Suzanne Vinet
Mike Beckwith undertook a bathroom renovation for me and I can highly recommend him and his team for any project. Mike consistently demonstrated his professionalism and skills throughout the project. He is exceptionally calm and focussed. He is creative and will confidently solve the inevitable problems that come with renovations. Mike was also very careful to respect the budget and there were no surprises. Mike made sure to always keep me informed and he communicated effectively so there were no misunderstandings. I wholeheartedly recommend Mike Beckwith for any project. It was a pleasure working with him and his team.
Robin and Peter Allison
Mike and his team completed an extensive renovation of our 100 year old home in the Glebe. The work included replacing all the mechanical and electrical systems, rearranging and restoring the interior spaces, redoing the kitchen and bathrooms, replacing all the windows, siding and roof, building a new garage and finishing the basement. The quality of Mike’s work was exceptional. His team and his subcontractors were all easy to work with and were always respectful of our living in the house throughout the renovation. Mike’s calm demeanor, quiet communication style and commitment to managing a “surprise free” project resulted in a relatively low-stress renovation project. Mike lives up to the commitments he makes and we always knew where we were on the project schedule. We found his pricing to be fair and he was always completely transparent with the details behind each invoice. When we had any issues or concerns, he addressed them immediately and without fuss. We have nothing but the highest praise for Mike and recommend him without reservation.
Anna Jahn & Christoph Zürcher, Westboro
Beckwith Carpentry built for us a 2 storey extension of approximately 800 sq.feet. We did interview a few other contractors, but then went with Mike Beckwith, who came highly recommended by a neighbour. We are extremely happy with the results, and with the whole process. We worked with Mike on a very detailed budget, and then stayed within that budget. Absolutely no surprises during the work. Mike’s calm, professional, diligent approach to his work was always very reassuring. He was invariably on top of things, very responsive, very responsible. Living through a construction can be stressful, but with Beckwith Carpentry the stress levels are greatly reduced, because they are really really good. We can highly recommend Beckwith Carpentry! Thanks, Mike and crew, for a fantastic job!
Lynn Townsend, Ottawa
After considerable thought and trepidation I undertook a much needed renovation of my home. I engaged an architect to design and produce the technical drawings and invited 5 contractors to bid on the renovation project which involved a small addition, roof replacement, new siding, new windows, knocking out walls, installation of bathroom and fireplace and many other small upgrades. I met with three of the bidders and hired Beckwith Carpentry. The minute I met Mike Beckwith I got a good feeling. He was clearly a man with strong values and ethics and was honest and sincere in his approach.
This major renovation project took place in 2010/11 and I thoroughly appreciated the craftsmanship and professionalism of Mike and his team. I lived in various corners of my house during the renovation and the team was polite, courteous and above all, clean!! They tidied up each day and were very respectful of me and my needs. The work was done in a professional manner and according to the drawings and specifications. Mike project managed all of the trades required and was upfront and forthcoming about the schedule and what would happen next. He was attentive to my needs and concerns and was flexible when I asked for changes to the scope.
The wonderful thing about Mike is that he is unflappable. Renovations can be stressful and Mike was a calming force throughout the entire process. He did not leave the project until I was entirely satisfied with every aspect of the work performed. I remember him saying “we just want you to be happy” and he truly meant it. It was and is very refreshing to have a contractor that is so experienced, honest and dependable. I highly recommend Beckwith Carpentry for any construction or renovation needs.
Ginny and Mark Sutcliffe, Ottawa
We have very high praise for the team at Beckwith Carpentry. Our renovation was completed on time and on budget and we are thrilled with our new basement and bathrooms. Mike’s expertise with older homes in our neighbourhood was an asset and along the way he provided very practical advice to our reno project. Any unforseen obstacles were resolved quickly in a calm manner to our satisfaction. The staff and tradespersons at Beckwith were professional and completed quality work. We would definitely hire Beckwith Carpentry for future renovations. Thanks Mike!
