Zen Space Makers, Inc.

We had a great experience with Sander. He is very talented, and he gave us exactly what we requested and more. I am inspired by his craftsmanship, and I'd love to have him come back for more projects in the future. I'm already inviting friends over to check out his handiwork.

It was really incredible what he was able to do all by himself over the course of the day today. I'd highly recommend him, and have nothing but positive things to say! More...

My experience with Sander and the Zen Space Makers team was smooth, efficient, delivered on time, handled positively, and fun. I had the team custom build a loft bed in Feb 2019 in my apartment, and it continues to wow me and my guests. I asked for a custom desk, bookcase for the support on one end of the bed, cheaper wood on the body to help cut costs, and a "floating" appearance to prevent too much floor space being taken up. And they delivered and more. We scheduled an initial install date, which I had to change. Sander and the team easily accommodated. They arrived on time and installed in less than 5 hours. I started sleeping in the bed that night. Sander is quirky and keeps it real. There are no pretensions with him, which to some may come off as aggressive or unprofessional. He is neither. He had a good sense of humor and I genuinely enjoyed working with him and to this day deeply appreciate the work he did for me. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Sander and Brian are awesome! I've worked with them two going on three times, and Sander has been more than accommodating and gone beyond the call of duty. They lifted a bed in Manhattan, un-lofted and moved and created a new frame for me in Brooklyn. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

By far the worst experience I've ever had with a contractor, carpenters or a tradesman -- and I've dealt with a lot of people as I've been a landlord for fifteen years and oversaw the renovation of a 13k square foot office.

The short version of the story is he's literally crazy (Google "Sander Hicks" and you will find he's a 9/11 Truther -- you know, those conspiracy lunatics who think 9/11 was an inside job), he's unprofessional, incredibly aggressive, arrogant, unbalanced, dishonest (his website says he's licensed but he lost his license) and a crappy carpenter to boot.

Maybe one day I will have the energy to post the whole story, but for now I just wanted to get the word out.

If you look around online you will see lots of negative reviews and links to formal complaints made about him to the Department of Consumer Affairs.

After he ripped us off by overcharging us and doing an incomplete job, our contractor looked over the work and he was incredulous at how shoddy and unsafe everything was.

Additionally, my wife reached out to a few of the people who wrote negative reviews and they advised us to sue him except for the one guy who said that he was a sociopath and we should get away as fast as possible. Also, we learned that he often physically intimidated and threatened several single women so badly they were afraid to write a negative review.

Sander Hicks is a total charlatan, not a carpenter. More...

Zen Space Makers helped to design and install a loft bed for me in record time! Sander came to my apartment himself to see and measure the space (I have a living room with unusual dimensions) and came up with a sketch on the spot! He was back with his team within a couple days for installation and it was completed all in one afternoon while I was at work.These guys are pros and the experience was completely hassle free.The end result is a beautiful one-of-a-kind loft and something I'm proud to show in my apartment!I would recommend these guys to anyone!!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I had a great experience working with this team. Sander was super responsive and set up our work schedule based on our flexibility. Was always available to talk. The crew did an excellent job, were clean and overall very friendly. I'm more then happy to refer them to anyone I know with confidence. I'm thrilled with our new junior bedroom/ office space! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Sander Hicks and his crew at Zen Space Makers, Inc. were able to come in quickly and take charge as sub contractors/framing carpenter crew, for a critical roof framing job at our site in Flushing, Queens. They were on-time every morning, able to handle complex mitre cuts, and an evolving, semi-complex design of gables, eaves, hips, valleys and ridge-lines. They executed on all pitched roof framing, ceiling, and sheathing. Their price was fair and we were super happy with the work. They were responsive to changes and had good attitude. Thanks to them, our project got back on track, and we able to finish on time. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

They are truth tellers ,, I'm convinced!

