Shelton Design//Build

Shelton Design/Build completed a gut reno of our family room/powder room as well as a small addition. We hired them because it was structurally complex (including removing existing slab floor and exterior supporting wall), but mainly because they had a clear vision of how to work within the unique design of our existing midcentury modern home. Many other companies that we interviewed had suggestions that would have cost less, but would not have been the quality finished product that we received from Shelton. Beyond a beautiful design, the quality of their workmanship was really stunning. Our carpenters and masons were true artisans and frankly, a joy to be around. Even the subcontractors were professional and easy to work with (which is important when you have people in and out of your house for months!). The only issue that we had was that the project took months longer than originally estimated. That said, as it began to take longer, they worked with us to stay close to our original budget. Overall, if you are looking for thoughtful design and outstanding craftsmanship, Shelton is a great choice.

Bob and his team did a major renovation for us of a home built in 1935. The centerpiece of the project was the creation of a new kitchen, and the final result was spectacular. Other aspects of the project included creation of a den, addition of a powder room, reconfiguration of the second floor, and renovation of the finished portion of the basement including the addition of built-ins. The basement renovation was a late addition to the scope of work, so, whereas another architect (who had recommended Shelton to us) led the design of the kitchen and most other areas, Bob led the design work for the basement. Shelton is indeed a design-and-build firm. The skill level and professionalism of all of Bob’s employees was high. Their attention to detail was evident in the quality of their finished work. To a person, they were friendly and courteous (which we know our neighbors also appreciated). Bob and his crew were thoughtful and creative in solving problems. The quality of subcontractors, on the other hand, was uneven; it ranged from adequate to excellent. Importantly, credit is due for honorable conduct of business. Bob was very forthright and clear about costs from the outset, and he was very reasonable in handling change orders. Our only complaint is that the punch list took many months to complete. Everything else far outweighs that relatively minor disappointment, however, so we highly recommend this firm.

We had an excellent experience working with Bob Shelton and the team at Shelton Design. Going into our first renovation project, we were worried about choosing the right contractor for a number of reasons: we were considering projects in every part of our recently purchased 100-year-old home, we had a strict completion deadline, and we needed advice that we could trust about which projects should be done right away and which we could save for the future. The design-build model that Bob has developed at Shelton Design was a major draw for us. We had strong ideas about what we wanted, but as two busy professionals with young children, we knew we didn't have the time to manage the project ourselves or juggle the demands of coordinating a lot of subcontractors. By choosing a firm that had so much expertise under one roof, we were able to streamline the entire process. Bob's staff includes designers, carpenters, and masons, and, to a person, everyone we dealt with was a consummate and competent professional. No one was more instrumental to the project's success, however, than our designer, Eva Knezovich. Eva quickly figured out our tastes and was always prepared with a targeted set of options at each decision point. She also worked behind the scenes with Bob, Karl (the project manager), and Matt (the lead carpenter) to implement our choices and ensure the project stayed on schedule. We also benefited from Bob's long-standing relationships with some of the best subcontractors in Pittsburgh, who came in to supplement Shelton Design's in-house talent. When the dust settled, we had a new kitchen, three new bathrooms (2 full, 1 half), a new laundry room, and numerous related upgrades all reflecting superior craftsmanship. Ultimately, the most critical aspect of our relationship with Bob and Eva--and what set Shelton Design apart from the many other contractors we considered--was their unmatched responsiveness and level of communication. No question was too small, and no answer came too late. In the end, our project was completed on time and under budget--an uncommon outcome for a major renovation but hardly a surprise with Bob and his team running the show.

We've had plenty of different contractors work on our house for us in the three years we have owned the home and we’ve seen the less than quality work done on the home by the previous owner of 40 years. We have never had as good of an experience as working with Bob and Shelton Design/Build and the high quality work is unlike anything this house has ever seen. It was so nice having John (and the rest of the guys who popped in and out) at the house every day. And, having Eva to give us her design opinion was priceless. Our project wasn’t huge, but we noticed all the small things that the team took into account. We can’t recommend Shelton Design/Build highly enough!

