Shelburne Farms Lake View

Testimonials

• We’d like to express our thanks and appreciation for the very professional, quality work you created for us this past summer. The sunroom is everything we had envisioned and hoped for. From the very moment we met with Chris to the last day of our project he created an environment that helped us to feel confident that our new addition would be built in a way that fit the description we had detailed to him. While working closely with us and offering up suggestions about design, he was also sensitive to what we wanted for the structure. Paul and I would like to personally thank Chris for his thoughtfulness, kindness and thoroughness throughout the entire process.

Rarely does the outcome exceed one’s expectations but I must say that in this case it has. The building experience went as smooth and uneventful as a house construction event could have been. From the first budget design meeting, to the sub-contractors, to the incredible, competent and polite work crew, it all fell into place like a perfect puzzle. Aside from your own work scheduling commitments, everyone involved had the patience and understanding to allow Paul to do his share on his time schedule so that we could cut some of our own building costs to stay within our budget. The resulting product is just gorgeous and incredibly warm. Whoever sees it can only compliment and praise the craftsmanship. It really is a dream come true.

We both want to thank you for an incredible job, incredibly well done. Over the years you have evolved into an amazing company that is personal, trustworthy and conducts itself with utmost integrity. It makes me smile to know that our son, Ocean, worked with you and Larry when your company was still young, and you were both still swinging a hammer. It kind of feels like it’s all in the family. A good foundation is where it all started.

Thanks again to an amazing group of people.
Donna Rose and Paul Liebl
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• We are so glad that our real estate agent suggested C&B when we were looking at “this old house” and contemplating a major renovation, including a new kitchen. We cannot imagine a better outcome, and there is probably no other company that would have been able to work so seamlessly with us, and our old house. It was a treat to have Steve, Aaron, Russ and C&B’s fine subcontractors working here. I cannot get over how professional, pleasant and positive every one of them was. All were willing to work patiently through a myriad of questions and challenges until each time we found an excellent solution. The dedication to quality workmanship was evident every step of the way. C&B’s efficient and ever-helpful office staff ensured that the complexities of scheduling, finding and locating materials, and coordinating various aspects of the renovation went smoothly. They kept the project on time and within budget. Peter and I have never taken on a project this big, but we have had friends who have, and many have complained or been sick of the workers before it was time for them to go. My message to them: “You should have hired Conner and Buck.” C&B delivered not only a fantastic project but a terrific experience as well. And now we get to enjoy our new old house.
Lauren and Peter Waite
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• Building a house with Conner & Buck was a pleasure, from start to finish. The project was completed on schedule and under budget. We were sorry when the time came for the crew to leave. We enjoyed the team of excellent carpenters that worked on our house; their fine workmanship is evident in every detail, from smoothly-fitting doors to perfectly-joined moldings. We felt privileged to have such topnotch craftsmen working on our house. Conner & Buck sets high standards for its workers, and has instituted particular techniques (like painting the cut ends of every trim piece and clapboard) that we came to think of as "the Conner & Buck way". We appreciated receiving regular, detailed budget reports, so that we always knew how much we had spent, how much was left to pay, and how the money had been used. We were glad to be given ample lead-time and a budget for items that we needed to select ourselves, (lighting and plumbing fixtures, door hardware, brick and tile) so that we could make these choices in an unhurried way. We liked knowing where we stood financially at every step of the way.

We especially enjoyed weekly meetings in which we discussed the many details of design and construction. We looked forward to these meetings as the highlight of every week, and enjoyed the lively debates over everything from mechanical systems and trim details to energy-efficiency and air circulation. Larry's thorough knowledge of the latest advances in materials, systems, and construction methods made these conversations interesting and informative. He was also willing to research new ideas as they came up. Never shy about expressing his own opinions, Larry was also aware of and responsive to our particular tastes and sensibilities.

Our house project represented some unusual challenges as it was a complete rebuild after a house fire. Anxious to replace what we had lost, and to replicate the historic character of a 19th century Vermont farmhouse, we were exacting customers. Conner & Buck were fully knowledgeable about the historic features of this period, and helped us to reproduce them in our new house.

