Gourmet Cooking in Amberly

It all started with a simple question. “Jim, what do you think about a six burner cook top?”

The answer was “Oh yeh! We have wanted to do a “Gourmet Kitchen” option for the Pinehurst…big cooktop, high/low cabinets, double oven, etc. It sounds like this will be a great opportunity to design one. Please send me your dreams and let me work up a plan with the cabinet company. “

And a gourmet kitchen we now have! Jim Garman and his G-Team designed the following:

- High/Low Cabinets
- Cook top bump out
- Footed cabinets
- Under cabinet lighting
- Braiding across the top of the cabinets
- Microwave mounted under the counter top
- Double Oven
- Espresso Bar (aka Butler’s Pantry)

We ended up deciding on a 5 burner cook top…only to maximize the counter top space.

In the beginning, I got countless jokes regarding my double oven. Now, everyone wants to come to my house for gatherings because of the double ovens. We love it!

- Michelle & Dan
e-mail: mdurner@ams-nc.com

Living the Garman Difference

As a Garman homeowner, I can attest to and speak personally regarding the items that John described in the previous post.

This is the second home my wife and I have built. Our first was from a "big" builder with a recognizable national name. I'll start by describing that experience: The sales rep sold us on the home and handed us to the construction manager. Once we closed, we were handed to a customer service rep. Each would point the finger at the other and dealing with a large company it took nearly forever to get things done. Customer Service with them had much to be desired.

How is Garman Different? Each Rock Star is identified immediately. I remember signing the sales agreement and receiving emails from each member of the G-Team congratulating us on our purchase. G-Team members gave their contact information and were available to answer our questions, address our concerns, and always did so in a timely manner, with the utmost professionalism, and above all else - with Great Attitudes. The building process should be fun and enjoyable. You are not buying any house, you are constructing a home. Garman Homes understands that. They were very flexible with things that we wanted in our home. They are unlike "big" builders that have a cookie cutter plan that they stick to. Garman realizes that each person is unique, they have that personal approach that is needed in Home Building. You are not a number, it's not just any home. They realize that you are not just a customer, not just any home owner, they treat you like a member of their team, the G-Team, because they realize that it is YOUR home that is being built.

We recently experienced the 45 day post-closing G-Team meeting. Wow, needless to say, I was and am impressed. Let me take a moment to list the items i saw being checked, all at the same time: fireplace, doors and windows, drawers and cabinets, each light switch and electrical socket was tested, paint touch ups, caulking, plumbing and faucets, HVAC, if you name it it was checked. As quick as it began it was over. Garman Homes does such a great job the first time around there are no long delays or list of items to repair. As the trade partners were finished checking over their speciality in the house, they would come to us, introduce themselves, hand us their card, and with their check list in hand they went over each item with us, explaining what was checked and what repairs were performed (if any), gave maintenance suggestions, and would sign their check list and hand it us. Sign their checklist? Yes, I'm serious. Now that's accountability. Nothing says "I stand by my work" like putting your name on it.

After the G-Team meeting was over we had our photo taken with the $1,000 check that Jim Garman presented to Habitat for Humanity.

With respect to the Guaranteed Closing date - we closed on the date we were given.

- Adam & Katie (and Cody)
email: saoakley@gmail.com

The Garman Difference - How and Why?

By now, we hope you have visted www.garmanhomes.biz and read about the Garman Differences. Many people ask me how we do what we do, and wonder why we do these things. I thought I could give you some answers here in our blog.

G-TEAM: That group of industry proffesionals who will show up on your doorstep for a scheduled appointment 45 days post-closing.

How we do it: Each trade partner is contracted to participate in the G-Team meeting. Each person is notified of the time and date 5 days in advance, and confirm date with the G-Team leader. All members of the G-Team discuss preperation for that particular home in advance with a G-Team Leader from Garman Homes.

Why we do it: I have always seen warranty service as the number one weakness of the homebuilding industry. Customer appointments are often missed, and customers have to miss too much time off work to get items corrected in their homes. We came up with the G-Team idea so that each buyer could have their home serviced by a team of proffesionals who would check each component of the home and correct any deficiencies without the customer having to send in a list, call multiple trades, or haggle with a warranty rep about coverage. This is a comprehensive one-appointment shakedown to make sure everything is right. When people ask why we do this, I often wonder why everyone isn't doing it?

Guaranteed Closing: That's right, we guarantee our closing date!!

How we do it: We keep our houses moving along with advanced online scheduling that our trade partners follow. We don't let our homes sit, we keep folks working on them every day. We avoid "gaps" in the schedules that stall most builders.

Why we do it: Buying and closing a home can be a stressful time. We don't want our buyers to have to rearrange their world at the last minute, so our whole team is geared to deliver a quality product on or ahead of schedule.

Rockstars Wanted: We hire Rock Stars!

How we do it: We hire the best proffesionals in theindustry to run construction, sales, etc, and hand-pick every trade, hiring only the best. We offer G-Team training and make sure everyone that works at Garman Homes has a great attitude.

Why we do it: Life is to short to try to succeed with anything less than the best team in the industry. Rock Stars get the job done correctly, with a great attitude. and have fun doing it!

Give it back: We donate $1000 to Habitat For Humanity for each home we close.

How we do it: Jim Garman writes a check for each home after closing and sends it to Habitat for Humanity.

Why we do it: Jim Garman has been involved with Habitat since his college days, where he raised money by biking across the country for the cause. Habitat has always been important to Jim, and he wants his company known as a champion for Habitat For Humanity.

John Szalecki

Email: jaszalecki@garmanhomes.biz