Testimonials
Recommendations for Slive & Hanna Building Consultants
We hired Alex to help us navigate the complicated process of our renovation project. Having never done this before we weren’t sure about much of it. We were getting somewhat conflicting information from different contractors and our architect. As an unbiased third party, Alex Slive was able to give us solid advice based on his long career in the business. While everyone else was focused on their own interest, not ours, Alex truly represented only us. This unique service was invaluable.
– Jennie and Scott, Belmont, MA
Doug should be a teacher. His breadth and depth of knowledge is astounding. The invaluable guidance makes you rest assured because you not only know what to do but why to do it.
Slive & Hanna’s deep industry contacts gets you responses despite Covid, supply chain bottlenecks, and contractor’s schedules.
Slive & Hanna make the complex simple. They provide pathways, options, and contacts to get things done in a timely fashion
– Adam K., Brookline, MA
We have relied upon Alex for timely, precise advice about all manner of repairs to our mom’s hundred-year-old house. It would have been almost impossible to coordinate properly without his expertise and availability via conversations and site visits. He knows *exactly* what he is talking about on a very large range of construction and maintenance issues. Trustworthy and friendly to boot. No hesitation whatsoever in recommending his services most especially in our case, as a consultant. Thank you, Alex, via Slive and Hanna!
– Lotte L., Newton, MA
My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Alex on a complex project at our condo. The project had many moving parts, and Alex intuitively understood and helped us manage all of them. Alex is one of those rare people who’s both a master in their field of work, super high-EQ, and easy to work with. We enthusiastically recommend him to anyone looking for help with home projects big and small.
– Evan L., Cambridge, MA
As Cambridge residents for close to 45 years, we have watched the progress and fine workmanship of many S&H projects in and around our neighborhood. When we decided to renovate our kitchen and bathroom, we made only one call. S&H was our choice. They did a great job. Every day we greatly appreciate and enjoy their work.
Recently we needed some additional renovation done at another property. We were excited to find out that Alex and Doug were still available to help us out. Even with Covid and time-sensitive constraints they were able to shepherd another fine job to a timely completion at a reasonable and predicted price. We can’t recommend them highly enough.
– Andy B. and Jane O., Cambridge, MA
We hired Slive Hanna Building Consultants to assist us with a major rehabilitation project following a plumbing leak that had caused significant damage throughout our 1890 Cambridge single-family home. It was the best decision we made for that project. Alex Slive assisted us with everything from referrals to contractors and subcontractors to communicating with our home insurance company, monitoring progress and keeping everyone on schedule. His years of experience as co-owner of a Cambridge construction company was extremely helpful in keeping costs within our budget and finding the best people for every task. What could have been a very stressful experience was instead well-organized and managed by SHBC, so that we could focus on design and aesthetic decisions. Alex was a pleasure to work with and hiring him saved us money and reduced our stress.
– Priscilla C., Cambridge, MA
Doug and Alex bring perfect skills to this new venture. Their capacity to assess the nature of the work required for any given project and to match specific needs with skilled craftspeople is both reassuring and effective. They have a well earned reputation for efficiency and fairness which is reflected in the rapid response by contactors with estimates and to any questions or concerns that may arise. They facilitate and direct what is often a difficult process that so that everyones’ needs are addressed. We will definitely use them again in the future.
– Chuck and Louise W., Cambridge, MA
Our family was so excited when we purchased our first home last year, but we also felt overwhelmed. The house we bought was old and definitely needed some repairs. We had no experience with construction. We knew we wanted to do some carpentry, electrical, and plumbing work, as well as a thorough paint job and have the floors refinished, but we didn’t intend to do enough renovations to warrant the expense of a general contractor. We were also operating under a very tight budget. We had no idea how to find qualified subcontractors for each of those jobs. That was where Doug came in. He walked through the house with us, helped us identify what kind of work was necessary, what was advisable, and what jobs we might eventually want to do down the road. Once we settled on a plan, he helped us find experienced, reliable sub contractors for each task. Throughout the process he kept close tabs on the sub contractors’ progress. He was always available to answer our many questions and sooth our general anxieties about the process. As we interacted with the sub-contractors, it became clear how much they respect Doug for his vast experience with construction and home renovations. In the end we were able to get all the work done that we wanted to do, and we now live in a space that is both functional and pleasing to us.
– Rachel A. – Arlington
I have been extremely happy with Slive-Hanna building consultants. Doug Hanna has a very strong history of renovations in Cambridge with the highest grades of craftsmanship available. This is the reason that I reached out to him initially in order to see if he could help me obtain some help in redoing the balconies on all three levels of my three-family house in Cambridge.
The people that Doug works with continue to be among the best, and I can’t say enough about how expert they were and how Doug’s mentorship of the entire project came together to create something really solid and aesthetically very appealing. The advantage of having a consultant like Doug is clear – his team has the best contacts and makes sure that the relationship between contractor and client is as smooth as possible and has the highest level of integrity as well.
After this renovation, I went on to have additional work done through Slive-Hanna which involved redoing a balcony and siding on a two-family house, also in Cambridge, along with roof work that, per Doug’s recommendation and connections, gave me the very best people and the best warranty that I considered possible. Overall, I strongly recommend the model of building consultants in general, and I can’t imagine a better team than Slive-Hanna to do the job.
– Mark K. – Cambridge
Our condo association approached Slive and Hanna Building Consultants to help with a challenging rebuild of a three-story fire escape. Doug Hanna did a superb job helping us get the job completed on time and on budget. He introduced us to a skilled architect, and then lined up three qualified contractors to compete on the bid set. Doug, with his decades of construction experience, was able to help guide the project in a way that was reassuring to all parties: the contractor, the architect, the structural engineer, and the condo association. Issues that could have been major stumbling blocks were effectively and proactively managed by Doug. In short, if you want a better result at a lower overall cost on your next construction project, Slive and Hanna will help make that happen.
Steedman B. – Cambridge, MA
Over two years I felt utterly incompetent to figure out who could repair and rebuild the fence (large) separating my neighbor’s property from mine. I told her I could manage this, and I couldn’t. I called on Doug to help me find a carpenter, and he came up with one! My neighbor and I are thrilled, as are the other neighbors. The new fence is both practical and handsome.
Andrea W. – Cambridge, MA
Renovations can be daunting, which is why we were so glad to have the experience, extensive contacts, and strong advocacy of Slive and Hanna Building Consultants at all stages of our project.
Susan and Don W. – Cambridge