While “carpentry” isn’t listed under the H.J. Holtz & Son logo alongside “painting, wallpapering, and decorative finishes,” it should be.
Years ago, president Rick Holtz noticed an increase in the number of projects that included carpentry elements. To avoid having to bring in outside workers – which can add time and expense to a project – Holtz created an in-house carpentry department where repairs or new construction could be managed by Holtz craftspeople.
Now, says Ricky Bryner, Holtz project estimator, the company truly is a “one-stop shop” for homeowners looking to revitalize spaces.
“You don’t have to go looking for a second or third contractor,” Bryner says. “We do it all.”
Elements of interior carpentry are found throughout a house. Mantels, banisters, crown and picture molding, cedar plank closets, radiator covers, wainscoting (whether it be wainscot, beadboard or shiplap), chair rails, and custom items though often perceived as secondary to wall finishes, can make significant impact when thoughtfully placed and maintained.
“We see more [interior carpentry elements] going up than coming down,” Bryner says. “When you add crown molding, especially to a room where it isn’t often found, like a bedroom, it’s an inexpensive way to make you house look better and add more value.”
As with painting, where attention to detail ensures a smooth, even finish, attention to detail in woodwork will attract notice, Bryner says.
“Most carpentry work is skilled, meticulous and precise,” Bryner says. “It needs to be done professionally, because it’s not hidden – it’s on full display.”
Freshening and revitalizing a home’s interior is at the forefront for many customers, Bryner says, thanks to a pandemic that has people spending more time in their homes than ever before.
“These can be small projects, but people want to brighten their homes,” he says, noting that something as simple as restoring a storm door makes a big impact. “No project is too small for us.”
Bryner says the company’s carpenters enjoy working with clients who are exploring different ways to enhance their spaces.
“Your imagination is our imagination, really,” he says.