Clearcut & Co

An absolute masterpiece in progress - We are currently two-thirds of the way through a three-phase home renovation, and we could not be more thrilled with the experience. From day one, our general contractor and our phenomenal designers, Richard and Monica, have been a dream team to work with. Their attention to detail is truly unmatched. Richard and Monica have an incredible ability to listen to our ideas and elevate them into something spectacular. They have guided us through every step of the process with absolute professionalism, creativity, and care. Furthermore, the trade partners they bring into our home are top-tier. Every single subcontractor has been incredibly knowledgeable, highly experienced, and deeply respectful of our space. The craftsmanship across the board is flawless. Though we still have one phase left, the results so far are breathtaking. They have truly transformed our home into a beautiful, timeless masterpiece and our very own personal oasis. If you are looking for a team that delivers perfection, look no further. We cannot recommend them highly enough!

We had our kitchen remodeled last year, and I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions we’ve made for our home. From the very beginning, our contractor demonstrated a level of professionalism and care that immediately set him apart. The design process was thoughtful and collaborative, and the end result exceeded our expectations. We absolutely love our kitchen—the layout is both beautiful and functional, and the custom features truly make the space feel unique to us. What stood out most was his attention to detail and the respect he showed throughout the project. He treated our home with care, maintained a clean and organized work environment, and communicated clearly every step of the way. It was evident that he takes real pride in his work and values his clients. If you’re looking for someone who delivers high-quality craftsmanship and a genuinely positive remodeling experience, I would highly recommend him. He set a standard that will be hard to match.

We recently completed an extensive renovation with Clearcut Construction—essentially a whole-house transformation—and couldn’t be happier with the results! The project included reimagining the entire first floor layout, removing a large fireplace to create a stunning window wall that opens up to our backyard pond, some thoughtful updates upstairs, a full exterior facelift, and the addition of a screen porch and small deck. From the very beginning of the design phase to the final touch-ups, Richard and Monica were outstanding. Their communication was excellent—they kept us well informed about what to expect and when. They provided realistic expectations around both costs and timelines, and while we did go over budget, that was entirely by our own choice. They were always budget-conscious and gave us clear options for staying within range. Their subcontractors were some of the most prompt and reliable professionals we’ve ever encountered. Since we were living a couple of hours away during the project, it gave us great peace of mind knowing the project was in such capable hands. Richard and Monica also offered fantastic design insight—everything from big-picture ideas to the smallest finishing touches. Now, five months later, my husband and I still comment almost daily on how much we love our “new” home. If you’re considering a renovation, we highly recommend Clearcut Construction. Their professionalism, creativity, and integrity made all the difference!

What a great experience working with Clearcut Construction on my kitchen/living/dining remodel. Richard's design really nailed what I what I invisioned in my head when I bought this house that really needed new life. More storage, the look I wanted, good scheduling and stuck to the budget. It looks like a completely different house and i love it. Thank you Richard and Monica!

It was truly a blessing to work with Clearcut Construction on our home renovation. The project was significant including an addition, structural changes, entire first floor remodel (kitchen, master and two secondary baths), as well as outdoor living space. Prior to construction Richard spent time to learn about our needs and how we desired to use the space. He drew up several plans for us to choose from with each design offering unique solutions to our need for storage and a family gathering space. After receiving renderings making their vision more concrete, Richard and Monica gave us a reasonable timeline and accurate budget. The only surprise we received in the whole process was that they finished the project a month ahead of schedule. Clearcut Construction's subcontractors are punctual, hardworking, and pleasant to have around our home (we lived in our home throughout the process). They often stayed late to finish a set goal so that the sub coming behind them could begin the next day. There were no down days. Richard and Monica are meticulous in every detail, showed integrity and fairness throughout the process, and communicated openly and honestly at each step in our renovation. Their help with the design from material and color choices though furnishing suggestions made the project simple and financially manageable. We wholeheartedly recommend the Ryders. Our family has thoroughly enjoyed our new home and the unique features Richard built in to it.

We have worked with Monica and Richard on many projects and can say it's always a pleasure. They are well organized, creative and communicative. It truly shows in their work in the before and after. Every customers we have come in contact with has had very good feedback from start to finish. Highly recommend!

I would give Clearcut 1000 stars if I could! This is going to be yet another well-deserved rave review for Richard and Monica. I am so grateful that they took on the enormous project of overhauling the interior of my family's 1980s home. I was nervous at first because managing a project like this with me 3000 miles away is extra work on their part, but also a leap of faith on mine. I did not need to worry. Communicating predominantly via emails and a couple of virtual meetings, we broke the project up into two phases with the first phase being the common spaces on the main floor. Richard came up with a design that blew me away. The kitchen layout was completely re-thought, the laundry room was relocated to a more logical spot closer to the main floor primary suite, the existing laundry was repurposed into a stunning scullery and the dated sunken family room was raised and its fireplace modernized. A lot of time was spent on the planning so that as soon as the design was green-lit, Monica had everything in place to execute on the permits, build out the project plan and schedule the trades. Once demolition started everything happened quickly and texting became our main form of communication so we could stay in touch in real-time. Richard and Monica were incredibly communicative throughout the entire process sending pictures and videos throughout, answering any questions I had along the way, and reaching out if any unexpected issues arose that they believed would be best addressed as part of the project. The first phase went so smoothly that we rolled right into the second phase which included the main floor primary suite along with flooring, paint, and recessed lighting on the second floor, a bonus area, and the four remaining bathrooms. Richard and Monica delivered again with stunning designs, material selections and execution. When I told them I wanted to have the whole family celebrate the holidays at the newly renovated house, they made sure it happened with only some minor finishing touches and the bonus area left to finish up. Throughout both phases of the renovation I was completely remote but with all the photos and videos I had seen I figured when I finally saw the house in person it wouldn't be too big a surprise. I was so wrong because it was absolutely breathtaking in person. When we did the walk-through, Richard and Monica identified more details that needed to be addressed than I did. Their attention to detail is unmatched and you can tell they take pride in their work. What's more, the trades they work with are also proud of their work and enjoy working with Richard. I cannot recommend Clearcut Construction enough!

