Problem Solver Testimonials
Check out our reviews on Yelp!
The biggest issue in buying an investment property is to find a reliable, available and trustworthy handyman/general contractor! My search for such person was longer than the time it took me to list and to select a new tenant for our house, but when I found Thomas, I knew Thomas is the true professional. To begin with, his response time is impeccable — while I had to wait for hours or even days for a response from some other handyman services, Thomas responds within an hour with a concrete plan and intelligent questions that ensure any request is taken care of as quickly as possible. Thomas relies on his more than 30 years of field experience to offer solutions and creative ways to complete tasks in such a manner that it is always cost-effective, and the result is perfect. No task is too small, no project is too big for Thomas and his sons. He also has a great network of professional specialists to handle complicated projects that go beyond the scope, yet the handover is flawless and completely transparent, so you won't have to worry about dealing with multiple people — Thomas is a superb project manager that will handle this process for you.
While I was in a different state and different timezone, the communication was clear and concise, with updates and pictures reported along the way, until the final result is achieved. Bottom line is that I would keep going back to Thomas and his team for any additional projects I would have in the future because I know with 100% certainty that the results would be consistent and perfect as always! Thank you, Thomas, Ronnie, Allan, and sons Trevor and Nathan!
— Rozana S. 12/6/2021
Thomas and his sons did an excellent job with drywall repair. He was timely, efficient and very professional. I would highly recommend his services if you want a professional job done.
— Nancy Marlin 11/14/2021
I had Thomas and his sons Trevor and Nathan remove wallpaper, fix dry wall and paint the entire bathroom. They did the job quickly and for a reasonable price.
— Joan Coakley 10/28/2021
I had Thomas Simko repair drywall which a leaky water heater which had caused the damage. The stand it sits on was damaged as well. He repaired the damaged drywall and water heater stand. He not only repaired the stand but waterproofed it as well for extra protection. His sons work for him and were involved in the repair as well. Both were hard working and respectful young men. Happy with the repair and would recommend “The Problem Solver” Thomas Simko.
— Ron Krug 10/21/2021
Kudos to Thomas Simko and his boys, "The Problem Solvers." Just wanted to post an online "high-five" for Thomas Simko and his sons. They really are "problem solvers".
We have a large island in our kitchen, in which the kitchen sink and dishwasher are located. Unfortunately, the last time we had the reverse osmosis unit under the kitchen sink serviced, the technician didn't tighten one of the filters properly, resulting in a slow leak. The leak was at the back of the cabinet, out of sight, and the water was invisibly wicking up the walls of the island (which were drywall behind the decorative wood veneer). Nothing was visible from the outside until the drywall swelled enough to push out the baseboards. This went on for months!
By the time we figured out we had a problem, we not only had water damage, we had mold and lots of it. Most contractors would have just said, "you need a new island," but Thomas and his boys took a different approach: they not only removed all the damaged drywall and mold, but replaced the drywall with plywood, and did so in such a way that they were able to reuse the original decorative wood veneer.
They then dried everything out thoroughly using a dehumidifier, treated the mold problem, and removed the ruined floor under the kitchen sink. I love out-of-the-box thinking, and apparently Thomas does, too—he didn't just replace the cabinet floor, he first built a structure underneath to support it properly, then created a watertight area under the kitchen sink, and with the floor having just a slight tilt toward the front of the cabinet. With a couple of weep holes drilled at the front of the cabinet, we won't get this kind of damage again. If a leak should occur under the sink, not only will it be contained without damage, but the water will run toward the front of the cabinet and drip out of a couple of weep holes onto the tile where it will be immediately noticeable.
I can't say enough about their skills, workmanship, and work ethic during the project—on time every day, reasonably priced, and no added profit on materials. We're keeping their phone number handy. Folks this good at what they do and so easy to get along with are hard to find these days!
— Denny Cunningham 6/15/21
Thumbs up to Thomas Simko at Problem Solvers and Dave Porter with Arizona Cooling Company. I had noticed the roof on my Pergola was sagging from shoddy construction practice from prior to purchasing my home. Due to recommendations I found on this site, I contacted Thomas to come see what could be done. Thomas and his sons started work the following week and the progress has been amazing. Thomas has also brought in Bobby to repair stucco on my pool wall that was showing white lines at every brick. Then yesterday We returned from a weekend trip to find one of our AC units not working. Thomas gave me the name of Dave Porter at Arizona Cooling Company. Dave was in area and within an hour was at my home and replaced a faulty capacitor. Dave took the information on the warranty and did not charge me anything instead was going to file warranty information to cover his parts and labor. Thanks Thomas for being in the know, and Dave for getting my AC working.
