The Chrysalis Awards program, launched in 1994, recognizes the nation’s best remodeling and design work in 16 general categories of residential and commercial remodeling. The Chrysalis Awards are open to all professional remodelers and design professionals in the U.S.
This year, 72 remodeling and design companies were honored as winners of the 2014 Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence. The winning projects were selected from over 300 entries judged on overall design, the creative use of space and materials, and the degree to which the project enhanced the original structure.Every year, hundreds of remodeling and design professionals enter various local and national competitions, but far too many great projects are not represented. Having administered the Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence for over 20 years, I’ve witnessed some of the great benefits to winning companies.
For instance, a few years ago a mid-size company in Maryland wanted to make a shift to higher-end, larger projects. When they entered their first such project in the competition, they won an award for “Best Addition Over $250,000.”
By marketing this project and their award to the higher-end zip codes in their market, they grew from $1 million in sales to $8 million in just one year. Companies also report that when they successfully market themselves as an award-winning company, consumers are less likely to rely on the “low bid” approach and in many cases forego the bidding process altogether.
Awards allow newer—or smaller—companies to break out and compete successfully in their market. At the same time, awards can help more established companies reinforce their commitment to excellence and creativity to the public. An intangible that many companies have experienced is the increased teamwork and pride that permeates their entire operation when they win an award.
So why don’t more companies participate in award competitions?
Some may not recognize the benefits of competing are well worth the effort. Others may have a fear of not winning, and some may not realize their excellent work is deserving of recognition. The fact is that there are benefits to entering a competition, even if you don’t win.
Many companies say the process of preparing an award entry forced them to look at their projects and operations from a totally different point of view. They began to approach every project as if it were going to be submitted for an award, which increased the level of creativity and professionalism in everything they did. Companies with this attitude ultimately go on to win and grow.
A Special Congratulations
While many of this year’s winning companies have won multiple Chrysalis Awards over the years, there are some that have won 10 or more since Chrysalis became a national competition in 2000. So let us take this opportunity to congratulate them for their demonstration of excellence over that time.
Marrokal Design & Remodeling, San Diego, Calif.: 29 Awards
CG&S Design-Build, Austin, Texas: 20 Awards
Allen Associates, Santa Barbara, Calif.: 18 Awards
TreHus Builders Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.: 18 Awards
Custom Design & Construction, El Segundo, Calif.: 17 Awards
Michael Nash Design Build & Homes, Fairfax, Va.: 14 Awards
Landis Construction Corp., Washington, D.C.: 14 Awards
Artistic Renovations LLC, Seven Hills, Ohio: 13 Awards
Carnemark Systems & Design, Bethesda, Md.: 11 Awards
Jackson Design & Remodeling, San Diego, Calif.: 10 Awards
A&I Inc., Myrtle Beach, S.C.: 10 Awards
2014 CHRYSALIS AWARD WINNING PROJECTS
Kitchen Remodel Under $50,000
National Award | Normandy Remodeling, Hinsdale, Ill.
Regional Award | DeRhodes Construction, Charlotte, N.C.
Kitchen Remodel $50,000-$75,000
National Award | CG&S Design-Build, Austin, Texas
Regional Award | Alure Home Improvements, East Meadow, N.Y.
Regional Award | Jackson Design & Remodeling, San Diego, Calif.
Regional Award | Wesson Builders, Toledo, Ohio
Kitchen Remodel $75,000-$100,000
National Award | Cummings Architects, Ipswich, Mass.
Regional Award | Jackson Design & Remodeling, San Diego, Calif.
Regional Award | CG&S Design-Build, Austin, Texas
Regional Team Award | Donatelli Builders Inc., Wayne, Ill.
Regional Team Award | Gail Drury & Vicki Ovitt, Glen Ellyn, Ill. and Wheaton, Ill.
Kitchen Remodel Over $100,000
National Award | Carnemark Systems & Design, Bethesda, Md. (at right)
Regional Award | TreHus Builders Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.
Regional Team Award | Potter Construction Co., Seattle, Wash.
Regional Team Award | Collaborative Interiors, Sammamish, Wash.
Regional Award | Distinctive Design Build Remodel, Charlotte, N.C.
Bath Remodel Under $40,000
National Award | Michael Nash Design Build & Homes Inc., Fairfax, Va.
Regional Award | Jackson Design & Remodeling, San Diego, Calif.
Regional Award | Artistic Renovations LLC, Seven Hills, Ohio
Regional Award | PMD Development LLC, New York, N.Y.
Bath Remodel $40,000-$60,000
National Award | Normandy Remodeling, Hinsdale, Ill. (at right)
Regional Award | Michael Nash Design Build & Homes, Fairfax, Va.
Regional Award | Marrokal Design & Remodeling, San Diego, Calif.
Regional Award | Prime 1 Builders, Venetia, Pa.
Bath Remodel Over $60,000
National Award | Foxcraft, Falls Church, Va. (at right)
Regional Award | Devine Designs, Chesterland, Ohio
Regional Award | Tenhulzen Residential, Bellevue, Wash.
Regional Team Award | Knutson Residential Design, Saint Paul, Minn.
