Why SkyTop?

	*Architects Only...*

	BUILDING
	REMODELING
	EXCELLENCE

	*In Asheville, NC!*

	NC GC Lic # - 67910 - Unlimited


	*Testimonials...*


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	The Keys To Successful Building: Planning, Training, Application, Repeat!


	“True or False: Most Clients are Completely Happy After the Typical Construction Project” Jack Whealan - An owner with real experience!


	Answer ‘True’ ? You’re in the minority. Answer ‘False’ ? Give us five minutes... we can change this.


	‘The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty.... the hasty to poverty’


	King Solomon

Planning - You hear the word ‘planning’ a lot when it comes to the home building process. It seems easy enough: visit an architect or designer, have them draw up a plan, get your permits and build.... six months later and you’re ready to move in.... or was that nine months... eleven? OK... fourteen..... and why did I have to settle on so many things? ... and so much finger pointing...why?!

The problem lies in the people involved in the planning process. In addition to an architect [creates the design and plans the structure], Builders/Construction Managers need to assess the costs and think about practical things like scheduling, resource allocation, product availability, and how they all come together into a finished product. If you choose poorly with your architect or builder, your project will go badly.... and that’s something that will be painful to live with for years to come. YET, figuring out if a builder is competent is not that difficult.

So how can you tell if a builder is any good? Let’s jump ahead for a minute in order to frame the ‘planning’ stage with some reality. If a person is going to plan something, it helps if they’ve actually done what is being mapped out in concept. Who is typically around the construction site enough to fulfill that knowledgeable role?. If you review the sidebar at right you’ll see that carpenters are the nucleus of typical housing construction project. This exposure to the many facets of the construction process equips carpenters, better than any other single trade, for managing the many players involved. The carpenters are the eyes that add the vision to a project. HomeTech Construction Management Systems, as well as a number of publicly traded construction companies, have built their business around this reality. So has SkyTop Builders.


	*What Carpenters Do:*

	Forms for foundations, framing, sheathing, windows, doors, exterior trim, siding, spot framing after rough-in, flooring, trim carpentry, cabinet making and install, shelving, closets, stairs, balustrades, hardware installation, countertops, and punch-lists. Some carpenters have even done tiling, roofing, painting, and landscape construction.


	OK... now that we have you feeling good about builders and carpenters being critical for construction planning, consider this grim truth: There is absolutely no formalized training that is required for field carpenters in residential construction. Try the following exercise:

	Google ‘Carpenter Training Requirements’ and you’ll get a vague list of suggestions as to what that tradesman might need... but no requirements [see sidebar below *]. So, imagine yourself, ready to embark on the construction of your dream project, and the person you’ve contracted has never been required to perform any hands-on field training.

Field Training - If the training a builder receives does no comply with the hundreds of years of best practices that have evolved in the trade, it’s unacceptable. The concept of an apprentice and a master is thousands of years old... but lately a new breed of tradespeople profess to know better. Go to the Home Depot, take a class on Saturday, buy a truck, hang up a shingle for business... ridiculous.

Field training CANNOT be emphasized enough... but let’s make it clear: our approach does NOT diminish the input of groups like the clients, architects, engineers, designers, or subcontractors. They’re like the fans, coaches, and players of a football team. Your project lead is like the quarterback. Everybody plays a critical part, from coaches to linemen, but if your quarterback is lacking.... it’s going to be a bad season. Here’s a different illustration from another perspective:

Imagine the recent West Point graduate going to a war zone, never having set foot on the battlefield. Is that person now ready to set off into combat with others lives in tow? More likely a subordinate, like a platoon leader [who was formally trained for a combat role] with a completed tour or two of duty, will take the new officer with the superior book knowledge under their wing and get them up to speed. Without a seasoned platoon leader the squad would eventually be in deep weeds. If your child was about to start an active tour of duty, who do you want their platoon leader to be? Do you want a point man that’s equipped for duty? Does experience matter? The answer is a resounding “Yes”!

