Ace Contracting, Inc. began working in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area in July, 1976. In the years since, we have developed a reputation as experienced, honest craftsmen specializing in custom residential building and remodeling. Ace is family-owned and we take considerable pride in our work and in our good standing in the community.

Among many distinguished clients, a number of local architects have flattered us by asking Ace to work on their own homes as well as their clients'. We are state "A" registered and fully insured. Among other places, our projects have been published in Virginia Record, The Washington Post Home Magazine, Architecture, House Beautiful, 18 Houses edited by Jude LeBlanc, and in Clark and Menefee by Richard Jensen.

In January 1999 the three brothers spent 48 hours at Cheat Mountain Lodge to talk about our business. This "retreat" was to give us a chance to re-consider and re-evaluate Ace: our values, goals, direction(s), methods, etc. We were hoping to add some intent and focus to our company, the kinds of tasks that are always the lowest priority during a typical, frantic work week. One of the many constructive things that came out of our sessions during the retreat was this web site. Another was the first Ace Mission Statement -- after 23 years, better late than never.

Mission Statement

	To provide, for everyone who works at Ace, a decent livelihood and basic financial security in the profession of building & remodeling. Among other things this includes a fair wage, paid vacation, holiday and leave time, medical insurance and provision for retirement.
	To provide a safe work environment for all Ace employees as well as other workers on our projects.
	To provide a positive, supportive work environment in which everyone feels appreciated and respected and which encourages initiative and the achievement of personal and professional goals.
	To fulfill our clients' wishes and expectations; to achieve their goals efficiently, within budget and on schedule.
	To provide a work force of friendly, skilled, honest craftsmen who are welcome and trusted by all of our clients.
	To produce aesthetically pleasing, safe, enduring shelter incorpor-ating the highest quality workmanship, materials and subcontractors.
	To foster harmonious, friendly, supportive relationships among all we come into contact with in the course of our work: employees, clients, subs, suppliers, architects, financial professionals, competitors, etc.
	To be engaged with, and contribute to, the Charlottesville/Albemarle community and to the local community of building professionals.
	To return a modest profit to the owners of Ace Contracting.

 We spent a lot of our retreat time discussing the idea of excellence and the concept of being the “best” at what you do. Many of the things we talked about were basic tenets that we had always been operating under but had never consciously considered or verbalized. Talking about and writing these things down led to new ideas and new attitudes. In some cases simply stating out loud a value or a goal started to change the way we felt and operated. In other cases we had to face inescapable conclusions that followed from our stated values and goals that led to changes in the way we deal with our employees, our subs, our clients and with architects.

One of the many things this process led to was a list of the standard services we offer our clients. We have offered most of the things on this list for years; some are new.

Standard Services

	a list of references with addresses and phone numbers--when possible we tailor this list to the type of project a potential client is considering
	visits to current (or past) projects
	certificates of insurance
	help with design--either input to architects or, in some cases, design ideas and drafting directly for a client
	estimating--including copies of sub proposals and material & labor takeoffs--often this process is repeated several times in an effort to bring the cost of project in line with its budget
	a written contract--either our own simple, 3 page agreement or one of a variety of AIA contracts
	a Schedule of Values providing a complete breakdown of the project
	careful, clear billing for work completed (based on the Schedule of Values)
	a Job Schedule
	weekly site meetings with Owner and/or Architect
	a list of subcontractors & suppliers including contacts and phone numbers-- (most of whom we have worked with for 10 or 20 years)
	end of the job orientation to all new systems including manuals, instructions, guarantees, etc. as well as a suggested maintenance schedule
	a written warranty
	follow-up at one year

 Not on the above list are three important intangibles (among many):

We pride ourselves, first of all, on our honesty. There are lots of opportunities in business to deceive or to take something one hasn't earned. Over the years many such schemes have been suggested to us by others. This is simply not our way. It is it not how we want to be treated and it is not how we treat anyone we have dealings with.

Second, we are dedicated to excellence; we offer conscientious attention to detail, to the architects' plans, specs and intentions and to our clients' desires and budget.

Third, we try to maintain good humor. When things go well this allows us to celebrate our craft and a good project; when there are problems and stress, this helps us keep things in perspective and remain good partners while solutions are sought.