History of Crown Construction
Education:
Trial and Error.
If I had known it was acceptable and feasible for a female to be an architect when I was in school I would have gone that direction. My background is in project management, not in framing or plumbing. It was my interest in design and style that sparked my desire to build but it was my project management skills that made that desire materialize.
FYI, if you need a great realtor with 15 years of sales experience, hire Josh as your realtor and Crown will pay $1,000 at closing for any sale closed by him - even if its not a Crown house! Contact Josh at 503.421.2382 or josh@burnsandolsen.com.
Professional Background:
Over 16 years experience as a General Contractor (8 years in remodeling/renovation; 8 years in new construction) and 30+ years providing project management.
How’d You Get Started:
I began my career of renovating and remodeling in an attempt to secure the integrity of our Old Portland homes. My 1902 house required extensive remodeling and I took on the task of doing it on my own -striving for the maximum in quality while working with limited resources. Eventually the owner of a remodeling company offered me a job. Remodeling allowed me to witness first hand many styles of homes. This experience was invaluable and helped me to respect each design and the uniqueness of the era's they were built in. I don't have a "favorite" style, I just want them to stay "true". I enjoy building any style of home and taking on the challenge of replicating it while using current building standards and materials. Utilizing my basic understanding of materials and building styles of the period.
It was my continued interest in design and instinctive flare for style that sparked my expansion from remodeling towards building. “My determination, drive and ridiculous optimism pushed me forward. And, luckily, my 10 years in project management kept me grounded and provided a solid foundation for the continuing success of my business”.
My years as a General Contractor brought me full circle from renovating turn-of- the-century homes to building their replicas. I strive to offer affordability without sacrificing quality. I have enjoyed building in Portland, Multnomah Village, Cooper Mountain, Beaverton, Cornelius and for the past four years in the Forest Grove area.
As a “Boutique Builder”, I feel I have carved out a small niche in this industry that caters to a very specific clientele. I take risks with style, color, texture and depth. If I can’t find the plan that is in my sleepless mind, I design it. Whether building a true “Old Portland” style house, English cottage, Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Prairie home, farmhouse, European or Tudor, I follow through with the appropriate design without second guessing or trying to appeal to the general public. Most importantly, I am surrounded by wonderful, patient sub contractors who offer their ideas, opinions and skills - who, eventually, share in my enthusiasm and become part of the adventure.
Measuring Success:
My success is measured when the right buyers arrive at one of my specs and I realize they are who I built it the house for! I feel successful when a stranger says, “Crown Construction! I’ve heard of you”. As usual, previous buyers that ask me to build for them again, those who continue to stay in touch and those who refer me to prospective buyers, keep me going.
What does the future bring for Crown Construction of Oregon LLC: ( Written by Margie Tucker )
Perhaps the most exciting part of Crown’s future is the addition of my son, Josh, to the company. He brings fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Josh majored in construction and architecture in school and has extensive experience in sales. He most recently acquired his real estate license to enhance our ability to find land and lots for prospective buyers. His communication skills are exceptionaland expect him to be the driving force behind Crown Construction of Oregon LLC in the future.
Personally, I am still driven by the desire to produce a unique product that is economical. Anyone with unlimited funds can build a “magazine home” by using top of the line materials and Norm Abram’s craftsmanship. The challenge is to replicate these ideas with affordable materials and to convince tradesmen to go the extra mile!”
In the future I would like to specialize in building for “aging in place” clients. Building a community is an idea in the works!I will eventually run out of “unique” building ideas and want to try something new so I will float toward the development side. However, I love to take hopeless projects and make them beautiful so the possibility of buying and revitalizing old houses (again) is also attractive.