927-9030
fax: (301) 927-3505
info@wagnerroofing.com

Site Manager Comment: Wagner Roofing does high quality repair and replacement of slate and tile roofing. They are equipped to handle any type of roofing project but they are best known (and have received many awards) for their slate work.

Window Repair and Replacement

The Window Man
3853-A Pickett Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
(703) 978-9888

Site Manager Comment: The Window Man has been recommended by Old House Journal Magazine. People who have used the Window Man have said that he is easy to talk to and listens to your needs while recommending what is most economical and relevent for you.

Woodworker

Victor Siles
(703) 585-6358

Miscellaneaus Services

Iron Works

Coat of Armour Iron Works
Mr. Singleton
(202) 338-5076

Stained Glass

Meredith Glass Specialties
Jane Meredith
(301) 279-9333 (voice)
(301) 793-4030 (cell)