#contractorincincinnati

We had a lot of fun recently talking with Craig Russell, the Owner and “Bulldog” leader of The English Contractor & Remodeling Services in Cincinnati. Craig is tenacious, strong and a passionate business leader and has extraordinarily high standards for workmanship and detail throughout all of his projects. He leads a team of 36 professionals and does so with humor and an eye for perfection, every step of the way! Here is some great advice from Craig and we hope you can “hear” his personality and passion in his answers!  

McKenna: When and how did you get into this line of work?

Craig: “I was always the kid who drove his mother crazy by constantly taking things apart. I had an insatiable curiosity, a ton of energy and wanted to know how everything worked.  Through a girl I was dating at the time, I became an apprentice to a plasterer, working on high end homes in London and suburban towns. That relationship didn’t last, but my interest in building did. Following my apprenticeship, my learning continued as I was exposed to different trades and built up a business as a residential builder and contractor.

I followed my wife, a physician who grew up in Ohio, here to Cincinnati. Building here is different than in the UK, from codes to materials to nomenclature to, in some cases, techniques. I took my time learning how things are done stateside and started my business as a handyman. I made some great relationships early on and joined up with other talented tradespeople, expanding the scope and capabilities of my business. Those guys are still with me today, nearly a decade later, as The English Contactor is now nearly 40 people strong.

What do you think makes you and the people you hire different (and better)?

“Our name is The English Contractor, but truthfully, we are builders. All of the trades needed to build a home, remodel a kitchen, or construct a home addition are represented under our brand. At times a specialty subcontractor is needed for some of the more unique details we might add to a home. Our clients know that anyone working in their home is part of our crew, with the same standards and commitment that I set forth. I’m a stickler for detail and my team knows it. 

I’m known for having good instinct for people and have used it to build my team. My foremen have been with me since I started my business. We’re all big believers in teaching. We don’t hire “laborers.” We hire apprentices. We build our crew by bringing on board people with the motivation and desire to learn about the trades. We’ve grown our team that way. It’s not just my commitment to my own company, but my commitment to the trades as a whole. Tradespeople in the UK are revered for their skill and expertise. It should be the same here. It takes a ton of skill and know-how to build a house. We want the best-of-the-best to join us as we build all over Cincinnati. 

What advice do you give to all homeowners looking to renovate their homes?

Craig: “Have a master plan. A partnership with an architect, or in some cases, an interior designer, can help you make sure you have all the pieces in place. Call in a contractor early for a reality check on costs. I always say that anything is possible in construction. But some projects cost more than others. Sometimes it’s helpful to have done your own homework ahead of time to have an idea of how costs can add up. A drawer pull, for example, can cost $1 or it can cost $100 (or more). If you have champagne taste, but a beer budget, this exercise will make sure you have an educated idea about costs. 

Another piece of advice is to keep the lines of communication open with your entire team--builder or contractor, architect and/or designer. Each person on the team is going to have responsibilities, including the homeowner. It’s a balance between feeling comfortable with the project and making decisions. When the team works together to make decisions and selections on time, the project is going to go that much more smoothly. 

Why does it take so long to get on a contractors’ schedule and/or to get work done? 

“It all depends on the size of the project and the general timing. We tend to have several big projects going on at once, but depending on the size and scope of the project, we can generally fit in a new project with about a 6-8 week lead time. A larger project, like a new custom home or a major whole home renovation will require a larger lead time. It may seem like it’s a lot of waiting on the homeowners part, but our team has a lot of work to do before we ever start swinging a hammer. A lot of times, the timing depends on where the homeowner is in the process. Like, “Do you have a good idea of what you want?”  “Do you have your selections made--from cabinetry style or tile to appliances?” Sometimes, lead times can delay a project. Then it’s all about balance. We want to make sure all of the pieces are in place before we start the work. We’d hate to go in, demo a kitchen, and then have the project come to a halt because the cabinetry will take 12 weeks to construct.

Do you partner with subs or have everyone on your staff? Why? 

Craig: “I’m proud to have all of the trades represented on my staff. From time to time, for a specialty project, we may have to call in a subcontractor. But for the most part, the person working at your house will be part of The English Contractor team. That helps with timing. No waiting around for the plumber to fit you in the schedule. Our on-staff plumber is fully integrated into our work load. Same goes for our electrician. They know about your project and the standards that I expect.”

What is your favorite type of project to work on? 

“I am a detail person, so I love a project that really integrates bespoke elements. I also love it when a client comes to me with a challenge. I pride myself in being a problem solver. Nothing makes me happier than to help a customer fix an issue that they had with their home with something newly built just for them.”

If this dialogue inspires you like it does us, you can have Craig and team come look at your project by contacting them here. Be sure to tell them Scout sent you! 

All photos by RVP Photography.