Structures Wins Best of Houzz in Two Categories!

Houzz, our favorite home building, remodeling, and design idea website has announced their 2016 Best of Houzz badge winners!  This year Structures is honored to have been awarded the distinction in TWO categories - Best of Houzz for Design (the 2nd year in a row we've received this badge!) and Best of Houzz for Customer Service.  This means that the photos we post of our custom homes are some of the most popular on the 35 million user site.  In addition, to receive the Best of Houzz for Customer Service our clients have given incredible reviews of their custom home building experience and satisfaction with their new home.  Huge thanks to those who have written reviews and to the Houzz community for their support of our work! 

Read all of our reviews on Houzz on the Structures profile page HERE.  And if you are new to Houzz, you can create your own profile and begin collecting design ideas HERE. 

ReStructure Client Still Raving About Custom Remodeling Experience

You've heard us say numerous times how much we appreciate client feedback.  Whether it is through GuildQuality, our 3rd party surveying company used at the completion of each project or if we simply receive a kind email!  It is always good to hear from satisfied clients who have enjoyed their building or remodeling experience and are now happily living in their dream home.  It is our mission at Structures to provide that kind of experience!  Our ReStructure team recently received a special holiday thank you email that describes that very experience, and this wonderful client is still raving about it many years later!  Read what she had to say to the team:

"Marty, today I am home cleaning, I have all the windows open, and even after almost 4 years, I still can't believe what an amazing job y'all did on our house.  I just wanted to thank you again for everything you, Knox, Deb, and Steve did in helping make our renovation vision a reality.  Have a great weekend!"

What Our Clients Are Saying About Their Custom Home Building Experience

Did you know that, once we finish a custom home project, we survey each and every one of our clients to gain feedback about their building experience?  We use GuildQuality, a third-party surveying company to hear exactly what our clients thought of Structures and the quality of the home we've built for them.  We are please to say that out of the over 115 clients we have surveyed over the years - 100% of them would recommend Structures to a friend!  Why are they so eager to recommend our team?  We'll let them explain in their own words:

"We have built several homes, and Structures is definitely superior to any builder we have used in the past. Their team is completely professional and extremely well organized. We used a large amount of unconventional, reclaimed materials in this house that required creativity and great technique to execute. Structures execution of our design exceeded our expectations and they came in on time! In addition, their construction manager and designer came up with creative solutions to architectural problems."     - I'On Village Homeowner

"AN OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN EVERY ASPECT. WE ARE COMPLETELY SATISFIED!"    - Daniel Island Park Homeowner

"Our house met and exceeded our expectations. Structures process and professional staff were a delight to work with. The team kept our project moving along to finish 4 weeks ahead of schedule."     - Daniel Island Homeowner

"Steve Kendrick and the Structures team care about quality. Quality in their workmanship - Quality in their subcontractors - Quality in their relationship with the homeowners. In the end, you get a quality home built by people who care. If we could build another one, we'd build again with Structures."     - Daniel Island Homeowner 

You can read more client testimonials by visiting our GuildQuality page or on our website HERE.  

 

Structures Homeowners Share Their Experience Relocating to Daniel Island

Daniel Island Real Estate sat down with a wonderful member of the Structures family recently to get their thoughts on moving to the island town and their experience building their dream home.  We had the privilege of working with the Turners on their DesignBuild project, and we are so thankful they are still raving about their custom home building experience!  Check out the video below to hear their story!

Structures' Customer Service Ratings Featured in Qualified Remodeler Magazine

Structures received some great attention in the July issue of Qualified Remodeler Magazine highlighting our company's excellent customer service ratings!  The magazine, in collaboration with GuildQuality, a third party surveying company we use to obtain client feedback, put together a collection of the nations best rated custom remodelers and home builders.  Structures made the list because after gaining survey feedback from each of our past clients, 100% of them would recommend us to a friend!  That's an incredible honor, and we are so happy to have provided such a great building experience for our clients.

