Special Feature and additions they ’ re comfortable with , which can be around ten percent to the cost of the project but is usually higher .”
“ I would say that out of five projects , at least two do not move forward because they expected a budget of $ 1 million but in reality the actual cost to build as designed is closer to $ 3 million ,” agrees Bryan . “ These never end up getting built or they go back to the drawing board and start over .”
“ The smoothest projects are always the ones with seasoned architects and designers whom we have worked prior ,” shares Mark . “ They put together an entire package with both materials and dreams – everything is laid out on paper and if they hand that to us , it will be a 10-to-12-month project . If new decisions are made along the way , things will naturally be delayed , and it turns into a 14-to-16-month project .”
As supply chain challenges in the industry continue to test homebuilders ’ capabilities , the project timing and execution of a successful build is at the forefront of the brothers ’ focus . “ We are hired six months to a year in advance and we are working on all the details well before we start . Deliveries of products can be a little bit slow , I just heard from a famous window manufacturer that there is currently a 40 week lead time ! How does that work on a year build schedule ?
“ We are ordering product as soon as we break ground , we are pouring foundations and we are organizing windows at the same time , and it can be risky ,” Bryan reveals . “ When it comes to ordering doors and windows , which are usually the most expensive custom materials on a project , I personally am the only person allowed to do it . I have a boneyard of old windows from those years of mistakes we ’ ve been making and while I love donating that sort of thing to good causes , I don ’ t want to donate too much !”
With Burkhart Brothers Construction approaching its 20th year and having achieved an enviable position in the luxury custom homebuilding segment , what is next for the business ? “ The only thing I see changing is us becoming even more selective with projects we choose to embark upon , and the people we work with ,” says Bryan . “ We ’ d like to do stronger , better , bigger projects , less of them maybe , but with really , truly incredible people in the community .”
“ I don ’ t think we will change the areas where we focus , so it ’ s the opportunity to choose who we work with and really grow closer to certain architects and designers ,” Mark agrees . “ We are very happy with our team , but we also work with sub-contractors , architects and designers . We want to take the opportunity to build on those relationships as well . That isn ’ t because any one supersedes the other , it ’ s because their methods and approaches are in sync with ours . We have the utmost respect for all the different members of our team .”
“ It ’ s like dating ,” notes Bryan . “ You figure out who people are on dates , you court a lot of people and then eventually you get married ! We ’ ve been courting many people for many years and we keep refining that process , it ’ s a never-ending journey .”
Simply put , “ we are building the dream team that is going to deliver despite the challenges of any given year – we are building a family and a tradition ,” Mark sums up . ■
Burkhart Brothers Construction www . burkhartbros . com
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