Phollies

Sean did a major renovation to our mid century house in Laurel Heights. His willingness to work with us on the design was outstanding. His crew is respectful and professional. His subs are just as good. Highly recommend Sean. Contact me via Unilocal if you need more details.

I’m one of the owners of Domicile, a cabinet and design showroom at the San Francisco Design Center. We specialize in kitchens, baths and functional areas of the home. I have been in this business since 1974 and have worked with contractors who range from cowboys with hammers to mega developes in Manila and the normal people in between.
One assumes that if someone has a contractor’s license you’re going to get the finest quality work and that these workers are capable of doing whatever project they are hired to do. What elevates some contractors to a level above the rest is rational analysis of problems that may arise. The designer might be a tad dyslexic, the architect’s draftsperson might inadvertantly err, materials might fall off the back of the truck, someone’s toolbelt might accidently mar finished material — name your construction nightmare then analyze how the contractor reacts.
Sean Kennedy never seems to derail. He takes a deep breath, discusses the options and resolves the issues, whatever they may be, in a mature, deliberate and calm manner. This is so important when you’re working with a contractor. There are always surprises in renovation. Integrity should be this man’s middle name. There is no blame, there is resolution and the end results are always at or above what the owner has expected.
I can’t tell you what a joy it is to work with Sean and his staff. They do what they’re hired to do, in a timely manner, at the highest level of quality and for the amount of money that has been agreed to. This is what you expect from a contractor and this is consistently what you get from Sean Kennedy and Phollies. Hire these guys. You won’t be sorry.

Phollies installed double paned windows in our property and did major dry rot repair work. Also Sean’s subcontractor painted the building. Everything done was five star work.

Sean Kennedy of Phollies remodeled my neighbors’ home a few years ago. When I saw the quality of his work, I asked him to remodel my 1895 condominium in 2010 – 2011. I am not one to praise people, but I could not have asked for a better experience under harsh circumstances: I had an inaccessible architect, uncooperative neighbors, and a family tragedy and death with which to contend – all while trying to remodel. Sean and his team could not have been more professional during the year-​long process. What sets Sean apart is that he has a deep sense of how to read and guide his clients, and he has great taste. I was often 900 miles away, and he would review with me a number of possible options for my home via phone, email and text. Each time, he steered me in the right direction. When I had strong opinions about things aesthetically, he diplomatically weighed those against the practical realities of gutting and rebuilding a Victorian. Also, he is scrupulously fair and loyal to his clients. He has given me my dream home, and I am now proud to call him my friend.

Sean did a great job in installing our hood vent, even with extra HOA requirements. It took us forever to find a contractor that would take us on for such a small simple job, and because we had an HOA with requirements of a permit, drawings, plans, blah blah. Sean came in and understood our situation, and was willing to work with us. He gave us a quote and, even when it went over the time expected, he stuck to it. He used his relationships to make the permit process easier and faster. He continually followed up and checked in. The vent works and looks great.

Sean did a massive remodel of my 1898 home that brought it into the modern age without sacrificing any of its charm or integrity. He even had special molding made to match the (quite particular) existing molding so it would look like the new doorway had always been there.
All of the things we hate about contractors? Not present in Sean. He does the things he says he will do, in the time he promises he will do them. His guys are pros. Hidden charges do not appear on bills. Estimates mean something. I could go on and on but I might look like a shill.
And personally, he is a down to earth, unpretentious, and will pitch in with anything his guys are doing.
If he hadn’t done everything exactly right the first time, I would hire him again.

Sean Kennedy, at Phollies Construction, was a terrific hire as general contractor on a Noe Valley remodel that has brought us only joy. Every decision we made together was a winner. Sean worked closely and compatibly with the architect. He was conscientious checking out all the many issues that might be problems in an old Victorian, and he was spot on with his cost estimates. He always discussed ways to tackle surprises that come up in a remodel. When we needed to trim the budget, he suggested alternative approaches to design issues. His craftsmanship is lovely. He had a great working relationship with the planning department and various inspectors involved in the job, all of whom knew and respected his work from the past. He has a great crew who have worked with him for years, he has excellent carpenter, painting and electrical subs who have worked with him for years. And he kept the neighbors and our on-​site tenant happy as we all worked through the project. Sean stood behind his work after the job was done and living in the house he basically rebuilt has been a pleasure.

This contractor is hands-​down the most effective and civilized one I have ever engaged. Not only is he fair and conscientious, he and his team get the work done when promised. He has a great esthetic sense and shares his good thoughts about your plans, helping you avoid decisions that could have been mistakes. I’ll never go to another one in San Francisco. With Russ Murphy’s Phollies you simply can’t go wrong.