Neil Kelly Company

As 2022 comes to I close, I’m reflecting on the massive, whole-house remodel we completed this year with Neil Kelly, and thought I should post a review. It was a crazy ride, as we actually LIVED in the house while pretty much everything was redone, but that’s part of the adventure! I cannot say enough good things about Neil Kelly. As life-long Portlanders, we chose them for their fine reputation, their commitment to the community and for the peace of mind that having the very best would bring on a project of this scale. We literally rebuilt the house we’ve lived in for 30 years as a “stay in place” retirement house. Karen Richmond is an amazing, highly experienced designer who just “got us” from the start and was a real joy to work with. She took care of us like family throughout the project (and beyond) and too great care to make sure we hanging in there during the heavy construction. Paul Louis is an expert project manager who somehow managed to keep the project on track through all manner of pandemic-related material delays and worker shortages – and even a freak snowstorm in the middle of the wettest April on record in Portland! He has such deep knowledge to draw from at every decision point along the way, and brings a surprising calm to the construction process. Cale and Jamie were terrific as on-site carpenters for Neil Kelly, as well, and did a great job of keeping the construction site livable for us as one trade after another moved through the house. By the end of the project, we had over 100 separate workers involved and made a massive change to the house – and yet it all came together. Thank you, Neil Kelly! Yes, we would do it all again!

I have had the worst experience with Neil Kelly. I started my addition on my garage in November 2020 and they still have not completed the project. Our original project manager quit and the construction manager got fired all in one week. Neil Kelly then tried to repair the damages that those employees had done. Things were done without permits, they had to redo the walls of my garage which weren’t even in the original scope of work. The worst is that they dug 11 foot trenches digging up my grass all along the side of my house to connect the water line. The excess water from the digging caused concrete issues in my driveway and they refused to repair the grass that they destroyed leaving my yard a mud pit. It has taken countless hours to get in contact with anyone to give us a punch list and I don’t know if my project wi ever be completed because they have lied to me about deadlines so often. They are a nightmare to work with and I would NEVER use them again. Highly recommend you avoid this company at all costs. They will destroy your home.

To say that I was nervous before starting my first-ever remodeling project is an understatement! I decided to hire the Neil Kelly Company because of its stellar reputation and because it would do all the necessary subcontracting and I wouldn't have to worry about it. This was one of the best decisions I've ever made! My first contact was with Janel Campbell, who was assigned as my designer. I can't imagine working with a more talented, more experienced, or more personable designer; Janel is exactly the designer I needed. She sensed my nervousness and allayed my fears straightaway. When I told her that I needed to update two bathrooms but had NO desire to run around to various supply stores to see the thousands of options available, she really heard me! She's a terrific listener who catches on very quickly. She understood that I wanted updated bathrooms but not anything wild; my house is pretty traditional in style. Meeting with Janel was always a pleasure--I looked forward to learning her ideas and bouncing my questions/concerns off her. She had many great suggestions and came up with the best solutions for my needs. I'm delighted that she made it so easy for me to choose countertops, lighting and plumbing fixtures, flooring, a new shower, etc. I didn't have to go to a single store; Janel brought samples to me and they were always wonderful choices (and not at all overwhelming, so I could select the right ones without difficulty). A bonus: Janel has worked with my project manager for many years, and I think of them as my Dream Team! Read on.... Dan Moore was my unflappable, efficient, and very kind project manager. I truly don't know how he managed the complex and changing schedules of numerous craftspeople, the supply-chain issues resulting from the pandemic, and other difficulties that I'm sure I don't even know about...and STILL finished my project on schedule! Dan was endlessly patient with me and my numerous questions, and I recommend him most highly. The team of workers he managed was the best of the best, I think. Which brings me to the single individual who was here most often, Max Bond--carpenter and doer of just about anything, par excellence! Max is highly skilled, and I'm very glad he was on "my" team. In addition, he was incredibly quiet unless he was doing necessarily noisy work. He was both very polite and very kind, and I'm very glad he was the lead carpenter on my project. His work was excellent, and he was a welcome repeat "guest" in my home. Thanks for everything, Max. I would hire the Neil Kelly Company again in a heartbeat! Everything about it is top of its class.

Neil Kelly delivered the kitchen of our dreams. Neil Kelly's designer Kathy, translated our vision after a series of meetings, discussions, and an ongoing Pinterest board into the perfect design for our family and life. Neil Kelly has expert carpenters who were the mainstay on the ground of the project, working with the awesome contractor experts. Neil Kelly assigned us a phenomenal and talented project manager, Ashley, who truly brought everything to life making sure we stayed on time, on budget, and in scope. We had an open line of communication about questions. In this challenging time of COVID, supply issues, odd weather, and unexpected schedules, they made magic happen as if those challenges didn't exist. It made living off a hot plate for three months worth it.

