Marin-S Home Improvement

I agree with Management721 that this guy will rip you off. I contracted with him May of 2013 to do stone work, install a new gate and do some landscaping at our home. Total contract was $3500: I gave him $2000 up front as per his terms and he disappeared. I found him because he did some work at the hotel next door to my business. I talked to the hotel owner and he admitted that the guy has a drinking problem and he even had to kick him out the hotel one night because he was causing trouble. STAY AWAY!

Don't ever think of using this guy, he will ask for half down and then disappear, he is nothing but a con artist. I've been trying for months now to track him down to get my money back, his address is fictitious and he won't answer his phone. If someone knows his real address or how to locate him, I'd like to turn him into the police.

I own two older townhomes and needed a variety of work completed in a hurry. Both homes were vacant and I desperately needed to make them liveable after two sets of rowdy college students moved out.



I tried three different companies. One to paint, another to fix a leaky roof and another to fix the leaky toilets. The painters were actually pretty decent, but the other two were complete flakes, showing up late and leaving early (the next door neighbor told me this later).



Running out of options, I tried Craig's List and called the first name I found. This guy (Rafael) shows up the SAME day and finished all three jobs in one afternoon. And he did better work at a MUCH cheaper price.



So I just started using him for everything - major deck repair, drywall and painting, more plumbing jobs and doors (sticking from a shifting foundation). This guy is totally trustworthy. One of the new tenants had trouble with the toiilet and Rafael came back and fixied it for free (I only paid for the parts).



I would like everyone to know that I am in no way associated with or getting paid by Rafael to say this things. My statements are all true. I know how hard it is to get reliable handymen, so I hope this saves someone a great deal of time and trouble (and money!).



-Fred Winkelmann

512-280-4155 (6am until 4pm weekdays)



Rafael's # is 512-769-6420



*He also does painting, tilework, carpentry and more.

Our fence needed fast repair after our home was put up for sale. I had never sought handyman services before, but I'm pleased that Marin's Home Improvements is the one I chose. Ralph Marin came that same day, immediately sized up the work needed, gave me a fair, flat price (not an estimate!), and said what time he would arrive the next day. When the time came for him to be at my home, I had run out for a quick errand. When I arrived five minutes late, Ralph was already there hammering and sawing away. He explained what he was doing, how and why. He gave me choices all along as to which way I wanted him to deal with various structural details. He finished the job within hours. The results are fantastic! I was so pleased that two weeks later I called him again to replace a few cracked ceramic kitchen counter tiles. Again wonderful results. Ralph Marin is prompt, professional, fast and fair. As his business card says: "No job too small, no job too big". If anyone asks me, I will recommend Marin's Home Improvements without hesitation.