— Chuck Burns 4/6/21
Thomas also helped me. I live here in Montesa and he installed the fans and gorgeous outdoor lighting that surrounded my carport and my front porch. It looks beautiful and they did such a professional job. I would absolutely recommend them!
— Carlin B. 4/6/21
Thank you to Thomas Simko! Thomas (619-857-5439) and his sons did a great job today at finishing up a few projects left over from repairing last fall's storm damage. One of the projects in particular was to build a box out of sheet rock that would surround and hide the microwave exhaust vent since it was exposed as it exited from the top of the upper cabinet and out of the ceiling. It was one of those tiny, nit-picky jobs because there wasn't much room to maneuver the building materials between the top of the upper cabinet and the ceiling. And the ceiling slopes upwards towards the middle of the room; it's not a flat ceiling.
Thomas and his boys did a beautiful job. It flows seamlessly into the adjacent wall and ceiling and there isn't a thing to critique about it. It's perfect!
It's rare to find someone who takes such pride in his workmanship, and puts forth the effort to do it right.
Thanks again Thomas, your craftsmanship will be appreciated for years to come!
— Judy McLure 8/04/20
Patio painted and paver walkways installed! Thanks to my go to guy — Thomas Simko The Problem Solver! I had a stained concrete patio which was showing wear and Thomas suggested painting it. I also wanted to have two paver walkways installed which he also took care of! If he can’t do it he will find someone who can! Thanks Thomas for all your help and guidance!
I got a quote to get my exterior house painted. I needed some stucco and wood trim repairs done as well. The painter that gave me a quote wasn't able to do the stucco or wood repairs. Soooo, I immediately thought of Thomas Simko. He came over and gave me a quote for all 3 efforts, and the paint price was less expensive. Wow, very impressive! He and his team had the job complete in 3 days and the quality of work was phenomenal as always! Highly recommend him for any job, big or small!
— Bonnie Acedo 11/2/2020
Tired of calling a handyman who never returns calls, who never shows up and leaves projects half-finished and poorly done? Well hire "The Problem Solver" (Thomas) and his team instead! Not only does he return your calls, he shows up on time and goes to work immediately. He and his team do professional top-notch work. Fairly priced! When the job is done, it's cleaned up! The only way you know they were there is your project is perfect and COMPLETED! He did 5 star work for us! I highly recommend The Problem Solver!
— D.S., February 2020
Thomas was very friendly, easy to talk with and knowledgeable. He was able to explain what work was and wasn't needed. He was able to knock out a lot of minor repairs in a short amount of time. As a real estate agent, it's important to have someone you can trust. I'd happily recommend him to my clients. Actually, I already have.
— Dana B., January 2020
The Problem Solver actually shows up and on time when they say they will. The Problem Solver then does what they say they will and does a good job of it. The Problem Solver actually cares about their quality of work and the customer's satisfaction. After a several year search to find someone who would show up, do what they said, and be fairly priced, we found the Problem Solver. Now, 24 can lights, 3 ceiling fans (all in a flat roof with no existing electrical which had to come from far, far away), custom installed cast iron alcove grates above the doors, much, much drywall repair, matched Venetian painting, and a lot, lot more, we are happy to recommend Thomas and his crew.
— Bill G., September 2019
If I could give the problem solver 6 Stars I would. I reached out to them for a small job and they were happy to help me out. Not like other handymen who said the job is too small and not worth the time. No job is too small or big for them. Thomas is a very caring person and highly professional. Look no further for a handyman! The problem solver is the right one and the only one to get the job done right. Even came by the next morning to follow up and surprised us with doughnuts. Top tier service. Got him on speed dial for the next job.
— Junior F., February 2019
Very good experience working with Thomas and his crew. They took my outdated confined kitchen into a beautiful bright open space. He has a team of expert plumbers and electricians that he brings in as needed. He was a great communicator, always on time, very clean and provided very transparent breakdowns of billing for labor and materials.