Regional Team Award | Ben Quie and Sons, Saint Paul, Minn.
Regional Award | Divine Kitchens, Wellesley, Mass.
Addition Under $100,000
National Award | Michael Nash Design Build & Homes Inc., Fairfax, Va.
Regional Award | Custom Design & Construction, El Segundo, Calif.
Addition $100,000-$250,000
National Award | Platt Builders Inc., Groton, Mass.
Regional Award | Tier1 Group, Leander, Texas
Addition Over $250,000
National Award | Texas Construction Co., Austin, Texas
Regional Award | DG Custom Built Homes, Bay Shore, N.Y.
Regional Award | Beck Building Co., Avon, Colo.
Residential Interior Under $100,000
National Award | Morse Remodeling, Davis, Calif.
Regional Award | TreHus Builders Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.
Regional Award | Sullivan Building & Design, Quakertown, Pa.
Residential Interior Over $100,000
National Award | TreHus Builders Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.
Regional Award | Marrokal Design & Remodeling, San Diego, Calif.
Regional Award | R. Craig Lord Construction, Moorestown, N.J.
Regional Award | Michael Nash Design Build & Homes, Fairfax, Va.
Residential Exterior Under $100,000
National Award | Pagenstecher Group, Kensington, Md.
Regional Award | Synergy Builders, West Chicago, Ill.
Regional Award | McClure Contracting Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla.
Residential Exterior Over $100,000
National Award | Krieger & Associates Architects, Philadelphia, Pa.
Regional Award | Exterior Medics, Alexandria, Va.
Regional Award | Marrokal Design & Remodeling, San Diego, Calif.
Detached Outbuilding
National Award (Tie) | KohlMark Group, Burke, Va.
National Award (Tie) | Landmark Services, Wellesley Hills, Mass.
Regional Award | Marrokal Design & Remodeling, San Diego, Calif.
Outdoor Living
National Award | The Porch Co., Nashville, Tenn.
Regional Award | Home Works Remodeling, Middleton, Wis.
Regional Award | Gilday Design & Remodeling, Silver Spring, Md.
Regional Award | Morse Remodeling, Davis, Calif.
Residential Specialty Item
National Award | Accurate Industries, Wheeling, Ill. (at right)
Regional Award | Landis Construction Corp., Washington, D.C.
Regional Award | CG&S Design-Build, Austin, Texas
Regional Award | Morse Remodeling, Davis, Calif.
Whole house remodel under $250,000
National Award | Magnolia Homes, Waco, Texas
Regional Award | DG Custom Built Homes, Bay Shore, N.Y.
Regional Award | Powell Custom Homes & Renovation, Des Moines, Wash.
Regional Award | Renovations Unlimited, Grove City, Ohio
Whole House Remodel $250,000-$500,000
National Award | Revolution Design and Build, Wayzata, Minn.
Regional Award | Tibma Design Build, Needham, Mass.
Regional Award | Allen Associates, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Regional Team Award | Fryday & Doyne Architecture, Charlotte, N.C.
Regional Team Award | Concept Building & Restoration, Charlotte, N.C.
Whole House Remodel $500,000-$1 Million
National Award | CG&S Design-Build, Austin, Texas
Regional Team Award | Sockeye Homes, Kent, Wash.
Regional Team Award | Hagge Design Associates, Sammamish, Wash.
Regional Team Award | Candace Nordquist Interiors, Gig Harbor, Wash.
Regional Award | Synergy Builders, West Chicago, Ill.
Regional Award | Baxter Construction, Hopewell, N.J.
Whole House Remodel Over $1 Million
National Award | Allen Associates, Santa Barbara, Calif. (at right)
Regional Award | Michael K. Walker & Associates Inc., Sarasota, Fla.
Regional Award | Benco Construction, Bohemia, N.Y.
Residential Historic Renovation
National Award | Welsh Construction, Lexington, Va.
Regional Team Award | GTM Architects, Bethesda, Md.
Regional Team Award | Jeffco Inc., Rockville, Md.
Regional Award | T. Hurt Construction, Omaha, Neb.
Regional Award | Marrokal Design & Remodeling, San Diego, Calif.
Residential Universal Design
National Award | Landis Construction Corp., Washington, D.C.
Regional Award | Katy Kitchen & Bath, Katy, Texas
Regional Award | Lifespan Home Modifications, Fairbanks, Alaska
Best Green Remodeling Project
National Award | Landis Construction Corp., Washington, D.C.
Regional Award | Meadowview Construction Inc., Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Regional Award | Allen Associates, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Residential Insurance Restoration
National Award | Paul Davis Restoration, Gaithersburg, Md.
Commercial Insurance Restoration
National Award | A&I Inc., Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Commercial Remodel
National Award | Landis Construction Corp., Washington, D.C.
Regional Award | Tony Griffin Construction, Henagar, Ala.
Regional Award | PURE Design Environments, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Basement Remodel
National Award | Keiffer Phillips, Atlanta, Ga.
Regional Award | Finished Basement Co., Denver, Colo.
Regional Award | Meadowlark Builders, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Regional Award | Alure Home Improvements, East Meadow, N.Y. PR