Five Things To Consider When Choosing A Home Builder

We asked members of the Alexander Nicholson team what they think people should consider before selecting a home builder. Here’s what they had to say:

1. Your builder should be available to lead you through the process, communicating with you throughout

2. Choose a builder with a lot of experience. On our team, there are several members with more than thirty years in the field. That benefits the rest of the team as we come together to discuss projects and problem solve.

3. Is there a culture of transparency between the builder and its clients? Talking to some of the builder’s previous clients will reveal that. Many of our clients come from personal referrals.

4. Will the builder be there to help you realize your vision? We believe strongly that we’re there to help execute the vision of the owner and the architect, and bring to the table our expertise in making that happen safely, cost-effectively, and with the highest quality.

5. How often and when does your builder communicate internally, and how often will they communicate with you? At Alexander Nicholson, we not only have weekly meetings, but are in touch with each other frequently, in an effort to keep projects moving smoothly forward.

We hope the advice of our experienced team helps you in your selection of a builder for your next home.

Gorgeous Custom Home with Unique Finishes

This single-family residence was all new construction for clients who had a very distinct vision. The plan for the home concentrated on the use of natural light. To get the desired effect, the architect designed a long, one-room wide house, which ensures magnificent views from every room. Special features included glass towers and polished concrete floors. Steel construction created the framework for the house to have large window openings, allowing for light to pour in and for unobstructed views of the countryside. This unique house, designed by Train Architects, is unlike any other we have ever built.

“Alexander Nicholson was recommended enthusiastically by our architect.”

When our clients began building their forever home, they wanted to work with Train Architects. They had worked with Kirk Train on a previous home and so knew of his exacting standards.

“We needed to find a builder Kirk would be able to work with. I’m grateful that we found Alexander Nicholson because the level of complexity that this project presented required working through a lot of uncertainty,” said the homeowner. “Alexander Nicholson was recommended enthusiastically by our architect.”

The house has many unique features, requiring study, care, and caution.

“Allan (Pettit) was exceptional in his appetite for taking on more unusual features,” the homeowner said.

“The home includes many high-end finishes including shiplap with flush conditions, eighth inch reveals, very detailed features of the plan that are very different from other houses. This required attention to detail that most builders don’t possess. Allan and John (Oimette) were really extraordinary with the very fine points of the plan.”

Friends of the owners had worked with Alexander Nicholson and in addition to Train Architects, recommended the builder based on the level of organization they offered. “Alexander Nicholson was always able to share the schedule and the budget with confidence. That, in addition to their workmanship, made it a great project, overall,” said the homeowner.

We think you’ll agree the results are incredible.

Historic Renovation: Charlottesville Builder Transforms Vintage Carriage House

In collaboration with Bushman Dreyfus Architects, Alexander Nicholson worked to transform a vintage carriage house into stunning guest quarters. A three-bay garage with a storage loft became a finely appointed home office, home gym, full kitchen, full bath, and luxurious living area. Guests can exit through a folding 13’ door to a limestone terrace overlooking an exquisite infinity pool.

Project supervisor Stuart Squire said, “This project was rewarding as heck and fun to create. I feel very fortunate and take great pride in being able to work with our own local, highly-skilled trade and design people to put in place the fine finishes on this carriage house.”

Building from a balloon-framed garage, the team maintained the vintage exterior’s charm while adding an interior element of modern comfort and luxury.