Strong relationships build better custom homes
Homeowners are wowed by Keystone Creative’s results because of our continuous and decades-long vendor-vetting process. From cabinetry and molding to tile and flooring, we choose the best people to create and install materials for our new-home construction and home-remodeling projects.
Great custom homes built with quality products made by dedicated craftsmen
I invest a great deal of time and effort getting to know the vendors and craftsmen who work on my projects.
I recently traveled to Minnesota for another onsite visit to my preferred cabinet manufacturer Crystal Cabinet Works Inc.
This family-owned, custom-cabinet manufacturer is celebrating its 75th year in business. As I toured the facility, it was really cool to meet numerous people who worked there for 20 years, 30 years, and longer. There are currently more than 450 employees, including families and even generations of families. During my multi-day visit, the owners of the business didn’t just make a brief appearance. They were engaged with us every day. They knew their employees by first name, all throughout the factory.
This shop has a great culture, which is indicative of how well they make their products. They take care of their people, and they show pride in their work.
Whenever I finish a new custom home or a home-remodeling project, my clients always say, “We didn’t understand how nice and well built the kitchen and bathroom cabinets would be.” They are pleasantly surprised by the high level of quality.
Crystal Cabinet Works also provides an elaborate training center and showroom to motivate and educate dealers like myself. It was very inspiring to see new and creative ways to use cabinetry materials and hardware. I learned about emerging trends for both modern and conservative styling.
I left very inspired with lots of fresh ideas I can use to better serve my clients.
The best innovators and influencers in the custom home-design industry
I also have a great relationship with Unique Tile in Nixa, Missouri. Owner Melissa Turpin works hard to source high-quality products from around the world, especially in Italy. She’s an industry influencer who helps develop new and innovative style trends on both a local and a national level. She also has a great culture in her company. Her team is second to none for service and truly caring about their clientele.
She is also an important member of Springfield Design Association which helps inspire and educate local interior designers, architects, and retailers in the local building community. Organizations like this promote better design and raise the bar for everyone, so I participate in and follow as many custom-home design associations as possible.
A network of reliable manufacturers and craftsmen
I am continuously searching for and vetting innovative, high-quality material manufacturers and craftsmen for upcoming projects. And I’ve developed a great network of vendors to serve my clients.
For example, I have go-to flooring vendors – some that provide basic needs and some that provide exotic flooring options. But they all have one thing in common: They are dependable.
The best vendors get the job done even when an unexpected problem occurs.
Price versus quality
When people ask me, “Who should we hire for our project?” they are usually looking for the cheapest contractor.
But I give them a response they are not quite prepared for: “You should hire people who charge enough to pay for their mistakes.”
The cheapest vendors are the worst vendors. Since they don’t charge enough, as soon as a problem arises, they quickly start to fall behind schedule and lower their quality. And some of them disappear altogether.
Don’t just look for a bargain or discount in the construction business – that is a recipe for disaster. Look for the best value for the money. The best vendors – who have stood the test of time – charge enough money to deliver quality results, on time, no matter what.
After decades in the home-construction industry, I’ve identified some of the best (and the worst) manufacturers and craftsmen. The companies I hire know the high standards I expect. They do a good job, and if something goes wrong they fix it. They are not the cheapest. They are good people and they work hard. They deliver great results and are well worth the money spent.
(Crystal Cabinet Works Inc showroom)
Hiring the best = less stress
Every home-construction job is difficult. Home-remodeling projects are especially disruptive. There are so many factors to balance: budgeting, timelines, material sourcing, style, functionality, quality, and more.
And most home-design plans deviate from the original concept at some point. Sometimes there are issues that couldn’t be anticipated, and sometimes better opportunities are discovered.
Only well-qualified people can handle the ups and downs of the complicated custom-home design process to deliver successful results. That’s another value Keystone Creative adds to every project: Residential Project Management & Construction Quality Control. Along with an amazing home design plan, we deliver strong relationships with dependable contractors so your project timeline and budget are managed as efficiently as possible.
How can I help you design your next home? Schedule a free consultation today.
Keystone Creative is an award-winning residential design firm, specializing in whole-house transformations and new-home designs. The team reimagines kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and even laundry rooms to fulfill homeowners’ dreams and increase the value of homes. Keystone Creative can handle the entire process, from the initial concept and detailed blueprints, to interior design and material selection, to construction and quality control management.
