Atlanta Design & Build has reached a wonderful milestone this year; our 20th Anniversary! We also celebrate Steven Roberts, Sales and Design Consultant, who joined our team April 14, 2015.
Construction and how things work has always been an interest
Steven moved when he was twelve from upstate New York to Atlanta with his dad and, except for a brief sojourn in North Carolina, he has lived in this area ever since. He grew up in a family that was active in the construction industry. His paternal grandfather was a master carpenter, and his mother spent some time working for a commercial construction company. Construction is in Steven’s DNA. As a child, he was always tearing things apart. “I dissected everything to see how it worked,” chuckled Steven.
Steven took drafting classes in high school with the thought of studying architecture in college. His direction in college veered to business and accounting but the drafting skills he acquired as a teen still benefit him today.
While a full-time student, Steven helped pay his college tuition working full-time as an assistant manager for a hotel. Steven left college when he was offered the general manager position of an Atlanta hotel. This is when he got involved in his first remodeling project. Drawing on his natural aptitude for construction, Steven renovated his condo in Marietta. It wasn’t long before he moved to North Carolina to manage the Drury Inn Suites in Greensboro and was soon restoring his own 1926 Craftsmen bungalow in High Point. “I single-handedly tore down walls, added a second bathroom, and remodeled the original bathroom and kitchen,” Steven explained. “I learned construction on the fly, doing projects on my own.”
By the time he returned to Atlanta, construction rather than hotel management had become Steven’s preferred occupation. His official start in construction was as a project manager and estimator for a restoration company. He later worked for three years as an account manager in sales and design with another design/build firm in the Atlanta area. Equipped with sales and design skills, Steven enthusiastically opened his own design/build renovation company in 2009. After several years of owning and managing that business, he realized that to continue being successful he either needed to grow his company or go to work for someone else. He chose to pursue the second option.
Steven begins working with ADB
Steven was familiar with Atlanta Design & Build and admired its solid reputation. Since he knew H. Dale Contant, owner of ADB, through NARI and reputation, and respected him highly, Steven sent Dale his resume and then waited. “I really wanted to work for ADB,” Steven said. “So I bided my time until I finally got “yes” for an answer.” At that time, Dale was the only salesperson at ADB. Steven has now joined him as Sales and Design Consultant.
ADB staff conducts the qualifying interviews and schedules a time for Steven to meet with clients in their homes. He consults with them, discusses their desires and needs and then presents design concepts drawn to scale. An architect produces the final CAD drawings, and then Steven coordinates and assists the client with all the material selections at various vendor showrooms. Steven uses ADB estimating software to create realistic estimates and reviews all these details with the client. After the client signs a contract, the project moves into the construction phase. Steven enjoys this sales and design process at ADB. “I’ve found that I get a lot of respect from people when I show up at their home as a representative of ADB,” Steven mused. “And that feels good!”
Adding to his professional credentials
Steven is especially proud of how his abilities to communicate his design concepts to others have helped the architectural review process go smoothly for clients. He has designed a number of projects in both historic neighborhoods and communities with very restrictive architectural requirements. For example, the height restrictions for an attic expansion project required the roof pitch to be unchanged. Steven was able to fit an appealing design into the house by adding dormers and stay within the character of the neighborhood. When putting designs together, he helps inform the owner of the restrictions, gets their buy-in on what can be done and what must be done, as well as how close to the edge they should push. He then presents the plans to the “board”. “I have, on each occasion, passed through the process with zero revisions needed,” Steven said with a smile.
Steven had already obtained a General Contractor’s license, EPA Lead RRP and erosion control certifications prior to joining ADB. He also possesses knowledge obtained thru full training on asbestos, fire and mold remediation. Steven is currently active in the NARI Atlanta chapter; attending NARI meetings, and participating in the annual golf tournament finding sponsors as well as playing golf himself. He pursues continuing education opportunities with NARI and on June 21 of this year obtained his NARI Certified Remodeler (CR) credentials. “It was a grueling test,” Steven admitted, “It required 12 weeks of intensive study, but I’m very pleased to have reached that professional goal.”
Outside of work, Steven loves to spend time with his wife, three teenage daughters, two dogs and his 28lb cat. The family camps, hikes and kayaks together all of which Steven really enjoys. Bow hunting and gardening are additional favored activities and when he’s not otherwise occupied, Steven also likes to work in some golf and tennis.
