Dutton Design Build, Inc. Company Profile

ou want to hire a kitchen & bath remodeling contractor, but you're nervous at the prospect of picking the wrong one, one who cheats you on cost, hides mistakes, or disappears for days in the middle of the project leaving your home an unlivable mess. And there's really no way to know ahead of time, short of closing your eyes, jumping in and just hoping for luck, right?

Not necessarily. There are signals during the preliminary interview and estimate phase that can tell you if that kitchen & bath remodeler is one of those nightmare contractors, or instead, one of the good guys you'll be able to refer to all your impressed neighbors.

Scott Dutton is the man behind Dutton Design Build Inc. in Vacaville CA. He's been in the trades for 15 years and is the only kitchen & bath contractor in all of Solano County who's certified by NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry). It requires a tough 15 weeks of intensive study and one must pass tests on all associated trades, as well as proper project management, in an 8 hour long test. It's considered far harder than the mere 1 ½ hour test required for a State license. So if anyone could weigh in with advice on this, Scott Dutton could.

 

Three "P"s: Payroll, Punctuality & Professionalism

Payroll:
"One thing you could ask about," says Scott Dutton, "is if the contractor has any guys on the crew being paid cash, like maybe ones he just picks up in the parking lot at Home Depot, because that speaks to his business practices."

This makes sense. Contractors who are cheating the system by cutting corners with their payroll are more likely to cheat on your project too by cutting corners with dodgy materials and poor work.

Punctuality:
Another thing to watch for is how punctual the contractor is for those initial appointments to discuss an estimate. "Lots of clients who have dealt with other contractors before me are surprised that I show up on time for the initial appointment," shares Scott. "I tell them of course I am. If someone else isn't, then they've already crossed that initial line of trust right at the outset. And if there's a legitimate reason you can't make it, you can at least call. We all have cell phones these days."

Professionalism:
The appearance of the contractor and his crew can also be considered a reflection of how professional they are. Scott Dutton agreed. "We show up clean cut, well-mannered and ready to do a professional job as opposed to others who might show up dirty and impolite. It's a reflection of our attitude that we recognize we're in someone's home, and we show it respect. "

 

Setting An Example

What motivates Scott Dutton to continually put in the effort he does? The fact he's a lifelong local resident of Vacaville with a good reputation is part of it. "There's a hometown feeling here," he says. "People know me. I go downtown, there's always someone to wave to, say hi to, someone I've gone to school with, someone I've done work for."

The other reason? His little girls, ages 5 and 7 he says. "I live for them and their well-being," Scott explains. "So I'm highly motivated to set the right example for my two girls because I want to make sure I raise two good women."

Scott Dutton is a guy who does guy things like bass and trout fishing at Berryessa, and golfing, so maybe it's that sensitivity borne of raising daughters that's responsible for the rare, homey touches you see around his showroom, like the teapots, plates, and decorative handsoap that accent the display of his countertops and cabinets which include quality brands like Caesarstone, Zodiaq, Hanstone, Corian, and Fieldstone Cabinetry.

Dedicated To Homeowners

Dutton Design Build is dedicated 100% to residential work for homeowners. Scott says his biggest reward is being able to take an old and dysfunctional kitchen or bathroom and transform it into one that's beautiful and adds worth to the customer's home. "But we do much more than just making something look ‘pretty'," he said. "We build our jobs with the intent that it also lasts for life, so we use the best quality materials even when we don't have to. For instance, I'll use waterproofing materials that cost me a lot more, but I'd rather do that and know it's just never going to leak. Sure, we'll go back to make adjustments to something if it's needed, but it's better to make sure it's never necessary in the first place."

 

If you're not in the Bay Area, use the "three 'P's" above to try to assess the likely behavior of the kitchen & bath remodeling contractors before contracts are signed. Or if you're in the Bay Area, maybe just hire Scott Dutton and Dutton Design Build in Solano County like a previous customer of his Lucy did, who when she received a research call said of him: "The reliability of Scott Dutton and his work, his customer satisfaction was top priority. He did the job as if he were doing it for his own house. They were top notch."

 

---Scott Rhodes
Managing Editor
The Prime Buyer's Report