Check out what Structures owner, Steve Kendrick, had to say about "How to Win with Customer Satisfaction":

A Beautifully Built Design - Guest Blog Entry Written by Architect, Darryl Cobb

Recently, I tried to add up how many buildings I designed since I started my architectural firm in 2000. I think the number is somewhere around 400. The next question is, out of 400, how many are special and built to perfection? The honest answer is probably less than a dozen. A lot of them are built well but very few get built as close to perfection as humanly possible. This is why I asked Steve Kendrick if I could write his next blog.

I have worked with Structures on three projects over the last 5 years. One was a major renovation and two were new construction. In all three cases, the team at Structures Building Company has done everything they can to build the best possible house and follow my design to the exact specifications. When they saw the opportunity for savings or improvements, they contacted me to discuss the options prior to making any changes.
There are many steps involved in building a house. The most recent project of mine that Structures completed was a custom residence at 20 Iron Bottom Lane on the Parkside of Daniel Island.The first step was the pricing process. R.P Newton, Production Manager at Structures, went over my plans with a fine tooth comb. There were many, many phone calls about the construction methods and alternative ways to achieve my design for the best possible price. All of the communication between R.P. and my staff insures that not only do they fully understand the building, but also that nothing gets lost in translation.

The next step is the construction phase. Dave Hargis was the Project Manager on 20 Iron Bottom and showed the same level of attention during construction that R.P. demonstrated during the pricing process. The construction phase is where, nine times out of ten, my designs don’t get executed to their greatest potential. Some builders change things to make more money and some simply don’t care how a change will effect the overall design. If Dave had a question, he was quick to call us to figure out a solution instead of making a guess that might compromise my design. Because of this high level of detail and communication, the construction phase of 20 Iron Bottom was executed as close to perfect as one could hope for.

Last, and certainly not least, are the selections of colors and interior fixtures, such as lighting, plumbing fixtures, and counter tops. The homeowners hired Scott Fritz, from Cincinnati, who is a talented interior designer that they had worked with before. Sometimes an interior designer will miss the architect’s intent and the inside selections may not be consistent with the architectural style or details. From my perspective, Scott nailed it.

However, Structures had one more person that was integral to making everything come together. Deborah Way is Structures’ Designer. She was available to help the owner with selections and showroom visits, while also driving the process to keep the selection of finishes on schedule, but more importantly, she played a vital role in coordinating information with Scott, the homeowners, and the suppliers. She took great care to make sure that everything was installed and executed exactly as it was intended. Anytime she thought that something didn’t look quite right, she wouldn’t hesitate to raise the concern with the out-of-town client and Scott to work through all the details. Most builders do not have a designer on staff to help with making such important selections.

My purpose in writing this blog is to explain all the different parts involved in building an excellent house. There are many builders that try to do it all by themselves. It is the team that Steve has assembled that made 20 Iron Bottom the beautiful house that it is.

Darryl A. Cobb, AIA, NCARB

My Island Town Interviews Members of the Structures Family

Rick and Linda Pylant were interviewed today by My Island Town about their CustomHome process.

"It's been fun participating in the process, says Linda, adding that building a new home isn't as scary as some people think. The great thing about building is you get exactly what you want, " she says.

The Structures Team feels so privileged to be working with Rick and Linda! Everyone who walks into their home is amazed by all the beautiful features found in their beautiful Daniel Island Park home, designed by Herlong and Associates. Click here to read the entire interview.

A Business that Crosses the Line. . . Into Friendship

Have you ever walked into a party and found yourself ducking because you saw someone across the room you really didn't want to run into? I've never taken for granted that I don't have to duck and run when I bump into our clients in this small, quaint town. Rather, if you were observing a "run in", you would most likely hear a loud and warm hello and watch a warm embrace. . . that's how it is among family.

Taking a client for granted isn't considered in the mind of the Structures Team. Rather each member brings the mindset that we want to built the CustomHome as if it was our own. We work incredibly hard to provide an enjoyable and organized building process and an impeccable end product - quite simply. . . we won't stand for anything less. But that's not it, once we turn over the keys, we don't "disown" the new addition to our ever growing family, we remain a part of their lives.

