Sustainable Design

“During the 13 month construction our neighbors would comment, "Your contractors are doing a good job on your house and we're impressed that they are respectful of the neighbors. I like it that they don't play loud music and clean up every day." We were happy to hear that. We are even happier with the results. As the first house in Santa Cruz County to be built (technically remodeled) to the Passive House standards, we enjoy a very comfortable temperature throughout the house AND use much less energy than similar houses in the neighborhood. The biggest challenge was the air tightness requirement for Passive House certification. This was tested with a blower door to verify that the house achieve 0.6ACH50 (131 CFM in our case) which is VERY tight. Achieving this level of airtightness in the house that was originally built in 1922, where we kept the original foundation and framing, has not been done before. Santa Cruz Green Builders also installed the first Heat Recovery Ventilator in this area. The professional who came to commission the HRV commented that our installation was one of the better ones he's observed. So, the point of this paragraph is Santa Cruz Green Builders is not afraid to take on new challenges and achieve amazing results. When you hear the words "green building" it may bring the image of a certain contemporary aesthetic to mind. But our house has the curve appeal of a nice old house -- a 1922 bungalow that has the arts and crafts styling with details in the window trims and flared skirt look on the siding. On the interior we are very happy that Santa Cruz Green Builders talked us into keeping the original floors and refinishing them. The tight grains of old fir is appealing and the polished distressed wood brings out the period style. They carefully deconstructed the house so that original base boards, doors, etc. were re-used. We also selected finishes that reflects the old arts and crafts style. When people come to our house they can't tell what's original and what's new. We like that. True to their name, Santa Cruz Green Builders walk their talk. I can continue with other elements like structured plumbing, gray water, insulation, recycling, etc. If you're curious about that please visit my blog http://http://midorihaus.blogspot.com/”

“Troy and Mick were respectful & professional while spending the better part of 8 months in our home renovating our upstairs to create a walk-in closet and playroom area, replacing our railings & bannisters, while also finishing our basement. Pricing was done on an hourly basis. Custom work was completed on a featured reclaimed barnwood wall and walnut bar top as well as the railings & bannisters.”

“I am a designer for a custom closet company. I have been working with Francisca Alonso of AV Architects on various projects since 2006. I love collaborating with her because she is extremely easy to work with and the projects always go very smoothly. I HIGHLY recommend Francisca Alonso and AV Architects. They do some amazing renovations and are a fantastic company to deal with.”

“Howard Construction is the best! They bailed us out when our original builder completely messed up the construction of our custom home. I don't know what we would have done without Eddie and his crew.”

“After almost two years of exhaustive research and countless interviews with prospective builders, my wife and I have proudly selected Phillip Brodt with Eclipse Development to build our heirloom modern farmhouse. During our search process, two of the characteristics we were looking for in a builder were excellent communication and attention to detail. Phillip is readily available for meetings and is always well prepared. He responds to our questions in a timely manner and consistently goes the extra mile to provide up with options to help us stay on budget. We are excited about this journey and fully anticipate that Eclipse Development will deliver an exemplary finished product.”

“I have worked with Steve and his company for 14 years. Over this time, we have collaborated on at least 20 projects ranging from small remodels to multi-million dollar custom homes. No matter the project size or scope, Steve's attention and quality control have not been compromised. He is without question, one of the most organized and attentive builders I work with. I would not hesitate to give Regency Custom Homes a recommendation to any homeowner.”

“The best company ever! Everyone, from the owner Jon Roberts, to our project manager and the subcontractors are anxious to help you realize your dreams. Communication skills are excellent and since this is the fourth house we've either built or remodeled, we should know. The goal of the company is to help you visualize what the house will look like, your options, how it will set on the lot, and what finishes would look best for the type of house you are building and your budget. Everyone connected to the project have been respectful and idea-filled.”

“Built Green Custom Homes is a great firm to work with, their customer service is top notch and without equal in the custom home field.”

“My husband and I hired Vincent to renovate our 108-year-old house. The project was very involved. We tore the original structure down to the studs and flooring, took off part of the house, and added back a kitchen, family room, amd master bedroom/bathroom suite. Vincent and Lydia worked with us every step of the way, helping us to make choices and guiding us along. Vincent is honest, knowledgeable, and thorough. The men who work with him are professional and very, very hard-working. They have worked with him for many years. Vincent hires the best subcontractors who know the business. He is a small businessman who is dedicated to his business. We are extremely pleased with every aspect of our job. I can't say enough good things about Vincent, Lydia, and Ingram Bay Contracting Company. If you live on the Northern Neck of Virginia and are planning a build/renovation project, please consider Vincent Haynie and Ingram Bay.”

“PGC Building + Design did a great job on our home remodel. The owner Ed was able to take the general idea of what my wife and I wanted and steer us the right direction in all aspects of the project from start to finish. I think this was a very hard job because my wife and I disagree on home style and decor. Project costs were upfront and accurate, an honest. The the entire remodel progressed and finished on time. The finished product was amazing and helped us tremendously when we had to sell our home.”