Phenomenal! Richard and Monica did our kitchen remodel and the experience was unparalleled. Their design blew us away and made such clever use of our space. Richard thought of things that would never have crossed our minds, but are absolutely some of our favorite aspects of our new kitchen and living room. We had an extensive project that (in addition to a complete remodel of our kitchen) involved removing a fireplace (and altering an exterior wall), installing a 12 foot sliding glass door, removing 2 walls, widening a doorway, remodeling our laundry room and small bathroom, removing walls to open up our staircase, and installing hardwoods throughout the common areas of the downstairs. They did all of this in 3 months. Along the way when issues arose (as they always do) Richard fixed the issues immediately. You can tell that he has pride in his work and is a perfectionist. The man does not settle. We have a stunning open concept kitchen now and are absolutely in love with our new space.

We have finally completed our kitchen renovation project this Oct. We knew at the beginning of the journey that we didn’t just expect a functional and tasteful kitchen, but also an enjoyable and productive experience with our contractor. So, we spent a lot of time interviewing different contactors and designers in the preparation phase. We wanted to hire a team that could deliver quality results in such a way that we could actually enjoy the experience. It was our first time doing home renovation at this scale (almost the whole 1st floor). We were fortunate to find ClearCut Construction, a dream team that held our hands every step of the way. They were very honest with our expectations and accurate on the budget. Monica is very good at communication and was responsive to our questions. Robert has innovative design ideas and is detail-focused at execution. Despite the supply chain disruption and labor shortage in 2022, ClearCut managed to keep the project on time and on budget. What impressed us most is how their genuine care about their customers shows through their design, project execution, and the way they work with you. They got us a loaner oven when ours had not arrived to make the gap time easier on us, they made many extra trips to the house to discuss changes they suggested that improve the design, and they sealed all rooms carefully and handled our furniture with great care before demolition. There were many examples like this throughout the project…we couldn’t be happier. We highly recommend ClearCut to any homeowner who is like us- someone who values both experience and quality results.

Clearcut Construction transformed our home into a beautiful space that flows and functions. Our project turned out better than we could have imagined. They are everything you wish for in a general contractor- organized, timely, methodical, and have great attention to detail. Despite supply chain issues and current labor shortages, our project was on time and without delays. Richard and Monica are a dream team and we highly recommend using Clearcut for your renovation needs!

Richard and Monica took on our remodeling project in the middle of Covid. Through all the stress and craziness of that time, Richard kept the project on track. There was hardly ever a day during the project that there weren't folks at our house getting work done. That's actually a really big deal. We have friends that didn't see any workers for weeks during Covid because subs were so hard to schedule. Richard designed and built a beautiful space that fit the way we live. We remodeled the kitchen, living room, powder room, laundry room and added a mud room. It was remarkable how closely the finished product matched the renderings that he produced. In the end, we came away with a beautiful space that we are very proud to share with our friends and family. We would highly recommend Clearcut Construction.

I am a visual artist by trade, and I am very picky, especially when it comes to the fine details. One of my main worries going into my renovation was corners being cut, & just "get-it-done", average craftsmanship. Thankfully, Clearcut was able to put those worries at ease with the final product. They did a full, first floor renovation of my original, non-renovated, "every room has doors", 1978 house. Walls were removed, a bathroom was moved, washer & dryer were moved, all new plumbing, new electrical, new flooring, new sheetrock, new kitchen, the works. They did an excellent job & came in very close to the budget.

We decided to work with Clearcut to do our kitchen renovation and we are so glad we did! Our kitchen is absolutely amazing! Richard has great design vision but also listened to our ideas. He really put us at ease during the whole process and made sure the final product was exactly the way it should be. We liked them so much that we are going to have them redo our master bath as well.

If you are thinking of renovating your house, there’s no need to look any further, you are in the best hands with Clearcut construction. Richard is so talented and his ability to visualize the potential of any space, his creative eye for design, construction expertise, effective project management, and communication ability are skill sets that make him an excellent builder. Our house is featured in the pictures as “south bend”, and we renovated our kitchen, living room, and powder room. My dated kitchen was transformed into a very functional and beautiful space. In the beginning, I had no idea what I wanted, but Richard did a wonderful job listening to my thoughts and designing around how my family uses the space. Monica was so helpful as well and they make a great team. The design feels both modern and timeless. We couldn’t be happier with the result, and I would love to work with Clearcut again in the future.

