FRANKLIN REPORT CARD

FRANKLIN RATING CARD

Horacio Mercado and Associates, Inc.

30-80 21 Street, Suite 3D

Astoria, NY 11102

917-848-3442

hmerc1@gmail.com

Summary of Most Frequent Ratings

Customer Recommendation:  4 STARS

Work Quality:                     + + + + 

Cost Evaluation:                  $ $ $ $

Value Analysis:                   * * * * *

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SERVICES AND SPECIALITIES:

General Contracting and restorations

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS:

A "champion" to the many architects who depend on him, Horacio Mercado's integrity, ideas, and "mind blowing quality" have clients clamoring for an encore. Mercado's firm undertakes apartment guts 

and landmark restorations for private clients, as well as public space renovations, in notable New York

apartment buildings. HMA also takes on smaller jobs, often on the Upper West Side, Soho, and Tribeca, for repeat clients. We hear he even has an office in the renewed Ansonia Condominium, where his firm has done over 300 renovations. HMA also maintains his own millwork shop that specializes in reproducing windows, doors and architectural features for prewar buildings.

Born in Argentina, Horacio Mercado earned an architecture degree from Columbia University before starting his business in 1991. We're told he brings a developed design  sense that offers practical solutions to his projects. Clients remark on the "not only cheerful, but talented " group of craftsmen he employs. Many feel the HMA could easily charge more  for his "incredible work", comforting personality and dedication. Gut renovations measure in size form 1,500 to 12,000 square feet with budgets form $100,000 to $3,000.000

CLIENTS COMMENTS:

"As an architect I really appreciate the fact he understand what I do." "I hire H Mercado for lots of projects, and it has made my life so easy." "If he says it'll take six months, I know my client will be able to move in right on time, even if there are odds and ends to finish." "No one ever complain about the price because they know he's worth more." "For those who don't feel the need for a Park Avenue stalwart, Mercado's firm prove a wining choice." "I spent every walking moment with Horacio.If it wasn't for him I would have a nervous breakdown." "It was like Fantasia. He had magic coming out of his fingers." "Brilliant, just brilliant. My husband comes from an interior design background and think he's a genius." "Horacio seamlessly takes care of everything." "I bought two more apartments just to work with him." "He has great respect for you and your money."

Apartment Convertion - Renovation in New York City- Horacio Mercado & Assoc, General Contractor Hmerc1@gmail.com

Living Room Area with Custom Built-ins and Retractable French Doors.

Living Room West Wing with Built-ins in Mahogany 

New Mahogsny Built-in

Wet Bar with Custom Mahogany Cabinets and Storage

Library with Built- in Paint Grade Cabinetry

Custom Kitchen with Breakfast Area

Master bedroom

Master bathroom with frameless glass shower stall

Master Bathroom with jacuzi

Office area

Sample of Custom Raised Panel Door manufactured by HoracioMercado & Assoc.

Entry Foyer with Stone Floors and Mahogany Doors

Gallery- Custom Paneling and Buit-ins in Mahogany 

Custom Casing Moldings

Wet Bar

New Dining Room

New Living Room

New Gallery with Custom Mahogany Paneling 

Complete Renovation consisted in putting together 3 apartments into a large 3 bedroom 3 bathroom luxary apartment in New York City

URBAN RENEWAL hmerc1@gmail.com

 A GUIDE TO RENOVATIONS THAT ADD VALUE TO YOUR RESIDENCE-
AND ONES YOU DON'T

When it comes to a renovation- be a kitchen, bathroom or an entire apartment - it's natural to want it to reflect your needs and tastes. But you should take the long view: In terms of resale, which renovations will hold their value and , more important, which my help or hinder a sale?
 Having work with both New York City buyers and sellers, I observed: "It's less about the bling than about quality work. Assume that everything you put in, you aren't going to get back- but using high - quality materials that aren't taste- specific can only improve the apartment and increase it's value".
There's not definitive formula for calculating the value you get form specific renovations. But the 2010-11 Remodeling Cost vs.Value report from Remodeling Magazine notes that even with a minor kitchen renovation- which in NYC averages $24,000 and includes replacing cabinet fronts and counters and installing midpriced sink, - energy eficient stove- one can recoup nearly 87 percent of the costs.
 I can say from my discussions with brokers tht it's certainly worth it to renovate and modernize the kitchen and bathroom and use better- quality appliances.
A broker gives an example of a three-bedroom West Village combination, where the owner did a number of things right, including adding lots of storage in the kitchen, going with modern fixtures in the bathrooms, installing a white oak floors that were"elegant, very neutral" and skim coating the walls.
"In a building where a typical three-bedroom went for around $2 million this apartment sold for $3,14 million"

