Craftsman Construction of Stratford, PE
Awarded Best Of Houzz 2017
Over 40 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building,
Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World
Prince Edward Island, Canada, January 17th, 2017 – Craftsman Construction of Stratford has won “Best Of Design and Customer Service” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The award winning custom home builder was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.
The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 40 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2016. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award. A “Best Of Houzz 2017” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.
“We love the Houzz site and use it almost daily, introducing it to any client who is not already familiar with it.” Nicholas Jay – Craftsman Construction
“We’re so pleased to award Best of Houzz 2017 to this incredible group of talented and customer-focused professionals, including Craftsman Construction” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “Each of these businesses was singled out for recognition by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts for helping to turn their home improvement dreams into reality.”
Follow Craftsman Construction on Houzz www.houzz.com/pro/craftsmanconstructionca
About Craftsman Construction
Incorporated in 2005, Craftsman Construction Ltd. specializes in new residential construction. From the beginning, our company was created to offer something that other builders were not focusing on. Building beautiful homes that offer great curb appeal and timeless quality and character is our business. Functional and livable spaces are equally important and creating a balance of these characteristics can sometimes be challenging for builders and homeowners. However, our team has the determination to make your home the best investment of your life.
The company's founders are two brothers from a family with a long history in the residential construction industry. As third generation carpenters, the brothers work closely with clients and maintain a high level of supervision over each project. Our core team members have been with us for many years and our finished product showcases their attention to detail. While the majority of the construction work is done internally, the company does rely on carefully selected and highly reputable subcontractors to do certain aspects of our projects. Our team takes great pride in its work and our reputation within the industry and with clients confirms this.
Save space with creative storage
Published in East Coast Living Magazine May 26th, 2016 by Heather Laura Clark
Craftsman Construction transformed what was once a little closet next to the kitchen into a stylish wine cellar that houses bottles of wine and glassware, and features a chalkboard wall for notes.
This Charlottetown home features what homeowner Rachelle Kelly calls the wibrary, a combination reading nook, bookshelf, and wine rack. Her husband’s company, Craftsman Construction built it. Photo credit: Stephen Harris
The Progress 101 2015
Awarded Nov 9th, 2015 Ch'Town PEI Company #88 by Progress Magazine
Halifax, N.S. — Progress magazine released its list of the 101 Leading Private Companies in Atlantic Canada, an exclusive ranking of the region’s largest corporations, ranked by revenue for the 2014 fiscal year. For the first time in 22 years, the Progress 101 focuses on the top performing and standout companies with a growth conference focuses on further growth to the businesses and the economy.
Craftsman Construction awarded No. 88 for it's second year on the list
Top 101 Companies 2014
Awarded on Oct 8th, 2014 Ch'Town PEI Company #101 by Progress Magazine
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Built-in Innovation
Published June 20, 2014 in Atlantic business by Quentin Casey
Nick and Cory Jay, the sibling founders of Craftsman Construction,
say their company is growing by 10-15 per cent every year. “As we
get larger and larger that 10-15 per cent is becoming a pretty big
number,” says Nick, 28
Nick Jay was only 19, and still a business student
at the University of Prince Edward Island, when he
decided to start building houses. Nick paired with his
older brother, Cory, on an initial project: a ranch-style
house with a walk-out basement in Stratford.
Their father, a second-generation builder, was skeptical
of his sons’ enthusiasm for new materials, such as
rigid foam on the exterior walls. “He said we’re crazy,”
Nick recalls. “He said on a spec house you’ll never get
the money out of it.”
Undeterred, the brothers organized an open house
even before the building was complete. “An hour after
the open house, it was sold,” Nicks says proudly.
Thus started their residential construction company,
Craftsman Construction Ltd.
In its first year, the company had revenue of just
$600,000 and the brothers provided all the labour.
Nine years later, the Stratford-based company employs
nine people and is expected to build 10 homes
this year. Nick predicts 2014 revenue could go north of
$3.5 million. The brothers also have plans to develop
their own community of 12-15 houses. They’re currently
hunting for land.