Just last week, we were all really encouraged by the kind words we received in an email from Dave and Joan Brown of Daniel Island Park.

"I'm emailing my compliments on the manner in which your associates handled our one year punch list. All was handled in a timely and considerate manner. All subs performed their work in most competently. Particular kudos go to Marty for his day to day follow ups, advance notices and courtesies. And of course we have always appreciated the ongoing help and courtesies of both RP Newton and David Hargis throughout our entire relationship.

We are and continue to be your best walking advertisement."

Don't Take our Word for It

We'd like to thank our current custom building clients for the following survey feedback provided through GuildQuality in reference to their building experience.

"I live in a different state and they keep me informed with photos, phone calls, information. This is the first house we have built and they have made it pleasant and I have alot of confidence and believe everything they say they are going to do. " -- Herb and Dolores Kemp, Daniel Island Park

"Very professional and knowledgeable in all phases of the building process. Their team works well together. Always explains things in lay terms. Will offer alternative solutions during the building process if they notice a better way for something to be done. Very upfront & address's any issues that arise and takes responsibility. We would highly recomend them and do!" -- Rick and Linda Pylant, Daniel Island Park

"If people are looking for a custom builder that will give them a very personal approach and listen to their needs then this is the right company." -- James Eastman, Downtown Charleston

Behind The Scenes on the Charleston Home+Design Commercial Shoot

What a great opportunity we had working with Publisher, Tim Barkley with Charleston Home+Design Magazine and HGTV's, Designed to Sell, Terry Haas at the video shoot of a commercial for the Charleston Home+Design Show. We were approached about using a Structures custom home as the "back drop" for their commercial.

We picked up the phone and contacted Architect and Structures client, Christopher Caponigro and Tamra Measure of Daniel Island Park. They designed their home and approached us to build it in 2007 and have enjoyed living in what they created this past year.

Check out the behind the scenes video that was taken the day of the commercial shoot for Charleston Home+Design Magazine. Terry Haas is seen speaking about her new E-Book, You Win Guide! - a comprehensive guide to helping sellers walk through their home, room by room to make the best impression for the buyer! Check it out!

Terry's YouTube video clip runs from .00-4:52
Structures Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Deborah Way and Architect, Christopher Caponigro's YouTube video clip/testimonial runs from 4:53-8:56.

The Greater Prize, Still Being Present. . .

Receiving the award for Best Custom Product for 2-3 million

Since our founding 10 years ago, Structures has entered Charleston’s annual Prism Awards, a ceremony that celebrates the best designs, craftsmanship, customer service and sales in the local building industry. Fortunately, we have walked out of the event with at least one award every year. Some years, frankly, I took it for granted that we should win an award, except for this year. This year was special.


The awards ceremony was held on a shoestring budget, no MC, there was a cash bar, and the feature speaker was our Charleston Trident Home Builders Association’s wonderful president, Tori Martindale of Atlantic Remodeling. Tori spoke about a year that was eerily similar to ours; one that included layoffs, paycuts, benefit cuts and a reduction in overhead that involved consolidating into a home office. The room was quiet and a few tears were shed, as she spoke about the challenges we’ve all faced this year. I also couldn’t help but notice how empty the room was. There were some new faces, but the faces of builder friends were few and far between. Many have lost their businesses or are starting over. Some likely didn’t have much to celebrate this year, it was humbling.


As I sat through the program and awards, I was again humbled as Structures did really well at this year’s event. We were recognized in a diverse group of categories;


1. The award for Affordable Housing for Latoya Palmer’s Habitat Home
2. Charleston’s Green Builder of the Year Award
3. The award for the Best Luxury Built Home for the Behren’s Residence
4. Custom Builder Customer Service Award from GuildQuality

Deborah Way receiving the award for Green Building Company

In receiving these awards, I'm humbled by the tireless determination and standard that comprises those within the Structures family and our amazing team of trades. We all share the same commitment for building “green” custom homes, regardless of size or budget. . . our high standard remains the same.


The awards mean more this year, because honestly, we're humbled and thankful to have made it through another year - a year that's strengthened each of us to the core. . .