The work itself was wonderful and the men all very nice BUT we have been waiting for months to get repair work done on part of the job they did. They put in a new garage floor which now leaks (and the old one did not) and the French drain, which they also installed, is also not functioning correctly. We call and we email repeatedly and often as not we don't even get the courtesy of a reply. And our gardener is still waiting to plant our summer garden!!!

Bob, Danielle, and team provided a drawing set for a 2 story addition. They were very professional, easy to communicate with, and came up with practical design suggestions for the space. I'll definitely use Shelton Design for future projects and would highly recommend their services.

I hired Shelton Builders for two exterior house projects over the past two years, and look forward to working with them again in the future. I found everyone, from the owner, to the designers and the work crew to be professional, patient, and courteous. The crew's masonry and carpentry skills are topnotch. I have no complaints.

If you need a builder/designer in Pittsburgh, look no further. I'm serious, you simply can not do better than this firm. They are a one stop shop with a better eye for design and quality than even this self proclaimed perfectionist. The team - all the way from the owner right down to an apprentice - is filled with the kind of upstanding people you'll want to have for dinner when the work is complete. And the work? It will be done on budget, on time, and with no detail spared (they even clean up after themselves). They took a wall out of our new-to-us home. Not knowing what this 100 yr old house would have in store, they were able to handle removing a large wall that was filled with duct work, pipes and electrics, and make it look like it was the original builders idea to go "modern day open plan". It suits the home perfectly. I never write reviews, but, in this case, I'd write about Shelton Design every week if I could. We simply couldn't be happier with their work.

Shelton Design Build renovated an existing garage extension/deck on our home that is over 100 years old. It was a complicated engineering project that was successfully solved by Bob and Jim Shelton and their team of a terrific project manager and amazing carpenters, stone masons, brick layers, and concrete, plumber, and electrical sub-contractors. The entire crew was professional, on time, and a pleasure to work with. The end result is beyond perfection. Bob Shelton's design of beautiful copper panel rails created the privacy we desired with a sophisticated look that blends nicely with the house and neighborhood. A heated driveway and deck are a nice addition during the late fall and winter months. When the project finished, our neighbors said they missed having the Shelton team around and we agree! We highly recommend Shelton Design Build for any size project.

In every respect, our experience with Shelton was the kind one would hope for when dealing with a century-old home renovation project. We'd noticed their signage on a number of notable projects in the East End and thought it was worth contacting them, even for our more modest renovation needs. From the initial consultation, we were impressed with Bob Shelton's interest in the character and period details of our house, as well as our desire to make changes to allow us to better utilize the space for a growing family. He was also respectful of our budget. We originally priced out both a front porch addition and a third floor master suite. Bob approached each with attention to detail and creative thinking, even though it was clear we were only likely to pursue one project. When we decided to focus on master suite, he presented us with options and opportunities along the way and we could tell he was genuinely excited by the possibilities we discovered in terms of opening up the space. We were grateful for design guidance throughout - from drawings to selection of individual fixtures and finishes. Multiple bids were sought when it came time to select subcontractors, and all involved were professional and friendly throughout the process. Unavoidable surprise setbacks and delays were handled directly and honestly when they occurred and the space we ended up with made us glad we called who we did.

Very knowledgeable about the design and construction process. Provided a thoughtful schedule of values and worked within the constraints of those numbers.

We worked closely with Bob Shelton and his team for a renovation of our outdoor space which included restructuring our deck, concrete work, outdoor lighting, and creating a modern privacy fence. He was one of the only contractors that we had met that was on time for every single appointment we had and he was always well prepared. After discussion of our ideas, he completely understood our style and our needs. He sent us a quote by the next day. He always kept us updated with the timeline and was available to us when we had questions and/or concerns. The carpenters on the job were courteous and professional and were able to answer our questions along the way. They also were on time everyday and worked extremely hard to complete. The work was completed on time and on budget for us. We love the way everything turned out and we can't recommend this company enough! We will definitely be working with Shelton in the future.