Reached in his truck at a construction site in Charlottetown,
Nick says his company’s growth is partly
explained by an enthusiasm for new materials and
techniques. For example, the brothers ( ages 28 and
31) are the only licensed ENERGY STAR builders on
P.E.I. Their current project, when finished, will be the
first ENERGY STAR-certified house on the island.
The past decade has not been free of challenges. Financing
has been a major hurdle. “We were five years
in business before we were able to get any financing
from a bank,” Nick says. “That is a big challenge, especially
at a young age.”
The brothers’ first three years in business were particularly
hectic. Nick was balancing his studies at UPEI
with 40-50 hour work weeks. But he wouldn’t alter his
decision to become a third-generation builder.
“We love what we do,” he says. “And working with
your hands always brings gratification at the end of
the day.”
Halifax, N.S. — Progress magazine released its annual list of the 2014 TOP 101 Companies in Atlantic Canada, an exclusive ranking of the region’s largest corporations, ranked by revenue for the 2013 fiscal year. Celebrating its 21st year, the TOP 101 offers readers a comprehensive look at the sectors and strategies that are setting the pace for business growth and innovation in the region.
Craftsman Construction awarded No.101 for it's first year
The New Age Builders
Progress Magazine Vol. 20 No.2 2013 by Allison Lawlor "People we love 2013"
This year's leaders, innovators, and doers, teachers are all cut from a different cloth. Find out how they're all shaping our business and social landscape.
Custom-made Success
Published Jan 26, 2013 in The Guardian by Dave Stewart
Charlottetown brothers took a business idea in 2005 and turned it into a hugely successful custom home building operation
Brothers Nick and Cory Jay own and operate Craftsman Construction in Stratford, which has just been awarded the Best of Houzz 2013 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design. It was the second year in a row the Jay’s took the award.
The Jay brothers launched the business in 2005 when Nick was a second- year business student at UPEI and Cory was on the cycling circuit.
“The first house we built was a spec house. We had a few clients come through it that liked the work so much that we were hired to do their projects right away and we never looked back,’’ Nick Jay said in an interview on Thursday.
“We ended up going from one client to the next and the next . . . and just kept building our clientele.’’
The business has had inquiries from all over North America and visitors from 57 countries to its website www. craftsmanconstruction. ca.
Choosing to build custom homes wasn’t exactly a stretch for the Jay brothers. Their father made a living in the business as did their grandfather.
Becoming an entrepreneur is very satisfying, Nick says, but it isn’t easy by any means.
“It is hard ( but) it’s interesting. At UPEI, you study entrepreneurship but until you’re actually out there trying to do it it’s impressively hard to get financing or help from a bank. We were six years in business before a bank would loan us anything.’’
It may have taken the banks a while to notice but Houzz has had its eye on the pair for quite some time.
Houzz provides homeowners with an in- depth, 360- degree view of building, remodeling and design professionals through images of their work, reviews and an opportunity to interact with them.
“We’re delighted to recognize Craftsman Construction among our ‘ best of ’ professionals for exceptional customer service as judged by our community or homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes,’’ said Liza Hausman, vice- president of community for Houzz.
That’s what the Jay brothers will say when asked what separates them from their competitors - their hands- on approach on every single project.
“We try to be,’’ Nick Jay said. “Where I think we excel ( is that) we’re both young ( Nick is 27, Cory is 30), we have a great
- Located in Stratford, Craftsman Construction is a new generation of home builder that prides itself in building energy efficient homes of quality and character. It specializes in custom- built homes and both residential and commercial renovations. - The company’s founders are brothers Nick and Cory Jay, who come from a family with a long history in the residential construction industry. - As third generation carpenters, the Jay brothers strive to work on all of the company’s projects themselves, working closely with clients and maintaining a high level of supervision over each project. Their process involves insulating techniques and the use of advanced heating and cooling equipment. They use tools such as moisture meters and dehumidifiers to monitor and control moisture during construction. -
Their work has earned them back to back ‘ Best of Houzz’ awards. - On the Web: www. craftsmanconstruction. ca; www. houzz. com. online presence . . . and we communicate with clients.’
