Blog

Our Trade Partners Matter

How & Why Our Trade Partners are Instrumental in the Creation & Completion of Projects

There are quite a few reasons a good Design-Build Remodeler is able to complete many high-quality, unique projects. At The Cleary Company, we are often talking about how good our projects, people, and processes are. This doesn’t adequately represent all that is necessary to be successful in this field. One huge component of our success has been the ability to find a great set of teammates. We call this group, Trade Partners and they are truly partners in the creation and completion of projects to be proud of.

Finding the Right Partner

We feel that finding the right type of person/company to partner with is key to maintaining the fun, family like character of our company. The Cleary Company looks for partners with similar values as ours. It starts with demonstrating respect for every individual and every project. How you handle the fact that you are working in someone’s home, making a significant impact on their lives, is critical.

Developing a long-term relationship with a likeminded group like this helps maintain our ability to consistently produce high quality work. In order for us all to stand behind our work it is important that we all display qualities like reliability, dependability and longevity. It is easy to focus on the Client and their home when you work with people who you know have your best interest in mind.

Collaborating

While working through design concepts, selection options and problem solving in the field we collaborate with some of the most creative, knowledgeable folks in town. They help us make sure we are considering all available options and identify ways for us to bring the best value to our Clients’ projects.

Continuing Education

We appreciate working with partners who continue to advance their professional skills and knowledge. These advancements include continuing education, certifications and designations. There are several organizations The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build and our related Trade Partners rely on for some of this development. NARI, ASID, NKBA and others offer us all the ability to improve how we can assist our Clients with their design/remodel needs.

Our Extended Team

If you are a past or present Client, you probably already know some of these great teammates. If you are considering a remodeling project, contact us and we will introduce you to some of these fine folks. If you are one of our Trade Partners, I hope we are letting you know how important you are!

For additional reading check out these resources:

How to Navigate the Remodeling Process

Characteristics of Successful Contractors

The Top Five Traits of an Excellent Contractor

July 6, 2017
Home Remodeling & Jobsite Safety
What Clients Can Do To Keep Safe During Their Home Remodel

by Aaron Enfinger CR General Manager The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus OH

Safety has no quitting time; Safety first; Safety is no accident; Safety is as simple as ABC-Always Be Careful. Would you like me to continue? I can do this all day!

There are many slogans when it comes to safety. Many of these are catchy, funny and memorable so that safety is kept at the top of mind when working in an environment that, at times, can be dangerous. One thing that we in the home remodeling industry do as part of our jobs is bring some of these dangers into your home.

Despite the potential for danger on any jobsite, Our Team at The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus OH is committed to safe construction sites for our homeowners, their families and pets, plus all our employees, trades and vendors. We feel education is key to keeping everyone safe so let’s take a few minutes to review some simple ways our clients can assist our Production Team with safety on every jobsite.

The KISS acronym is an easy way to remember for good safety practices-

Keeps It Safe and Sound!
- Keep clear of work site during the work day
One of the best ways to avoid potentially unsafe conditions is to…avoid potentially unsafe conditions. While the craftsmen are working on your project it is best to stay away from the construction area. There are tools, materials, and other potential hazards lurking everywhere. Giving the craftsmen the needed space and time to work, goes a long way in reducing additional exposure to hidden hazards. This is especially true for children and pets! Your Project Manager can arrange a time either before or after the work day to walk your jobsite with you.
- Involve everyone that lives in the home in project communication
One of the most important aspects of any home remodeling project is staying in regular communication with your Project Manager. Whether you prefer calls, texts or emails, communication needs to go both ways in the dynamic relationship of Client/PM. Please regularly update your Project Manager with your family’s activities and daily schedule. Safety can be compromised with surprises so you and your household will need to know what is happening daily in your home and when it is going to happen. Our APP makes keeping in touch and up to date easy with your mobile phone or tablet!
- Store valuables away from the work zone
We have seen some very unfortunate circumstances where some very sentimental family heirlooms have inadvertently been damaged during demo and/or construction. Even though all professional craftsmen take pride in the fact that they can do their work and minimize impact on the family’s daily life, clients can help us be successful by keeping important possessions out of harm’s way. We recommend any item of value, whether sentimental or monetary value, be kept away from any area under construction and prefer these items to be packed away and, if possible, stored offsite.
- Set boundaries with your children and pets
It seems obvious enough, but it should be highlighted anyway- DO NOT allow children and/or pets unattended into construction areas during working and even during non-working hours. Construction sites are never a safe place for children and pets since they can’t discern the dangers looming. Please keep them far away from the tools, materials, and exposed mechanical systems.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility and reward!