— Jeff H., January 2019
We had so much work that needed to be done and Thomas and his sons were amazing. They did a beautiful job and were so nice and professional. They kept the cost down for us as well. We had some very difficult woodworking, painting and installation tasks and they handled it all.
— Diane Davis, December 2018
We used The Problem Solver for our room remodel project to get our AirBNB bedroom top notch to compete in the highly competitive San Diego market. When we realized that the first thing our guests see is the front door, we called The Problem Solver to see if they could help. The Problem Solver sent Dave, their most experienced painter. The wooden door and side panel needed a lot of tender love and care. Dave recommended we use a superior paint (The Grand Entrance), a tinted primer and to spray for an extra smooth covering. Of course ,when we say the painting progress, we realized we had to redo the inside of the door as well. They we decided to match the door color (Yellow) on the porch furniture. The results were fantastic. Neighbors and guests are all commenting on how different and inviting our front door is. We are adding the door photo to our AirBNB advertising page to show why guests should stay with us.
— Thomas Barthold, August 2018
When you are not sure which Angie’s list vendor to call, consider THE PROBLEM SOLVER. For several years I have had many small jobs around the house. I did not have the tools and in most cases skills to do the work myself. Most importantly, my time is of greater value. Two weeks ago, I needed someone to join two closets; demo, framing, drywall. I figured I could simply paint. I called THE PROBLEM SOLVER and true to their name, they did what I asked and more. This team has all the skills. As I watched Horacio, Antonia and Jim work, I knew this was the best solution to all my needs. The project kept growing as I saw other things to do. The closet was just the beginning. They added bedroom crown molding, office LED lights, repaired garage door termite damage with epoxy filler so you would never know where the damage was, installed beautiful garage shelving and resurfaced our garage floor. Thomas Simko (The Problem Solver) has connections to many San Diego firms such as carpeting, hardwood flooring and more. Thomas is a great project manager. The team was efficient, professional, fun to have in our house. I am already thinking of several more improvement projects so that I can bring them back.
— Gerald Toyen, June 2018
I have had the pleasure of working with Thomas and would highly recommend The Problem Solver for your home remodeling needs because that's what they do; Solve Problems. Most contractors are horrible at communicating and being reliable. Not Thomas. He was always available, keeping in constant contact via text and phone. The guys do quality work, affordably priced, and you won't have to babysit them. Salvador and David work as a great team. I trust them in my home and you can quit looking for a contractor, The Problem Solver is here. (Note: Thomas even made us a slow cooker Eggplant Parmigiana with a bottle of Chianti one night because he loves to cook and saw how late we were getting home with our kiddos and their activities. Oh, and he gives my lab a biscuit before he leaves!)
— Sheri Smith, January 2018
Where do I begin? Pretty much everything to do with our bathroom remodel went remarkable. The bathroom in its original state was abysmal, to say the least. Built in the 1950s, the extremely small space was utilized very poorly. After some research, we had some ideas to make the space more functional, but the first few contractors we contacted really didn’t want the challenge this job would entail. Thomas from The Problem Solvers took our ideas and not only made them work, but improved on them. They gave us a step-by-step plan on what they would do and how they would do it and how much each step would cost. Thomas gave us daily (and at times hourly!) updates on work progress. He kept both of us in the loop and actually cared for us as people. Considering the massive scope of the renovations and severe time constraints, they were very close to on time and on budget for the entire job. Horacio was fantastic, great work ethic, excellent tile layer and carpenter. Thomas’s son Trevor, also a great carpenter, and dry Waller, worked tirelessly alongside Horacio from sun up to sun down. The plumber, Jeff Green of Jeff Green Plumbing communicated with us regarding cost and what needed to be done and he and his crew re-routed the plumbing at a very reasonable cost. Jeff also discovered that we had a gas leak on our old wall furnace and was able to assist us with fixing this problem, also at a very reasonable cost. John of Ocean electric installed our recessed lighting and a new 4 plug GFI outlet, which the bathroom didn’t have before, along with a 3 switch light switch and the new vanity lighting. Everyone was very friendly and customer service was their expertise. The Problem Solvers turned an eyesore into a work of art! I definitely recommend them and will call them for any other projects we might have.