We had a great experience with Clearcut. They helped us every step of the way from design, to picking the finishes and construction. The kitchen design they came up is gorgeous and Richard is an excellent craftsmen. Everything in the new kitchen looks great and is super functional. We couldn't be happier with how things turned out.

We hired Clearcut to renovate our home in spring of 2020 and turn our 1960's split level into a more functional space for our growing family. After working with a different architect and not loving the plans, Richard and Monica showed up and immediately knew what our vision was and Richard was able to put it on paper and show us what this would look like. Richards plans were very well thought out, and included everything that we had talked about during our initial meeting. We were sold from the beginning. As we began the building process on April 1 of 2020 with full pandemic in swing and a baby on the way we were assured we would still be able to hit our estimated timeline and finish up the house prior to our babies arrival. Through out the entire selection and building process Richard and Monica were right there to provide us as much guidance as we wanted. We were happy with the suggested selections and trusted their decisions on many of the options. However, they were more than happy for us to deviate from the plan where we saw fit, and were always open to our questions or changes. They truly made us feel comfortable through out the entire process. The finished product was above and beyond what we had even imagined and came in at the budget we were expecting. All of this through a pandemic! 10/10 I would rehire them for future projects as you are getting what you pay for and MORE! We can't thank Richard, Monica and their teams enough!

We initially hired Clearcut Construction to redesign the old, dingy kitchen in our 1960s split level ranch house. After Richard’s first on site visit he created a plan that went far beyond anything we thought was possible. He proposed combining the living room, dining room, and kitchen into one space and vaulting the ceiling. He changed the floor plan to give our main living area a better flow. His plan also included incorporating space from the carport shed to give us a mudroom and walk-in pantry off of the kitchen. During the design process, Richard listened to all of our requests, looked at our Pinterest page inspiration, and came up with a design for our kitchen and living space that was beautiful, unique, and functional. We were so impressed with Clearcut during the design phase, we hired them to complete the construction as well. They were upfront with the cost and timelines for the renovation. Their contract outlined the payment schedule and work expectations. After the work started, if we discussed making any changes to the design Richard provided us with a direct estimate of the cost. Richard and his wife Monica worked together to manage our project. They are a great team and made the whole process as stress-free as possible. They were excellent at keeping the lines of communication open. They always ensured we knew in advance who would be in our home working on any given day and time. His subcontractors were friendly and professional. Which put us at ease with them going in and out of our house. Richard visited almost every day during our 2-month project. Having him frequently on site allowed for last-minute tweaks that made a big impact on the final design. We felt like we received personalized service and appreciated Richard’s obvious enthusiasm for our renovation. He went above and beyond to make sure we were happy. We are very pleased with the final project and our new space! Clearcut finished ahead of schedule and within our agreed-upon budget. We are thrilled to recommend them to our family and friends and look forward to working with them on future home renovation projects.

We hired Clearcut Construction to help us update our aging kitchen. From the first meeting with Richard, we noticed that his approach as a Designer/Builder was different than other designers we interviewed. After sharing inspiration pictures and chatting about our family's needs, Richard disappeared into the crawlspace. He came back with a pitch that expanded our thinking about what was possible in our layout. By reclaiming space from a walk-in pantry and relocating an awkward powder room, we could double the size of our kitchen with an island large enough to seat our whole family and more storage than we could imagine. New windows would afford more natural light and better visibility of where our children play. And in the breakfast area, a wall of windows would become doors for better flow to our back patio. Richards' ability to holistically assess these hidden spacial possibilities is unique. And because he is also a builder, he was able to show us on the spot how he could tackle construction with a reasonable budget. During the design phase, Richard proved to be a meticulous planner and produced detailed drawings of every feature- down to the gap tolerances of the inset cabinetry. He listened carefully to everything we asked for and was an excellent collaborator. Because Clearcut works closely with a skilled local cabinet maker, we were able to see full-size custom samples of unique details Richard designed in our space before making final decisions. Monica was extremely helpful in narrowing down selections and setting the timeline to make sure everything we ordered would arrive precisely when it was needed. By the time construction was underway, we were confident in the beauty and functionality of the design and knew that our home was in good hands. Richard was on site almost every day for three months during construction, working alongside subcontractors or just tidying up and studying how things were taking shape. He didn't stop designing after the building started and was in constant communication about tweaks and progress. At every turn, Richard, Monica, and crew went above and beyond to make sure that we were satisfied with the results. The project finished precisely on time, and there were no surprises aside from how amazing the transformation was when complete. We could not be happier with our new kitchen, and we know who to call when we're ready to tackle our next project. Clearcut Construction is genuinely one of a kind.

Monica and Richard were absolutely wonderful to work with. We needed help with our first floor - it was feeling cramped, outdated, and we were looking for someone who could see (and help us see) the potential. We had met with several General Contractors in the area and never felt like we could trust the person across from us, until we met with Richard. During our first meeting, he saw the potential and came up with an idea that could achieve our end goals but not lose the functionality of our space. The subcontractors that Richard works with are top notch and have the utmost respect for the work that Richard does. Everyone was always very professional, even when I was working from home while they were working away on the remodel. Monica and Richard kept us up to speed on budget and we were easily able to stay within the range we planned for. There were no "gotcha" moments or massive change orders - which we kept anticipating, based on all of our friends' experiences with GCs. We will absolutely use Monica and Richard again for our next project, whatever that may be.

