See what ADVOCATE – Residential Construction Advisors’ clients, and the professionals we’ve worked with, have to say about the value our team delivers.
This would have been simply impossible without their insight, knowledge, industry connections, and previous experience. For first-time builders like us, going it alone would have been like climbing Everest without a guide…or a rope, or so much as a sweater for that matter.
As a client building a residential home, we were never aware we had the freedom to utilize a competitive bid process to maximize value. Certainly, no one within the industry was going to encourage us to do something like that. Even if we did, who beyond an experienced insider would have the skill set or time to put something together that was truly robust and effective?
It is this element that is at the core of the ADVOCATE process, but their contributions go way beyond just creating a spreadsheet. Their comprehensive knowledge of home construction and negotiation has helped enhance and simplify every aspect of our project and circumvent all the typical pitfalls. They assisted us with finding and selecting a builder that’s right for us andright for the project. ADVOCATE advised us on securing the best financing and final design decisions, and has helped value engineer our entire project. They have been the watchful advocate, helping to hold our contractors accountable along the way. ADVOCATE has helped us realize truly incredible savings throughout this process.
This would have been simply impossible without their insight, knowledge, industry connections, and previous experience. For first-time builders like us, going it alone would have been like climbing Everest without a guide…or a rope, or so much as a sweater for that matter.
We have had the recent pleasure of collaborating with ADVOCATE on a project in Paradise Valley. The services ADVOCATE provides to our joint clients have been extremely helpful in facilitating an organized and systematic approach to assist our client through the design and prebid process.
ADVOCATE’s involvement in all the details, not only relating to the actual design of the home but in working with the team in procuring subconsultants and potential builders, and in assessing and monitoring the construction budget, has been invaluable. ADVOCATE’s role generally supports our advice and when it does not, they have offered suggestions or different approaches that have been helpful in moving the project forward. This is the epitome of teamwork and ADVOCATE embraces that notion with no ego and always with a focus on what is best for the client.
We have been through remodel challenges before and did not want to experience it again with our next remodel! The missing link in our previous home remodel is that we didn’t have an advocate to make sure that the process went smoothly, on time, on budget, and without great stress. Even though a remodel may seem less complex than a new home build, this isn’t necessarily the case. Guessing what is behind a wall or roof when you open it up, trying to match existing finishes, windows, doors (that are 20 years old), and updating electric and AV in an older home is complicated.
We have been very impressed with our experience working with ADVOCATE. With deep knowledge and experience, relationships, and resources, coupled with creative thinking—ADVOCATE leads the assembly of a team that is unique to a homeowner’s needs and then provides the glue that keeps the project together and moving forward.
ADVOCATE educates homeowners at whatever level they are at (whether that be someone who refers to insulation as cotton candy and has no idea what the word “rough” means as it pertains to building a house, or an owner who is very familiar with the building and construction process).
The ADVOCATE team explains things in terms everyone can understand, keeps all parties in the loop, makes everyone feel valued and appreciated, gives a nudge when needed, handles surprise curve balls with thoughtfulness, strategic thinking, and grace, and has enthusiasm for every project like it is their own. The ADVOCATE team is able to lay a quick set of eyes on a challenge and promptly troubleshoot and provide invaluable feedback and solutions. With a sense of humor, wit, and always leading with transparency and integrity, our family will always have the ADVOCATE team on their side.
Building a custom dream home can be a daunting task for any family. There are so many elements that create complexity, and for first-timers like us, there are so many unknowns that you aren’t aware of.
Luckily, we had ADVOCATE on our side. Honestly, I can’t say enough amazing things about the ADVOCATE team. They have been with us EVERY step of the way, including the purchase of the land to build our home. They’ve helped us through each phase of selecting our professional team and vendors, budgeting, design schematic, legal contracts, financing, and negotiations. ADVOCATE has saved us well over $600,000 throughout our project and we haven’t even started construction yet.
If you are considering building a custom dream home or undergoing a large-scale remodel, your next move should be to contact ADVOCATE to help guide you through the process. It’s literally a no-brainer!
