Reed Fawell

Earlier I’d built several major office buildings in Washington DC, so I was skeptical at first when our architect suggested we take Keith Prettyman’s General Contractor bid to renovate and enlarge our home on the Miles River outside Easton.  His bid was lowest among the four competitors.  But the other bids were based on guaranteed fixed prices.  Keith estimated his total price.  That was based on his subcontractor prices and his estimate of his company’s time and materials per the Architects plans.  What worried me were later cost overruns, change orders or otherwise, without a guaranteed price.  There almost always are change orders on any custom home building or remodeling job.  But how will your contractor deal with them and you as owner when those change orders arise?  Will the contractor, once he's won the job, and it's underway, still look after the owners best interests?  Will he find the best solutions, to keep the owners costs in line for best value?  That was my worry.  "Not to worry with Keith doing the work," said the Architect.  So did his several references, as I walked through their beautiful homes, all built for them by Keith.  So in the end I selected Keith Prettyman.  That turned out to be the right decision for sure.

This was true even after we encountered unexpected challenges that typically arise in any renovation, and also chose as owners to add much new work to the job mid construction.  The changes were demanding skill wise.  Once uncovered, the foundations needed shoring up.  Keith quickly and effectively remedied the structure underground.  And we chose to add lifted and vaulted beam ceilings, an intricate and custom design built staircase, some redesigned columns and window treatments, custom designed built drive and walkways.  These latter change orders took best advantage of the surprise opportunities we uncovered as we opened and pushed out hour home’s walls and ceilings.  Our imaginations saw exciting chances we couldn’t pass up.  And each time Keith and his craftsmen found workable and cost effective solutions.   Not only did they make these ideas happen at a cost we could afford, but they gave us ways to save money doing them while giving us options to improve their design, look, function and construction.  In the end this new work, and how it was designed and built, created much of the glory and value of our new house.  I have no doubt that it was built at a price below what it otherwise would have cost, without Keith. 

Plus Keith’s people are not only master craftsmen and reliable, but also a pleasure to work with. If our experience is the guide, you cannot go wrong hiring Keith Prettyman to build or renovate your home.