Anticipation is building toward the completion of a massive undertaking to reinvent and reinvigorate 2315 Monument Avenue, an early 20th-century home designed by respected architect William Lawrence Bottomley. H.J. Holtz & Son team members have been part of the undertaking from day one, supplying painting, wallpapering, and carpentry services throughout the three-story home.
“We’re making the last push to get everything done,” says Michael Praught, owner of general contracting company R.A. Praught Construction. “We all want it to look the way it needs to look and get the job done right.”
Even in the final stages, Praught says, change orders often occur as design comes to life and maybe elements don’t mesh as anticipated. In this home, new trim was installed to create visual distance between dramatic wallpaper in the bar area and decorative ceiling tile. Wallpaper was also added in areas of the master suite past the time when the room was thought to be complete. Such alterations are common, Praught says.
“Some jobs have one wall color and one trim color throughout the house,” Praught says. “Here, each room is really its own space. So you might have to pause and reconsider [as the design is implemented]. Then you make a plan to get it done as quickly as possible with the level of excellence we all want.”
One of the strengths of the Holtz team, Praught says, is flexibility and willingness to respond to whatever might develop.
“Patrick [Picchi, the Holtz project manager] is great,” Praught says. “His response is always, ‘Let me know; we’ll get it taken care of.’ He just rolls with it and is as nice as can be, always with a smile on his face, just like every other project manager at the company.”
Praught says he also appreciated how Picchi was able to respond quickly to a request from owner Den Cralle, president and CEO of Green Front Furniture in Farmville, for an updated cost to completion after multiple change orders had been submitted. “I emailed Patrick to ask what’s left to bill,” Praught says. “Patrick checked and texted back within minutes. That’s great organization.”
Change orders and the time they can add to a project’s duration are realities that high-end contractors and service providers like R.A. Praught Construction and H.J. Holtz & Son have learned to accept, Praught says.
“Nothing about this project has been standard or conventional,” he says. “Room by room, everything has been made to specifications. It takes time to get it all done properly, make it look right, coordinate with everybody [working in the space]. H.J. Holtz & Son has done a great job as always, with folks who come with good attitudes and are pleasant and respectful. It’s been a great experience.”
All are welcome to follow the project on Instagram at monumentbygreenfront.