There has never been a shortage of talented and creative tradespeople in the building industry, but the thing both Ian and Michael recognized was the lack of focus and organization that caused so many to struggle. Not only were these talented builders and tradespeople struggling, but so were their clients, and it all seemed to stem from a simple lack of communication. The horror stories in the industry as a whole were far too common -- cost overruns, liens, poor quality control, surprise after surprise. By constantly listening to the questions and uncertainties of their clients and others, identifying the issues and always seeking ways to improve the processes, these ideas have evolved into their unique and practical design/build system. Not a system that limits the flexibility and human interaction, but rather one that promotes it, by streamlining and providing a clear and understandable road map for the entire process. When we’re all reading the same map, we’re always on the same path.

The foundation to this system is rooted in education -- removing the mystery and doubt from a process that may be completely foreign to a client. This should be the first job of any design or building professional. Instead of shielding their clients from the intricacies of the process, empower them with knowledge. Group One seeks to educate their clients in the language of construction, while endeavoring to communicate in the language of the real world. The benefit for all is effective communication, and this the cornerstone of any successful relationship. The quality of the relationship between client and contractor, or contractor and subcontractor can spell the difference between an exciting and enjoyable building experience, and one you might rather have avoided. Communication within a clearly defined framework makes the process more efficient, less stressful -- an artful blend of the intimate attention to detail, and efficient, timely project scheduling and completion.

The same basic guidelines apply to most any situation, whether it is preparing a bid on your finished building plans, working with you as a team along with an outside Architect or Interior Designer, or working directly with you from the start on a complete design/build package -- detailed plans and specifications are the key. By clearly defining all the various materials, finishes and details, before we start, the possibility for misunderstandings is virtually eliminated. This frees your mind (and ours) to focus on the important details and decisions that will ultimately define your unique home. Integral to our philosophy is this on-going commitment to communication, and to providing the highest quality personal service, and efficient, well-organized processes from design through completion. This starts with listening to you.

If our years of experience have taught us anything, it is that a happy customer is the only kind of customer to have. We feel very fortunate to have so many happy customers, and the ability to say that we truly love our jobs -- we really enjoy designing and building homes, and this is due in large part to the diverse experiences and personal relationships that have developed along the way.