Communication is one of the most important elements to a successful remodeling project. It happens in the early stages when a homeowner expresses their wants and needs for the space and continues through to construction and completion. One hiccup along the way can sour the whole experience.

At Ryann Reed Design Build, a sister firm of Remodeling Concepts, every aspect of a remodeling project is integrated into one organization. From kitchen and bathrooms to basements and additions, Ryann Reed Design Build handles it from the ground up and is the sole point of contact for clients throughout the process.  

We spoke with Dave Martin, president, about why communication is a priority (and how they back it up) and why it’s essential for the company and its clients to get to know each other.

What are some qualities that make Ryann Reed Design Build stand out in the industry?
I think a lot of people always say they care about communication, but we mean it. We actually offer an online portal  that gives clients access to all of their product selections, daily communications with the team, progress pictures, project tracking tools. If they have a question, it goes to the entire team, instead of sending it to one person and hoping they get it and then waiting for a response. We want total transparency so clients can see what is happening.  Our mission is to enhance the quality of lives by transforming homes and building trusting relationships through a team-oriented approach. We live by our “RECIPE” of core values: relationships, empowerment, community, integrity, play and excellence.

What is different about working with a design-build firm?
The difference in working with a design-build firm (versus a contractor) is that we create a true design just for you. We’re going to look at the entire space, not just replace things where they already were. We’re going to see about removing walls if possible, or moving the kitchen to another spot in the home if it makes sense. We want it to be as functional as possible, and we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of how you use your kitchen with a survey. We’ll ask about cooking habits because cooks and bakers need different things. We will also look at everything you have in the kitchen, from the number of appliances to how many sets of dishes and glasses you have. These all contribute to the functionality and allow us to design based on the anticipated spot and access to these items.

Tell us a little bit about what clients might expect while working with you.
We start with a preliminary phone call to help understand the clients’ needs and desires before we go to their house. We want to hear their ideas and the scope of the work to make sure it’s something we can achieve because it should be a proper fit not just for them, but us as well. We do ask to know the budget so we can maximize it. If we are on the same page we’ll do an in-house meeting followed by an appointment in our showroom where the clients can see a rendering of the design as a starting point.

Once a project development agreement is authorized, we’ll get into the nuts and bolts of the design, meeting bi-weekly to finish the materials selection before moving on to construction. Once that phase begins, every project will have a dedicated lead carpenter on site and a production manager checks in weekly as the liaison between  the office and the site. Because we perform most of the work ourselves, we can cut most timelines in half.  

Are there any kitchen or bath products you are particularly excited to offer clients?
As mentioned earlier, storage and functionality are everything when it comes to design, and cabinets are a big piece of this whether it’s in a kitchen, bathroom, basement or an addition. We’re a dealer for Wellborn Cabinet, which offers a semi-custom cabinet line that meets any need we have, from custom bars to mudrooms with hooks and cubbies. The company offers 6,000 different combinations of style and color to achieve any look you want. It’s a family-owned  company located in Alabama and everything is made on site, which means the quality is 100 percent on them; they aren’t relying on other vendors. Shipments come directly to us from the factory and no middle person is involved.

Ryann Reed Design Build
Langhorne, Pa. | (215) 372-0400 | RyannReed.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 19, Issue 10 (April 2019). 
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