For additional information on Remodeler – Client communication check out this article from This Old House Magazine, How to Get the Most from Your Contractor
June 19, 2017
Our Clients Matter

Watch Our Client Testimonial Video!

Melanie and Jon purchased their split-level home in 2001 from the original owner. They loved the Mid-Century Modern style and that architecturally nothing had changed or been updated since the 1960’s, even the kitchen still had original range, oven, sink, cabinets & countertops! However, after 13 yrs of living with their outdated kitchen they realized the U-shaped layout and the lack of storage and countertop space was no longer working for them and their two teenage children.

George and Laura worked with Melanie and Jon for over a year to create a design plan, and the scope of work and budget for the kitchen and 1st floor that met all of the family’s needs as well as incorporated their love for their Mid-Century Modern furnishings, classical Disney art and vintage glass collection.

See what other clients are saying about their experience working with The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus OH by clicking here. To learn more about Our Team and our projects watch more videos here.

June 13, 2017
Client Testimonial: Kitchen Remodel in Columbus, OH
Melanie & Jon, Columbus OH

Clients discuss their experience working with The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build. The remodel of their Mid-Century split level home created a kitchen that met their lifestyle needs. The project scope included expanding the footprint of original kitchen by using space from an adjacent room.

A design plan was created that gave the family of four a more functional layout for their kitchen, dining and living rooms. Other updates included in the home’s 1st floor remodel were opening up the wall between the kitchen and living room, building custom banquet seating, installing new interior doors, trim, plus all new lighting, flooring and paint.
- Project Developers – George Cleary, CR & Robert Raskin
- Designer – Laura Watson, ASID, UDCP
- Project Manager – Rob Lindeboom, CLC
Want to see more? View this project’s photo album on our Houzz Pro Profile!
June 13, 2017
5 Benefits of Rain Barrels
Did you know rain barrels have community as well as household benefits?

A rain barrel is a container that captures and stores rainwater draining from your roof. Barrels usually range from 50 to 80 gallons and have a spigot for filling watering cans and a connection for a soaker hose. Our design center has a rain barrel conveniently installed for watering our plants and trees. Here are our top 5 benefits of using a rain barrel as part of your eco-friendly gardening.
1. Save Money. Reduce your water bill with a rain barrel’s water catch. A typical gardener can save as much as 1,300 gallons of water during the growing season. Landscape watering typically accounts for up to 40% of a homeowner’s water use during the summer.
2. Reduce Runoff Pollution & Erosion. Runoff from rains pick up soil, oil, pesticides, fertilizers and other contaminates and push them to other areas. When these pollutants accumulate they contribute to algae growth in lakes and alter the habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife which can also make lakes and oceans dangerous for humans and other mammals. Your rain catch will be especially helpful!
3. Promote Plant & Soil Health. Rainwater is better for your landscaping because it’s highly oxygenated and more importantly free of salts, fluoride and inorganic ions. Use of rainwater in your garden also makes plants more drought-tolerant.
4. Conserve Water. Storing rainwater can do a world of good for the environment. You’ll have your own water source in times of mild drought or watering restrictions. The average rainfall of one inch within a 24 hour period can produce more than 700 gallons of water that run off a typical house!
5. Wash Cars & Windows. Rain water is free of calcium, chlorine, and lime making the water from your rain barrel a great option for washing your car. Since it’s soft water, it won’t hurt your car’s paint or damage windows. And, you’ll be saving some of that precious tap water for more practical uses, like drinking.
Easily estimate how many gallons of water you can collect with a Rainfall Harvest Calculator. We found a site that will do it for you Gardener’s Supply Company. Just enter the dimensions of your roof (note: only the section that drains into your barrel) and then, add the amount of rainfall in inches.

SAFETY NOTE: Do not use collected water for drinking, cooking or bathing!
June 9, 2017
Listen to Aaron & Rob discuss Design-Build Remodeling

Production Manager Aaron Enfinger CR & Project Manager Rob Lindeboom CLC discuss Remodel Design Build with Marty Reed of Frog Hauling on his Sunday morning show From Our House to our Home

May 26, 2017
Good Communication Matters

Why Effective Communication is Vital to Successful Remodeling

Left to Right: Robert Raskin- Project Developer, Laura Watson ASID, UDCP- Designer,Michael Gharrity CR, GCP, UDCP- Project Developer, Cathryn Brassfield Allied ASID- Designer, George Cleary CR- Owner, Olivia Kern IIDA Associate, LEED-GA- Designer

The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build, Columbus OH, takes pride in our communication with our clients. We feel that a good relationship and trust all begin with clear, concise communication.