— Russell Merschtina, December 2017
The owner of The Problem Solver, Thomas Simko’s passion provides old time quality, pride, integrity and craftsmanship that is not seen anymore. His talented crew of gentlemen Dave, Horacio, Salvador, and sons Trevor and Nathan have transformed the exterior of our 50 year old home into a show place. From interior painting to removal of popcorn ceiling they kept things immaculate while in progress. Outside they removed old brick wall and siding, and replaced it with new siding, stucco, paint and trim. Thomas has an extraordinary ability to choose beautiful color combinations and talked with us about his vision of the project. His crew built us the patio of our dreams, with utmost attention to detail both large and small. With regard to Thomas’s honesty it is impeccable. Detailed record keeping as well as keeping us informed on budget made us stress free. After having his company in our home for two weeks, we now consider them friends. We are planning to have his company back in spring to remodel our kitchen, and paint the rest of interior of our home. And by the way, Thomas is a wonderful cook, made us five dinners that were delicious. We highly recommend this company for any project, both large and small.
— Sarah and Russ in El Cajon, Ca., November 2017
Thomas Simko and his crew have a genius for problem-solving. The renovation had rough carpentry, drywall, painting, plaster repair, waterproof decking, pool deck resurfacing, carpeting, marble crack repair, door repair, etc. They came up with great-value solutions time after time. Prior to the work, I was unsure of who to hire, because the work was so varied and odd. It was very hard to price as well. Time after time, this team provided excellent value, completely exceeding my expectations. They also worked quickly, which was a requirement. They communicated well and I genuinely felt they had the client best interest at heart. I'm in the construction business, and I haven't met a contractor like this one. I'd hire them again without hesitation.
— Laura Brown, July 2017
After a number of failed attempts to hire timely, reputable contractors to help me out with reconstruction efforts in a rental property after a flood loss, I was extremely pleased to find The Problem Solvers! As their name suggests, Thomas and Dave stepped in immediately to help me start putting the pieces back together after demo crews had left the home inhabitable for my tenants. Their fast response time helped me get the job finished faster than any of the insurance-recommended vendors' schedules would allow, and they were both a pleasure to work with. Even though I manage the property remotely, and was only in town a few days, their communication throughout the length of the project was reliable, timely and efficient. The overall quality of work was well worth the cost, and it was extremely refreshing to find local contractors who were so honest and easy to work with. Thanks for all your help, guys!
— Dave Jones, May 2017
Thomas and his crew tackled a massive and nasty cleaning job, requiring hazmat gear and many, many weeks of cleaning and disposal. They then had to strip away wallpaper and in some cases the sheetrock, cleaning out what was behind the walls. Then they did all the work needed to replace what they took out, painting and otherwise restoring. Same with the floors, which in some rooms had to be replaced. They tore out and replaced the shower stall and other plumbing fixtures in the condo, and helped my younger sister shop for and find the best value furniture and other fittings for the condo. Thomas went way way beyond what he was hired to do, providing transportation and advice for my more able sister, including emotional support and encouragement for her and my other sister and nephew. I especially appreciate his enthusiasm and straight talk when he called me with regular updates! My sister paid for his services so I don't know the final bill but I know she is very happy with the service and has relied on Thomas and his people throughout this project. I am grateful for Thomas because I have not been able to be there physically with my sisters and support them myself.
— Stan Kiyota, January 2017
The team showed up as scheduled, performed a site survey and had a complete list of materials to me within 24 hours. The work started immediately and they had the demo of both bathrooms complete by the second day. The bath tub was removed and replaced by a prefab bathtub insert and all new fixtures. The sinks and vanities were replaced, flooring and all repairs were completed within 7 days. The quality is outstanding. I have received a lot of compliments regarding this work and all previous work they have performed.
I have used Thomas Simko and his team repeatedly over the last 5 years and will continue to use them whenever I need work to be done.
— Alexander Paquet, January 2016
I called Thomas after a major storm and noticed water seeped in from an exterior wall into my living room (under my new bamboo floors). Thomas called me back within one hour which was amazing because I know contractors were busy fielding storm damage calls. I explained my problem (in a panic) and he told me he would have someone come out immediately and not to worry. Dave and his helper came out the next day and dug down one foot next to the exterior wall, added a moisture barrier and poured a 4 inch concrete seam between the wall and the dirt. The work was outstanding and I cannot say enough good things about this company. I will definitely use them again in the future.
