Simplify the Process

HOME RENOVATIONS, NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL, HAVE TWO BASIC REQUIREMENTS: someone who can transfer your ideas into blueprints and someone who can interpret those into a physical structure.

For large jobs, homeowners generally start with an architect and then hire a builder to complete the design. But for small projects, like kitchen renovations, sunrooms and dormers, the process usually starts with a builder who may or may not draw plans (or worse, forgo the permitting process).

George Suddell, owner of Suddell Builders in Huntington, is both a licensed architect and general contractor. “We are architects who build, not contractors that design,” says Suddell. “And who is better suited to build your house than the person who conceived the concept?”

Suddell cautions against companies that bill their services as “design build.” An important distinction between a designer and architect is that only the latter is full-licensed and has the required training to understand advanced building science topics including bearing loads and how external forces affect a building.

“Our firm prides itself as architects. We believe that architects are essential to good design and we want to bring back the pride architects felt in the past,” said Suddell. “Architecture is an art and involves the creative process. Years of schooling and practice are necessary for good architecture.”

One reason architects have lost some cache is that they are often regarded as those that design vicariously while spending other people’s money.

“Architects are challenged to restrain the creative process to fall in line with construction costs. An architect who builds develops an understanding of costs and labor. This understanding helps the architect control all phases of the process,” explains Suddell.

All clients want to know the answer to two questions: “How Much,” and “How Long?” and Suddell said that before becoming builders, they relied on the advice of others. Now that they have years of experience under their belts, they can find these answers in their database of material suppliers, lumber yards, plumbers and other trades.

“When the architect controls the cash flow of a project, he has the leverage necessary to get the job done on your terms,” according to Suddell.

For example, renovating a kitchen is often a Suddell project from end-to-end. Starting with his own designs, cabinetry is built in his shop. Then, his crew installs this work at the jobsite. The end product is an architecturally designed kitchen that can feature entry columns, 5/4-inch solid wood cabinet doors and hand-brushed finishes on all exterior surfaces. And because it was designed by the architect who also drew plans for the home, it can incorporate important design considerations, perhaps French doors that exit the kitchen and maximize the water view of the home.

The kitchen of this home was a Suddell project from end-to-end. Starting with his own design, the cabinetry was built in his shop. Then, his crew installed this work at the jobsite. The end product is a kitchen that features entry columns, 5/4-inch solid maple cabinet doors and hand-brushed finishes on all exterior surfaces. The kitchen layout was designed to maximize the water view of the home.

When approached by the owners of this North Shore renovation, Suddell recognized— and incorporated into his design— a simple fact of life: we all get older. Having already lived in the home which was previously a Colonial, this couple wanted to stay put and live out their retirement enjoying the water views of Long Island Sound, yet create their dream home at the same time.

“We designed this house and made it completely ADA-accessible. The design has an elevator, which they don’t need now, but it’s something for down the road,” explained Suddell. “It’s a walk-in closet now, both in the entry and second floor. When the time comes, you can just pop out a floor joist and install the elevator.”

Suddell redesigned and expanded the home into a Dutch Colonial with a massive entry and wrap-around porch. On the right, sits a three-car garage.

Around back, the porch continues and has a handicapped ramp behind the garage. The current owner is able to drive a golf cart up this ramp, right to the back door.

While Suddell recommends all his clients past a certain age consider incorporating ADA-guidelines into their designs, he notes that even young couples should think towards the future. “You never know, they might want to sell to an empty nester,” he said.