Reviewed on Facebook

Sander & team worked with me on two very custom projects. A custom credenza made of several unique wood types, and a custom fireplace mantle. They went above and beyond with communication and time spent to ensure that I was happy with the direction and end result. Their work is stellar. The team is clearly extremely knowledgeable and passionate about their work. Highly recommend! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Zen Space Makers Inc were so great - we needed custom cabinets, benches and a custom-built reception desk for our business. We needed the work done quickly, with good quality, and on a tight deadline, to open our new dance-class business on time. Thanks to the boys of Zen, especially Kevin, they got "At Your Beat" open on time, looking good, here at the City Point mall in Brooklyn. Thanks, Zen! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We recently had a loft area built in our 16 year old son's room. When we first contacted Sander at Zen carpentry I sent him a photo of a loft bed my son liked but was clearly too big for. I explained to Sander that there were some aspects of that bed's design that we liked, but I did not want a loft bed. I told Sander that I would like a loft area where I could put a bed on top, and then have all the necessary storage built in. We met with Sander at his workshop in Queens. We brought him more pictures of our ideas, we talked about them and drew up some preliminary plans. Sander provided us with plans a few days later. Since it was difficult for me to visualize what he was proposing, I asked him to come to our house and see the space so we could all be clear on what we would be getting. Sander came, we tweaked the design plan according to the room and our needs, and we now have a beautiful loft area in our son's room. Our son loves his new space, and I love the functionality of if. Sander was a pleasure to work with and I would recommend him to anyone. We are in the process of negotiating another project with him. My son's room is organized and now there is Zen in my life. More...

Seems like a first rate operation

Reviewed on Google Maps

Today I received excellent service and quality with Zen Carpentry . Sander Hicks built me my own custom bedding set and a custom design closet. Now my bedroom looks amazing with style and very much function-able for space and organization. I can't ask for more. This is truly ever women's dream to have more space for supplies and clothing.  Thank you so much More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We recently had a loft area built in our 16 year old son's room. When we first contacted Sander at Zen carpentry I sent him a photo of a loft bed my son liked but was clearly too big for. I explained to Sander that there were some aspects of that bed's design that we liked, but I did not want a loft bed. I told Sander that I would like a loft area where I could put a bed on top, and then have all the necessary storage built in. We met with Sander at his workshop in Queens. We brought him more pictures of our ideas, we talked about them and drew up some preliminary plans. Sander provided us with plans a few days later. Since it was difficult for me to visualize what he was proposing, I asked him to come to our house and see the space so we could all be clear on what we would be getting. Sander came, we tweaked the design plan according to the room and our needs, and we now have a beautiful loft area in our son's room. Our son loves his new space, and I love the functionality of if. Sander was a pleasure to work with and I would recommend him to anyone. We are in the process of negotiating another project with him. My son's room is organized and now there is Zen in my life. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

If I could give 6 stars I would. The team was extremely professional, clean and thorough. Sander was detailed and exact in his deliverables. I am pleased with how our lofts turned out. He threw in some exotic Chinese elm wood to top off a really interesting red maple railing. My two daughters LOVE IT!!!! I would recommend his team to anyone. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Sander Hicks is the outward face of Zen Carpentry, (sometimes known as "LoftbedsNYC"), and that's no accident. He's more charming than perhaps any other carpenter in the history of the world, except for maybe Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Not to be outdone, Sander Hicks of Queens has a far more dazzling smile than JC could ever have hoped for! Importantly, Sander is clearly competent, experienced, and good at suggesting twists on your project that you may not have ever considered. However, its Sander's charm and his character that are everything. What makes this a truly extraordinary firm to work with and what will do more to satisfy you about the work done than anything else is the vibe you'll feel from the moment Sander arrives in his Scooby-Doo inspired work van until the day he's done. The "zen" spirit is very much real.Ironically, Zen Carpentry is unlikely to agree to do any future jobs for us. This is due to a misunderstanding very early on that I take the blame for and for which I hold no grudge whatsoever. In fact, I just as enthusiastically endorse this exceptional firm and the remarkable young man at the helm: Sander Hicks. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We had a great experience with Sander. He is very talented, and he gave us exactly what we requested and more. I am inspired by his craftsmanship, and I'd love to have him come back for more projects in the future. I'm already inviting friends over to check out his handiwork. It was really incredible what he was able to do all by himself over the course of the day today. I'd highly recommend him, and have nothing but positive things to say! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Zen Carpentry installed a custom loft bed in apartment in April, and I've really loved it.  I was super nervous about doing this as this was the first time I've had a custom item built.  I think we managed to negotiate a fair price and I was shocked how quickly the bed was ready to be installed.  I chose to have a loft without enough room to sit up in bed.  I have found this has helped my sleep hygiene, as I no longer browse the internet in bed, I just sleep and don't get back up for little things because it is too much effort.After the bed was installed I asked for a small little shelf to be installed next to the bed to put my glasses and sleeping mask and other stuff I need next to my bed on.  They did this as well for $250.  I've been super happy with that addition.I would recommend being very, very specific with this and closely supervising the installation of the bed.  The guys installing the bed don't have live with it and so if you notice something speak up!  I had to point out some stuff with out the blinds interacted with the loft and where it made the most sense to put posts. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The team from Zen Carpentry just finished installing a beautiful piece of custom cabinetry in my small Manhattan apartment. If you are looking for custom carpentry from a reliable source at a fair price, I would highly recommend Sander and Zen Carpentry. After being given the runaround from other carpenters for over 6 months trying to get this piece built, Zen Carpentry was such a pleasure to work with. They responded to my request for a quote promptly, followed up with a site visit and more detailed quote, then built and installed the piece - all within two weeks! Sander even emailed pictures from the shop to show how things were progressing.My one piece of advice is to be incredibly specific about what you want in writing when ordering a custom piece of furniture. There were a few details that were not done exactly as I would have liked - but that is my fault, not the carpenters! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