Application to Your Project - Notice in the military illustration above that there is no practical option for self teaching - lives would be lost. We’ve started to make a case for the use of proper training and applied skills in our recipe for success. Yet here’s the deal: self-teaching is the exact scenario today in the building industry [See Weekend Warrior below]. A wave of current day carpenters have entered the market who have taught themselves the trade. Additionally, many who have never actually built anything directly have taken advantage of the low barriers to entering the construction market and opened up shop. These bad habits and lack of correct field training appear to the lay person to be sufficient for getting your job done.... but the reality is, they are not.


	Repeat - There is no substitute for experience.... and repeated experience is even better. To see if your builder has it, hit these key points:


	Field Experience - This point is absolutely critical. Don’t believe us? Believe Inc. Magazine in their annual Inc. 500. According to this annual assessment of the best small companies, greater than 90% of these firms have COO/Owners with greater than ten years of in-depth experience in their respective disciplines. Believe a survey of the Fortune 500 firms that show leadership with identical statistics. Ask yourself, ‘Do I want the best?’ If you hired a doctor for your child, will any doctor do? Ask your prospective contractor to prove to you that they’ve done their tour of active duty! So, verify their experience... and get dates and durations... or.... just *Contact Us*!

	Business Experience - Can a carpenter run a company? That depends.... were they trained to do so? Do they have a formal education? Have they worked in the required roles outside of starting their own business? The owners of SkyTop Builders have experience as managers over business units within large consulting firms and publishing companies/banks. It is almost unheard of for the owners of a construction firm to have this rare combination of field experience and management training. Ask yourself: ‘Is it important for the builder of your dream project to have deep and broad training... and an applied skills background?’ The answer should be: “Yes! For goodness sake!” What are you waiting for? *Contact Us*

	Track Record and Commitment To The Profession - Building seems to attract all types of professionals. They gain a little knowledge [i.e. - take and pass the GC exam - that proves they are good at studying] and are now what we call ‘a one eyed person in the land of the blind’. If they make it past your qualification process because ‘they seemed to know what they were talking about’, congratulations! As soon as the project starts, they have a virtual monopoly position on your project and it is PAINFUL to end that relationship. Don’t let that one start. Do your homework... then hire us for our knowledge and experience. If you ask us for a previous customer list, we’ll give you our last several customers in succession.... not a list of aunts and uncles and their phone numbers. Go deeper... check out the recommendations on our profile and you’ll see a story of professionalism and commitment to being the best at building peoples’ dreams. What do you want to build today? Do you want the best? Contact Us and let’s get started on the road to your dream home... without the speed bumps!


*Architects*

	Architects are a critical part of a construction team. They map out the ideas and concepts of a project in visual and technical terms. It’s important to work with an architect that’s actually built some of their designs or will work closely with a builder during the planning stage.

		*Weekend Warriors*

			Where does real experience come from? With the inception of the home center, many people have used their weekends to attempt a few projects around the house to exercise those nice tools they purchased with their extra cash. After a while, they start to think that they are real carpenters. That makes sense only if you think that a self-taught doctor is a real doctor... or a self-taught dentist can hang up a shingle and drill your teeth. These self-taught tradesman are like one-eyed men in the land of the blind. They can fool the prospective client only if you let them. Were they trained or self taught? Will they be training on your project? Do you want to train them with your money? The old adage “There’s never time to do things properly but there’s always time to do them over” becomes their mantra. Choose an experienced tradesman and pay for it once. It’s cheaper that way.


	Please *Contact Us*. We’re Waiting To Help You Create A Perfect Home.


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	Jack [far right] and his crew on a new construction project in 2003


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	* Field experience is only required for certain types of union memberships, which are primarily focused on commercial construction. Licensing requirements require taking a test for competence. SkyTop Builders has the highest classification of licensing required within the state of NC


	*Here’s some real proof!*

Jack’s crew is pictured framing the home to the left. The client later hired us back to build a Master Suite addition to help accommodate their expanding family. Many people would scarcely talk to their builders after a project, let alone hire them back again. What do you want to build today?


	BUILDING REMODELING EXCELLENCE in Asheville, North Carolina


	[Why SkyTop?] [Real Costs] [Homework] [Your Project] [Referral Program] [Featured Work] [Testimonials] [Architects Only] [Remodeling] [New Homes] [Recent Projects] [Our Approach] [Contact Us] [Join Us]


	Published by SkyTop Builders, LLC 2010. All rights reserved