Phillip W. Smith General Contractor, Inc. began as a small construction business in 1990. Started by Phil and his wife, Cathy, the company has grown to six full-time employees which includes a project manager, superintendent, office manager and estimator.

Today, the company has a rich history of building quality custom homes. With his extensive experience as a waterfront builder, Phil and his team have created a company with a solid reputation for building and renovating some of the most functional and lovely homes in the Lowcountry.

Phillip W. Smith is a licensed General Contractor in South Carolina and has also completed projects in Florida and Georgia.

Specialties: Custom Residential Home Builder, Remodeler, Waterfront Home Builder

Locations: Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Mt. Pleasant, Daniel Island, and the Charleston Tri County area.

Guildmaster Award Winner 2006 Guildmaster
2007 Guildmaster With Highest Distinction
2008 Guildmaster With Highest Distinction
2009 Guildmaster With Distinction
2010 Guildmaster With Distinction
2011 Guildmaster
2012 Guildmaster

Affiliations GuildQuality
Charleston Trident Home Builders Association
National Association of Home Builders
PRISM Awards

Guildmaster Q&A

Company History

Phillip W. Smith General Contractor, Inc. was started in 1990 by Phil and his wife Cathy.

Scope of Work

General contractor specializing in custom residential homes and remodeling.

Current Projects

New residential constructions:

46th Avenue on the Isle of Palms

3306 Jasper Boulevard on Sullivan's Island

1019 Middle Street on Sullivan\s Island

Residential remodeling projects:

522 and 304 Ocean Blvd on the Isle of Palms

Interior remodel in the Brickyard in Mount Pleasant.

Typical Workload

We average six projects per year.

Number of Employees and Superintendents

Six full-time staff, including one project manager, one superintendent and two office administrators.

Personal

Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, Phillip has worked as a builder since 1978. He and Cathy live on the Isle of Palms with their two teen-aged daughters.

What made you choose to locate to the Charleston area?

I truly believe God brought me here. I had no plan to visit, let alone move here. Once I got here I knew this was the place for me.

More than 90% of your clients would recommend your firm to a friend. How do you earn such high praise from your customers?

We encourage the homeowner to be involved as much as or as little as they want. We work with them, not around them. For example, many builders don't walk homeowners through the site after the house is framed. We like to do this. The homeowner gets a better understanding of how things are going to work. Turning a flat blueprint into a three-dimensional object is difficult. Standing in the house helps them visualize the finished product design. This way we can help ensure that the finish materials will be in synch with the furnishings and what they are planning to do. Our attention to detail is essential to the successful completion of the project. Our goal is to make sure the homeowner gets what they want, no matter what it takes.

Is there any new technology now that you use to further keep the client informed/involved?

Being in the construction business for 34 years I have seen a lot of changes. Email has been the biggest change. We are able to send pictures, progress reports, ask questions, get answers , and provide web links for a client to review a product. Email has made the communicaton process fast and efficient and so it is still at the top of my list for new technology.

Nationally, recommendation rates for builders are often as low as 60%. Why are so many people dissatisfied with their builders?

It is a lot easier for the builder to give clients what they need than to give them what they want. I think that communication is vital to a successful relationship. You have to make sure they understand exactly what they are getting, and we strive to give them what they want.

Client Profile

People looking for a custom-built home with an appreciation for quality construction.

Approach to Working With Clients

Every client is different. Taking time to understand them is very important to us. The better I get to know the homeowner, the easier it is to fulfill their expectations. My clients know they can call me anytime they have a question.

How do you normally structure your contracts?

Our contracts are nearly equally divided between lump sum (fixed price based on a clear set of plans and specifications) and cost plus a fixed fee. Some customers prefer the flexibility of cost plus and others prefer to know exactly what the cost will be.

What trends are you seeing in client choices of building design and materials?

Open spaces, more windows, high-tech wiring and equipment , a kitchen akin to one you would find in a finer restauratnt, outdoor living space, and home offices. Today's customer is also looking for materials that are environmentally thoughtful, lower maintenance and of a higher quality. They want a home that will stand the test of time.

Do you set annual goals for your company's performance - as in the number of projects?

Our goal is to keep everyone busy, not so busy that we can't pay attention to details and enjoy what we are doing. We work on about six to eight houses each year. That is a comfortable level.

Both your wife and sister work in your office. Is having family in the office an asset?

Our entire staff is outstanding, and the family aspect adds to that. These women are phenomenal in the office. Their understanding of construction and what is going on in the field makes the communication between homeowners, subcontractors, other employees, and myself so much easier. We know we can count on each other.

How do you motivate your employees? Do you give monetary incentives?

Yes. We feel strongly about profit sharing. Our company is a great team effort and we give every individual a percentage of the profit each year. We do this because we want each person to feel like they are more than just another worker. If you don't have a happy employee, most likely you won't have a happy homeowner.

Why are you a builder?

It's fun. I enjoy the challenges, the great clients and the satisfaction of the completed projects. I love to be out there where it's all happening, particularly in the structural and mechanical phases. I'm a field guy, not an office guy.

Building is a notoriously demanding profession. How do you avoid burnout?

I try not to be a workaholic. As you stated, this is a demanding business. There are weeks when I work more than I would like. I try to balance these with weeks when I take more time for my family and myself.

What should clients bring to the table and contribute during the construction process?  What can they do to help make the relationship a success?

Communication in both directions is vital to a fun and successful project. A good feeling for what they want or a few pages taken from their favorite magazine always helps. Providing us with answers to questions and selection of finish items in a timely manner keep the construction process seamless. By sharing our experience and knowledge and maintaining strong relationships with top-notch suppliers and subcontractors, we are able to create a great team for success.

How do you market your company?

We do a small amount of print advertising. Mostly our business has grown the old-fashioned way: referrals, word of mouth, and our reputation. A satisfied homeowner is our best advertisement.

What are the biggest challenges facing companies like yours in the building industry?  What are some of the challenges facing your business right now?

Rising costs of insurance, labor and materials have always been and continue to be the biggest challenges facing the industry.

How do you measure your success as a builder?

By how satisfied our last customer is.

How often do you work directly with an architect?

Almost always.

What changes/advances would you like to see in the architecture profession?

I would like the architect to take more time in educating their client. If the client understands what the blueprint says, this helps ensure they are getting what they want. I like to get involved in the design phase as early as possible. This helps control costs and keeps the job builder-friendly without sacrificing structural integrity or quality. I would also like to see the architect do more research on products that haven't been proven and not leave it up to the builder / homeowner to research them

Are you a better builder now than you were 20 years ago? What have you learned?

Definitely. We are learning every day. We've learned a tremendous amount about products and about what people want and expect. If you enjoy what you do every day, you are going to be even better at it tomorrow than you are today.