Rev. Wayne Sollows (McPhail Memorial Baptist Church), Ottawa
We engaged Mike Beckwith and his firm when we added an elevator/lift addition to our building. At the time, we had a chance to see a similar job he had completed at Rideau View Bible Chapel and were impressed with the workmanship. Also the detail that went into his bid process, with respect to the budget that we were working with, saw him present a competitive quote. Everyone has been extremely pleased with the finish product!
During construction, Mike and his team were timely in completing the work, were available and responsive to changes once construction began, and kept us informed during all phases. His personal attention to detail and pleasant demeanour, along with the contractors and trades people he employed, was second to none. In all, he made what could have been a long 8 months for a church congregation a painless and worry-free experience – we invite anyone to come and see the lift for themselves. The bottom line: We’d highly recommend Mike to anyone by saying that he is our “Go To’ choice for any subsequent work that may be done at the church.
Max and Connie Finklestein, Ottawa
We recently engaged Beckwith Carpentry to renovate the entire second floor of our 1942-vintage home. We were impressed with the level of craftsmanship that Mike and his crew demonstrated throughout the entire project. The work was not only done with great care, but on time and budget. Mike offered sound advice when dealing with changes in the plans (due to ‘unanticipated structural surprises’ or unanticipated client ‘mind-flips’), and was always flexible and reasonable in dealing with these unanticipated changes.
Mike and his crew also showed a high degree of courtesy, care and concern for our needs, as we were living in the home during the renovation, including cleaning up the workplace daily and closing the gates so the dogs wouldn’t escape (Mike had to personally chase down one of the dogs who made a break for it!). Renovations are a stressful undertaking, but Mike and his crew worked hard not only to complete the work, but to keep the stress levels down, and always had time for encouraging words and advice. We are now thoroughly enjoying our lovely, new and spacious second floor space.
Edwards, Ottawa
We had an outstanding experience with Mike Beckwith. He worked very well with our architect, developed thorough plans and timelines, and provided the accurate estimates we needed to manage financing. There were no surprises. We liked his well-organized approach and reliability in sticking to the schedule and meeting deadlines. His crew was great to have around — friendly yet serious and very competent. He also chose excellent sub-contractors, and coordinated the work very well.
Overall, the workmanship was excellent, with a hands-on attention to detail and finish. On one occasion when he felt a difficult carpentry matter was not handled to his high standards, he re-did it himself at his expense. We found him prompt and responsive in dealing with client issues during the construction, and his post-construction follow-up has been first class. We would recommend Mike Beckwith unreservedly, especially to anyone contemplating a serious and complicated addition or renovation.
Beth Stikeman, Ottawa
If you are like me, you want to work with a contractor you can trust. As an architect, I worked with Mike Beckwith on many large and sometimes complex residential projects for over a decade. He has a comprehensive knowledge of best construction practices, and works professionally within established budgets and timelines. Recently Mike and his team completely renovated our basement and we are very pleased with the results. His patient, even temperament is a real bonus in stressful times!
June and Gordon Pimm, Ottawa
We have contracted with Mike Beckwith on two separate occasions and in both cases found him to be reliable and creative with an exceptional attention to detail. On the first occasion he completely renovated our 100 year old residence, and after our recent downsizing he helped us reconfigure our current bungalow with spectacular results both times.
Carla Pellizzari & Eric Alexander, Ottawa
What started out to be a relatively straightforward home modernization quickly morphed into a major reconstruction project — the result of our wish list growing in leaps and bounds. The challenge lay in finding the right contractor. Following in the footsteps of close friends, we were reminded of the shortage of quality construction trades-people in Ottawa’s highly competitive marketplace. Moreover, we discovered firsthand how shopping around pays serious dividends as evidenced by the disparity between competing contractor bids. Our concerns were laid to rest upon meeting Mike Beckwith for the first time — the result of a former colleague’s recommendation.
A rare combination of quiet confidence, a realistic timeframe and cost breakdown, along with a clear ability to listen won us over At risk of sounding corny, Mike and his team (Josh and Jeff) proved time and again that they were on our side. Their care and unwavering attention to detail, their responsiveness to our questions and concerns throughout, along with Mike’s expert guidance in our making the right design and procurement choices, point to a pride of craftsmanship rarely seen these days. The end result: the project was completed within budget, we now have the home of our dreams, and we couldn’t be happier!