Design Build Hamptons LLC

You can add us to what I know are several clients of DesignBuild Hamptons who were so impressed that we let our prior architect go (even though we were several months into planning with him). Our small (1100 s.f.) 19th c. cedar shake “fisherman’s shack” needed serious updating and rehab after our ancient roof sprang a leak and we were told that the fireplace that was our primary heat source had burned its last piece of wood. We wanted to bring the place closer to the 21st century, maybe even introduce central heat and air, but knew that our hopes of even a modest expansion would likely catch us up in regulatory red tape, with all the attendant consultants … and delay … and expense. We were well down that path, having hired two different consultants on top of our prior architect, when we were lucky enough to meet up with Tom and Annie. Shortly after our first meeting, Annie sketched out some design ideas that seemed both intriguing and re-assuring, conveying to us that she knew we wanted to preserve the feeling of the place, even while renovating. She modified and refined the plans over several informal and wide-ranging discussions, adding a master bedroom and bath; a completely re-designed, bright and airy kitchen; with higher ceilings, and more and larger windows both upstairs and down. For his part, Tom came up with solutions to the feared regulatory boondoggle that completely skirted that bureaucratic black hole and allowed us to send our growing team of consultants packing. With our prior architect, we’d spent months looking at plans, butting heads over design disputes, and encountering problems and complications at every turn. With Tom and Annie, we had our plans mostly figured out in six weeks. We first sat down with them in the Summer of 2010, broke ground on December 1st, and were in our completely transformed house the following August. Bill Milia’s building team (with Tom’s continuing involvement) delivered on Tom and Annie’s promises. We are absolutely delighted with the results. Not only did we repair our roof and replace our fireplace, but we added vertical space, trading a sweet, somewhat dark, cozy, but, by the end, non-functioning cottage into a bright, open, airy refuge – utterly transformed (including an en suite MBR, but somehow retaining its harmonious relationship with the landscape. Bill & Tom’s crew (and even the subs) were all great guys, totally enjoyable to have around. More importantly, of course, they did great work and got the job done. Tom and Bill’s billing practices are utterly transparent. Each monthly bill itemizes, and attaches, every invoice, so that you can see the costs, from boilers and windows literally down to screws and nails. Tom and Bill’s profit is a straight percentage, clearly calculated right there on the invoice. From Annie, Tom, and Bill, down to the last member of the crew to leave the project, everyone was committed to getting the job done, and done to our satisfaction. I don’t think you could find a more honest, committed, and responsible team if you searched far and wide.