I first met (ADVOCATE founder and president) Keith when I was the architect for his new home. Seldom, if ever, have I met someone more interested and inquisitive about the details and processes of designing and building a custom home. He graciously challenged design ideas, material considerations, and system considerations, inevitably helping the team arrive at the best solutions for the unique needs of his family. One thing that impressed me was that Keith always focused on highest value rather than lowest cost.
In the end, I believe he helped us create a remarkable home for his family, one with far greater value for the dollars spent than I originally thought possible. Throughout the process, I found Keith to always be a consummate gentleman, treating everyone on the team with fairness and respect. With so many decisions required, plus the pressure of time and money, designing and building a complicated, one-of-a-kind custom home like Keith’s can often have stressful moments for both client and team. However, I feel Keith’s understanding of all the various stakeholders, and his calm demeanor helps smooth out the process and keep everyone focused on the go.
It is hard to describe how helpful it has been to work through a design-build process with a team as knowledgeable as ADVOCATE – Residential Construction Advisors. We have never seen such fair and comprehensive vetting done with the design-build process in our over 20 years in business. The high level of coordination, led by the ADVOCATE team, among the architect, designer, engineers, and general contractor is an immeasurable asset to any homeowner that is preparing to build or remodel a home.
The benefits to using ADVOCATE include assistance with the selection of the contractors, architect, designers, and engineers as well as budgeting, financing, scheduling, and permitting coordination. The team’s expertise substantially reduces the risk and stress during the homebuilding process. The ADVOCATE team truly acts as a guardian to their clients throughout the process, always watching out for their best interest and making sure there is a positive, value-added experience for everyone involved!
When my wife and I decided to build hillside in Paradise Valley, we quickly realized we needed help. This would be our first new home construction project and the details and process were overwhelming. A friend suggested we meet with the ADVOCATE team. That one introduction changed the outcome of the project and has allowed us to enjoy the journey, not begrudge it. The ADVOCATE team has provided trusted counsel on every aspect of the process and worked with all the parties involved to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, the process moves forward, and that communication is clear and concise.
The ADVOCATE team does a great job of laying out options and providing thoughts and guidance but not controlling the decision. The ADVOCATE team is doing such a good job that my wife and I are now talking about building another home (with ADVOCATE’s help) on another property we own. I would strongly urge anyone considering new home construction to talk with the ADVOCATE team before moving forward alone.
The thought of building a new home or doing an extensive remodel is daunting. The scope of a major project can be overwhelming and the idea of it turns people away from even trying to do so. After designing our dream home, we turned to ADVOCATE to help us move forward with confidence that our dream would become a reality.
It became clear early in the process that we needed someone on our side to help us navigate the process and, thankfully, the ADVOCATE team was there to assist us with everything. They have helped us every step of the way, from helping identify where we can scale the project to stay on budget, interviewing multiple builders, assisting with contract negotiation, consulting regarding finance options, and most importantly evaluating the bids line by line with value engineering along the way. ADVOCATE’s comprehensive knowledge of the building process has allowed us to start our project with confidence. We know that they are here for us every step of the way.
This project would have been unimaginable without the expertise of ADVOCATE. When starting any major construction on your home, you need someone on your side. ADVOCATE is there to protect the homeowner’s interests in their residential construction projects.
ADVOCATE’s involvement has completely relieved the worry from our extensive remodel of our home. Instead of worrying about how the next contractor might take advantage of us or whether or not they will follow through on promises, we were able to focus on creating the home of our dreams and enjoying the construction process. ADVOCATE is a wealth of knowledge. For each facet of our project, they made suggestions that changed our final decision for the better. For several choices, we didn’t even know what options existed.
ADVOCATE also saved us thousands on our AC units! They bid out the project and found a contractor who took the time to educate us on air conditioning. It turns out that multistage units wouldn’t function properly in our house due to the high volume of the ducts. Because of this advice, we spent thousands less and our house is cool and comfortable with Trane AC units. And I am worry free with a 10-year warranty.
Thank you ADVOCATE for all of your help with our home remodel. Before your involvement, I only felt dread when thinking of contractors and home improvement projects. I always wondered what mistake I would discover next or how someone was going to try to take advantage of my ignorance of fair market value. Now I can be confident that I’m paying a fair price and that the work will be done properly.
