"Khoa Ha is more than just a builder/carpenter. He's a creative. By this I mean, in addition to his outstanding carpentry skill, he uses his ability to re-imagine, or to think outside the box, and this talent allows him to come up with brilliant solutions. We had an old, poorly-built, amateurish, set of outdoor access stairs leading to a tenant's upper apartment unit. They were not to code, and were coming apart. In addition to this, the front door and the side light window of the apartment unit had been framed in so badly that a 1"x1" piece of daylight was exposing the apartment to the elements! I had already received 3 bids for the job by the time Khoa met me on site. Why? I just didn't have confidence in those contractors. It requires advanced skill to build a safe set of stairs. And, as long as these stairs were going to be demo-ed, I'd hoped to improve the footprint/design/layout with the new build. Khoa saw, immediately, the problem with the existing layout as built, and quickly sketched a re-design on scrap paper. I asked myself, why didn't any of the other contractors I'd met on site, understand, or recognize that it was the existing layout/design that was flawed. The other carpenters offered to re-create the stair run in the same configuration, and, to have them take up an even larger footprint that what was existing! The footprint was restricted on all 4 sides, and was limited to a very specific, contained area. Khoa recognized the problem right away, and was able to get me to see it, as well, which gave me a great deal of confidence in his ability. As he explained, "I do this type thing all the time with stairs". When the bid came in it was nearly 2x what the other contractors' were. I was disappointed, thinking I wouldn't be able to get close enough with my budget to use him. Rather than moving on to another contractor, I simply gave Khoa the bottom line number for my project, and expected to hear him laugh. My budget was just HALF of his original estimate. And, to his credit, rather than blowing me off, he worked with me in order to shave the original bid down, in half, to fit my funding for the project. Over multiple communications with me, he dedicated himself to deciding what existing materials could be reused, and to re-thinking the use of pressure-treated materials vs. higher end lumbers. And, in the end, he was even able to include a new door and window install that needed to be included in the project, as well. It is obvious to me Khoa works very hard to build relationships and to stay flexible within a budget. The difference Khoa's re-designed has made, cannot be under-stated. My tenant is thrilled! I'm thrilled! Khoa Ha and JJ Construction will be the first I call on for my construction needs going forward. I will recommend him to any of my friends, family or colleagues who ask. And, I most certainly recommend him to you! Khoa Ha and JJ Construction are of an integrity rarely found today. Thank you,"
Sabrina L. in March 2017