PROJECT CONTEXT: Redoing our kitchen, as well as exploring how we could open it up to the adjacent living area downstairs. Our specific issues were: -The kitchen (cabinets, appliances etc.) were dated -The kitchen did not have enough natural light -The downstairs, which also had a laundry room, was chunked up We came across ClearCut through Houzz. Based on some of the projects that they had published online and customer reviews, we invited them over to advise us on our project. DESIGN PHASE - ONE-OF-A-KIND, EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS We found ClearCut’s approach refreshingly out of the box. ClearCut was the only one among all the designers/contractors we spoke to, that started from what would be best for the home’s décor and function, vs. just giving us a design based on what we specified. Yet, they were by no means imposing of their preferences and always fine-tuned the approach in a collaborative manner. The designs were extremely detailed – in dimensions, architectural/engineering specifics, appliances, materials, lighting, fixtures and various other décor elements. These were supplemented with pictures of specific aspects of these designs that ClearCut had implemented for other clients. CONSTRUCTION PHASE - EXCELLENT EXECUTION, ON BUDGET AND AHEAD OF SCHEDULE! ClearCut gave us a detailed costed BOM that included all materials, appliances and activities, with references (weblinks or quotes) for cost transparency. The entire construction phase was extremely smooth. We were out of the country for the first 6 weeks of the project, and the ClearCut team ensured that the major demolition work was completed prior to our return. We would have weekly recaps of where things stood and a look ahead on key milestones for the rest of the project. Overall the project was completed a few weeks ahead of schedule. PRICING/PAYMENTS - TRANSPARENT, NO SURPRISES ClearCut had delineated the payment schedule as part of the upfront contract. They had clearly laid out what their fees would be vs what the other costs (material, paint, lighting, hardwood, hardware etc.) were. We had no surprises anywhere along the way. THE TEAM - GREAT TO WORK WITH Richard and Monica complement each other really well, and are an excellent team to work with. While Richard manages the design and implementation detail, Monica is extremely diligent in keeping track of schedules, procurements and billing timelines. Further, Monica is a great sounding board for design ideas, with her particular focus on function, flow and eliminating design clutter. They are very conscious about the overall customer experience. We felt that they valued our money, and often would find ways for economical tradeoffs that were still functionally and aesthetically sound. WORK PRODUCT - SPECTACULAR OUTCOME FOR US! Transformational to say the least. The attention to detail, and the fine touches have given us a most unique kitchen and downstairs living space. Richard has an exceptional ability to macro-visualize (which led him to completely move the kitchen from the front of the house to the back, and convert the laundry into an edgy laundry+mudroom in the least lit part of the house) and identify fine detail (hardware elements, colors, texture items, how to bring in complementarity between these across the design space) at the same time. And uniquely, that coexists with meticulous execution – he is not the genius designer whose workspace is a mess – he prides himself as much in the neat streamlining of project execution, as he does in the clean lines of his design finishes. He would come to us often with ideas on adding extra touches, sometimes telling us “you don’t have to pay me to do this – I really want you to explore the idea”. Needless to say, the ideas were invariably distinct and yet harmonious with the overall design. Every visitor we have welcomed home since has walked in exclaiming “wow!”.. and on most evenings so do we!! We absolutely enjoyed the ClearCut experience and would recommend them without any reservations. Thank you ClearCut!

My husband and I had embarked on a 13+ month renovation project of our entire house. When it came to the kitchen we decided to work with Clearcut Construction, and it was the best decision we could have ever made! The whole process was as smooth and seamless as we could have ever wanted. Richard and Monica were pros at the whole process. We knew exactly what to expect and when to expect it, and better yet, when they said something would take place - it did! After experiencing the stress of a whole house renovation, working with Clearcut Construction was like a breath of fresh air! Now, we have the most amazing kitchen and it has truly become the heart of our home! We could not have asked for a more professional, kind and thoughtful team to work with. Every detail was taken into consideration and now everything just makes sense! I love it and it's transformed our home!

It's impossible to summarize in one paragraph what a huge impact Richard and Clearcut Construction has had on our day to day lives. Our old master bathroom, although functional, did not meet our needs as far as space organization, aesthetics, usable storage, shower size, openness, and clean cut appeal. Although I knew what appealed to me in a bathroom and what were my "must haves," I was having difficulty designing a space that would meet these goals and difficulty putting it together as a cohesive design. Prior to meeting Richard, I had met with both designers and general contractors separately; however, none seemed to really capture what I wanted and presented me with "cookie cutter" designs and stated that they had "no idea" what a general contractor would charge but that I should get several quotes. I then reached out to Richard. From the first time we met, I knew that Richard understood what I wanted and was able to actually visualize it in our space. Also, since he's both designer and contractor, he was able to give me a summary of cost that I could trust. Richard's design was impeccable and ever evolving thus flexible to whatever the project required as the work was underway. His work ethic is beyond reproach, and his immediate response to any concerns or questions was astonishing. Richard's final estimate and timeline were accurate, and his attention to detail even impressed my husband, which is the best compliment we could ever give. This truly is "the nicest bathroom" we have ever used, and every single time I step into it, I absolutely love it. It is a dream. I literally never want to leave this bathroom but inevitably l must. No one could go wrong hiring Richard and Clearcut Construction.

