Ricky Can Build It

Bottom line: Ricky Can Build It is a high quality, dependable contractor. Ricky hires great people to produce a great project on time and on budget. In 2017-2018, we worked with Ricky on an extensive remodel and addition of our 1940s townhome, including a new kitchen and 2.5 bathrooms. It was six-figure, five-month project that encountered many challenges along the way--mostly relating to issues endemic in any old home. At every point, Ricky and his team were calm, professional and adept in handling the issues and finding solutions. I interviewed ~15 different contractors before choosing Ricky Can Build It, and I'd happily make the same choice again and work with Ricky on any future project. He wasn't the cheapest option, but his pricing was very competitive and the work is a step above most of the other work I've seen. I only spoke with one contractor who I believe would have provided a higher quality end product, and his pricing was 30-40% higher. One of the things I appreciated most during the project is how dependable Ricky's team is. They were here every morning at 7 a.m., 5 or 6 days a week. They only missed one day from start to finish, and that was because of an emergency on another project--a roof had to get finished before a big storm came through. I've watched many other neighbors' projects halt for days or weeks at a time because a contractor has trouble lining up the right people. Not Ricky Can Build It -- he's the most dependable contractor I've ever worked with! We're 15 months out from the end of the project, and have been incredibly happy with the outcome and the build quality, as well as the follow up offered. Ricky has sent members of his team out on several occasions to address minor issues. He stands by his work. I will continue to enthusiastically recommend Ricky Can Build It to friends and neighbors. I believe every person in NoVA who is considering a home renovation project should talk with Ricky before starting their project!

Description of work: 1950's rambler complete kitchen remodel, remove load bearing walls and add beam, remodel bathroom, new exterior patio door, new roof, floating dormer, added front porch with gable roof addition, new Hardie siding. Ricky Can Build It (RCBI) does great work. Prompt, professional, accurate, knowledgeable is how I would describe RCBI overall. We actually started communicating with the owner, aptly named Ricky, while I was overseas and he was still willing to discuss our project. Ricky met or came in under all of his quotes. I also feel he is almost a construction savant, I've never met someone that can do calculations in his head and just know random construction facts like he does, it's rather impressive. It's amazing how he can process all of the information. I also appreciated that the large majority of his crew, as he states on his site, are direct employees and not temp or subs, and all have their expertise and certifications, such as plumbing, electrical, etc. He demands a lot from his employees and I feel they deliver and are treated well for it. The crews were always friendly and tidy and I never once saw an issue where I thought they were cutting corners. On the contrary, the RCBI crew ensured to do all of the work to the highest standards. Yes, I'm giving them 5 stars. That doesn't mean our process went perfectly or there weren't any hiccups, it's more of a reflection on how Ricky handled those issues and the mutually decided upon outcome that we, as homeowners, came away from feeling we had full understanding. Any remodel process has the potential to come with issues, sometimes massive, so just be aware that Ricky tends to deal with them quickly and professionally, giving you several options if possible. Also, Ricky can be quite busy and I don't think he has an administrative assistant. While he is very responsive to phone/email/text, and when you are dealing with his company you are actually dealing with the owner, I think Ricky could benefit from some administrative support. This could be remedied as of now, I'm not sure. Also, as with many general contractors, RCBI takes on a lot of work and sometimes aren't able to show up to work on your job because of some logistical issues with another job. That's just how it seems to work with smaller companies so be aware you may not have a crew at your house 100% of the time every day until the job is complete, but he tries his best to not let this happen and communicates well when it does. So, I highly recommend Ricky Can Build It. You will absolutely get your money's worth, especially in the N.Va. region and you can know the work will indeed be completed correctly.

We worked with Ricky and his crew to do a complete renovation of most of our first floor, including kitchen, family room, and living room. Our powder room was located in the middle of our kitchen, so our kitchen was cramped and we barely had enough cabinet or counter space. Ricky removed the entire bathroom and built a new one in the hallway/living room space. The kitchen and family room were completely gutted and renovated. The entire space looks and feels so much bigger and brighter and functions so much better than before. Ricky met with us several times before we committed to the project. He created renderings for us to see and talked us through the design. We went through several iterations of the design and made minor tweaks all the way until the end. Ricky patiently held my hand through the entire process. While choosing a company to go with, I had spoken with a number of other kitchen designers and very few were willing to provide pictures without us going to their showrooms to spend hours listening to their sales pitch. Often, talking those kitchen designers felt like talking to cabinet salespeople who then farmed out the work to a general contractor. Ricky has a general contractor's knowledge and experience, and he also creates the design, knowing from experience what works and what does not. Ricky does not push expensive upgrades, and in fact, we went with a more affordable line of cabinets because he recommended it and said it would suit our purposes just fine (and he was right). When he gave us his estimate, all the items were broken down by category so we had a good idea of what we would be paying for. Working with Ricky was such a positive experience because he does not subcontract out the work. His crew work for him and every single member of the crew was talented, professional, cared about doing a good job and delivered an excellent product. Ricky and his crew spotted and fixed things that us homeowners did not notice. After taking the wall down, he found some issues with the plumbing that were done incorrectly by the previous homeowners and corrected those issues. As a result, problems in the master bathroom that have always annoyed us have been fixed -- and that wasn't something that was on our radar for this project. As an example of his attention to detail, before installing the new floors, Ricky's crew spent an entire day re-nailing the subfloor and getting rid of all the squeaks that were part of this aging home. Ricky and his crew relocated vents that were originally placed in awkward spots and tucked them in inconspicuous places such as toe-kicks. All the finishes are of excellent quality. People always warn you that renovations go over budget and over time. Our renovation finished right on budget (we added things to our original scope as work continued, and we knew exactly how much each addition would be), and they completed the renovation early, even with the additional work we requested. I look forward to when we can start renovating our second floor!