Some of the most beautiful features in our house were designed by Conner & Buck. In fact, every craftsman in the team that built our house contributed in some way to its beauty and functionality. If we had to do it again, we'd choose Conner & Buck without a moment's hesitation.
Chris and Jim Runcie, Starksboro, Vermont
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• You can't find more honest, knowledgeable, patient, likeable people to work with than Larry, Chris and their crew! We had a vision of our dream home and they made the dream come true! We heard that building a home can be a stressful experience - not so with Conner & Buck in charge! There are many, many decisions to make along the way and they went out of their way to offer options and recommendations and build models to help us visualize the end result. We love our home, thanks to Conner & Buck!
Paulette and Joe
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• I've had the pleasure to work with Conner & Buck on several projects recently. Chris and Larry are experienced and knowledgeable, personable and easy to work with. They also have a very talented crew and the quality of their work, from framing to finish work, is excellent. In addition, they provide a level of service that surpasses most builders - including thorough estimating, steady communication throughout the building process, and excellent follow-through. As an architect, I enjoy the collaborative spirit they bring to each project and appreciate their commitment to excellence.
Elizabeth Herrmann, AIA Elizabeth Herrmann architecture + design President
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• In choosing a construction company to build my home, I was looking for several essential qualifications. First, I wanted builders with a reputation for excellent work and experience with energy efficient design. Next, I wanted to find people who I could trust implicitly. Those qualifications were so important to me that after learning about Conner & Buck from several friends, I was willing to defer my immediate plans in the hope of signing them on in the near future. Conner & Buck easily surpassed my expectations. For many people, building a home can be a nerve-wracking experience. There are endless decisions, some with significant financial implications. Inevitably, with projects this big, there are unanticipated complications, and compromises must be made. Yet throughout the process, C&B managed to take the burden off my shoulders, leaving me to fully enjoy the experience. They were unwaveringly professional and helpful' they were also a constant resource for great design ideas.

In addition, the company is unusual, I believe, in the freedom they give their clients to purchase items for installation and even to participate in some aspects of the construction. This degree of freedom allowed us to keep the project within my budget. Although the project has been completed now for over three years, Conner & Buck continues to be an invaluable resource. I suppose the strongest endorsement I can give is to say that if I were to start over again from scratch, I would hire them again in a heartbeat.
Susan Watson Associate Prof. of Physics Middlebury College
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• Conner & Buck managed a renovation of our historic public library. What we appreciated most about the company, and Larry Buck in particular, was the can-do attitude of everyone involved. If we had a problem, a suggestion, or a last minute change, it was all considered with good cheer and patience. Larry was able to work with staff at the library, town officials and our architect with unfailing patience and respect. Every member of the crew was excellent. Stopping by the job site as the work progressed was exciting and we were always welcomed and kept well informed through each phase of the project. Conner & Buck was thoroughly professional!
Nancy Wilson and the Staff at Lawrence Memorial Library Bristol, Vermont
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• I am pleased to write this testimonial of our work together to renovate my kitchen. Having one's home torn apart and put back together(while still living there) was a stressful experience that was made easier by your care and attention, not just to the project but to me. I felt I was in good hands and while the project progressed was impressed by your craftsmanship and expectaion of excellence. I now have a room I love to be in and am proud of. I have received many compliments. Best of Luck,
Tom Munschauer

• We have worked with Conner & Buck on several projects over a ten year period. Each project has had special needs requiring a good deal of problem solving. Perhaps our first project was the most demanding of all those completed. It involved joining and connecting two early 19th century buildings into our home with attached workshop/studio.

Chris and Larry, as well as their entire crew, were sensitive to the period style issues while making the whole thing comfortable and easy to live in. They worked with new and recycled materials, always providing a structurally sound and aesthetically appealing result.

