Why it matters how long a contracting company has been operating

Contractors of all kinds have the reputation for closing up shop. You aren’t happy, you threaten a lawsuit: they change their number, open a new LLC and you are ... left unhappy. The length of time a company has been operating under one name and one owner is an indication of their staying power. It is an indication of it's ability to resolve conflict, as unresolved conflict can lead to lawsuits. And it's an indication of the company's ability to satisfy their customers, who ultimately are the main source of marketing.

Summey Industries has been operating as such since 2008. This was a year the residential housing market was in a slump. Since many companies don't make it past their first year in business, and since the market was down, we believe that sustaining beyond that first year was a particular victory for us. We are pretty proud of that year of establishment. 

Naming the company with our owner's last name was also a very conscious decision. A name holds with it a reputation. You can't use the same name again if you close up shop and start over. By using the name Summey, we have put some skin in the game in terms of operating with integrity. Our name and reputation are on the line, with every project.

9 years later we have had some great clients turn into friends (and some great friends become clients as well!) While building, renovating or redoing your space is a highly personal and invasive process, we trust that our ability to resolve frustration, admit mistakes, make amends, and make it right is a key attribute keeping us in business and keeping customers calling back. 

Thank you for your trust in us the past 9 years, and here's to many more!

Building Right,

The Summey Industries Team

Tranquility

We love the way this bathroom update turned out! The process was extremely smooth, in part because our clients came to us for numbers after already picking a designer who in turn had already made some choices. This is not the only way to get a great estimate (our in-house designer, Dana also does a great job of pegging a client’s taste thereby informing our cost projections), but in this case it made the clients a cinch to work with. It is also worth saying that few designers are as detailed and particular about communicating the choices to the contractor — so shout out to Candice who was so clear that she provided the clients with a binder with pictures and item numbers, even working long distance from Canada! Many designers are particular about their aesthetic but it makes such a difference when they are also great communicators. 

In this instance, we were updating a master bathroom to include a majestic, open-air shower with modern tile. Using one-sided glass, we left the opposite side of the shower open for a huge yet modern feel. The two tiles chosen create visual interest with varying size and shape. Occasionally modern interiors will look gorgeous but not be exceedingly livable: here the multiple shower heads and shower bench will be a dream when actually using the space. 

A luxury stand-alone cast iron tub with wall mount is also built to use, boasting a waterfall faucet. Waterfall faucets also adorn the custom vanity with vessel mount sinks. The open lower half of the vanity is open to style differently depending on the season. And speaking of season: the towel warmer may be especially cozy in cooler months, but it’s appeal transcends season as it always feels cold getting out of the shower :). 

LED Can lights and some modern industrial light fixtures round out the space. These clients are thrilled with the end product, and so are we!

Building Right,

Tim