It is difficult for me to put into writing my thoughts and feelings of the experience over this past year, for it leaves me speechless.  My family has expanded over the years until we out grew our old beach house.  I looked for another house for a year and half because I had no desire to go through the experience (re-building) of what I thought would be a living nightmare.

To build a house or remodel a house was a totally new experience for me.  With the support of my family we decided to do just that.  In the early planning stages the thought was to add a "couple of rooms".  As could be expected when "5" people are involved, attempting to satisfy all of their needs, the plan grew.

Enter to our story and our lives, Craig Brearley and Ted Fluehr.  The very first plan Craig drew was beautiful.  He did 3-4 major revisions before we had a final plan.  I was trying to conserve dollars and still do the things that the rest of the family wanted.  I had told the family that once the house was started "NO CHANGES".  As it turns out, I was the one who made the only major change (the kid's bathroom) and thank goodness I did, because the result was perfect.  I was given lots of good advice along the way by the construction team, but probably the best advice was, "be patient, if you see something along the way you don't like be patient, it will work out."  I was at the house almost every week from October to May.  Every person I met who was working on the house was professional and extremely helpful.

There were visits when I just didn't think it was turning out the way we wanted.  For instance, I was so concerned that the kitchen wasn't big enough.  So Ted drew out the kitchen on the floor for me in spray paint, and then I could see how everything would fit.  The end result, our kitchen is perfect.  Actually, the entire house is perfect.  We spent twice the amount I had intended and I have no regrets.  As our relationship developed, I knew I needed to trust Ted and everything would turn out exactly the way I wanted, whether I knew it at the time or not.

Another of our main concerns was not to waste any summer time in construction.  Ted being a man of his word, we were all (the entire family, the dogs, and some extras) in the house on Memorial Day Weekend, as promised.  Ted said on many occasions that sometimes they get really lucky and a house has no difficulties, from supplier's late deliveries or weather, and the house builds itself.  That may be true, but I think it is more likely Ted's humble, graceful way of accepting a compliment to his masterpiece.

I would like to share with you a moment that sums up this experience for me.  On one of my many day trips, I was down with one of my daughters to inspect the construction's progress.  We went to lunch after walking through the house and I said to her, "I have done a lot in my life, but this has been without a doubt the most exciting."  I guess going from growing up on a farm in Missouri with no running water to what has been titled to my children, "Granny's Castle" helps to understand the excitement for me.  In closing, I would like to THANK YOU for your patience, kindness, friendship and expertise.  I can't imagine a more perfect home.

With Love,

FYI – a builder friend of ours stopped by to see the house on Sunday and commented on how beautiful the construction was. Thank-you and please pass this along to all. (Our friend is quite picky – he even commented on how clean the job site was)

Dear Ted & Joanne

Linda and I just wanted to write and tell you how much we appreciate the summer home that you recently completed for us. We can't put into words how much we like the house. It is just beautiful! Having built our main house 5 years ago, I only wish it had gone as smooth as this did. From Leith's design all the way through completion, all went like you said it would. Everyone on your staff that we dealt with (Collette, T.J. John, Randy and Karen) were extremely helpful and a real pleasure to work with. We never once questioned any of their suggestions, as all input was appreciated. Please let everyone on your staff know how much we enjoyed working with all of you. See you soon.

Sincerely,

Ted & Joanne

It has been just over a year since we permanently moved into our home on LBI.  The house is still a work in progress but we are extremely happy with your overall finished product.

We also thought it was about time that we sat down and wrote a note of thanks to you and all your construction workers and office employees for a job well done.  In particular we want to single out Colette who at times went beyond her normal duties to solve or handle problems that surfaced.  She always answered our e-mails in a timely manner.  We still don't know how she juggles all her work.

Please let her know what a exemplary valued employee she is to your company and the professional services she provided to us and all your customers.

Dear Ted

Now that we are into the Labor Day weekend and the pressures of the season may be easing, I thought I should write to tell you how very satisfied we are with our decision to work with you in the construction of this house at 27 E. 36th St.

Your team performed in what can only be termed exemplary fashion, and while there was some anxious moments about the actual completion on the schedule that we had originally anticipated because of the unwanted interference by a neighbor that delayed the start as planned, it all came together on a very reasonable schedule.

Special mention needs to be made of Colette's truly professional and skilled attention to the coordination, and John's and TJ's professional attention to the myriad construction details.  All were conscientious and determined to deliver the product promised on your side and expected on our side.  So, Pat and I offer our thanks to them at our congratulations on a job well done.

Of course, we cannot overlook the terrific job done by your office team, and here make a special mention of Karen and Barbara.  We also know that the person who is your RPS, Real Person Supervisor, Joanne, was the mastermind behind the perfect design and execution.

The subcontractors were of uniform high-quality, and we are grateful that you picked Joe Muzyka and Glenn McPherson, really superb people and greatly skilled.  The other subcontractors were also skilled and very helpful, and we enjoyed working with each one.  We appreciated the recommendation of Josh Kline who did a first-rate job for us on the landscaping and fencing.

All in all, a very impressive experience, and we are prepared to bear witness to your skills at any time and for any purpose.  You may certainly have perspective clients call us or contact us by e-mail (which may be easier, given our travel schedule) for an enthusiastic reference.

In terms of follow-up, your team has been excellent, and the Punch list was addressed immediately, small as it was.  There will be a few remaining items, but minor in nature.

Dear Ted and Staff:

I would like to take a moment out today to say thank you for the beautiful job you did on our new home at 7206 Ocean Blvd in Brant Beach.  All to often you hear horror stories about those that build homes.  Patricia and I can not say that.  We were completely pleased with the treatment that we received from you and your entire staff.

I knew from the very beginning that things would go well and we felt completely comfortable after our first meeting with you and the rest of your office people.

Please be assured that should anyone ask who built our home I would gladly tell them that it was you.  We would highly recommend you for any future building.

May we offer a very simple but most sincere thank you for job well done.

Respectfully:

Thanks for going the extra miles!

It's been a pleasure working with you.

It was a pleasure working with all of you!  Thank you for all your help!

Sincerely,

Dear Joanne & Ted

Mar & I just want to say "Thank you" for all that you do and have done for us.  We really appreciate the ongoing service you provide to us whenever we need you!

This is our way of saying thanks and a small token of our appreciation.  Enjoy!! Thanks for everything.

We would like to extend a special thank you to both of you for making our building experience comfortable and pleasurable! Thank you for being patient and supportive to us throughout. We will be proud to say that our home was built by Ted & Joanne Fluehr.

Sincerely,

Dear Ted

I cannot fully expressed how pleased I am with my new construction.  The stair tower is very beautiful.  No matter how many times I look at the new area, or use the steps, I am in awe.  I almost have to pinch myself and say "is it really my house?" Relatives and friends rave about it also.

The recent bad weather has been a confirmation that adding the garage was well worth the expense.  In the years to come, I'm sure I will appreciate more and more how much safer the stair tower and garage are.

Your staff is terrific!  At the start, Leith offered suggestions about the placement of windows, oak stair rail, adding a garage, etc.  All of his input has added that extra special look and touch.  Collette and Ken were efficient and helpful at all times.  As I said before, I was proud to have the Fluehr sign in front of my home.  I am just as proud to show off the excellent quality of your work.

I wish you, your family and staff a very Merry Christmas.  May you have a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year.

Thank you,

Thanks for a beautiful built home and for making the experience a pleasure.