MORE UPGRADES THAT ADD VALUE:


Home office. "One place had a long, narrow closet, and they open up the wall, put doors on it and created a home office that became a very important point when they were selling.
Lighting. Mix things up for a better look and feel, using decorative and halogen, conces and pendants
Entryway. Carve out small gallery space at the front, so there is a sense of arrival in the home.
Central Heat and Air. Very expensive but if you are doing it, get a multi-zone system.
Sound Systems. People appreciate having the wiring work and speakers installed. In a weakened market, they are willing to pay for plug-and -play.
Solid Doors with good hardware. You know when a door feels flimsy.
Changing out a door is relativily easy.

WHERE NOT TO PUT YOUR MONEY:


Custom windows treatments. People will spend tens of thousands on big, long, heavy drapes, and they are actually detrimental to a sale.
Millwork and custom built-ins. It's very expensive to do well, and at the end of the day , the buyer might ask you to rip it out.
Venetian- plastered walls. Ninety nine percent of the time . It's done terribly,
Too much technology. I've had people say "Just give me a dumb house"a broker told me.
Marble and terrazo flooring in the living area." This is not MIAMI.
It's an inpediment to selling and at a significant cost.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A REPUTABLE GENERAL CONTRACTOR IN NEW YORK HMERC1@GMAIL.COM

AT HORACIO MERCADO AND ASSOCIATES, we are your General Contractors and we have a strong reputation for our impeccable attention to detail, having the job done on time, our honesty, our dependable employees, and our professional results. We offer a wide array of remodeling services, from custom home building and bathroom remodeling to replacement windows and commercial remodeling. Give us a call today and find out how we can help you today.

We also other services such as New Construction, Custom Home Building, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Room Additions, Design/Build Services, Replacement Windows, Painting, Decks and Patios, and Commercial Remodeling. Give us a call at (917-848-3442 today.

SERVICE AREAS  New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, the entire Hamptons from West Hampton to Montauk and the Westchester area.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / BUILDER

Horacio Mercado and Associates, Inc.

30-80 21th Street, Suite 3d

Astoria, NY 11102

Phone: 347-527-1557

New Construction in Montauk NY built by Horacio Mercado and Associates, Inc.

CODE OF ETHICS HMERC1@GMAIL.COM

CODE OF ETHICS

HMERCADO Referral Services adheres to the highest standards in all home improvement projects. This code of ethics contract is signed by each company as they become approved by Mr. Contractor Referral Services. It reads: As a member of Mr. Contractor Referral Services my company "HMA" and my employees working on any project under my supervision will maintain the highest standards of work quality guaranteeing that:

• We will treat all customers and their property with courtesy and respect.
• We will quote prices that are reasonable, honest, and fair.
• We will always supply a written detailed estimate when responding to a job referral.
• We will ensure all work will be completed to written specifications and budgets.
• We will ensure no changes in job specifications or pricing will be made without the homeowner’s prior consent.
• We will ensure all jobs will be started and completed on the agreed dates. Any unavoidable delays will be clearly communicated to the homeowner before hand.
• We will comply with all Federal, Provincial, and Municipal by-laws and regulations.
• We will respect the homeowner’s privacy and take all steps to ensure the security of their home.
• We will ensure that a safe work environment is maintained at all times.
• We will arrive at the agreed time for appointments with the homeowner and give advance warning of any unavoidable delays.
• We will leave all areas clean and tidy at the end of the day and remove all trash upon the completion of the job.
• We will guarantee the quality of the work we do.
• We will ensure that all colleagues and sub-contractors meet these requirements at all times.

Master bedroom at the Ansonia Condominium

Circular Living Room at the Ansonia Condominium in NYC