Testimonials
TJ and Scott Teems Altadena Residents
“Ernest Payne is more than a contractor. He’s a true craftsman, and he cares about the homes he builds and remodels. He cares about the people in those homes, as well.
When Ernie remodeled our Pasadena home in 2024, he came recommended by a dear friend who told us Ernie was the best contractor in the San Gabriel Valley. That is high praise, but to our delight Ernie’s work far exceeded our lofty expectations.
Ernie is a collaborator, melding the owner’s vision with his own experience and artistry to create homes that are beautiful, functional, and inviting. Ernie has true integrity, he is a reliable and great communicator. And his team of craftsmen are honest and hard-working.
Perhaps the highest praise we can give is to say that when the job was over, Ernie had become a true friend. When the Eaton Fire destroyed some of our property, Ernie was the first person we called, and he is the only contractor we want to rebuild what we’ve lost.
Ernie loves Altadena and the surrounding communities which were devastated by the Eaton Fire. He will work hard to help rebuild these communities with care and integrity.”
Andi and Dave Mysza Sierra Madre Residents
“We have known Ernie and Skyler Payne and Dave Thompson for over 20 years, both personally and professionally. They have completed residential (large backyard deck) and commercial building projects (full scale redesign/renovation and multiple tenant improvements) for our family and have earned our trust.
The tragic and heartbreaking Eaton Fire that has devastated our community has mobilized these men to join together, utilizing their skills to proactively help our neighbors rebuild their lives. They recognize that it isn’t just about a house; it’s about picking people up and helping them march forward with their lives.
As you approach your decision to rebuild your home or business, finding honest contractors offering both bandwidth and quality may be difficult due to the high demand for their services. Working with a partnership of four contractors and their teams will likely enable you to move faster and more efficiently than a sole builder who is stretched too thin.
The primary reason we love working with these guys is that they have always been honest and are good communicators. We trust them. They will tell us the RIGHT way to do something even if it costs a little more. Likewise, they will tell us if something can be done less expensively or if it’s unnecessary. The result was a beautiful, finished product that we love. We have never experienced the dread of having to hire another contractor to fix their work because they will deliver quality workmanship.
In addition, they have worked in the Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre areas for years, which means they have experience with the local permit processes and will be very helpful to you.
Lastly, working with them has been a pleasure. We discuss, we laugh, we analyze and we make decisions together. They are business minded, can work with a budget and have a skillset that should exceed your expectations.”
Bill Anawalt Owner of Anawalt Lumber & Materials Co. - Montrose
“When Ernie Payne and Dave Thompson told me of their plan to create a resource for those whose homes have been destroyed by the Eaton Fire, our conversation immediately shifted to how important it is to keep and restore the character of a community that almost seems irreplaceable. It is vital to all of us who know this unique part of the San Gabriel Foothills that it not become just another housing development.
Renew Altadena consists of a team of craftsmen I have known and respected for many years. Over the decades, my company has not only supplied materials for their jobs, but we have also worked closely with those who have hired them as contractors. We have seen firsthand how they work with their clients and bring projects to successful completion. I have hired them myself - both for remodeling at the lumberyard and my personal home.
Ernie and Dave are seasoned professionals. David Madeira is an incredible craftsman and finish carpenter. Skyler Payne has grown up around the best builders in the area and it shows. All of them have the kind work ethic and disposition that ensures they will bring in the best possible plumbers, electricians, framers, plasterers, roofers, painters and suppliers. Importantly, their connections to the local building community run strong and deep. It takes a great team to build a great team.”
Jacquie and Alan Aufhammer Altadena Residents
“I am writing to provide a glowing recommendation for Ernie Payne, our contractor who has become a friend and an advocate.
Over the past several years, we have collaborated with Ernie on four significant projects in our home—our kitchen renovation, two bathroom remodels, our guest house/garage remodel—and each time, he has demonstrated remarkable care and dedication to each project.
Ernie’s work is characterized by a great blend of creativity, technical competence, and meticulous attention to detail. His ability to stay on schedule and within budget has been nothing short of remarkable. We have given his name out to many a friend who needed help with a project.
What truly sets Ernie apart is his trustworthiness and honesty. He communicates clearly, anticipates potential challenges, and resolves them proactively. And we loved his team of sub-contractors.
Ernie has a great big heart! He cares deeply about his clients! We have had a rough year! He reached out when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. He was one of the first to call and help us think through things when he heard our home burned down in the Altadena fire! He is a good, good man!
I cannot overstate the value Ernie brings to any construction or renovation endeavor. I recommend him without reservation.”
Gary Cearlock and Michael Donovan Hollywood Residents
“When we first learned that our contractor David Madeira was teaming up with other contractors to help restore devastated Altadena neighborhoods under the newly-formed partnership "Renew Altadena," we jumped at the chance to recommend his services.
When our first contractor disappeared on us years ago, we weren't sure where to turn and were very skeptical about hiring a stranger, especially after that experience. A friend whose opinion we greatly trusted had just used David Madeira Construction on a job and highly recommended them to us, so we met with David and ultimately hired him. So happy were we with the result that we've now used the company for two major renovations and several smaller ones at our house in the Hollywood Hills. Not only does David consistently complete each job on time and on budget, but does so with finesse. His team of "artists" are not only responsible for solid construction, but also pay great attention to small details, which are never overlooked. His team is polite, leaves no mess behind, and communication is top-notch.
