CALIFORNIA BUILDERS. INC. is a small, privately-owned company which produces among other things: professionally designed, custom-built 2nd & 3rd story additions, new custom homes over existing foundations, hand-dug & excavated sub-basements under existing houses & garages, ground floor interior & exterior alterations or renovations, sun-drenched great rooms & master bedroom suites including foundations. Due to the fact that the company has no overhead &/or commissioned sales people, it is able to design and build for less than other construction companies.
CALIFORNIA BUILDERS was founded in 1976 by its German-educated (Associate member of the AIA - American Institute of Architects - & who also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the School of Engineering & Architecture from the prestigious Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.) Builder Owner, who has custom-designed and built over 500 homes & additions since then. Chretien found a way to combine old-fashioned framing methods & workmanship of yesteryear with the efficiency of modern day fabrication. In 1979 Chretien invented a moveable panelization factory. His workers use exactly the same panelization tools used in a factory, such as pneumatic air tools for framing and roofing, and sliding compound mitre saws for precision cuts, with the exception that the “factories” are completely mobile from job-site to job-site. This reduces overhead completely. Utilizing these specialized “Wall Jacks”, his carpenters are able to assemble and frame a wall panel up to 70 feet long complete with sub-siding installed in the horizontal position flat on a floor deck, which then can easily be erected on the job-site with just one or two carpenters. This system saves on labor & overhead costs, is superior to factory built panelization because the panels are not transported by truck where they can be easily damaged; & also because the panels are constructed in one monolithic unit rather than in many various component units which usually are to a maximum length of 10-12 feet. |
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This method increases the speed of construction and reduces labor costs.
Just 2 men are needed to raise a wall panel up to 70 feet in length instead of 8. All homes are custom engineered & supervised by in-house personnel to meet or exceed the National BOCA building codes, CABO codes & IRC 2006 codes with the customer's needs, site conditions and budget in mind.
Today CALIFORNIA BUILDERS, Inc. constructs SHELL HOMES for lot-owners in the Mid-Atlantic region from mountains to shore within a 110 mile radius of D.C. The company will also “turn-key” a home by using associated local contractors. For customers beyond its 110 mile radius limit, CALIFORNIA BUILDERS will transport the package/kit by truck to the job-site, and erect it on the purchaser's foundation.
CALIFORNIA BUILDERS has several models of its latest designs on display or under construction at any given time during the year, which can be viewed by potential customers week-days anytime. These models are located at various locations through-out the region and offer visitors first-hand the opportunity to see the superior construction techniques.
To exceed the building requirements of various counties, CALIFORNIA BUILDERS uses 2” x 4” stud construction walls @ 16” on center, with 1/2" O.S.B. sub-siding. Interior studs are 2" x 4". CALIFORNIA BUILDERS also installs its floor joists @ 16" to 19.2” o.c. with 3/4" O.S.B. Tongue & Grooved plywood floor sheathing, glued & nailed. 1/2" O.S.B. roof sheathing, 2" x 10” rafters @ 24" on center (R - 30 value) & solid built-up ridge beams for cathedral ceilings thru-out make for superior construction. Solid posts & beams are hidden in interior wall partitions standard (no flimsy 2x4 roof trusses). |
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CALIFORNIA BUILDERS has scores of basic models available through a comprehensive FREE CD-Rom; or it can originate/duplicate any design from scratch, and will draw up customized house & additions plans with all the modifications requested by the purchaser(s) for free. Pre-contract presentations of floor plans & elevations are also available for free. In addition to homes, cottages, additions, sunrooms, Florida rooms, family rooms, great rooms & garages, CALIFORNIA BUILDERS can also supply kit packages and build schools, day care centers, churches, assembly halls, assisted living & commercial steel buildings.
Prices for the erected shell &/or turn-key are surprisingly affordable. California Builders’ in-house turn-key projects are available within a 15 mile radius from Langley, VA or Bethesda, MD. There is generally a 60 to 90-day wait between start of construction & delivery of SHELL project, including foundation, to the customer.
CALIFORNIA BUILDERS is able to offer a 1-year structural defect-free written warranty from the completion date due to its superior building methods. A MODEL HOME & DESIGN CENTER is available to seen Saturdays & weekdays/ weeknights in Potomac, Md. just 15 minutes from Georgetown, D.C., or 3 miles from the
I-495 American Legion Bridge, VA.
For customers desiring an addition,
please bring in photos of your property & a site or plot plan for a free estimate. |
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