Nick is also quick to credit their staff for the company’s success.
“Much of our success has come from surrounding ourselves with a great team of employees and subcontractors. ( They’ve made) our business what it is today.’’
As the company grows, Nick says it will get harder for he and Cory to be as ‘ hands on’ as they have been. That’s where their staff will come in handy.
“They’re almost at the point where they can replace us on the job.’’
Nick says he and Cory try to spend at least four hours on site per day.
As was stated before, they are getting calls from all over the world - calls about their designs, ideas and finished product ( Hulk Hogan’s next door neighbor in Clearwater, Fla., was one of them) but Nick says it’s not an easy industry to serve a global clientele.
“We haven’t agreed to take anything on. It’s asking your staff to start travelling when they have kids.
“We’ve been asked to do some design work for clients and that’s probably as far as we need to go at this point.’’
They’ve been especially busy this year as everyone tries to get their homes finished before the HST takes effect April 1. Any work that takes place after that is subject to the new harmonized sales tax.
“So far, we’re seeing more inquiries this year. We figured ( the cost of building a new home) goes up a little over two per cent ( on April 1).’’
Regardless of the challenges, Nick wouldn’t change a thing.
“I enjoy working for myself and being a young entrepreneur. There’s not many people who get to do it.’’
Best of Houzz Awards
Announced Jan 21, 2013 via Press Release
CRAFTSMAN CONSTRUCTION of STRATFORD PEI Receives
Houzz’s 2013 ‘Best Of Houzz’ Award for the second straight year.
Annual Survey and Analysis of 11 Million Monthly Users
Reveals Top-Rated Canadian Professionals
Charlottetown, PEI January 21st, 2013 – Craftsman Construction of Stratford, PEI has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” 2013 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design.
The local business started by two young brothers Cory and Nick Jay in 2005 was chosen by the more than 11 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community for the second year in a row, adding this to their "Best Of Houzz" 2012 award received this time last year.
The Houzz “Best Of Houzz” award for 2013 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction award winners are based on homeowner members who rated their experience working with remodeling professionals in 12 categories ranging from architects, and interior designers
to contractors and other residential remodeling professionals. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the community of 11 million monthly users, also known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 124 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks
via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app.
The Stratford, PEI business has had inquiries from all over North America and visitors from 57 countries to its own website "We have been getting calls from people in places you would not expect. Calls about our designs, ideas, and our finished product" Unfortunately it is not an industry that is easy to service a global clientele, however they have been
able to correspond with clients as far away as the West Coast of the USA. Here on PEI, they have built for many clients living elsewhere.
“Houzz provides homeowners with an in-depth, 360-degree view of building, remodeling and design professionals through images of their work, reviews and an opportunity to interact with them directly in the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community. “We’re delighted to recognize
Craftsman Construction among our “Best Of” professionals for exceptional customer service as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”
With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Craftsman Construction but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their
work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.
About Craftsman Construction
Located in Stratford, PEI, Craftsman Construction is a new generation of home builder that prides itself on building truly energy efficient homes of timeless quality and character. The firm specializes in custom built homes and both residential and commercial renovations.
The company's founders are two brothers
from a family with a long history in the residential construction industry. As third generation carpenters, the brothers strive to work on all of the company's projects themselves, working closely with clients and maintaining a high level of supervision over each project.
Their professional construction process includes the latest and most efficient building methods, insulating techniques, and the use of advanced heating and cooling equipment. Throughout the build
process they use such tools as moisture meters and dehumidifiers to monitor and control moisture during construction, a few of their efforts to provide an unrivalled finished product.
The consecutive Houzz awards confirm their design/build philosophy works as some of their photos have been added to over 11,000 "ideabooks" on the site and continue to rise. As professionals, they are popular with their clients, as the positive reviews posted by previous clients are all highly
complimentary.