We hired Richard and Clearcut Construction to design and build a kitchen and backyard remodel at our home near downtown Raleigh. The kitchen portion of the project including removing walls, adding windows and doors, raising a ceiling, adding an office and pantry, and much more. The backyard portion of the project included a new deck, patio, outdoor fireplace, lighting, and more. First, from a design perspective, Richard came up with a plan that exceeded anything we could have imagined ourselves. His attention to detail and passion for creating something custom and unique that blended with the existing house was evident, and the final project design was completed quickly after great communication back and forth and listening to what we wanted while providing insight and ideas that matched our style and goals. We couldn't have been more satisfied with the design Richard came up with, and his pricing for the construction side was very fair and competitive. Second, from a construction side after the design was finalized, Richard did a tremendous job communicating expectations, managing the entire process and subs, and sticking to the timeline and budget. We really appreciated Richard's attention to detail and his desire to make sure the project met his design expectations and our goals. Richard completed the design and plan for the space and we signed off on it before any construction started, but we really liked that Richard was flexible enough to continue to be creative and offer suggestions to make the design and plan even better all the way through the construction phase. I think part of that is the benefit of working with the same company for the design and build, and I also think a lot of it is Richard taking a vested interest in making sure every project he does turns out great. These suggestions were always just ideas to make the project even better and never as an attempt to boost his bottom line or profit margins. He didn't hit us with change order fees as we implemented some of his suggestions and he kept the project on budget. If a suggested change was going to cost more, then he would tell us upfront and pass along the true cost so we could make a decision on how to proceed. He communicated with us daily and was extremely professional. We also liked that we had the ability to choose the sources and purchase all of the selection items like counter tops, lighting, hardware, tile, appliances, etc. ourselves without being tied to a particular vendor. This allowed us to save money on some areas while splurging on others, knowing that we shopped around for the best deal and got exactly what we wanted to fit our style. The decisions were ours, but Richard was available and helpful in this process as well as we bounced ideas off of him for various pieces. In the end, our project exceeded our expectations and we had a great experience with Richard and Clearcut Construction from the initial meeting and planning phases through construction until our space was finished. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Clearcut Construction to anyone looking for a design/build firm for a remodel.

Clearcut rescued our renovation! After 8 months of design work with others, we were ready to shelve the renovation as the bids were well above our proposed budget. We contacted Richard as a last ditch effort before abandoning our project (on a friend's recommendation), and we could not be more thankful we found him. Richard really listened to our goals for the renovation and was able to come up with a new plan that brought us closer to our proposed budget without us having to reduce the scope of our renovation. His redesigns were creative and thoughtful and accomplished exactly what we wanted while saving us close to $100,000. We also appreciated that Richard lets us use any vendor for our allowances. We were able to save a lot of money by shopping around for finishes and appliances rather than being forced to use certain vendors and the markups that come with them. During the construction phase, Richard's communication really shone through. Whether by phone, text, or email, he checked in with us nearly every day (sometimes multiple times in a day) to let us know what was going on and to make sure we were satisfied with the progress. His subs showed up on time and our renovation took just a little over 4 months. We remodeled our kitchen, master bedroom, master bathroom, moved the laundry upstairs, created a guest suite, and a new front porch. I've spoken to friends who have done comparable renovations that took over 10 months. Finally, he is detail oriented, honest, and reliable. He addressed every issue that came up. We have the highest respect for Richard, his professionalism, and his work ethic. We could not be happier with our new home.

We LOVE our new house!!! I can't hold back the smile every time I walk into it!! Six months ago, my fiancé and I decided to blend our households. We thought we wanted to start fresh in a new house, but... I really didn't want to leave my neighbors. So we began interviewing contractors to see if they could help us refresh my very 90's house and make it ours. It's not old, but it's VERY 90's.... We thought some new hardwoods and fresh paint could help and started interviewing contractors. When we met Richard, we were blown away by his vision and expertise. He saw possibilities in our house we hadn't seen. We canceled our other interviews and didn't look back. With Richard's vision, we made the screened in porch part of the kitchen. With the extra square footage, we had room to add a mudroom and a beautiful pantry/prep area. We took the wasted space of the two-story (heat sucking - noise magnifying) living room and made a warm and inviting living room and a new 2nd floor media room! My very dated bathroom transformed into a relaxing, open, sun-filled oasis! Those were just the big things, it's the details that make a house a home. We worked with Richard and his designer Kathi to create our dream home. They listened to our ideas (very articulate things like. "I want it to feel beachy, but not beachy, more like that open, airy, relaxing feeling you get when you are at the beach...") Yeah, we're natural designers. Somehow Richard and Kathi didn't laugh and presented us with ideas that were EXACTLY what we meant! We showed them the furniture we were bringing together and they created a color pallet and style that blended everything together perfectly. We updated every room: new paint, floors, light fixtures and bath fixtures. It's like we have brand new house! At a fraction of the cost of a new house, and with the same wonderful neighbors. Oh, and did I mention the full house remodel was done in 4 months!? On budget. Highest quality. Exactly as promised. There was not one day our house wasn't teaming with activity. Every time I mention the remodel I hear horror stories from other's experiences. Not us. From day one Richard and his crew were professional, knowledgeable and trust worthy. He listened to our feedback and created our dream home. We cannot thank him and his team enough! If you are considering a remodel, large or small, call Richard. You will not regret it.

