Our Company |
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The firm was formed in 2006 by Chris Brassfield. Chris has been building the highest quality custom homes for over twenty years in the Charleston area. Bernie Fulk joined the firm in 2007 bringing 35 years of business experience in financial services plus exposure to multi- family apartment construction and multiple projects on his own homes. The mission of the firm is to provide the finest quality and the highest value in each custom home it builds. To do this, a unique methodology is applied to both the design and construction process.
PERSONEL
Chris Brassfield is a master builder in every sense of the word. In his 30 plus year career he has built over 100 homes throughout the Charleston metro area, both for prominent locals as well as newer transplants. He is held in high regard by both clients and building trade professionals.
Bernie Fulk has worked with Chris over the past eight years on a number of projects on Kiawah and Seabrook. He is currently a member of the Architectural Review Board for the Kiawah Island Club community of Cassique.
QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION
The highest quality standards are adhered to during the building process often resulting in upgrades beyond that required by the building code. For example garage slabs and crawl space floors are carefully set at an elevation to ensure there is no water intrusion from either high tides or rain water run-off, a level frequently beyond that required by code. Concrete block foundation cells are all completely filled with concrete while code requires only ones containing steel reinforcement to be filled. All exterior sheeting is plywood never OSB board (pressure treated plywood is used with stucco siding). The sheeting is covered with two layers of building felt with water proof fasteners. Tyvek or Typar is not used. Roof underlayment is ice and water shield and not tar paper. All flashing is copper or stainless with particular attention paid to the method of flashing around windows and doors. All exterior fasteners are non – corrosive and IPE hard wood decking is face screwed with stainless steel screws. Interior tile or stone is installed over a cement sub system, either hardie board or mortar mix. Framing material meets or exceeds minimum code standards. Roof decks are encapsulated with open cell foam and sound attenuation material is installed in all interior walls and floors to reduce sound transmission. Plumbing drain pipes are cast iron to reduce the noise of draining water. Two speed high energy efficient HVAC systems are standard. Wood flooring is site finished (natural or stained) with multiple coats of water borne urethane, a commercial grade product. Our standard trim package includes a custom mahogany front entry door, solid core interior doors, substantial base boards, crown moldings, coffered ceilings, and custom built closets.
CRAFTSMEN
High grade materials do not guarantee a quality custom home if they are not properly installed. Our sub- contractors are the most experienced and professional ones in the Charleston area and we have long term relationships with them. We do not choose the cheapest sub-contractors (or the most expensive) but use great craftsmen that not only produce the highest quality work but represent the best value for our clients.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We believe that “hands on management” is an important element in producing the highest quality custom homes. All work on custom homes that we build is coordinated and supervised directly by the principals of the firm. Clients deal directly with us on every aspect of the project and we are in attendance at a client’s job almost every day.
TRANSPARENCY
We go to great lengths to ensure that our clients are always completely in the loop regarding their project. To begin with our bid is broken down into three components. The first is a schedule of values that provides at least 25 separate cost categories comprising the total cost of construction. This is supported by a schedule of allowances (typically 35 or more items) covering all allowance items in detail. Our allowance numbers are based on actual client selections for fixtures, furnishings, and finishes. For example an allowance number for appliances would include the price for actual makes and models – a real number and not a soft one picked out of thin air that proves to be inadequate. Finally a set of budget clarifications specifying in detail all of the components in the house. Clients need to clearly understand what they are paying for and this documentation provides clarity. Next a time line for construction is established and is update moving forward with progress reports including pictures. Any decisions that clients need to make during the construction phase are broached well in advance of the time needed for an answer. Clients may contact us directly at any time via cell phone or email and questions will be answered promptly – usually the same day.
VALUE ENGINEERING
The design of a custom home in large part determines actual cost of a construction. We are happy to discuss current building costs and to consult during the design process to provide an understanding of the costs of specific design decisions and to ensure the project does not exceed budget expectations. We can also suggest design features that reduce the cost of a project.
Bernie Fulk has worked with Chris over the past eight years on a number of projects on Kiawah and Seabrook. He is currently a member of the Architectural Review Board for the Kiawah Island Club community of Cassique.
QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION
The highest quality standards are adhered to during the building process often resulting in upgrades beyond that required by the building code. For example garage slabs and crawl space floors are carefully set at an elevation to ensure there is no water intrusion from either high tides or rain water run-off, a level frequently beyond that required by code. Concrete block foundation cells are all completely filled with concrete while code requires only ones containing steel reinforcement to be filled. All exterior sheeting is plywood never OSB board (pressure treated plywood is used with stucco siding). The sheeting is covered with two layers of building felt with water proof fasteners. Tyvek or Typar is not used. Roof underlayment is ice and water shield and not tar paper. All flashing is copper or stainless with particular attention paid to the method of flashing around windows and doors. All exterior fasteners are non – corrosive and IPE hard wood decking is face screwed with stainless steel screws. Interior tile or stone is installed over a cement sub system, either hardie board or mortar mix. Framing material meets or exceeds minimum code standards. Roof decks are encapsulated with open cell foam and sound attenuation material is installed in all interior walls and floors to reduce sound transmission. Plumbing drain pipes are cast iron to reduce the noise of draining water. Two speed high energy efficient HVAC systems are standard. Wood flooring is site finished (natural or stained) with multiple coats of water borne urethane, a commercial grade product. Our standard trim package includes a custom mahogany front entry door, solid core interior doors, substantial base boards, crown moldings, coffered ceilings, and custom built closets.
CRAFTSMEN
High grade materials do not guarantee a quality custom home if they are not properly installed. Our sub- contractors are the most experienced and professional ones in the Charleston area and we have long term relationships with them. We do not choose the cheapest sub-contractors (or the most expensive) but use great craftsmen that not only produce the highest quality work but represent the best value for our clients.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We believe that “hands on management” is an important element in producing the highest quality custom homes. All work on custom homes that we build is coordinated and supervised directly by the principals of the firm. Clients deal directly with us on every aspect of the project and we are in attendance at a client’s job almost every day.
TRANSPARENCY
We go to great lengths to ensure that our clients are always completely in the loop regarding their project. To begin with our bid is broken down into three components. The first is a schedule of values that provides at least 25 separate cost categories comprising the total cost of construction. This is supported by a schedule of allowances (typically 35 or more items) covering all allowance items in detail. Our allowance numbers are based on actual client selections for fixtures, furnishings, and finishes. For example an allowance number for appliances would include the price for actual makes and models – a real number and not a soft one picked out of thin air that proves to be inadequate. Finally a set of budget clarifications specifying in detail all of the components in the house. Clients need to clearly understand what they are paying for and this documentation provides clarity. Next a time line for construction is established and is update moving forward with progress reports including pictures. Any decisions that clients need to make during the construction phase are broached well in advance of the time needed for an answer. Clients may contact us directly at any time via cell phone or email and questions will be answered promptly – usually the same day.
VALUE ENGINEERING
The design of a custom home in large part determines actual cost of a construction. We are happy to discuss current building costs and to consult during the design process to provide an understanding of the costs of specific design decisions and to ensure the project does not exceed budget expectations. We can also suggest design features that reduce the cost of a project.
