Integrity, trust, creativity, and expertise: how Grainda Builders creates customer value
Our focus at Grainda Builders is to build it better. We often say that our product is our service,” says Jason Tanenbaum, President and Managing Partner. “Grainda Builders was founded in 2002, by my partner Joe Grainda, and was established to build custom homes on prime lots. Due to our proximity to several lakes, most of our work over the last 22 years has been waterside or within golf course communities throughout the Charlotte, North Carolina area.
“I joined Joe in the company in 2005 and while he is mostly retired and enjoying the finer things in life now, he does play an important role of mentorship,” Jason explains. “Like many in our industry, we build custom homes and if someone wants a contemporary home or a traditional one, whatever the style, we’re happy to deliver, but our primary focus is always finding ways to build better. 
“Our approach is to work closely with the client and help them achieve their desires by establishing budgets, implementing schedules, and sourcing appropriate materials to provide the lowest maintenance and greatest longevity for their home. We’re always competing with ourselves to become better. It’s not so much a case of using a certain brand of cabinetry or a trendy countertop for example but rather, it has everything to do with affecting our decision making. So, when a project is under construction and we’re problem solving, we’re always reflecting on whether the decision we’re making is indicative of a builder that builds better.
“We schedule face-to-face meetings with our clients to ensure seamless communication. It may take more time, but it is a better way of conducting business. Our mission is to provide building solutions through integrity, trust, creativity and expertise by aligning ourselves with our customers to create value,” he enthuses.
The award-winning team at Grainda Builders get to know their clients’ ideas to establish a foundation of trust and understanding with the aim of aligning goals. “Every project we do is unique,” Jason continues, “whether a custom build or remodel. The construction schedule and complexities are driven by the plans and specifications. So, throughout the building phase, we conduct regularly occurring meetings, providing open communication. Our passion is to help our clients create the spaces they’ll call home. One award-winning project involved upgrading the outdoor living spaces of our client’s home. We created several beautiful outdoor rooms for them, that can be used year-round. With an outdoor kitchen, living room, dining area, and fireplace and acrylic screens that come down from the ceiling to enclose the space, when necessary, the family can make the most of their outdoor environment for probably the best part of 11 months of the year.
“Another stunning project involved building a home on the side of a cliff,” he elaborates. “This involved considerable complexity and close collaboration with the team of architects. It needed to work with the grade and topography of the landscape as well as meet client requests, such as the inclusion of a swimming pool, integral with the main level of the house.”
Successful planning
To achieve such spectacular builds, the company focuses on working with suppliers and partners who align with its values. “We tend not to bid for jobs,” Jason explains. “If you plan differently and align from the beginning, it’s possible to have a different approach to business. We meet with a client initially to determine their needs, wants and budget. Then, we assemble a team of professionals, equipped for the unique needs of a project. Our team may include architects, designers, craftsmen and industry partners needed to enhance the project. We then formally take responsibility for the planning of a project, with a retainer agreement in place. Successful planning takes considerable time and effort, and through this process, we solidify our team to meet and exceed expectations.
“A successful planning phase is critical for a successful project. Our team collaborates to develop plans and outline project specifications. We guide our clients through product selections and design details while respecting budget and timeline constraints. Once plans, specifications and cost have been approved, we transition into the building phase. We only have a handful of qualified supply chain vendors and trade partners with whom we work. Some of those relationships go back 25 years, even before my time at Grainda Builders. These long-standing relationships bring value and enjoyment to any project.”
Continuous improvement
Alongside supplier relationships, the team at Grainda Builders continually strives to create positive partnerships with its clients. “When a client comes to us and asks about sustainability or green building for example, the first thing we try to do is understand what that means for the client. Some clients care about lower energy costs for example, which means a tighter envelope and more insulation. Others may prioritize air quality and health, which is a matter of assessing systems from a mechanical standpoint, as well as low VOC products. Equally, we can also incorporate more sustainable products with a lower carbon footprint if that is the overarching goal. So, it’s very much a case of understanding what is important to our client.
“When I look ahead,” Jason continues, “for the remainder of this year and moving forward, I want the company to continue to strive to be the builder that builds it better and I want to ingrain that into our culture and our decision making. A long-time mentor, Bruce Giffin, says “the role of builder is one who creates organization out of chaos”. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the chaos and lose sight of a learning opportunity. When we approach problem solving, I first want my team to identify what went wrong, what are the learning opportunities, and how can improvements be made for the future. It’s not about placing blame; it’s about figuring out how we can get better as a team. So, curiosity, not blame, is another focus. Certainly, we also have a growth model in place in the longer term. We generally do about $10 million in revenue a year. Our focus is on sustainable growth, and we want to continue producing a quality product for our clients,” he concludes. “I would rather focus on the right projects with the right clients and ensure that we’re potential clients’ first choice. Our goal is to establish lasting relationships, focused on getting our clients where they want to be.”