I cannot say enough good things about Clearcut Construction! They renovated our 100 year old home and did a phenomenal job. I would trust Richard and his team to do anything. There are different things that I let Richard decide because there was so many details that I couldn't keep up, and each time I did that my expectations were blown away. I am so glad that I went with Clearcut Construction and I know you will be too!

Richard was excellent for our renovation/addition design project! He turned our plain and simple ranch into a rustic farm house that maximized the views of our property--especially the pond. My wife and I struggled to articulate our ideas, but Richard immediately understood what we wanted, and drew a brilliant design. Trustworthy and easy to work with. Highly recommended!

Richard was great to work with. A true craftsman with a great eye for the fit and finish of the whole job. If we ever got his voicemail he always returned the call within the hour. Any information we needed to complete the job he would go out of his way to have it in a timely fashion. Highly organized and very professional, customer focused, and just a pleasure to work with.

Richard has completed several projects for me and a few friends and every time it was finished expertly, on time and within budget!!! I would recommend his services!!!!!!

Richard has done multiple projects for us over the years. Our home in Drewry Hills needed kitchen and bath updates, and then a few years later we added a garage, man-cave, and extra bedroom. For all the projects, Richard did most of the design work himself. His attention to detail is great, and he is a pleasure to work with. Timelines and contracts were always adhered to, and his communication with clients is excellent. We always felt very comfortable with his subs. I look forward to working with Richard in the future and give him my highest recommendation.

I highly recommend Clearcut Construction. Richard was thorough and professional during the entire project. He is very innovative and creative with his designs. Our contract was complete and clear. He is very detail oriented and made sure that every aspect of our project was perfect. He stayed on budget and AHEAD of schedule. His subcontractors were respectful to us and our home. We are thrilled with the results!

We were referred to Richard by a friend. He has worked with us to design a house addition (double garage, master suite, mudroom & laundry room). He was able to take our ideas and exceed our expectations with his keen sense of design and attention to detail. We encountered numerous issues based on layout of existing utilities/septic. Richard worked diligently to navigate all creating a great space for our family. He responded professionally and timely to our questions. We look forward to seeing the design come to life in the construction phase.

Richard has an amazing eye for detail and design. We have a home in a historic district and wanted to add some much-needed space while maintaining the overall character of our house. He helped us prioritize what we needed from our addition and worked within our budget. Our addition has improved the whole flow and feel of our house and our new covered porch has changed the entire way we experience our backyard and outdoor spaces. We would highly recommend Richard to friends and family and we look forward to working with him again.

Richard and his team just completed a media room renovation in our home and we are so pleased! It turned out exactly how we wanted it, which is so rare! Richard was an excellent communicator throughout the entire process and always kept the construction area and our home clean and tidy. We passed all inspections and are thrilled with the final result. I would recommend Richard and Clearcut Construction without fail.

After moving to Wake Forest last year, we purchased our house knowing we wanted to remodel our kitchen, master bath and remedy an ailing mudroom and laundry area. Initially we engaged the services of a design-build firm in Raleigh. Unfortunately, the firm seemed unable to capture our ideas for our renovation and was unable to come up with a cohesive design. We muddled through but then we discovered that the firm also had little experience building in our area. This firm had been recommended to us and we were out of a lot of money and felt less than hopeful. We needed to find a reputable contractor who would be able to help finish our design and actually build and complete the renovation. When we found ClearCut Construction on HOUZZ we were encouraged by their reviews and pictures from past renovation clients. We subsequently met the owner Richard Ryder and were impressed with his responsiveness and genuine interest in our project. From our first meeting, we found Richard to be clear, straightforward and trustworthy. Richard helped us to refine our design and made recommendations and changes to our layout that proved to be brilliant. Richard has a group of high quality subcontractors that work with him and it was clear to us the high level of mutual respect Richard and the subs had for each other. Having been through renovations before, the experience we had with Richard and ClearCut was head and shoulders the most painless of any renovation. He was supportive, made sure he answered all of our questions, gave us feedback when we asked for it and cared about our project through completion and afterwards. He was respectful that we were living in our home during renovation and worked with us to make sure we didn’t have any meltdowns. Richard listens and has a level of confidence and trustworthiness that is rare to find in a general contractor. We developed a collaborative partnership with him and his subs during our project which is what we were looking for. We didn’t want this renovation to be done “to” us but “with” us. Our project was completed four weeks early--when does that ever happen? We came in slightly over budget but made the choice to so that we could achieve the exact look and feel that we wanted. We could not be more thrilled with our results. Thank you Richard for your professionalism and expertise and dry sense of humor. We look forward to working with you on future projects on our home.