As for those qualities that anyone seeking a contractor is looking for, we found the following:
   • all bulding options were discussed before the work began(i.e. suggested materials and alternatives, including advantages, pricing, etc.)
   • pricing was explained and discussed and a clear budget was established
   • work schedules were met and subcontractors were informed of all scheduling needs, avoiding delays
   • as work progressed, materials and procedures were discussed at regular intervals, billing was clear and reflected the original budget
   • all crew members were professional and hard working
   • all subcontractors were professional and their work was reviewed for quality
   • we were continually asked for input and felt very much involved in the process
We have had Conner & Buck return for several additional projects and always recommend them to our friends and anyone looking for an excellent construction company. Satisfied customers and now friends,
Denis and Judith Versweyveld
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• I wanted to tell you, Chris and Larry, how much I enjoy working with you both. Your easy going, personal and professional approach has made the construction for all my projects always go very smoothly. I enjoy working as a team with you and your construction crew and greatly appreciate your attention to detail, keen sense of quality and preservation of the integrity of my designs.

I can also say that throughout the many years of our work together, my experience with Conner & Buck Builders has been nothing but positive and my expectations, and more importantly, those of my clients, have always been exceeded. Thank you so much for all your wonderful work and for making my projects look so solid and beautiful! Sincerely,
Mitra Samimi-Urich President Mitra Designs Inc. Architecture Interior Design & Space Planning
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• We hired Conner and Buck to design and build multiple additions to our home. We were under construction for the better part of two and a half years. In many cases, that could be an extremely stressful experience, especially while actually living in the spaces under construction, but working with the Conner and Buck crew was anything but stressful. It was actually very enjoyable. Chris was extremely skilled at guiding us through the process, step by step, not over-stimulating us with too many decisions at once. He also was meticulous about reviewing every detail with the crew and us, as well as overseeing the job from top to bottom several times a week. The crew was neat, respectful, friendly and talented. There was extensive ornamental detail involved in our project and the end results were perfect…from porches to paneling to columns and a fireplace mantel. We absolutely love everything they built, even beyond our expectations. And after all was said and done, we ended up having a great friend in Chris and know that we will always use Conner and Buck for any project we do in the future.
The Millers
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• We chose Conner and Buck to renovate, restore and expand our 1820 Federal style farmhouse. The exterior of the house was beautiful, but the interior was dark and dilapidated. It also lacked a place where you could take in the spectacular panoramic views. Our goal was to maintain the original charm and integrity of the home, while creating an interior that incorporated the fantastic surroundings and met the needs of a growing family. The Conner and Buck team exceeded our expectations. They were meticulous in their attention to detail, and this is evident in every room of the house. Layers and layers of paint were painstakingly peeled away to reveal original woodwork on door and window moldings, fireplace mantels and the stunning center hall staircase. Thick carpeting was removed throughout the house, and original flooring was carefully restored. Thanks to Conner and Buck’s thoughtful approach, we were also able to have original flooring in our new spaces. They discovered useable floorboards in the attic, restored them and reused them in our sunroom and kitchen. Conner and Buck found many interesting artifacts throughout the renovation, and they all found a place in the new interior. The history of this home was literally unburied by the Conner and Buck team and brought back to life.

The attention to detail prevails in the new additions as well. While walking through the home, you cannot distinguish between woodwork crafted in the 19th century, and the new woodwork created by the Conner and Buck team. The level of craftsmanship and artistry among their crew is exemplary. You can also see examples of this on the exterior of our home. In order to add a sunroom and back porch without compromising authenticity or incurring structural damage, the Conner and Buck team had to remove the back wall, very slowly, brick by brick. This painstaking process resulted in a new structure that looks as if it was part of the original home. It is breathtaking.

Just as important as the work are the people behind the work. Chris Conner was our main liaison for this project and his knowledge base is immense. He patiently and thoroughly explained every step of the process, and no concern or question was ever too small for him to personally address. We were always kept well-informed about budget adjustments and time lines. No changes were ever made without our express approval. We were also given plenty of time to order items we needed to supply such as hardware, lighting and appliances. Chris was also very budget conscious when choosing materials and hiring subcontractors; he helped us decide where to splurge and where to save.

The Conner and Buck team approached every aspect of our project with integrity, creativity and thoughtfulness. Their passion for the work is obvious. As much as we loved our home, I think we loved it even more after seeing it through their eyes. We will definitely choose Conner and Buck for all of our future projects.
Sincerely, Rochelle and Steve
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• Conner and Buck did a fantastic job. They put our dreams to paper and then turned them into a living reality. They were on budget and on time – how often does that happen in the construction world? More importantly, they were a lot of fun to work with!
David Bensadoun

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