This section contains simple answers to confusing questions.

We have put together the most commonly asked questions that we received from customers and present them here in this section to make working with T&A easier. These questions should help you understand how you can speed up the process and make sure the job gets done exactly the way you want.

The single biggest question we ever hear? How long will the job take?
Every customer asks us how long will it take. The answer, of course, depends on several different factors. How long depends on how big the job is, who is supplying materials and most importantly, how ready you are to begin the job. 90% of the decisions need to be made before any work begins. If you wait until work starts to finalize your decisions, it is expensive and time consuming to change directions or redo work. Once you have made all the decisions you need to make, we can provide a time estimated based on the known facts. Acquiring the construction materials (wood, tiles, etc) also has a major impact on the time frame. The proper materials need to arrive or be available at the correct times. Delays will result if things are not where they are supposed to be when they are needed. We are also at the mercy of the weather and steady rain, snow or other inclement conditions will definitely affect a job schedule




  What is the second most popular question we hear? How much will it cost?
The cost of your job depends on time, labor, materials and complexity. After you have made most of the decisions, including how materials will be acquired, we can realistically estimate cost. Many customers forget to include the costs of materials for the job, which can add up very quickly. T&A can suggest ways and offer help in saving costs, but they all depend on the nature of the job itself. We can suggest alternatives and options scaled to your budget. Regardless of how much you spend, you will receive the same quality work form T&A.

 
 
How soon can you start?
When a job starts depends on several things. Many details must be considered; material availability and delivery, permit acquisition, supporting work such as plumbing or electrical requirements, etc. Agreeing on a realistic start date is a major part of the estimating process and T&A is as experienced at planning for jobs as it is at actually doing them! We can start as soon as it is the correct time to start. We make it a practice to avoid "false" starts. We start work when it is the right time to start, and this is influenced by the ability to see the job through to completion.

 
 
Why does a job always seem to take longer once it starts than it was originally planned for in the estimate?
T&A never underestimates a job; we provide realistic estimates based on how much information we have to work with at the beginning. All jobs are at the mercy of whatever is uncovered once work begins. Unexpected problems due to previous construction may not be revealed until T&A demolition or construction begins. Remember, hidden problems are in fact hidden until we find them! Another source of delay concerns materials. Any holdup in shipping and delivery of necessary supplies contribute to delays. If you are having customized materials created for you (such as tiles) make sure you have left enough time between delivery and starting the job. Always order extras in the event they are needed. Remember, it is better to have a few unused extras than stop an entire job waiting for additional materials.
 
How do I pay T&A?
In simple terms, we accept VISA, MASTERCARD, etc, cash or check. A payment schedule is included with every estimate we provide. T&A usually requires a deposit and payment dates are connected to specific actions or results on your job, especially delivery or installation, completion, etc. The size of payments depends on overall cost, with an appropriate percentage taken for each payment. The schedule of payment depends on progress of work completed, not weekly progress.

 
 
What is restoration?
Restoration is the process of restoring the original detail, look and feel of the original construction, design or style. This includes furniture and in some cases, entire rooms and buildings. Restoration makes things look like they were originally intended to look. T&A can also take newer construction and treat it to match an existing style, design or look.

 
 
What is renovation and how is it different from restoration?
Renovation involves new construction and changes to existing structures and does not usually get involved with matching existing details or restoring specific elements. If you are having your bathroom or kitchen "redone," you are having renovations completed. If you are having your staircase and banister "redone" to look like it originally did, it is being restored.

 
 


What is the process for working with T&A, how does a job get done?
Working with T&A is a simple and painless process that includes honest answers, hard work and realistic assessments.

  1. Contact T&A - We can't work with you unless you contact us first! Check our contact section or see the link at the bottom of every page.
  2. Estimate - After you have contacted us, we will review and discuss your project and provide a realistic estimate with clear expectations.
  3. Work - After agreement on cost, payment schedule, supplies and all necessary details of the job, work will begin.
  4. Review - After work is completed, T&A will make a complete review of the job and guarantee your complete satisfaction.
  Does T&A do any work on brownstones or landmark buildings?
Yes! Landmark restoration is a T&A specialty. Our highly skilled craftsmen can repair and restore facades, stoops and interiors as well as sidewalk repair and ironwork for fences and gates. T&A can also expertly complete woodwork for floors, doorways, frames, cornices and windows.
 
Who supplies the materials for a job?
T&A can work with customer-supplied materials or acquire all materials for your job. You can make all your own arrangements if you like, but no decision on quantity and quality should be made without consulting T&A first. For example, special order, hand colored or burned tiles should always be ordered with extras based on the size of the tiles as well as the area to be tiled. T&A works with your supplier or can recommend our own. We have relationships with every possible type of vendor you may ever need.

 
 
What about the garbage?
T&A removes all debris and garbage it creates during a job. T&A usually carts all garbage away itself, however if a dumpster is required, we will make all necessary arrangements. We don't leave things like we found them - we leave them better than we found them!

 

Feel free to email us with your questions or comments at info@tacarpentry.com
or give us a call at 718-422-7575