Testimonials

From start to finish, we had a fantastic experience with Joel Frank and his crew. Joel was communicative and collaborative throughout the whole project. He helped us stay within budget, and — most important of all — did meticulous, beautiful work. Moreover, the crew are all wonderful people and it was a pleasure having them around. We recommend them extremely highly.

Jeremy, Ithaca, NY

I have had the pleasure of working with Joel Frank Builders twice now: in 2016-17, then again in 2019-20.

There is so much that sets this crew apart from any other that we’ve worked with in Ithaca: their attention to craftsmanship, the deep pride taken in their work, and their thorough communication with the client—all of which soar above and beyond what one might expect of even the best contractor.

Unlike most contractors, Joel was always available for questions big and small, frequently responding with lengthy, carefully written emails replete with well-researched options. And when we confronted Joel with challenging last-minute requests, he never blinked and was always willing to adapt to the inevitable change-of-plans that occur throughout the building process.

But that’s only part of what set Joel Frank Builders apart. Really, the first thing that I tell people about this crew—and believe me, I tell everyone about them—is that they are really nice guys. That might sound like faint praise, but renovating a house is one of life’s biggest stressors, and having a crew who clearly work well together, enjoy the job, and always have time to communicate with the client alleviates so much of that stress. It seems remarkable that, throughout our many, many months working with Joel Frank Builders, we were always happy to see Joel, to talk with him and his genial, thoughtful crew. We always felt that they were as invested in our project as we were, and that we were experiencing all of its successes and struggles together.

Our first project with Joel Frank was massive: the top-to-bottom renovation of a three-story Victorian. This included adding two bathrooms in impossible places, rebuilding another bathroom, remodeling the kitchen, replacing walls throughout, building on a mudroom, replacing all of the electric and plumbing, and so much more.

It seemed like an overwhelming project, but Joel Frank Builders was prompt, reliable, stayed on our job for its entirety, and wholly delivered in providing us with our dream home.

But they are beyond just competent and reliable. They are true artisans. It’s difficult, when you meet a contractor, to trust that they will have the same vision as you, or at least keen listening skills when you are describing how you want something to look—a wooden radiator cabinet, for instance, which one crew member handcrafted for us.

They are true artisans… Years later, we still walk around our house discovering small aesthetic touches and shocking precisions in even its most unassuming corners—the kind of thing that makes your home feel special, loved.

Joel Frank Builders is the complete package. They are hard workers, skillful problem-solvers, ethical, firm but fair when managing subcontractors, tile wizards . . . I could go on and on.

I would never work with anyone else. Period.

- Somer, Ithaca, NY

Joel Frank Builders have completed three projects for us. One a major renovation, converting a large open room into a separate kitchen, bedroom, bath and finished loft area. This project involved coordinating electrical and plumbing subcontractors on a tight deadline. The second project was a structural challenge that involved reinforcing a nearly two-hundred-year-old ceiling beam, while eliminating a supporting column. Finally, they seamlessly modified the dimensions of an existing hearth while preserving the original trim and woodwork.

In all three projects, the results looked as if the new spaces had always been there. This crew is incredibly meticulous, respectful, and professional about details and clean-up, never leaving a trace of dust or debris behind (really, in some cases, the spaces were actually cleaner each day after they finished than we had ever kept them previously!). In addition, Joel is always honest, straightforward and reasonable in his estimates and final billing.

We are so happy to have had Joel Frank Builders work in our home, and we recommend their skills and commitment to customer satisfaction for any construction or renovation project in spaces newly constructed or centuries old.

- John Piccarella and Kathy Malcomson, Trumansburg

Joel Frank Carpentry will forever be my first-call for any construction or home repair needs. Joel and his crew are great. Easy to work with, professional, responsive communication and great with kids!

I loved working with Joel Frank Carpentry. We had some intense ice damming and water damage winter '14/'15 on our T-burg home. Our insurance adjusters gave very minimal amount on the claim, but said that they would work with our contractor to ensure everything was covered. Joel was the best, not only did he do the work in a very timely and professional manner, he went above and beyond by standing up for us with the insurance adjudicators. He worked hard to ensure that the work was done up to code and best practices, and that the insurance company covered it.

Joel also had these great dust walls that he put up so I didn't have to worry about my baby being exposed to any construction dust. He understood about kids, how to work around them safely and was even respectful of nap time!

- Cait, Trumansburg, NY

My wife and I added a second floor and bumped out the kitchen in our 1950’s ranch, adding about 1500 sq ft.   I had been very involved in the construction, doing as much as I could myself.  When I met Joel, I was looking for someone I could work with on the trim.  I had been a rough carpenter, and had little experience with finish work.  I wanted to create a semi-Craftsman style trim milling it out of rough sawn cherry.  

Joel turned out to be the perfect person for my needs.  He took my ideas and formulated a plan.  With Joel’s expertise and guidance, we milled rough sawn Pennsylvania Cherry into beautiful baseboard, window and door trim. 

Not only is Joel a true craftsman, he turned out to be an excellent (and patient) teacher. I learned an incredible amount about wood working and finishing from him. He is intelligent, easy going, pays attention to details and has an innate sense of design and how wood can be crafted to produce beautiful end products.

Joel both took my ideas and brought his ideas and designs to the table.  We (mostly Joel) ended up doing almost all of the trim in the house along with refinishing the fireplace in cherry and also building an incredible cherry staircase.  The trim is the focal point of our home and we always receive compliments from guests.

- Don , Ann Arbor, MI