— Therese Wunderlich, January 2016
I live in Virginia, and I had just had a new tenant move in to a 1 bedroom 1 bath cottage that I rent out in San Diego. She is a nice 61 year old lady living alone on a fixed income. She had identified some problems and I wanted to get these repairs completed as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, my tenant reported that the first handyman I sent was rude and doing shoddy work at a leisurely pace. I stopped the work and then found Thomas Simko the Problem Solver on Angie's List searching for "Handyman."
When I spoke with Thomas on the phone, he was extremely friendly and professional. He sent out one of his team, Jimmy, to take care of re-doing some shoddy repairs, completing additional repairs, and removing a lot of debris from the yard. My tenant was very impressed with Jimmy's professionalism, work ethic, qualify, and his efforts to clearly explain to her what he was doing to complete the work the right way.
I will DEFINITELY use The Problem Solver again! You should too!
— Jason Brandt, December 2015
Thank you for the excellent performance by your team in refurbishing condo #174 in Mission Ridge. Your team not only tackled the job quickly and completed the work in a timely manner, but also suggested and implemented improvements to the original plan—all within the originally agreed to cost! Outstanding service! And, the team was great to work with—very prompt, professional and highly competent. Our thanks, again!
— Jon and Karen Reynolds, August 2015
I am writing this to relay the experience I had utilizing Thomas Simko's services. I am a Realtor in San Diego and have had the need in past years to use a general contractor several times to recondition a property to make it ready for sale. I am the listing broker for a seller who has a condo in the Mission Ridge complex located in Mission Valley. The unit was in a state of deferred maintenance and required a complete rehab.
Mr. Simko was tasked with removing and replacing all flooring, drywall repairs, re-texture and re-paint the entire interior, plumbing, electrical and fireplace repairs that required several sub-contractors to complete the work. It is critical in my business that you employ people who can do the work rapidly, on time and get it right the first time. I am very pleased that Mr. Simko was able to accomplish all of these requirements. It is also important that the work gets done rapidly so I can get it to market fast. Thomas was able to complete all of the work and coordinate the sub-contractors in a very efficient manner and was able to complete the entire job in less than 7 business days.
If you're in need of a contractor who does what he says, on time and correctly, then Thomas Simko's company The Problem Solvers would be an excellent choice.
— Mark Lemieux, Keller Williams Realty, August 2015
I cannot say enough about the quick response from the owner, Thomas Simko and Dave who came out to see what needed to be done. Thomas was extremely thorough in providing an estimate, not only via email but a hard copy was also provided. Throughout the re-do, Thomas continued to provide me with materials and labor costs so I knew exactly where we were at each step of the way. I was originally looking at a start/completion date towards the end of July, but due to circumstances, called Thomas on a Friday afternoon, asking if they could start right away. The following Monday morning, they appeared on my door step bright and early ready to work. They assessed the situation, and provided suggestions (which I accepted readily) regarding the replacement of the entire backyard fencing and two gates.
They suggested smaller width boards which gave a cleaner, neater look to the fence, made the fencing higher which provided more privacy and would keep my dogs from jumping over, reworked the fence levels to accommodate the hillside slope, totally built new gates with supports to prevent sagging issues. They also replaced part of two eaves in the front of the house and performed a few other tasks as well. A tree in the yard was next to the fencing, so they built around it and the end result is beautiful wood work and a happy, safe tree.
The entire project was completed in 6 days and what a project it was. Words cannot express how very happy I am with all the work that was performed, and the end result of the new fencing/gates and eaves.
I would definitely rehire this company without thinking twice. Such a wonderful experience, and one that I have shared with others.
— Roberta Sullivan, July 2015
The crew showed up as scheduled, conducted a thorough washing of all surfaces and cleaning up the house. The two member crew the next day cleaning up the surface, scraping, priming, and sanding all areas of the house. They were very thorough and still accomplished the work in one day. The last day and a half was painting the main body of the house and trim. The work was done very well, I have received numerous compliments from the neighbors and now they feel compelled to paint their houses to look as good as mine.
The work was not easy as the house hadn't been painted in over a decade and had a lot of issues that come with neglected paint and they worked through them in a timely manner and kept to the schedule we had originally agreed upon. I have been using "The Problem Solver" for about 8 years now and totally trust them with any repairs or remodels on my home.