We used Ricky Can Build It for a garage renovation. Ricky and his crew were awesome. Ricky was super responsive to questions and attentive to the finer details of the job. His crew showed up on time, did a great job and were super nice and polite. We ended up on budget even with several changes. We will definitely hire Ricky for any future jobs we have!

Whether you want to remodel a bathroom or add an addition, you have to check out Ricky and his company Ricky Can Build It! Ricky will get it done the first time exactly as you had imagined it!

After working with Ricky Can Build It on a bathroom remodel in 2016 and receiving exceptional customer service and quality work, we re-hired Ricky this year (2017) to remodel our kitchen. Ricky offered a wealth of information during the design and planning phase, and was always available to address questions and concerns. He consistently communicated with me throughout the project - always offering solutions which matched my timeline and budget. I cannot speak highly enough of this business; Ricky is reliable, trustworthy and a pleasure to work with. We are so pleased with our new space!

I wish I could review their service but unfortunately I never got to that point. At first Ricky was very responsive. We scheduled an appointment for an estimate and she showed up early, a day or two later I receive what I thought was a reasonable quote. I was traveling for work and contacted Ricky when I was returning and got a start date. That's where the good ends. Our start date was for the first week in January. I emailed to confirm the start date and was told they would start at the end of the week. I emailed mid week to confirm, which is when I was notified that they were understandably running behind because of the holidays and we were on the schedule for the 11th. I was a bit annoyed that I had to email him to find out that our start date was pushed back another week but again things happen. On the 9th I emailed again to confirm the 11th start date, which is when I was told that they will be delaying our job again and there was no start date; he would let me know if a few days. After expressing concerns about the delays and lack of notification that the start dates were delayed, i received an email telling me we were "warned about starting jobs around the holidays" and that I should "Please contact someone else that can do it for you at your expectations."(I guess I mistakenly thought that was what I was paying for) I responded to his email explaining that we were still interested in him doing the job but were just concerned about the start date (we had relatives coming to stay with us in a few weeks). I did not receive a response from Ricky for another week and a half, at which point, he said that a crew would become available the following week. Luckily I found another company during this time, who were extremely responsive and were able to get the job done to my expectations. Ricky had 0 respect for my time or money. My only guess is that I was not spending enough money for him to bother. Terrible experience.

I had Ricky and his team do a full kitchen remodel for us on a town home we bought in October of last year. We also included hardwood floors throughout the main level and remodeled a powder room as well. After reviewing he scope of the project, I asked Ricky to sit down with me and put together an estimated project plan, cost estimates and payment schedule. This is the first time I have ever had a contractor give me a full breakdown of all costs and provided transparency into labor and materials cost for each major part of the project. He was flexible in letting us determine what items we wanted him to buy and what other things, like appliances we would buy and have him install. Ricky's team was always on time, always there by 7 am and he was also available for me whenever I had questions and whenever I felt something had to be reviewed or changed. We did have 2 or 3 changes made, and Ricky would generate a change order by the next day, created an addendum for the contract and updated costs and timelines. We finished the project together, it felt like a team effort and sure enough, it came in on time and on budget. Something else that Ricky did that was not really expected is that he shared with us his sources and his suppliers for flooring, tile, etc. He did a great job.

Ricky Can Built It was the general contractor for our kitchen remodel. Ricky and his crew did an excellent job and we are very pleased with the final product. Among their most positive qualities are the pride in their work and attention to detail – they work hard to get the little things right that make a difference between excellent work and just a good job. In addition, the cost was very reasonable, Ricky can provide good design ideas and help procuring material at a reasonable cost, and if his workers run into a problem, they will present alternative solutions and let you decide which way to go (we have had other contractors who assume they know best, and could care less whether you are happy with their solution). We certainly would hire Ricky again and strongly recommend that you consider him for your next remodeling project.

Ricky completely remodeled my 2 bathrooms! Everything was taken out and replaced with beautiful tile, new toilets, bathtub, vanity, pedestal sink, mirrors, light fixtures, etc. I love them!! Ricky helped with the selections of these items...but ultimately it was my decision. He was very professional and my home was clean when the job was completed. Thank you Ricky!!!