All reviews for Talmadge Construction Inc

I'll be honest...I wasn't ready for a remodel both mentally and physically. My wife had this grand vision of a full kitchen remodel that scared me due to working remote with a demanding schedule in tech. I was afraid of losing my internet, the noise and just being around the chaos.
We met with a few contractors locally and the anxiety grew after each visit due to uncertainty, loose schedules, unknown estimates and simple tasks like returning a call. The discussions seemed really demanding on our side in design, organizing the layout which just added to the pressure to two full time parents and kids in multiple sports...not to mention we have 2 dogs, a cat and a lizard. The fears of relocation for the remodel just added to the anxiety.
My wife suggested we meet with Talmadge Construction that does design and build to see what they had to offer. From the very first moment we met, there was a sense of relief as they seemed really interested in making our vision a reality based on all our constraints without adding any more anxiety. Don't want to relocate? No problem, let's build you a temporary kitchen structure outside and provide you warm running water. Need a place to eat outside out of the weather? No problem, let's extend it in one section to make room for small table. It became known as the Surf Kitchen. Concerned about the dust getting in your rooms? No problem, let's just seal it off with a nice locked door so you can have the back of the home to yourself. And to level things up, they promised that water, electricity and internet would almost never be down (which ended up being true).
But that was just stabilizing the home, the actual remodel work and design selection was such a pleasure to work with the team on. They made it just so SIMPLE. Need to review samples? No problem, we will bring them to you. They scheduled visits, helped make selections and even gave us their professional advise on things that ended up being the best in the long run for our family. I was told working on all the design work was going to be stressful but I actually ended up loving it more. The team is fantastic!
The crew that worked on site became family. They greeted our dogs and said hi in passing. I enjoyed the stories passed between us and over time I looked forward to the truck pulling up to learn more about what was going on each day. I became obsessed with the project and was excited to see every single step along the way. I also became obsessed with the surf kitchen because so many great family meals and memories were had and the outdoor meals were the best!
Now it's been about 3 months since the project was completed and I didn't want my initial emotions after stepping in to our new space influence my review. I wanted to live in it, evaluate it, see how my boys and animals live in it, cook meals together in it. And the best part was after all this time? Listening to our 2 sons wake up every single day, walk into the new space, sit down at the kitchen island and say "I love our new home". This didn't just happen once, a week, a month, it still happens, every single day.
From the design of materials selected, to the electrical decisions made on where outlets go, switches live, everything was so well thought through that I honestly couldn't find something that I didn't like. Not one.
If I had to do this all over again, I'd say sign me up. Sure, remodels can be challenging, stressful, difficult but they won't when you trust the experts at Talmadge. I know they will listen, adapt, assist and ensure that we are happy with everything to make sure our lives are the least interrupted.
If your dream is to make memories in your new space and along the way, Talmadge will not let you down. From the owners, designers, contractors and office, they were absolutely amazing. We know the project is over, but we are already thinking about what is on the horizon for us and our home because it was just that SIMPLE.
Thank you Talmadge Construction for making our home a better place for our family. We honestly can't thank you enough!

Jeff was very helpful.

Excellent service. Excellent work. Excellent final product.

Great crew to work with from beginning to end. Fabulous job. Very happy with the project.

You and your firm have always been great to work with and we consider ourselves very fortunate to have you and your firm in our community!!!

Talmadge turned our 3 car garage into the most beautiful living space. They handled everything!!!

Talmadge Construction helped us with a complicated remodel - from design to completion. We will hire them again in the future.

I have been in business since 1979 and many times Jeff Talmadge has been a mentor to me. Talmadge Construction is the example of professional work and quality service.

Tom Ralston Concrete has been working with Talmadge Construction for over 20-years. Jeff has done a great job building his team and we love working with them.
Tom Ralston

We could not be happier with our experience and love how our new bathrooms turned out. Every single person we worked with was so helpful, friendly and competent. We felt completely at ease and listened to every step of the way.

Andrew came over to evaluate a project for us. Unfortunately, the cost greatly exceeded our budget.

While we didn't push forward with the project, we felt very well cared for. We called a few companies, but Talmadge was the only one that offered to come out to look at the site. We talked about the project at length, identified some potential pitfalls, and considered rough costs and schedules.

They provided excellent customer service. Thank you for that.

I have worked with Talmadge Construction for many years on many projects. I have relationships with a great many builders. When I am asked for the names of contractors I always recommend Talmadge first.

If Talmadge Construction agrees to do your construction project you can count yourselves fortunate.

Myles F. Corcoran

Talmadge replaced two sets of large french doors for us. From the first meeting I was impressed with their excellent communication. They did a great job dealing with the inevitable curve balls of retrofitting new build doors into an existing house. When we did the caulking and painting, it was clear what a great job they did getting the details just right. Each member of the team took pride in their work and seemed to genuinely enjoy coming in each day. I was impressed with how communicative, thoughtful, and proactive everyone was on the job. I was also pleased with how the project managers kept on top of things Working from home, we were aware of all the comings and goings and they were checking in all the time! Done on time and on budget, we will definitely work with them for our next project.