Effective communication is vital to the successful completion of any remodeling or new build project. Good communication can improve teamwork and lead to better collaboration. Poor communication can result in misunderstandings, delays and sometimes increased job costs.

Being able to transmit a message so it is received and understood by the intended recipients is of the utmost importance. Seems simple enough, right? If you’ve ever played the Telephone Game you know it’s not always that easy. The message usually gets misheard a few times and then changes the message completely!

Communication throughout all aspects of your project is very important to us. For this reason, every project is assigned a Project Developer and Designer to create a budget & design plan. When we’re ready to begin building your project we also assign a Project Manager and Carpenter to your jobsite. Throughout the process our Team uses face to face, phone, txt, email, project documents and our BuilderTrend app.

In addition to establishing a clear chain of command for communication, determining the best methods of communication to use, and we also discuss with our clients how often they would like to receive information regarding the project.

Our Team also understands that being good at communicating is a skill that can be improved upon with practice and training. Which is why we are active in the local chapters of NARI, NKBA & ASID. These professional affiliations help keep our Team up to date by regularly offer continuing education classes and meetings.

Overall, we want every project to go as smoothly as possible, and working out any details beforehand is beneficial. Open and honest communication is always key! We have high expectations for our team members, and by using these guidelines we know your project will be a success!

April 28, 2017
Commitment to Serving Others Matters

What giving back means at the Cleary Company

The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus, Ohio, is committed to giving back to the communities we live and work in. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk~ Caring for our Team, Caring for our Clients and Caring for our Community.

Take for example, George Cleary –Owner: George leads his team by example, volunteering his time and talents locally to Pelotonia, Bishop Watterson High School, St Timothy’s church, Kairos prison ministry and internationally to Passion Center for Children in Malawi, Africa. He’s not only happy to be part of enhancing properties in the neighborhoods where he lives and works but by volunteering with various community, church and school activities. George feeds his passion of connecting with people, building relationships and having fun.

As a Team and as individuals, we give many hours of service and donations to a wide variety of causes, including, WCBE local NPR station, Komen Race for a Cure, Keep Columbus Beautiful, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Mid-Ohio Foodbank, Stowe Center, Heart to Heart Food Pantry, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Lifeline of Ohio, Ovarian Cancer Alliance, NARI as well as many churches and schools our families attend. We are proud to be such great community supporters and we truly love what we do! Giving back into the communities we serve is such a rewarding experience.

George believes, “It just makes sense to invest in our community and give back. We want to be visible and provide great services both through our trade and through our volunteer commitments.” The Cleary Company is blessed to be a part of so many wonderful neighborhoods, and we hope that we are your first choice when it comes to home renovation, Columbus, Ohio. You can invest in us knowing that we are committed to excellence in service and in work!

April 6, 2017
WE WON~ AGAIN! Whole House Remodel

National Association of the Remodeling Industry Central Ohio Chapter Contractor of the Year Whole House Remodel $250k-500k

Our Whole House remodel project in Grove City OH which included 3 small additions, a new kitchen, mudroom, laundry, powder room, 2 full bathrooms, new roof, gutters and front entry has won BOTH the Local and Regional awards for Contractor of the Year (CotY) in the Entire House $250,000 – $500,000 category from the National Association of the Remodeling Association (NARI). Keep your fingers crossed for us~ National winners will be announced in April!

Judging is based on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation and degree of difficulty by an impartial panel of industry experts. Each year NARI presents CotY awards to members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects. The entries of this year’s competition totaled more than $103 million worth of remodeling projects. NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. To be considered for a CotY Award, a company must be a NARI member in good standing. What is a NARI CotY?

Video of our award winning project

February 9, 2017
Start Planning Now for Your Spring & Summer Projects

Thinking of upgrading your home’s exterior or adding an outdoor living space? Now is the time to get started on designing the structure and selecting all the features. As you explore ideas keep in mind that creating a relaxing, stylish outdoor living space or outdoor room can greatly increase the appeal and value of your home as well as provide an oasis for friends and family to enjoy the great outdoors in comfort.

To protect your outdoor room from the elements, consider adding a roof, awning or pergola in an eye-popping color and design. This way, your outdoor living space will be open for enjoyment even in most of the unpredictable Ohio weather. Our client chose a red metal roof for their new screened porch and selected a light blue for the open beam interior ceiling. Don’t be afraid to add stylish accents and traditional indoor furnishings to your outdoor room. Carpets, throw pillows for furniture, and other design touches will create a welcoming feel. Just make sure they’re rated for outdoor use if they’ll be exposed to the elements.

Check out our website for other great exterior & outdoor living projects!

February 9, 2017