We chose Neil Kelly to restore our home to it's former glory after severe water damage. Karen Richmond was amazing. The entire process was truly free of headaches. Karen had answers to all of our questions, and advocated for us at every turn. She was able to solve problems and exceed our expectations before, during, and after the project was completed. Why is Neil Kelly worth it? Because of the extraordinary professionals like Karen Richmond. Thank you!

After researching several design/build firms, we went to a Neil Kelly monthly presentation on kitchen/bathroom remodeling and decided to use them for a bathroom remodel in our mid-century modern house. Neil Kelly is well-regarded and also expensive, but provides a very clear bid and timeline. The design process went very well as the designer, Karen Richmond, understood what we wanted and presented us with good options to realize the look and function we wanted. The advent of the pandemic delayed our start date by several months, but after reviewing their procedures, we decided to proceed. The project took a little longer than they had anticipated due to Covid precautions, which included never having more than one subcontractor present at a time, mask wearing and cleaning. This bathroom is not the master bathroom, but is the only one (of 3) in the house with a tub, which we wanted to have. The design was complicated, as there were a lot of “wants” in a relatively small space, including a soaking tub within the shower enclosure which also includes a large window, a vanity and storage. It also had to be light, bright and easy to clean and compatible with our mid-century home. Karen and the project manager, Paul Louis, did an amazing job of fulfilling our expectations and were always responsive to questions and concerns. That bathroom is now the nicest room in the house! I hope to have them work on our master bedroom and bathroom next.

Extremely unsatisfied with this firm. What started out as a 'handyman' project at their $99/hr rate turned into a third party electrician coming over charging $250/hr which Neil Kelly charged 40% on top of. These guys trade on a name and then just throw the highest price contractor they could find at the job as a sub?! I would look elsewhere - they may do the job but it will cost you significantly more. Save yourself the money and make 1 more phone call to the actual company that will do the work and go direct.

We are so pleased with our addition and remodel. From design to build to finish Neil Kelly company was professional, diligent and hard-working. Big shout out to carpenters Allen, Shane and AJ, and Project Manager Stan and Designer Michelle Rolens.

I am a 4-time Neil Kelly customer, evidence of just how awesome they are. In our previous home, a 1920's Dutch colonial, we had them do a number of projects including a kitchen/master bath/etc with a focus on sustainable materials, a home performance project including insulating the exterior walls and attic, and a project to creatively address low ceiling height in the basement and stairwells. We just finished our latest project in our new home, a 1980's contemporary where they touched almost every room as well as a new roof, new HVAC, new deck,etc. Their work quality is wonderful and they are so conscientious in our space. We really value having the designer, architect, structural engineering and skilled crafts people all working for Neil Kelly and coordinated start to finish by oustanding project managers. I will definitely hire them again.

I want to commend Neil Kelly for the lengths they go to protect the homeowner, and their employees, from COVID-19 and other viruses. They are one of the very few companies deemed an essential service that takes their employees use of PPE, gloves and disinfectant seriously. And I am thankful. It made me feel comfortable having a contractor in my house. Marcus came to my home yesterday to do a simple electrical job. He wore a mask and gloves at all times, and had wipes and a bottle of Lysol with him. He wiped down everything he touched with Lysol after he finished the work. Even the last door handle he touched. Thank you Marcus, and thank you Neil Kelly by demonstrating how much you care about your customers and employees.

I have used Neil Kelly Company for years from small projects, remodeling powder room, replacing backsplash in kitchen, rebuilding fireplace and tearing down a sunroom and replace it with a gorgeous covered patio. I have learned you get what you pay for. They are not the cheapest but they are dependable, quality and provide the service I expect for spending money on my house. Kudos to Janel Campbell, Dan Moore and team.

Beautiful kitchen design, professional and respectful communication and service. Chad Ruhoff and team brought a beautiful design beyond our dreams, and the build team carried that out in a top rate manner.

Mekyael from Neal Kelly has done all sorts of work for me and it’s all been top rate. He built a beautiful dog run that added value to my home and freedom to my dog and me. He fixed my wood floor and my home full of LED lights and smoke detectors. He is very smart and very fair and wonderful to work with in every way.