We worked with Talmadge Construction after having a nightmare experience with another contractor. Jeff and his team listened to our needs and wants, put together multiple options and executed beautifully on the construction. Talmadge Construction delivers quality and craftsmanship.

My wife, Sara Lively, and I have known Jeff Talmadge for 30 years, beginning with his work with Sara to remodel a shelter for battered women for her organization at the time -- requiring great sensitivity and respect for residents and staff at the shelter, in his role as general contractor.

Beginning with that project, Sara and I have trusted Jeff to manage every project we needed at our home: a significant remodel before we moved in, followed by the demolition of a second-floor balcony, a kitchen remodel, mold elimination and rebuilding due to leakage, and more. Over the years Jeff has given us invaluable advice about our home improvements and maintenance, and we've come to think of him as a friend.

Through all these projects, Jeff and his team have done a superlative job on all tasks that we couldn't possibly have managed ourselves. From planning to completion and inspection, the folks at Talmadge make sure that we're comfortable with all decisions, and are careful to respect our needs and schedules while working in our home. Never has a project been completed late. If there are any glitches or problems, Talmadge Construction immediately makes them right.

We're already planning our next home project with Talmadge Construction, and can't imagine using anyone else!

Talmadge Construction is top notch from design, planning, personnel and follow through. Jeff Talmadge and his employees were a joy to work with and became part of the family. Our home's interior was transformed into a beautifully designed and functional living space. If you want to do it once and do it right, Talmadge Construction is the company for you...our pics are featured on the Talmadge website. My wife and I couldn't be happier! Well done Jeff, Danielle, Jason and crew!

Talmadge Construction Review, October 20, 2019

I recently did a “make-over” for my 1920’s/added onto in the 60’s little house. O.M.G.!! Talmadge Construction honored the charming things about my little old house, while transforming it into an elegant, livable home.
They are, hands down, the best! Not only are they artisans when it comes to building and design, when you work with Talmadge
Construction, there are no unpleasant surprises. They do the design work (listening closely to what the client wants) and set up everything ahead of time. Once they start the remodel, there is a clear time trajectory, and they stick to it! The only delays that happened on my remodel were from additional requests I made. Ditto for financial expectations.
I would recommend Talmadge Construction to anyone looking for exceptional workmanship and accountability.
Sincerely,
Melinda Kralj

Talmadge Construction took our vision and made it a dream come true. The quality of the workmanship is beyond compare.

We loved working with the entire Talmadge team, from start to finish they took every step to fulfill our needs and honesty we were so pleased it took our breath away! We know that any future project we consider, Talmadge will be our choice.

Thank you all!

I contracted Talmadge Construction to remodel my farmhouse entryway into a working porch and mudroom. This was not your standard request, and Jeff and his crew performed beyond my expectations to assure that what they created was exactly what I wanted. They asked all the right questions, were absolutely attentive to detail, and were vigilant and exacting in providing the best quality work. Jeff sought the best craftspeople for such requests as fabricating a traditional outdoor washing sink and an installer to work with my own tile collection to lay the mudroom floor. The results are practical, beautiful, and holding up well to rugged daily use. I highly recommend Talmadge Construction.

My husband and I hired Talmadge Construction for a full house renovation of our tired 1980s townhouse and they turned it into a modern and awesome place to live - photos are on their website (Contemporary Aptos Townhouse). This was our first time remodeling and Jeff Talmadge held our hands through the initial planning and budgeting phase and remained available throughout. The design process was very smooth, every inch of space was considered, rooms were re-imagined and the perfect finishes were chosen.

During construction, our project manager was great: everything ran on time, we received weekly updates and there were no surprises. The craftsmanship was everything we hoped for and the team followed up with us until every detail was perfect. I recommend Talmadge Construction to anyone looking for a contractor in Santa Cruz county – they are friendly and helpful and will do anything to make sure you are satisfied with their work.

We worked with Jeff and his team to design and remodel our 60 year old mid century modern home in Capitola. They did an amazing job in all aspects of the design and construction during less than ideal circumstances of COVID and the Santa Cruz fires. The quality of their workmanship, oversight and sub contractor relationships were outstanding. Jeff and his son Andrew are actively engaged owners and their people work hard to get the job done with care and expertise while guiding us through all the challenges that can come up with a remodel of significant scope and magnitude. The most direct thing I can say is that not only are we thrilled with their work and follow through on a handful of issues that have come up since construction was completed but also that we would only use the Talmadge team again for any future projects or additions we might consider. They are that good. I recommend them highly. You won’t be disappointed.