David himself, in our opinion, is a genius. He offers amazing suggestions for cost-effective things we'd never thought of. One prime example is a solution he came up with for one entire side of our house which is on a hill and was therefore inaccessible. We were adding new siding to the two-story house, and discovered the cost of renting scaffolding would be exorbitant. David suggested he build a permanent bridge with our existing Trex materials at a very slightly higher cost. The siding installers and painters could then simply use ladders to complete the job, and we would have a permanent structure joining the front and back of the house. Not only did it work beautifully and look amazing, it's a solution we're thrilled about to this day.
Needless to say, we heartily recommend David Madeira and wish him the very best in his collaboration with Renew Altadena.”
Cameron Huntley Owner of Los Feliz Manor
“I am writing to offer my highest recommendation for Dave Thompson (JD Construction) who has been the lead general contractor for the rehabilitation and improvement of our 1920s-era apartment building in Los Feliz, Los Angeles. We have engaged Dave’s services since 2010.
Dave has demonstrated exceptional knowledge across all aspects of construction and historic building maintenance. His comprehensive understanding of both modern building systems and period-appropriate restoration techniques has been invaluable in preserving the architectural integrity of our property while bringing it up to current standards.
What sets Dave apart is his ability to anticipate and solve complex problems that often arise in historic buildings. When we encountered unexpected challenges, he quickly developed creative solutions that respected both our budget and the building's historic character. His expertise spans everything from framing to finish carpentry, and he has shown particular skill in coordinating with various subcontractors and specialists required for our various projects.
Dave's honesty and transparency in all dealings have been refreshing. He consistently provides detailed estimates, communicates project updates clearly, and has never hesitated to bring potential issues to our attention before they become major problems. His methodical approach to project management has kept our renovations on track and within budget.
His dedication to quality workmanship is evident in every aspect of his work. Whether supervising the restoration of original tilework, overseeing the updating of plumbing systems, or managing the installation of period-appropriate fixtures, his attention to detail has been impeccable. He has shown particular sensitivity to maintaining the architectural details that make our 1920s building special while incorporating modern amenities and safety features.
As a result of his consistent and reliable efforts, we contracted with him to manage other residential improvement projects, including the renovation of a primary suite and bathroom. This project required navigating the permit process in a city known for its challenging and strict building code enforcement. Among other aspects of the project, the work included building out a closet system using various fine carpentry techniques and materials. The results are beyond our expectations and have endured flawlessly for over ten years thus far.
Based on my experience working with Dave, I can confidently say that he is among the most capable and trustworthy contractors I have encountered. His combination of technical expertise, project management skills, and integrity makes him an exceptional choice for any construction project, particularly those involving historic properties.”
Joe McClure Former CEO of Montrose Travel
“I am honored to write this letter of recommendation for Ernest Payne, owner of Ernest Payne Construction.
We have had the privilege of working with Ernie for over 20 years on numerous projects, most recently on a commercial building remodel in Montrose exceeding $1.5 million. Throughout this time, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, craftsmanship, and unwavering integrity.
Ernie's extensive experience has been invaluable and Julie and I trust him implicitly. He guides us along the way and his insights and recommendations have saved us countless dollars over the years ensuring projects are completed on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards.
His repeat business surpasses that of any general contractor I know.
But what truly distinguishes and sets Ernie apart is his genuine concern to foster lasting relationships.
He makes you feel like family from the first moment you meet him and, for us, he has transcended the typical client-builder relationship.
Once you work with Ernie, you have found a trusted partner for life.
If you are seeking not just a builder, but a caring and trusted partner in your journey, Ernest Payne Construction and his team are, without reservation, our recommendation.”
Jenny and Kris Jones Burbank Residents
“We hired David Madeira (David Madeira Construction) in January 2022. We hired him and his crew to do a complete remodel of our entire home. David came highly recommended to us from a friend of ours. We interviewed David (along with 3 other contractors) prior to hiring him. We set a date to meet him, and he arrived promptly for our meeting. We showed him our plans and discussed the scope and magnitude of the job. Within the next couple of days, he sent over his crew (electrician, plumber, A/C people, tilers, painters, etc.) to look at our home and give estimates, and within 2 weeks he came back with the estimate for our job.
Our job entailed a complete remodel of our home, which, because it's a 2-story home, involved a structural engineer and new footings. We reconfigured our entire downstairs, including a new kitchen, moving a bathroom, a new bedroom, and all new flooring. Phase 2 upstairs included a reconfigured master bathroom and all new flooring.
David and his crew always arrived promptly when they said they would to begin work. ALL of his crew are kind, polite, honest, and friendly workers. They also were neat and always cleaned up before leaving the job site.
David is a great communicator, not only with us, but in dealing with the inspectors from the City as well. He was always the one to handle the inspections, and we never had to be involved unless we wanted to. David was also the one to communicate with our structural engineer when questions arose about the safety of the build. Since we were living in our home during the remodel, David would always let us know ahead of time if the water or electricity needed to be turned off; or if we needed to vacate the premises.
We cannot be happier with the finished product! It is everything for which we hoped and planned. We would highly recommend David Madeira Construction to anyone wishing to have any kind of construction work done on their home. We would hire him again in a minute! Oh! We did! He is currently finishing our garage addition and we are so pleased with the progress.
Again, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND David Madeira Construction for your next home project!”