We hired Neil Kelly Remodeling after meeting designer Tonya Bellusci from Neil Kelly’s Lake Oswego location. Our house is built in the Lindal cedar style and presents unique challenges with post and beam construction. Tonya rose to the challenge with refreshingly creative ideas that provided a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor living. We were blown away with her beautiful design ideas, and ultimately incorporated a design we were able to squeeze into our budget. Tonya Bellusci is also charmingly down-to-earth with a wonderful sense of humor. She is clearly talented with an eye for quality products and design along with keeping a close eye on the budget. It can be difficult to find a designer with ability to interpret a homeowner’s style and taste and go beyond, and Tonya surpassed our expectations. We ended up with a uniquely tasteful and elegant remodel that I doubt we could have gotten without Neil Kelly or Tonya. Neil Kelly construction is relatively expensive, however the value is in the quality finishes, the experience and skill of the work crew, the top-notch project managers, engineers, quality-minded designers, and subcontractors. Our contract was reviewed with us in-depth beforehand, and Neil Kelly follows the contract to the very letter. The company was very conscientious about completing the work they had agreed to perform. However, any changes, even small ones, typically resulted in additional charges. We were a bit taken aback with that at times, given the high price we had already paid for the project. With that said, I can imagine that these rules and stipulations are in place due to past experience and ultimately prevent misunderstanding. Careful review of the initial contract and specifications is a must. Stan Friesen was our project manager. He was responsive to our needs and more than capable of expertly managing the intricacies of our project. He stayed within the projected timelines and efficiently managed the crew. The lead carpenter on our project, John, was outstanding, with great attention to detail and quality.

Wonderful and informative exploratory meeting with a Neil Kelly Rep. She came to our home, took photos, and sat down to discuss options with us at length. Although we decided to postpone the project, we will definitely contact Neil Kelly once we are ready to begin.

Neil Kelly is working on our roof and a few other things. They are helping us with our unique roof and other house issues that need to be taken care of. We have tried three other handyman services yet none have fulfilled our requests. Neil Kelly's handyman service has been top notch. They have repeatedly met with us to get everything right and answer all our questions. We are very pleased. If only we had gone straight to Neil Kelly in the first place we wouldn't have waisted our time.

We hired The Neil Kelly company to insulate our older home. They were wonderful to work with and our general contractor always kept us to to date with what work was done during the day.

Despite the positive reviews here, my experience has been plagued with problems and poor communications. A project that suppose to take three days (replace a back sliding door, build new stairs and replace the siding) has now turned into several weeks.) The first door arrived damaged and the reorder was wrong. The original handyman was removed and promises from one of the VP at Neil Kelly promised prompt and quality work. That has not happened and the promises of the VP are only that. The VP did not even have the courtesy to return most recent call to provide and update on the update. There are many quality providers now in the Portland area and I recommend anyone considering Neil Kelly to obtain other bids.

We think that the work Neil Kelly Co did to replace our outdoor deck is outstanding. This was a complicated, heavy-lifting job from start to finish, and every step was executed with professionalism, a sense of great design and good cheer. The contractor's crew worked 110% to make sure that our deck is solid and looks beautiful. In particular, our manager, Jack Heinrich, stayed on top of the project, tracking the schedule, solving problems and supporting the team effort. We can't thank Jack -- personally -- enough, and also all of the creative, hard-working and delightful guys who have brought us our new outdoor living space. We will be "vacationing on our deck" for many, many years to come.

I always knew when I could afford to create my dream bathroom I was going to call Neil Kelly and I was not disappointed. A company that has been around since 1947 must be doing something right. They run like a well oiled machine. We've been in our home for 30 years so we've have had some experience in remodeling. Our first contact with NK was with our designer Sandi. My husband and I were both designing our own baths so our meeting with Sandi was a lot of out loud thinking from both of us, a lot for one person to absorb. She didn't take notes but knew from that moment on what we both wanted. I could not believe how much she heard in that meeting. She not only designed both baths she designed a stellar team of tradesmen to put it all together. I had picked out the perfect "pretty wall" for my bathroom from a 12" piece of tile and luckily Sandi sent me a picture of what it would look like in my wall size. It was dreadful and not at all what I wanted. Had she not done that I would have forever looked at it daily and regretted it. It didn't stop there, John, our project manager, was the best. He was onsite for every single stage of both projects and when decisions had to be made. He taught me you don't have to settle for mediocre drywall. Little things I thought I was being picky about, he brought up first after inspecting and made sure it was perfect. He has a little flash light that will show any little imperfection. He always made sure we knew who was supposed to be out for the day and what to expect in the progress of the projects. The thoughtfulness of protecting our home during the two projects was better than we've ever experienced. Thank goodness for zipper doors and the time you took to put them up. Communication between John and Steve, our onsite master carpenter, was great. Steve worked super hard and met every deadline for the tradesmen to come in and create their magic. A company is only as good as the people representing it. Neil Kelly, you have a stellar team and worth every dollar. Thank you!

We received excellent service from beginning to end of 2 bathroom remodels over the course of 6 months. We worked with a knowledgable designer, Jack Heinrich, on both projects. He got to know us very well & seemed to intuitively understand what colors we liked in tiles, countertops, fixtures, etc. so we could narrow our choices. We had the same project manager, Ted Johnson, for both remodels. We were very impressed with his frequent communication including when contractors needed to be rescheduled. He was very willing to coordinate with our schedules. We appreciated his attention to detail & follow-through to completion. We were especially pleased with the workmanship of the various contractors as well as their polite & courteous manners. I would highly recommend the Neil Kelly Company & would certainly hire them again.