— Alexander Paquet, July 2015
Owner Thomas responsive to my calls and questions. He sent an excellent person, Jimmie, to build a gate and fence. Wood picked was high quality, Jimmie knowledgeable, courteous, and friendly. Cleaned up nicely. Awkward space for him to build in but smart construction know how.
— Angie’s List Review, September 2014
It was a warm and wonderful experience working with Thomas Simko, and he really lived up to his name, the Problem Solver. We had only two weeks to complete an extensive list of projects on our new condo before our move-in date, including installing a beautiful new floor, replacing several bathroom fixtures, and a full bathroom remodel. Thomas was there for us 100% from start to finish, and made us feel like everything was "no problem." The HOA hasn't approved our floor install yet? No problem. We need to shut the water off for the entire building to install the tub? No problem. Uh-oh, last-minute change of plan on the flooring underlayment, 24 hours before we install? No problem! Thomas handled it with finesse, and was always extremely responsive via phone or email, as well as providing proactive updates with pictures.
In addition to his attention to logistics and reassuring professionalism, the workmanship of Thomas and his amazing team was top-notch. They will take the time to get it done right, even on a tight time frame like ours. The crew joked that it felt like one of those home improvement TV shows where they install an entire kitchen in five hours because of how quickly we needed to get things accomplished - yet all the I's were dotted and the T's were crossed. The crew was scrupulously clean, friendly and professional, showed up on time, and took excellent care of our home and pets. They even attended to those little "extra details" that weren't in the quote, because when they do something, they get it done right (for example, the new floor was a little higher than the old, and our hall closet door didn't shut as a result - no problem. The crew made adjustments to the track, and now it works better than before!)
The end result was a beautiful designer bathroom, gleaming laminate floors that we will enjoy for years to come, a huge reduction in the "honey-do" list that comes with moving into a new place, and more projects in the pipeline for the future. I'd definitely recommend working with Thomas Simko - it was a great experience. Thomas will make it happen! We will definitely work with him again in the future.
— Yelp Review (5 stars) from Amy B., August 2014
Thomas came into our horribly dated, 70’s condo and within three months transformed it into a beautiful mini-mansion. When hiring Thomas, you get much more than just a contractor. Thomas is an artistic visionary with excellent taste and wonderful ideas. We strongly recommend Thomas if you want a spectacular home put together by a gifted perfectionist. In addition, Thomas has many fine craftsmen subcontractors to rely on for specialized treatments.
— Dennis & Barbara O’Neill
Thomas and his crew did a great job. His keen eye for details and perfectionist leanings left us with a final product that we love. Had we known how much the new windows would improve sound attenuation and the draftiness of our house, we would have done it years ago. His entire team was professional, courteous and skilled at what they do. Thomas made numerous suggestions that turned out to provide a wonderful remodeling of the front of our house. The overall experience was extremely positive and we currently have him doing an even larger renovation of our rental house as we prepare to market it.
— Angie’s List Review, June 2014
We found him to be most responsive, able to begin the work right away. The hood replacement turned out to be much more complex than initially thought, due to some non-standard construction performed by the previous owner of our house. Thomas kept the project on budget and on time despite several unforeseen challenges, overcoming the problems with creativity and diligence. We were extremely pleased with the end result and have had him perform several more projects for us since.
— Angie’s List Review, May 2014
Thomas came in and did an excellent job, again. His whole team was punctual, efficient, and did outstanding work. I had the baseboards, transitions and threshold installed for the living room floor, the casing around the entry door, the sliding glass and dining room window as well as a few doors in the hallway. On the exterior of the house, he repaired the stucco around my circuit breaker box and replaced the broken water pipe for my house. The whole time he was courteous, efficient and did excellent work. I am very happy with the work I received and will use him again when I do my remodel next year.
— Angie’s List Review, April 2014
Outstanding in every way! Thomas and his team were responsive, professional and creative. Their estimates were spot on and they performed their work with utmost integrity. I would strongly recommend their services to anyone, but I think homeowners in Kensington and similar communities would especially benefit from the special care and creativity they apply to older craftsman and Spanish-style homes like ours.
— Angie’s List Review, March 2014
