Points of Interest

Today we have the good fortune to be speaking with Kelvin and Susan Pierce, husband and wife and co-owners of Commonwealth Home Remodelers, Inc.

VOH:  How long have you been in business?

Commonwealth Home Remodelers, Inc. is an award winning residential architectural and remodeling firm founded in 1986.

VOH:  You’re a husband and wife team.  What were the driving forces for getting into your careers and bringing them together under one roof?

Kelvin:  It was Susan’s dream to build her own company to showcase her design talents.  She also loves to build things so a design/build remodeling company was a perfect fit for her.  I was working as an Aerospace Engineer for the Navy at the time, but was restless for more of a challenge, so it wasn’t too hard for Susan to talk me into a career change.  I was a bit apprehensive at first, but after completing our first project, we have never looked back.

Susan:  A lot of people have told us that they could never work with their spouse, but we both love working with each other and benefiting from the personal growth that has resulted from building a business together.

VOH: What are your functions at Commonwealth?

Kelvin:  Susan is the architect, so she designs all of the projects and manages our team of architectural project managers and kitchen and bath designers.  I manage the production team and all the aspects of running the business.  Both of us act as company salesmen.

VOH:  What are your biggest challenges today?

Kelvin:  The recent downturn in the housing market has caused people to be a bit more cautious about their remodeling budgets.  A lot of clients typically use home equity money for their remodeling projects, and since home values have slid a little this year, clients are looking for ways to maximize their returns on tighter budgets.  Susan loves the challenge of wowing her clients by solving their lifestyle problems with high integrity designs within their budget range.

VOH:  How does Commonwealth Home Remodelers function in the marketplace?

Susan:  We have a special niche, and there are several reasons for that.  Because we have both architectural and construction services in-house, we are able to tackle complex projects in a very smooth, coordinated manner - from additions all the way up to and including new homes.

Kelvin:  We tend to do higher-end projects, and we insist on the finest work from our craftsmen.  We love creating exceptional living spaces that will thrill our clients for years to come.  We are also experts in Green Design, a concept that is very important to us.

VOH:  Where is your market?  What markets do you serve?

Kelvin:  Our clients tend to be within a 15 mile radius from our office located in Vienna.  The majority of our clients live in Fairfax and Arlington counties, but we have clients in Montgomery County, Maryland.

VOH:  What does the Vienna and Oakton area mean to your business?

Susan:  Vienna is our home town, and we love working here and in Oakton.  We have done many projects over the years here, and the neighborhoods and people here are ideal for us.  There’s nothing more satisfying than creating a wonderful place for your neighbors to live.

VOH:  What kind of projects have clients requested the most in the past year?  Do you see that changing in the coming year?

Susan:  Most of our projects involve remodeling an existing space, sometimes along with an addition.  The biggest problem our clients usually complain about is the overall flow of their house.  Do you ever notice how when you have guests over or you are hosting a party everyone seems to congregate in the kitchen?  Most homes in this area were not designed to allow for a comfortable flow around the kitchen.  The kitchen is such an important room in people’s homes and it’s where the family often gathers, so it’s no wonder that having a nice kitchen is important to our clients.  We do many projects where we open up the kitchen to the adjacent rooms and redesign the kitchen to provide for a pleasant cooking and entertaining experience.  We don’t see that model changing too much in the near future.

VOH:  Where do you see the industry and your market heading? What changes are on the horizon?

Kelvin:  The bar continues to be raised in the remodeling industry, as more and more clients recognize the importance of quality work.  Also, customer service is a big part of the equation – clients expect the same level of service from their remodeler as they would at a fine hotel.  That’s ok for us – it feels good to provide good customer service and exceed our client’s expectations.  Referrals are an important part of this business, and it just makes sense to make sure everybody is happy.

Susan:  As far as the industry goes, even with economic downturns, people recognize the value of investing in their home and making it into a place they will truly enjoy, so we believe the remodeling industry in this area will continue to grow.

VOH:  In your time away from work what are your interests?  Are there any special areas you like to frequent in and around Vienna and Oakton?

Kelvin:  Susan grew up in Vienna and her parents still live here so she spends a lot of time in and around Vienna.  I spend much of my personal time coaching our daughters’ softball teams here in Vienna.  The Vienna Girls Softball League (VGSL) is well known for providing an exciting and rewarding experience for many school-age girls from the Vienna and Oakton area.  I’ve coached for VGSL for several years and really enjoy this time with our girls.

Susan:  Kelvin and I started the Divine Child Foundation, a public non-profit to help benefit orphan children in the Republic of Georgia.  We adopted two girls from the Republic of Georgia in 1996 and saw firsthand the devastating conditions the orphans of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union face each day.  We both travel to Georgia and personally get involved with the orphanages and are actively developing programs to provide relief and give hope for these forgotten children.

VOH:  What do you enjoy most about your career and business?

Susan:  We both enjoy creating highly satisfied clients and watching their projects become reality.  Both of us enjoy the opportunities for personal growth that come with running a customer service driven business.

Kelvin:  One of the most rewarding parts of running a successful business is being in the position to give back through the Foundation.