Hofmann Design Build, Inc. (HDB) is the actualization of Ernst Hofmann's long-time dream. Beginning as an apprentice carpenter at the age of 18, Hofmann worked in the field for ten years before obtaining his degree in civil engineering technology. In 1983, he founded HDB in Summit, N.J. Today, HDB is metropolitan New Jersey's leading design/build remodeling firm, with more than 20 remodeling awards and 21 years of experience specializing in remodeling of large scale renovations, additions and custom homes. The company attributes a great deal of its success to it commitment to building relationships with its clients and providing the highest quality, service and reliability.

HDB, a full-service design/build remodeling firm, specializes in residential remodeling, custom home construction, historic restoration and light commercial remodeling. The company has received at least one Community Builders Association "Award of Excellence" every year since 1992. Recent awards for HDB's work include: 2004 Community Builders Association Award of Excellence - Best Kitchen; 2004 Community Builders Association Awards of Excellence - Best Commercial Renovation Under $1,000,000; and 2004 Community Builders Association Awards of Excellence - Best Addition/Alteration over $750,000.

Currently HDB's construction schedule is full through the end of this year with several projects in design for construction next year.

The HDB staff is made up of a team of highly trained and experienced project managers and in-house carpenters. All HDB employees have a minimum of ten years of specialized remodeling and home construction experience. Our project managers each have over twelve years of field experience. HDB carpenters are trained to work as teams. They are experienced in all forms of rough and finish carpentry, as well as job site safety and protection. The primary focus of all the employees at HDB is quality, service and reliability. Project managers can be reached 24 hours a day in the result of an emergency.

HDB also works with a group of carefully selected and screened subcontractors with which it has developed long term relationships so that all subcontractors meet Hofmann's quality and service standards.

HDB consistently strives to provide great value and quality in our process and our product. The entire company is committed to exceeding our client's expectations. We keep them organized and carefully guide them through a very difficult and unfamiliar process.

One of the many benefits of working with HDB is our attention to every detail of the quality and the aesthetic balance in the entire project. "We have a tremendous brain trust and information base to draw from as a result of twenty years of remodeling old buildings which adds value to our client's projects." "We build old houses." Hofmann is a customer intimate company, we build relationships with our clients and "we go to great lengths to work closely with them and maintain architectural continuity and balance throughout the design and construction process." HDB guides our clients through the entire selections process so that all of the finishes and products to be used in the construction project are selected prior to construction. We help our clients through this process to avoid the last minute decisions and changes that plague and slow down most construction projects. We spend the time before the job starts to develop answers to the plethora of questions and issues that otherwise disrupt and delay the project schedule. Job site meetings are a regular part of an HDB project, where the construction team reviews drawings, material selections and the schedule with the client prior to each phase of construction. Our employees are trained to work as teams and to be responsible and courteous while working in a client's home.

Through creating a company culture that freely shares ideas, access to information, is focused on team building teamwork and excellent communication. Teams don't burn out, individuals do.

Clients should be as organized and as united as possible related to making design decisions and product selections. They should have a detailed and thorough list of the areas of the building that do not meet their needs and require improvement from which we will develop the project program.

Almost 100 percent of HDB's clients are from referrals. The company does limited marketing through local news papers and some local networking.

Our biggest challenge is a shortage of qualified employee candidates and ever increasing, restrictive and poorly thought out ordinances imposed by local zoning and planning boards.