Richard and his crew from Clearcut Construction did a truly excellent job on my bathroom remodel which included installing a deep cast iron soaker tub, marble tile, glass shower door enclosure for the tub, installation of a towel warmer and new light fixtures. In a half-bath he installed a granite counter top and new faucet. He also installed a new standing rib aluminum screened porch roof, replaced skylights on the porch, applied a new finish to the floor and other miscellaneous repairs. Richard, who does a lot of the construction work himself, was conscientious to a fault and maintained a brisk work pace that had my renovations completed promptly. He is thoroughly professional and I cannot recommend him too highly. I would also like to mention that Dianna Jeffries at Hughes Supply in Raleigh, NC, was extremely helpful in locating the tub and shower door that worked best--and looked best--for my bathroom renovation. I already have plans to work with Richard and Clearcut again on additional renovations to my house.

A friend had great things to say about Richard and his company, so we decided to give them a call. Richard was trustworthy, easy to work with, had reasonable prices, and had great ideas from a design/style perspective. We wanted built-in bookshelves with a desk upstairs, and within a few days Richard had designed out a beautiful mockup that worked perfectly in the space. Once we agreed on a starting date, the builtins were constructed fast and they looked perfect. We were so happy with the upstairs builtins, we asked for an estimate to do some additional builtins and to redo our fireplace downstairs. A few days later we had amazing mockups of our fireplace, along with some variations of how we could lay things out. I was being indecisive since I didn't know exactly what I wanted, but Richard was patient in helping us figure out the right direction. We ended up ripping out our old mantle and covered the fireplace floor to ceiling with a 3d stone product. The finished product is amazing. Richard did a meticulous job with every detail of the fireplace... it looks incredible and we are super happy. Other things to note were that his team was very clean, punctual, and honest. We had no qualms about leaving the door open for them while we weren't home. Working with Clear Cut was refreshing and we plan to continue working with them over the long term.

Richard of Clearcut Construction, Inc was great to work with and I would recommend him to anyone and everyone, especially considering my project wasn't a very big one in the sense of a whole room make-over. He was great with my questions and concerns and worked well with my schedule and budget.

Clearcut Construction turned my unfinished attic space into a superior office space. Richard and his team of professionals were reliable, honest and hard working. Richard was always on top of communicating any issues, solving all problems with our best interest in mind. His attention to detail is impeccable. He stuck to both the budget and the timeline. I would definitely recommend Clearcut Construction.

I found Clearcut Construction on Houzz. I was first impressed with the styles and details of their posted projects. I then contacted a few construction companies for estimates. Richard at Clearcut Construction was very quick to respond to my request and submitted a competative quote. I decided to work with Richard because he could see my vision for the project and he was also very patient in answering all my questions. He made me feel that he would be very reliable throughout the process. The project turned out to be a very fluid because I sometimes come up with new ideas and Richard will try his best to accommodate them along the way. For example, I thought of using the hall way of the attic to install some dance mirrors and ballet barre and Richard agreed to install those and corporate them in the design. Another example to show that Richard really cares for the quality of his work is that he found out that the tile installer had put a wrong tile (matte as apposed to smooth, but both white) in the shower. I told him it is not necessary to switch but he insisted on bringing the tile installer in again to have him take down the wrong tile and put the smooth tile in. In the end, we have a beautifully finished attic and very customized to our need. We can't be more happier with the result. Thank you very much, Richard!

Replaced an ancient deck with an amazing screened-in porch. Richard was easy to work with, contributed excellent ideas, communicated regularly, and did a great job. I would go back to Clearcut Construction for any future remodeling needs!

Always respectful and friendly, it was a pleasure to work with Clearcut Construction on a recent bathroom addition. Their name says it all...they were clear and focused on what they had to accomplish and what products they needed from us. With their professionalism and knowledge, their customers are likely to be more than satisfied.

Richard and Clearcut did a significant remodel to my home, requiring design and precise execution. All done expertly, on time and on estimate.

We hired Clearcut Construction to create a gym in our upstairs attic space. From start to finish we were thrilled with this company. They suggested ideas for our home gym that we had not thought of for this space. The crew always came on time and were respectful and made sure to clean up at the end of the day. We have a great gym that we use daily! We will be using this company for other construction we have planned.

Clear Cut Contraction & Richard Ryder, did a unbelievable job on our home. Their attention to detail and desire to make their customer happy was their top priority. I can't wait for them to come back and build my Garage! Ethan

Richard Ryder (Clearcut Construction) was our general contractor on a major home remodel that included moving walls, making over the kitchen and 3 bathrooms, converting a screen porch into indoor living space, and adding multiple built-ins in several rooms. We were extremely pleased with Richard's work during the whole process. He was professional, timely, and very patient with our questions and concerns. Richard had incredible vision creating a new space for us, personally developing the plan and working with the engineers to ensure that it could happen. He is a talented carpenter as well, and we have been thrilled with all the woodwork that he did in our home. New guests to our home regularly comment on the quality and beauty of den cabinetry that Richard built on-site. In addition, Monica, who handles the books and scheduling side, was just a pleasure. She returned calls quickly and scheduled all work in a timely and efficient manner. She was also very willing to work with scheduling new subcontractors when we wanted more than one option. We would absolutely recommend Clearcut Construction for any project.

