Now I'm going to start naming names

I need to follow up to a post I put up several months ago, about a contractor I was working with who made me nuts. That guy is long gone from our project, and I just want to say that he seems to be the exception to the rule.

The team we finally ended up using included a masonry contractor (Gregory Pasternak/Town Restoration Services and Gregory Pasternak), an interiors contractor (Isaak Karpman/Nova Remodeling), an engineer (Karl Chen/Stratford Engineering), a scaffolding crew (Jimmy Downes/Everest Scaffolding), an expediter (Hannibal Galin), and a shoring company (Richard Mugler/Richard C. Mugler Co.). Every single one of these guys was unbelievably nice, respectful, professional, expeditious, and, to my delight, not in any way condescending.

They were always available when I called, their work was impeccable, and they knew their stuff inside and out. There were no mistakes, no delays, and never, ever, ever any excuses.

Probably the most important person I worked with was Michael Lewis, the architect who created the drawings for the project, recommended all the contractors, brilliantly presented the plans to the community board and the Landmarks Preservation Commission so we could get our building permits, and walked me through every step of such a complicated system. He was truly my guide in this whole process, and he was very patient with me—the neophyte. I learned a lot from him in nine months.

Anyway, I thought it was time I gave credit where credit was due. Unfortunately, not one of these companies has a website, so I can't link to anyone for you. But if by chance you're working on your own renovation in New York and you want to e-mail me, I will happily give you contact information. Getting a recommendation is the first rule of hiring a contractor, you know.