Spring 2003

Renovation Fulfills Vision
Through Service & Craftsmanship

Imagine this: you do months of research to analyze whether it makes more sense to renovate or to move, and come to the conclusion that the renovation is the way to go. You choose this route for many reasons, but with the focus of the efforts being an enhancement in the overall quality of the home and more living space. And, you make this choice even if it means tearing the back wall off the house to expand it, and tearing the roof off another part of your house to build a second story...all while you’re living in it.

Well, that’s the choice made by Brian and Eileen O’Rourke, who then hired Rauser Professional Contracting to make their vision for their home a reality. Little did they know, however, that the architect’s plans, which were the basis for the project, might have looked good on paper but left Rauser with a tremendous challenge right from the very beginning. That is, RPC had to revise many of the specs to make what was drawn not only feasible, but of the quality the O’Rourke’s told Bill Rauser they wanted to achieve.According to Eileen, “Without us even realizing it, Bill took what we said we wanted to achieve, compared it to the specs in the drawing and just made the spec changes as needed, without us even realizing how much extra work he had to do. We didn’t realize this, in fact, until he had to ask us a couple choice-related questions—that’s how painless it was.”

In addition, Eileen commented that Bill was so tuned in to what she and her husband wanted, that he was able to make recommendations for specific products, such as a certain type of ceiling, rather than just recommending the most expensive or the least expensive because it was easy to do.The project was referred to RPC by Roselind Cronin, a designer who was also a happy RPC client. In scope, it took about 8 months, and RPC built a second floor over the one-story family room for a new master suite, and then expanded the kitchen to include a breakfast room, added a study, and built a screened porch out the back. Plus, there were modifications to bedrooms and bathrooms in other areas of the home. Eileen says, “While it was hard living in the home through the construction, Rauser’s people could not have made it more pleasant. They were true professionals. In particular, she noted that every morning, Kelly would first say ‘good morning,’ and ask how everything was progressing from their perspective; then he gave them an update as to what was next.

She added, “If I had to have company at 7:30 in the morning, especially for a few months on a daily basis, I can’t think of a nicer group of people. We were particularly grateful for the warmth and kindness shown to our children and to Abbey (the dog) who is a bit lonely these days.”

More important than the likeable, capable crew, Eileen notes that RPC’s quality and overall results are of such a high level. She said, “Their workmanship is extraordinary.” She added, “The company delivers beautiful work and that legacy transcends all other aspects of the project. I just love my master suite and new kitchen, particularly. I would recommend the Rausers to anyone who values top quality and professionalism.”

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