April 23,2012
To whom it may concern
Please allow
this letter to act as recommendation for Western Restoration. Over the past two years I have worked closely with Bill mcKee and Andy McKee at our Oakwood Woodland Hills property. During those two years we discussed and planned a complete re-pipe project at the property. Oakwood Woodland Hills is a three-story, twenty six building residential complex that was originally plumbed with galvanized pipe. Western's team worked hard to completely understand the situation and prepared a detailed proposal for the re-pipe project at competitive pricing.
Western's team was well prepared to proceed but remained flexible to accommodate the specialized needs of the community. While maintaining an aggressive work schedule, Western was able to work around the numerous adjustments that were required by the property manager and his team. Work contained for close to a year, staying on time and on budget.
Especially helpful was Western's ability yo assist in coordinating a number of environmental issues. The property is older and was originally built utilizing spray applied asbestos containing acoustic ceilings. This process required the services of three separate work groups with numerous permitting and testing portions of the job. Western's team worked through all these steps and continued on schedule.
I have asked Bill and Andy to assess an additional property that has similar plumbing issues. I would not hesitate to call on Western Restoration for any large plumbing retro-fit project.
Regards
Bill Keller
Director of Property Services
LEED, Green Associate
Hi Bill
As we are getting ready to finish the 10th of our 13 buildings, I wanted to let you know that we appreciate the efforts you and you teams have made since the re-pipe project started in June 2011. Though there were bumps along the way as there always are with projects of this size, your people addressed our resident’s concerns with understanding and patience.
The improvement to the water quality and overall resident experiences out weights by far the disruption that the residents faced. As a resident myself, I can attest to that. Over the past several years, we had residents who moved out because of the brown water and the inconvenience that brings. Since the repipe has been done, we have actually had some of those residents move back in. This is exactly the result we were hoping for.
Bill, we have also received verbal and written compliments from residents who’ve said the process and disruption was not as bad as they had expected. They tied this to the professionalism of the workers as well as the administrative team I had representing the property interests.
The only disappointment I have is that the owners chose not to fund the remaining three buildings this year. It would have allowed us to confidently rent any of our 883 apartments knowing all had new plumbing. We look forward to completing the project in early 2013.
Best of luck to you and your team on future jobs and know that Oakwood considers this a “job well done”…!
With much thanks………
William V. Friel
Senior Property Manager
Oakwood Apartments
March 11,2012
To: William Friel - Oakwood Property Manager W.H.E.
Hi William,
I just HAD TO send you this letter to let you know that, after living here for about 20 years, I still feel the same way about this place = A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!!!!!
I say that because this property has always been kept well maintained. And, when anything ever had to be fixed or repaired, your maintenance crew has always been able to take care of things in a very professional way and in a very prompt time frame.
Just last week I experienced yet another situation where repairs had to be made. All the old plumbing had to be replaced with new plumbing pipes. The experience could have very well been a nightmare, but was NOT, because:
1- I was notified in advance by Jennifer Romero (Re-pipe Project Communications Administration) as to exactly when this would take place in my apartment. She was a pleasure to work with.
2- I met and spoke with Frank Castro – Security person in charge of this project – He was extremely helpful in going over things with me beforehand, answering all my questions and making me feel comfortable in that things would be done professionally with the least amount of inconvenience to me. And was again very helpful in cleaning up and making notes of what had to be done after the project was finished. Please keep this man around – We need people like him.
Note: Franks assistant = Sam Dawwod was also very very helpful in making sure that all the apartments being worked on were closely watched to see that our personal belongings were kept safe.
3- Western Restoration Services – Andy McKee (Project Manager) and his staff. These guys were FANTASTIC. They had everyday’s work planned out perfectly. Each day the work that had to be done, was done, and when they finished, they cleaned up so everything was back to normal when I came home. The pipe crew, the plasterers and the painters were all terrific. All work was done exactly as was supposed to be, and when they finished the job, it was a great to have my apartment back in order again even better than before. KUDO’s to Andy and his wonderful team.
4- All maintenance and the coordinating of projects would not be possible without a Leader in charge of maintenance. Bruno has been outstanding in this role. I can only say wonderful things about Bruno and his staff = Francisco, Chacho, Danny, and the rest of the maintenance crew, because in 20 years they have never failed to help me when I needed help. Kudos to them and to you for having such wonderful bunch of professional and caring people.
5- Your office and Rental Staff = Josh, Pierre, Angel, Ilana, Ivan, Jennifer, Vicki, Diane, Kami (I am sorry if I forgot anyone). These people make life easy on an everyday basis. They are wonderful, helpful and caring people and a REAL PLEASURE to have around when you need someone to help you. Special Note: Vicki and Diane and I go back a long time – They have always been helpful in finding me a great apartment here, first when I came here for three years as a snowbird, and later on after I moved out from New York to settle down. Glad to see that these wonderful ladies are still here helping others.
Lastly, William, as I mentioned, I have been here for about twenty years, and therefore have had to deal with many property managers. I have not had a bad experience with any of them. I have had all good relationships with each one. I must say, however, that since you have taken over as manager here, things have gotten better than ever. We have met quite a few times and each time you have been courteous, professional and very helpful when I issued that had to be addressed. Kudos to you, and PLEASE STAY HERE for I DON’T LIKE CHANGE. I believe very strongly in saying ”if it ain’t broken, don’t try to fix it.”
In closing, I would just like to say that I look forward to spending many more happy years here at Oakwood W.H.E.
Sincerely,
Don Fetner
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