What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and building things – model cars, playing with tools, and machines. I had dirt bikes and four-wheelers I would take apart and put back together. Some of my earliest memories were playing in my great-grandfather’s wood shop. As I got older, I realized my great-grandfather was a brick mason and I highly admired his work ethic, skills, and abilities. By the time I was 12 or 13, I started to realize that not everybody can do the things that I can do naturally.
How do you balance timeless design with modern trends?
Charlottesville has a lot of older, craftsman-style homes, which we love! One of the biggest things we try to focus on when planning and designing a product is how to incorporate modern construction technology and materials to achieve timeless looks. We typically do a lot of research on the front end of our projects to think outside of the box when making certain selections. We want to incorporate the touch of craftsmanship with a durable and long-lasting finished product.
The biggest mistake we see is when a contractor chooses to use a high-quality modern product while neglecting to educate themselves on proper construction procedures for the product. This leads to an unprofessional finish that does not seem well thought out or incorporated into the existing home, taking away from the home’s timeless element. A subtle touch of modern technology paired with attention to detail and craftsmanship goes a long way!
Can you share examples of how you are incorporating sustainable or eco-friendly materials into your projects?
We are a Gold Level TimberTech Professional Deck Builder. With decking engineered from 60 to 85% recycled content, our outdoor living products perform better than wood every time and help homeowners create nature-inspired, sustainable outdoor living spaces. The average 15’ x 15’ TimberTech Advanced PVC deck keeps 40 trash bags of construction waste and scrap out of landfills! AZEK, TimberTech’s parent company, is the largest vertically integrated recycler of PVC in the USA. Recycled material is the largest raw material input we use and, every TimberTech deck is made from a majority of recycled material. Their commitment to innovation combined with our material science expertise allows them to process and re-use material that most others can’t.
Are there specific trends unique to this area or driven by its climate and culture?
Charlottesville is such a beautiful area and people take a lot of pride in that. Our homeowners enjoy being outdoors, soaking in their mountain views, or having their dinner hosted outside. Outdoor cooking and living spaces are becoming increasingly popular and we became Gold TimberTech Pros simply by demand. Our homeowners put a lot of value on being able to make their outdoor spaces as useful as possible – screened-in porches, covered patios, and custom elements like lighting, roof coverings, and masonry like pavers/concrete.
For homeowners looking to increase their home’s value, what renovations or upgrades would you recommend?
Upgrading the material types on replacements is huge. For example, if you have wood siding, consider upgrading to an engineered product such as fiber cement, engineered wood, composite/PVC, trim, and facia products. When you replace these products, you’re also replacing the WBR (weather-resistant barrier) and all the flashing and trim details. This helps the building perform better and increases the longevity of the building. Plus, a lot of these materials mimic traditional craftsman looks while enhancing and modernizing their form.
What advice would you give to someone starting a custom home project?
Do your best to speak with contractors about your ideas before you ever talk about executing a project. If a contractor isn’t willing to have an open-ended conversation to guide and advise you, that will tell you a lot about the type of service you’re going to get. Don’t fall into the trap of only shopping “estimates.” Shop for the type of company they are, shop for the type of work they do, shop for how they treat you, etc. You will always be tempted to take the lower price but it’s very important to get an idea of who you are working with. The rest will take care of itself!
Are there innovations in construction or renovation you’re excited about?
Wow, where to start! We nerd out over building technology. We are always looking for the next best way to execute construction details in our projects. It’s exciting to integrate new materials.
I am very excited about a lot of the innovations coming to composite-type materials that are blends of natural and synthetic materials. Everything from siding to decking to exterior trim products – it’s a great way to produce a very high-performing finished project.
What’s next for your business? Any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re especially excited about?
We are on a mission -- that’s for sure. We are on a mission to make residential construction better than it ever was and bring more talented tradespeople into this amazing industry. To our tradespeople, I want to give back to an industry that has given so much to me. I want to continue to provide a true career for my team and give them something to be proud of.
To our homeowners, we are on a mission to innovate our business processes to provide the most comprehensive construction experience that we can.
We are on a mission to innovate our business processes to provide the most comprehensive construction experience that we can.