When it comes to delivering a complicated project to the finish line, the team at ADVOCATE – Residential Construction Advisors should be an integral part from beginning to end. For many clients, this is their first time with a large residential remodel or complete custom new home and that can be extremely complicated. Having a trusted advisor from the beginning who is well-versed in all aspects of the design-build process is invaluable and is essential for keeping the project on the right track.
Cost estimates, budget considerations, design changes, value engineering, construction timelines and efficiencies, project deliverables—so many of these aspects of the overall process can be overwhelming to a client. Providing transparency throughout the process is where ADVOCATE can be a great asset to any homeowner. Additionally, their knowledge of the industry and ability to overcome potential delays is essential to peak performance. The ADVOCATE team has demonstrated these qualities to my clients and team members. As a result, these attributes have resulted in the best outcome of the project for architects, contractors, and homeowners alike.
I am happy to have worked with the ADVOCATE team on a project and look forward to working with them again in the future to provide other homeowners with the home of their dreams.
The ADVOCATE team has been an enormously helpful asset for homeowners navigating the design and construction process. They understand the value of bringing together a capable team. They have been instrumental in helping us work with owners to build a design and construction team, then provide close assistance to that team and the owner. ADVOCATE’s experience in the industry has allowed them to capitalize on the talents of the entire team by ensuring they maintain good working relationships and effective communication, and by coordinating with municipalities and other third parties.
The design and construction process is very complex and intensive and the ADVOCATE team is able to look out for the clients’ best interest to maintain budgets, schedules, and quality. There are many thousands of decisions to be made and pitfalls to look out for, and ADVOCATE can help owners navigate the process to realize their dream project.
As custom builders with over 40 years of combined experience, we have participated in the project pursuit and contractor selection process dozens of times. Speaking from first-hand experience, the selection process is often flawed and does not deliver the best possible outcome. The proof is all too evident when a builder is selected on price alone and you watch as a great project slides into distress, perhaps being delayed, going way over budget, being put on hold, or—worst case—ending up in litigation.
This is where ADVOCATE steps in and really fills a void in the market. Their cause is noble as they seek to assist their clients in selecting the builder that is best aligned with the other project team players and the client’s objectives. Whereas many selections are made on price alone, there are many other factors to consider, and ADVOCATE helps to vet them. There’s no doubt that price is also very important and ADVOCATE helps by providing a level playing field and assisting with the analysis of the numbers.
ADVOCATE is providing a valuable service that has been missing from the custom construction market for a very long time.
Working with the ADVOCATE – Residential Construction Advisors team has been nothing short of amazing! The ADVOCATE team assisted us on a large-scale front- and backyard remodel that required many complications with design, engineering, contractors, and budget.
Their knowledge of the construction industry and their process allowed us to accomplish our goals as homeowners. They helped us put in place an extensive bidding process to get the best pricing as well as evaluate the contractors to make sure they were of the highest quality. It would have been extremely difficult for us to coordinate this type of process alone and we probably would have overpaid for lower-quality workmanship.
The only regret we have is not working with the ADVOCATE team prior to our interior remodel, which was done years ago! We cannot fully express our gratitude to the ADVOCATE team—they enabled us to complete our extensive remodel while knowing our project was in good hands.
At Audio Video Excellence (AVE), we have had the privilege to work with Keith Galbut and his team at ADVOCATE now several times and we have enjoyed the passion and attention to detail they have brought to each project.
Their extremely bright team—very informed on the latest trends and technology—make the whole design, sale, and installation much better for the final determined project.
Building a custom home is one of the major stressors any couple can bring into their relationship. Having ADVOCATE on your side will make this an exciting time, reducing the stress as they pull all the various trades, artisans, and personalities together, creating the vision for your dream home. Not only that, but I believe Keith and his group will actually save you money in the process. They will carefully research each line item, not to cut corners, but to purchase the correct products, ensuring that you, the homeowner, will not be paying exorbitant prices, but rather be purchasing at fair market value.
