Guildmaster Award winners have demonstrated their ability to
consistently deliver an exceptional customer experience.
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1832 River Road
Johns Island , SC 29455
After graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Building Science in 1981, I moved back to Charleston and started a building company with a partner. After several years the desire for sole ownership became powerful and Classic Remodeling and Construction, Inc. was born. We've been growing steadily since our inception in 1989. Our dream space was realized in the fall of 2006 as we designed and built a well-appointed office and warehouse space totaling almost 10,000 square feet.
Our primary focus is high-end residential remodeling. By having our General Contractor's license, we have also enjoyed our involvement on commercial projects. Typically, we build additions, bathroom and kitchen renovations, or even minor home repairs, but our projects vary dramatically. This is what keeps us and our projects enlivened.
One of our most unique projects was to disassemble an 18th century planter's cottage from upper South Carolina and re-build it on a private island on John's Island with only a foot bridge for access. But tomorrow we may take a job adding gutters to a home. Every job is important to us because we rely so heavily on repeat business. The client that first works with us on the gutter job may end up being the client that asks us to relocate the cottage. We love the fact that we have clients for life.
We usually have four to six projects underway at any time. And with a full-time staff of 32, we're self-performing a significant amount of that work. In addition to three project managers, we have in-house project craftsmen, three design associates, an estimator, two expediters, two office administrators, and two selections coordinators. This allows for the personal touch and attention to each detail. Because of a strong commitment to architectural and professional integrity, my passion has been realized.
I've always enjoyed working with my hands, being around construction sites, and drawing house plans. I started working in construction when I was 15, and the passion has never faltered. My wife and I live on Johns Island with our two children. Through the years my wife has had a growing influence on our marketing initiatives and employee relations. We enjoy the joint venture of nurturing our business.
We build all over the greater Charleston area with a significant amount of work downtown and on the islands. Regardless of the project size, our clients have an appreciation for high-quality work.
We use a design-build process so we can offer services from design through construction and beyond, streamlining everything for the customer. People like this approach. (In fact, once we complete the design phase, 95% go through to construction.) At our first meeting, myself or one of our designers, walks through the house with the client and we talk about what they want, then we blend those ideas into design options. We give a cost estimate at that point, so any issues within budget can be addressed from the start. We generate highly realistic 3-D views of their plan which eliminates the guessing game and promotes understanding of space and functionality. We have one team member whose sole job is to help clients understand the product options and help them make choices about what materials they will use in their home.
Much of our business comes from customer and vendor referrals, thus repeat business is a vital element. We not only act professional, we represent that in all aspects of our business, right down to our logo on the vehicle license plates. Our website is filled with photographs of our projects and information about our philosophy. We have an awe inspiring ad campaign in local magazines and newspapers, as well as a postcard campaign. Most importantly we market ourselves by living up to our name and what we propose.
The best clients invest time early on to understand our responsibilities as the contractor, their responsibilities as the owner, and the details of the scope of work. Building, especially remodeling, isn't an exact science, and the more we clarify up-front, the more rewarding the experience will be.