Richard is very talented in the design field and is able to present several concepts which all incorporate owner requirements and are unique. He is able to visualize and explain pros and cons of all of the options. He is able to troubleshoot and resolve potential issues before they occur. We receive many compliments from friends and family when they see his work. We have used Clearcut for a Basement Design and a Kitchen Design/Build.

Richard and the Clearcut crew were great to work with and helped with all aspects of the multi-phased remodeling project in our historic home. Not only did Richard present a variety of remodeling options and finishes, but worked out a 3-D computer rendering of the 'after' effect so we could visualize the finished product and all 'be on the same page.' As others have noted, Richard is diligent, trustworthy, prompt, and just a great person of both integrity and faith--all rare attributes when it comes to design/build firms (in our experience). We have owned several historic homes in the past (18th-19th century) which require specialized contractors. Richard's team was able to handle all the quirks and 'character' of our home like a pro (dealing with non-plumb walls, horsehair plaster/lathe and uneven floors). Richard has completed 2 full bathroom remodels, 1 new full bath, built-ins/mudroom finished carpentry, updated/new electrical/plumbing and HVAC. Clearcut is #1 on our speed-dial whenever we have challenging projects.

Clearcut Construction helped us remodel our kitchen, bathrooms and finished our upstairs attic. We could not be happier with Richard's attention to detail, choice of materials and design expertise. We would hire him again in a heartbeat.

I have hired Clearcut Construction on many occasions. The specific hire for this date was for a dining room remodel, window (2) addition, and a room addition (We enclosed our screened in porch.). I have had them add a portico over my front door, replace rotten siding and trim, frame our bathroom mirrors, build and install cabinets and bookshelves, tile a bathroom, replace outside columns, design and build a pantry and laundry, and build a deck with stairs and railings. What I like most about using Clearcut is that I don't have to have a clear plan. I can go to them with an idea, and they will work out all of the details. I know that Clearcut will produce a product for me that is to my liking. All I have to do is go to them with an idea for my home. They take care of the rest!

We asked Richard to extend our screened porch to include a deck that existed. We wanted it to look as close to as close to the existing design as possible so that it didn't look "added on" at completion. Richard designed the addition and presented us with the design, budget and timeline. The design looked great on paper, as did the budget and timeline. The project moved forward smoothly, stayed on budget and had time delays only due to weather. Upon completion, we could not have been more pleased. Not only did Richard turn our very hot deck into a usable space, but it looks like to was built as one large space originally. The craftsmanship is impeccable, the contractors that Richard hired to do the framing, electrical and painting were professional and prompt. We have received numerous compliments on our screened porch, happily passed Richard's name onto many friends and hired Richard many more times since then!

Clearcut has completed a lot of work at our home. Bathrooms re-done (2). Great work at a good price, Updated the den and bedroom, Insulated the upstairs storage area. Work was also done on the outside of the house, All work completed on time and very well.

Richard & his crew were great to work with. I was not quite sure how I wanted to re-do my entertainment centers in my family room & also in a bonus room. Richard took time to help me come up with a design and worked with me to stay within my budget. He even showed up on time, which is hard to find these days! Very happy with work!!

We had a fantastic experience working with Richard on two different custom projects, built in cabinets for the family room and a storage cubby unit off our garage. Richard does high quality work with custom specifications at a fair price and in a timely manner. He was highly responsive in communication as well. I felt comfortable with him in my home while we were away. We have recommended him to many who have also been highly satisfied!

Richard did an excellent job building our "dream porch" for us. He listened well, helped us fine tune our plan, kept us informed along the way and the finished project is all we hoped for. We have more projects in mind and plan to use Clearcut Construction again. We highly recommend him to all our friends.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I refuse to hire anyone else to do remodel/construction projects. Richard has now completed 3 distinct jobs for me. A full demo/remodel of my basement, a new construction enclosed/screened back porch tying into my existing roof, and a partial interior remodel on our lake house. Richard is the hardest working, most dependable person that I've ever had work on my home. His attention to detail is unsurpassed and he simply won't quit working until you're completely satisfied. Everyone who visits our home always compliments the quality of his work and many of my neighbors have since hired him - all of them getting the same excellent results for a reasonable price. I've told Richard that he doesn't have an option on anything that we have done to our homes in the future - he's already hired!

Richard Ryder did a large renovaton for me including gutting my master bath and closet, upgrading two more baths, installing hard wood floors, installing all new light fixtures, widening closet doors, taking down a wall, and painting the entire interior. He is currently doing repairs on a second home we have recently purchased. My master bath and closet were a disaster. Richard not only refurbished the space, he completely redesigned it creating a spa like oasis that we still can't believe is ours. He did the carpentry on the built-ins himself. While we have worked with several competent contractors, no one compares to Richard Ryder. He can do anything from historic preservation to new builds to remodeling. He is a creative problem solver, a skilled craftsman, and a reliable, fair, and honest person. He offers a range of options for any job and stays on budget. When Richard works with you it is as your advocate; he works with you to get the best result for the most reasonable price. We feel blessed that we found him and he has our highest recommendation and our complete confidence.