ORIGINAL REVIEW: I had a great experience working with Sander and Zen Carpentry. Sander was quick to respond to all communications and worked with me to design a loft that was exactly what I wanted. My NYC apartment is extremely small, and my loft helped greatly increase the functionality of my space and is absolutely stunning. The only reason I won't give four stars is because of the attitude I received from one of the carpenters while Sander was not on site due to Sander's being late and keeping the carpenter over time. I am a pretty patient person, therefore it didn't bother me all that much, but I did feel for the carpenter who wanted to be done for the day and was stuck waiting around for several hours. He did however help me assemble some other things for my apt while he waited... Overall, if you are able to make the investment, I would absolutely work with Zen. They are doing one of a kind work, and I am very pleased with my end product.UPDATED REVIEW:So let me amend this first by removing my four-star rating and taking it down to a 1. Less if I could. I found myself in a situation where I desperately needed to move and had the opportunity to do so rather quickly and last minute. I contacted Sander to see if they had any open times within the span of a few days that they could maybe disassemble, move, and reassemble the loft bed he built for me in October at my new apartment just a few blocks away. Knowing he is usually busy, I wasn't surprised to receive a response saying that they were slammed. Sander said he could meet with me on the 11th of May to discuss plans for modification of the loft in the new space. I received an email on Monday the 9th saying that he could do Thursday or Friday now. I asked if that would be the date we would meet to discuss how the loft would have to be edited for the new space or if that was the days he could move it, and he said that he thought we were meeting about an entirely new project, and that moving the loft and updating it wasn't "the kid of job we are looking to do these days" and then asked me "what [I] was looking to spend?". After then telling me that he couldn't recommend anyone else to do the job even though he wasn't apparently interested in taking it, he agreed to do it for $900, which was to include all moving and modifications. I made him agree to that firm price since he is known to change things without rhyme or reason or documentation. After dancing around a new date to get the move accomplished, we agreed on Thursday the 11th at 11am. We agreed that I would let him in to the old apartment at that time to disassemble the loft and then the team would be moving it to my new apartment that day. On the morning of the 11th, I received a text just before 10am saying "Definitely happening today. 11am is flexible? More like 1PM. Things are a big busy today --- call me?"I called him and he said that he was working on another project at that moment and needed to push back the time between 12 and 1PM. I reluctantly agreed and said that he needed to call me 20 minutes before so that I could walk over to the new apartment. He called me back again at 12:17 saying that they were about to head to PARK SLOPE to do another job, and that he would call me around 2:30 to give me their ETA. Additionally, he told me that they would just be taking it down that day and then pushing back moving it into my new place the next day, May 13th. After hanging up with him on that phone call, I was furious. I had told Sander that I had a relatively open weekend, but he was now abusing my time and assuming he could interrupt whenever to get the work done. I made a phone call to a friend who is also a carpenter, and he said he could do the project. I sent Sander a message at 1pm and said that his services were no longer required since I couldn't sacrifice any more time. ONE HOUR LATER, at 2PM, he began to text and call me incessantly saying that he and his team were now apparently en route to me (even though they said that they'd be in PARK SLOPE for a project for at least an hour and a half and would call me at 2:30ish?) He stated that he "cancelled other work to do this for [me]" and said that I was being grossly unfair and that he was banking on that $900. Last time I checked, I was not responsible for how you manage your business and time, and you also didn't cancel work, you TOOK ON MORE WORK and wasted MY time. He then sent me two texts that said this: "I'm sending you a bill. You cancelled an agreement at the last minute. [...] And it's actionable. I'm billing you for half. $450." and then "It's $450. Paid today via Chase QuickPay. Otherwise I'm going to report you to the credit agencies. Your credit will be wrecked. Your time is valuable? What's valuable to me is paying my guys on time. You put be in a difficult position and I do not appreciate it." There were no contracts or paperwork.I'll just leave this here. Don't work with this immature excuse for an artist. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Zen Carpentry built a beautiful loft in our apartment two years ago. It was built with beauty and perfection! Experienced carpenters have commented on the immaculate construction. It has held up exceptionally well.The guys worked very hard for us completing on time for me while my husband was away, and their dedication to the job left me feeling at ease - particularly in an area I don't know a huge amount about! All the guys working, including the owner, were genuinely lovely people who I enjoyed getting to know during the process of the building. There was one or two communication issues, but generally the entire process was a breeze. We have recently moved to Brooklyn - and had to say goodbye to our beautiful loft! I would recommend Zen Carpentry to anyone looking for unique carpentry of timeless quality. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We have a terrific new loft bed and desk for our granddaughter, and had a terrific experience with Sander and with Zen Carpentry in general.  We agreed a design and price, and two weeks later the job was complete.   We started with photos from the web site, Sander modified the design to fit our quite eccentric space, added a desk and suggested other things we would need - e.g. electricity at the loft level.   Sander quickly got the necessary insurance for our co-op and was completely professional dealing with us, and with the building employees. They prepared the room (part of a closet needed to be demolished), built the bed in their workshop, and then installed the loft and desk while we were on vacation.  All went very smoothly. There were some field decision add-ons, but Sander stuck to the original price: for example, not charging us for a light fixture he decided we needed and he bought and installed below the loft.  They even came back after we had paid in full to do some paint touch-up and cleanup that Sander realized needed to be done. We have a gorgeous custom solution to our need to provide a 'grown up bed' for granddaughter and to create space in the room for her little brother for only a few hundred more than we would have spent at Pottery Barn Kids (their lofts were too tall for our apartment anyway). We are delighted with the room and our experience working with Zen Carpentry and highly recommend them. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I researched for months and finally came across Zen carpentry. The tiny previously useless room my two kids share is now transformed into a magical forest like oasis. They each have their own loft beds with unique tree trunks as supports. The tree trunks even have footholds for them to climb! They have custom desks, shelves of natural wood, and curtain rods so they can enjoy some privacy. I can't begin to explain how unique, beautiful and artistic the beds and desks are. Sanders came over the day after I called and we talked over the design. He incorporated all my ideas into a workable plan. A week later the crew was at my house! Kyle, who helped with the build, was kind and extremely creative himself. He made some hangers out of extra branches for my daughters necklaces, and put the footholds on the tree trunks for my son to climb. Though you will spend more than you would for a bed in a box, for what Zen Carpentry did the price was extremely reasonable, and it's local, so much more ecological, and will transform your home! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I recently had a loft built by Sander from Zen carpentry for my 20 year old son. After viewing photos and a visit from Sander we agreed on a design.  We were eagerly awaiting the final product. One week later we had a beautiful custom queen size loft. I told Sander that he outdid himself. The loft is amazing. It has doubled our space which is much appreciated, as city apartments can feel cramped. The room now has an open airy feel with a rustic touch, not to mention a woodsy scent that I wish would would stay for good. I would highly recommend Sander and Zen Carpentry for a custom loft. You will be thrilled with your new space, appreciate the attention to detail and enjoy a cozy new experience!Maura, NYC More...

Reviewed on Yelp