When AVE does a proposal, we pay no attention to the size or scope of the home. We do not mark things up just because we think the client could afford to pay more (as we see many of our competitors doing). We feel we’ve collaborated so well with the team at ADVOCATE precisely for that reason: Quality/high-value products, fair pricing on those products, fair labor pricing, high-quality installation, and real customer service before, during, and after the fact. ADVOCATE holds each of their subs and tradespeople to a very high standard, yet they do it in a way that builds trust and long-term relationships.
Hiring the team at ADVOCATE early in the project (or anytime, for that matter), may be the most important decision you make to fulfill your dream!
As a realtor in the Valley for the past 15 years, I can unequivocally state that the services provided by ADVOCATE are a game changer for the custom home building and remodeling industry.
Over the years I’ve met many frustrated home owners who thought they could build a home or complete a major remodeling project on their own. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as one would think—project deadlines are seldom met, huge cost overruns become the norm, and homeowners and contractors often end up in bitter disputes.
The value of having ADVOCATE manage the intricacies of the entire process is priceless–from transparent general contractor selection to competitive bidding, the proper team selection, and change order management. The significant cost savings to the homeowner by using ADVOCATE’s services makes using them a no-brainer—not to mention the reduction in disputes and challenges and actually enjoying the process! Not only have I recommended ADVOCATE’s services to all my clients looking at building new homes or engaging in significant remodels, I too am using ADVOCATE’s services for my own remodeling project.
The ADVOCATE team supported my efforts to find a perfect fixer-upper in Paradise Valley, with beautiful views and great potential. After we purchased the property, ADVOCATE advised us on our selection of the best-suited team of building professionals for our needs and objectives. Through the remodeling process, ADVOCATE was a vital part of every decision and always kept our best interests as their primary objective. Having ADVOCATE on our side made one of the most emotionally and financially stressful decisions of our lives a total breeze. In the end, they helped us save money, time, and stress.
I would highly recommend ADVOCATE to anybody looking to build a custom home or complete a significant remodeling project.
This is our third round of renovations on an almost 100-year-old house, so it feels like we should know what we’re doing. But we don’t, and we needed the team at ADVOCATE. They took the confusion of this process away—simplifying it and making sure that we never felt overwhelmed.
I don’t know how anyone manages a major renovation of their home without ADVOCATE leading them through every step of the way. Our contractor is also pleased with their team and the work they’re doing, which makes it an even more pleasant process.
As a custom wood flooring and furniture manufacturer in Phoenix for over 20 years, I’ve had the privilege to work with hundreds of couples on their new homes and remodels. Almost without exception, they all have a story (or two!) of working with a “nightmare” general contractor, subcontractor, or manufacturer that made the job unpleasant at best and worst case, made their lives difficult and took advantage of them.
Keith and his team at ADVOCATE have developed an excellent service that will, I believe, revolutionize the industry. By compiling (and always being willing to meet new) outstanding builders, subcontractors, manufacturers, and suppliers with proven track records and reputations for exceptional customer service, ADVOCATE allows consumers to choose a vendor with knowledge, transparency, and confidence.
Because we have worked with ADVOCATE, they can speak with assurance as to our capabilities and business ethics. By the same token, we can speak with confidence that ADVOCATE’s heart is in the right place, its loyalty is to the owner, and its integrity is above reproach. They truly find joy in supporting families by connecting with companies that not only care about providing superior goods and services, but do so at a competitive, transparent, and fair cost. It’s a privilege to be counted among these trusted companies!
I am a big supporter of what ADVOCATE has set out to do in the custom residential home market. From my experience as an architect and general contractor, having a team like ADVOCATE guide a project on behalf of the owner is efficient, cost effective, and can actually make the project more fun.
At first, I was unsure about what ADVOCATE would bring to our first project together, as it seemed likely they would be intruding into my role as a general contractor. Through the process, however, I realized that was not the case at all. ADVOCATE helped the project run much more smoothly than I could have expected. Their team streamlined and organized communication between the homeowners, myself, and the subcontractors. They held all parties accountable and treated all with fairness and professionalism. They had a steadfast eye on making sure the owner was informed and empowered to make the best decision for them.
After our great experience together, we have a strong relationship and have now worked on a number of projects together. I can most definitely say, as an architect and general contractor, that the team at ADVOCATE has brought a unique resource to the residential home community that has never previously existed.