I'll start with the bottom line...hiring Cole to do our tile installation was one of the best contracting decisions we have made. I was a contractor for many years and the standard requirements were always Price, Quality and Reliability, of which any two will do. Cole met all three and added another...Service.
With regard to price, Cole was competitive and he stuck to his price even though he had to go above and beyond. He actually credited us back on the tiles that were not used and did not charge for a few extra supplies that he needed. Obviously honesty and integrity are another two qualities Cole possesses.
In the area of quality, it is clear that Cole has adopted an old school sense of pride and professionalism toward his craft. Through his supplier I discovered that Cole partakes in professional development workshops in order to remain current with his trade. He offered straight-forward, honest advice on any technical issues that arose and he takes pride in using the best products and tools available. What is most impressive was how he used his skills to minimize all of the imperfections in our house such as un-square and uneven walls etc...
Reliability in trades is a common problem, but Cole has taken this to another level. He schedules his jobs well in advance and communicates his intentions clearly. He asks what times are best and never fails to show up on time, comes well prepared, and works a full day.
When Cole commits to a job he truly offers service above and beyond. He was forthcoming with his professional opinion on various styles and techniques for our particular applications. He was respectful of the workspace in that he used drop sheets, kept his tools and supplies organized and cleaned everything up when the job was complete. What was very appreciated was the fact that he gladly took it upon himself to deal with a few unforeseen issues without complaint or extra charge.
Here I've offered a review on Cole's impressive professionalism, but his character is something that really comes through. My advice? Renovation projects are stressful enough. Eliminate the most important aspect and go with Cole.