Neil Kelly did a bathroom remodel for me. They provided an excellent design and executed it well. The company took care of every detail from obtaining permits and inspections as well as working with our homeowners association. Every single contractor and their employees that walked through my door were respectful of my home and of my time. The workmanship was top notch and they always cleaned up at the end of day. Neil Kelly provided a schedule at the start of the project that provided a timeline and they finished when promised.

We asked Neil Kelly to remodel our kitchen and we are very happy with the results. The designer and project manager were outstanding and we are enjoying our "new" kitchen each and every day.

Neil Kelly and Martha Kerr exceeded my expectations. I was very impressed with Martha Kerr and Neil Kelly's command of the process. They provided a production schedule, day by day for the entire process of remodeling. While we added on additional items making their job more complicated than originally expected, they still finished on time. While I thought I was had high expectations, they were even higher expecting a perfect job upon completion. The result was a beautiful remodel.

This is our first remodeling experience and although we had been warned by our friends and relatives to be prepared for the worst, it is has been a fun and rewarding experience so far and expect that this will continue to be the case. I don’t know this for a fact since we did not get other quotes, but I expect Neil Kelly pricing is higher than others but we had heard positive reviews from people that I do work with that have credibility and my wife that has her own business had heard the same from her clients. We are both busy people and do not have time to be dealing personally with issues that might come up so we were prepared to pay a reasonable price for high expectations with little intervention on our own. Having said that, the proof of the pudding is in empirical observations during the design and construction of the project and I can say unequivocally that we are very pleased with the results. This does not mean that everything went perfectly all of the time which it did not because of the many variables involved regarding timing, subcontractor workmanship or whatever the issue might have been. I have always thought that when everything goes perfectly, then you never know how good your contractor was since they were not tested. It is only when things go wrong that you find out how good the contractor is and Neil Kelly and more specifically Dan Moore, the project manager has been first rate in that regard and I could see that Dan was not only interested in making sure the homeowners expectations are met but he has the Neil Kelly high standards to meet as well. I am convinced there are many details and workmanship tasks that are transparent to us as we are primarily interested in visuals and functionality and not too concerned about the process although as a designer in high tech I had some interest in the process. Dan has a commanding presence and he knows which buttons to push when subcontractors are less than perfect. Based on previous experiences and his expert command of the tasks to be implemented he came up with a schedule that was timely and efficient where tasks were coordinated efficiently so the various trades could begin their part of the job in an orderly and contiguous manner. The coordination of the scheduling and timing were so tight that there was something going on every day except for a few days when we had bad weather and he did not want to put his employees at risk because of bad road conditions. He is obviously a thoughtful person and his great relationship with the Neil Kelly employees is rewarded by their loyalty to him and is a benefit to the homeowner resulting in excellent quality results. I had been a project manager while at Tektronix and project management is one of the most stressful jobs because so many people are affected by the timing and execution of events. Even if one starts out with a perfect design which was the case with our project, implementation of the design is a formidable task as there are so many variables and it is inevitable that unexpected issues are going to come up with a large project. To have someone with Dan’s management skills who responds on a timely basis to any questions and promptly takes care of any concerns is the reason our experience was a positive one. During a large remodeling project, it is certainly desirable for the homeowner to only have one credible person to deal with and minimal contact if any for the homeowner to have to intervene with the trades. Suffice it to say it begins with the design, but ends with the implementation of the design. As one of our group vice presidents at Tektronix used to say, “This is where the rubber meets the road.” We have the utmost respect for Dan as a person with integrity as his hallmark and we would recommend him without reservation to anyone considering especially a large remodeling project. Ben and Darlene

Professional nice job. Had insulation in walls put in, and basement had plastic put in around the walls where there was dirt originally. 1906 home. Had only one issue and it was fixed immediatley. Other than that, great work. I would hire them again no doubt.

This company presents a "no job too small" attitude, but my 6x8 bathroom remodel in Eugene was apparently too small. The rep came, looked, offered to look into some non-standard vanity possibilities and call me. Six weeks went by. I called twice and never received a call back. I then saw the rep at a local home show and quipped that maybe my job was too small, but that basic courtesy required at least a follow-up phone call. I received a shrug and tacit agreement that I'd been totally stiff-armed.

Design and execution of remodel that opened kitchen and separate dining room into large open kitchen/dining area. At design level worked well with owners to develop plan. Very knowledgeable regarding materials, as well as up to challenges presented by some aspects of original design, such as ceiling heat that constrained lighting choices. Design team covered range of expertise necessary for the job. Excellent management of the building phase. Workers well coordinated to keep job moving forward. Adhered closely to time line and budget.