Spring 2002

Rauser:  The Name Says It All. . .

They knew they wanted an unusual house—an “arts and crafts” style home.  So, they began their search process at the Maryland Home Show, originally looking for an architect who could accommodate their style.  That’s when they ran into the Rausers.

Explaining to Bill what he wanted to achieve, including unusual features such as an inglenook and a playroom with two sleeping alcoves, Don was given a referral to one of several architects the firm customarily recommends, always trying to fit each customer’s desires and personality with the best professional to do the plans.   

Once that introduction was made, Rauser Professional Contracting was involved from the early stages—working hand-in-hand with Don and Linda and the architect to foster a team relationship from the beginning.  With years of experience coming in after the drawings and “dream” conversations were over, the Rausers have demonstrated there is a better way that helps clients meet their objectives more creatively and cost-effectively. Don can attest to that “way,” believing very much that having Rauser involved from the beginning was definitely an advantage.

According to Don, “By working with us and the architect from the beginning, we were all on the same page. They (Rauser and the architect) knew what we wanted to achieve so they combined their expertise to make the best recommendations to us then and there, whether the recommendation was a way to do something differently or even a way to save us  money.”

Once the construction began and the project was in Rauser’s hands, everything went just as smoothly according to Don.  He said that the company is really comprised of “craftsmen, not contractors” who took “incredible pride in what they did, down to the tiniest detail.”  That’s hard to say about many companies, especially given all the details that go into building a custom home.   

Additionally, he said, “They kept us informed along the way, giving us updates and progress reports frequently.”  He added, “We were never in doubt that they would meet the move-in deadline.  Even if a shipment was delayed or weather played a factor, the crew did not lose a beat,” said Don.  “They just worked on something else to keep the project flowing smoothly.”

Don said that asking questions and making changes, even once the work began, never bothered the Rausers, who were very open to their input—making it clear that pleasing them and earning another more-than-satisfied customer was their job.  He added that the Rauser team was willing to offer additional options that often saved them money.  For instance, Don cites the  kitchen cabinets, saying Rauser made recommendations that achieved the same effect for them, but saved them hundreds of dollars.  He said that Rauser worked to “accommodate our budget” every step of the way, and offered options to rob Peter to pay Paul, knowing which products could be easily substituted for more expensive ones so that the saved dollars could be used where a substitution to achieve the same look would be more difficult.

And, while Don and Linda are thrilled with their Rauser custom home, the question remains, “Would you go through the process of building a custom home again?” Don said, without an instant of hesitation, “Yes.”  But, he immediately qualified that answer by adding, “with the Rausers.”  That seemed to say it all. . .    

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