The Parczyk Home
The Parczyk client was a work neighbor of Sudbury, and initially wanted to put a quote together to renovate his master bathroom. This new house was a “fixer-upper”, and was in dire need of a complete renovation. Parczyk acquired quotes from Sudbury and a local competition company to get multiple opinions and approaches. Sudbury brought their full team, including the electrician, lead kitchen & bath designer, plumber and rendering specialist to look over the property to assess the renovations needed. The specialists worked to design the kitchen and bathroom to compile prices. During this process, the specialists worked off of the specifications set by the client and used the report from the home inspector to outline what they needed to do. The client wanted to change the countertops, add a peninsula and open the wall between the kitchen and the dining room. On close examination we saw that the renovation was going to be more extensive than anticipated. We created a new scope for the work for a renovated kitchen which included new doors and windows and a full bathroom remodel. The new scope was put together in two weeks. The renovation contract was signed with Sudbury before the competitor could provide a quote.
This was going to be a unique project, as The Sudbury Construction Company had to deal with the Conservation and the Historical Commissions. The house was built in 1973 and was located in an historical district. At first, Sudbury thought the project would only involve the Conservation Commission, but when Sudbury submitted the application with an extensive list of changes to the Conservation Commission, both Sudbury and the client learned that they needed to go through the Historical Commission to complete the exterior façade changes. Sudbury was able to pull a permit for the kitchen and bath work while continuing to work with the Historical Commission with regard to the doors, windows and exterior façade.
Sudbury came up with the color rendering and pictures that were used for reference and approval by the Historical and Conservation Commissions. Sudbury helped complete all of the applications for this process. The client asked to add a third bay to the garage, but then decided to add a solarium on the pond, redo the exterior steps, build new curved walls, create a dock and walkway, and complete some other landscaping. At this point, there were multiple issues which needed approval from various commissions so we decided to apply for everything and then wait and see which things would be approved. Some other issues needed approval for example the pond was located 30 feet away from the house instead of the required 100 feet.
Sudbury juggled applying to the Conservation and Historical Commissions, working on renovations, attaining the appropriate permits, and working on schedule to complete the renovations before the move-in date of June 1st. The client was not available to be present for a committee meeting, so Sudbury went to the meeting on the client’s behalf.
The light windows, proposed by the Historical Commission were more expensive and not included in the quote. We fought to get approval to use an Anderson window with a popping grill from the inside but the windows were not approved because it would set a precedent in the historical district. The trees on the property grow tall, and the house is only 200 feet from the road. Sudbury brought to the Commission the actual window torn from the house to display the green painted grills. It was still declined.
Although this process may have seemed discouraging, Sudbury persevered and presented all of the items for approval at once so the Historical Commission would have to prioritize the changes. After much discussion and negotiation, everything was approved with the condition that Sudbury must use a gable roof on the solarium instead of shutters. The meeting was a successful negotiation, and approval was given to continue.
The client decided that the simulated light windows should only be in the front of the house, which reduced the window price by about $24,000. Sudbury then ordered all of the doors and windows for the front façade and sunroom, confident that the Conservation Commission would approve it, (this was a little risky). With all of these materials, the front façade could be worked on while the Conservation Commission applications and negotiations proceeded. Structural plans for the solarium were drawn up and the wetland’s resource representative took notice of the intent to the Conservation Commission. Not only did we have to satisfy the Historical Commission and the Conservation Commission but also the neighbors. There was significant opposition and those opposing views were responded to successfully at the hearing. Work began on the landscaping and the sunroom in compliance with the Commission’s requirements. Throughout the negotiation period work in the kitchen, bathrooms, bedroom, basement, family room and wine cellar progressed. For the exterior the solarium, landscaping, new back deck, front steps, doors and windows were added.
Sudbury put the correct products in front of the client so they were able to make decisions quickly and efficiently. All of the specialists were brought in so the client did not need to travel to meet different people. Also, for the same price point, the client got a significant amount of assistance throughout the process compared to the amount of assistance a competitor would be able to provide. Sudbury was working with the client within three weeks and kept a quick pace. Sudbury was able to overcome issues that seemed impossible, such as putting a new stain on the tiles to match the cabinetry. Sudbury always finds to complete a task before saying no. Sudbury also takes the time to think through all the options available creating the best solution possible.