Why We Do the Work Ourselves: A Look Into Our Process
At birch & beam co., people are often surprised when they learn that Matt — our co-founder, licensed contractor, and craftsman — not only oversees every project, but also does much of the work with his own hands. In an industry where developers outsource everything, rush timelines, and disappear the moment the demo is done, our approach is different on purpose.
We’ve seen what happens when no one is paying attention. We’ve watched families move into “newly renovated” homes only to discover dangerous wiring behind the walls, patchwork plumbing, uneven floors, and cosmetic fixes covering real problems.
So we built our company around a simple promise: If it’s our name on the project, our hands are on the work.
What It’s Like to Work With Us (Step-by-Step)
1. Discovery Call: Your Goals, Budget, and Vision
We start with an honest conversation — what you want, what you don’t want, and what your budget allows.
We’ll tell you upfront if your dream is realistic, what to expect, and where the biggest risks or cost drivers are.
Why this matters:
You get clarity before spending a single dollar on design or construction.
2. On-Site Walkthrough: We Assess the Home Like It’s Our Own
Matt walks the home with you and looks at the things many contractors ignore:
structure & framing
flooring & joist condition
electrical safety
plumbing integrity
water intrusion
ventilation (especially bathrooms & basements)
prior “flipper work” that may need to be undone
We’re not here to sell you a dream — we’re here to tell you the truth.
3. Design + Budgeting: Beauty + Function + Longevity
Christine leads design and material selection with one guiding principle: Beautiful doesn’t have to mean expensive — but it does have to be durable.
We’ll walk you through:
✔ what’s worth splurging on
✔ what’s smarter to save on
✔ which materials will last
✔ where designers and flippers commonly waste your money
This is where your financial literacy mindset meets our craftsmanship — you get a gorgeous home without falling into the “HGTV budget trap.”
4. Transparent Scope of Work + No Surprises
We outline:
what we’re doing
why we’re doing it and why potential alternatives might not work
what it costs
what could come up behind the walls
how we’ll handle unexpected findings
You always know where your money is going.
5. Hands-On Construction: Matt’s On-Site Process
Unlike most builders, Matt:
manages the site
performs the work himself
ensures subs and other tradesmen (if used) meet our standards
communicates with you frequently
This means:
✔ no miscommunication between a GC and subs
✔ no disappearing crews
✔ no shortcuts hidden behind tile or drywall
✔ no rushed timelines to squeeze in the next project
Your home gets the care and attention it deserves.
6. Quality Checks at Every Stage
We check and recheck everything:
level lines
waterproofing integrity
proper fasteners and spacing
clean cuts and edges
correct venting and drainage
structural reinforcement
stable subfloors
safe electrical + GFCIs
code compliance
Our goal is zero callbacks — do it right once, and it lasts.
7. Final Walkthrough: Education + Empowerment
We show you:
how everything works
what to maintain and when
which valves, shutoffs, and panels matter
what materials will age beautifully
what to look for in future upgrades
We don’t just deliver a finished space — we give you the knowledge to protect your investment.
Why Choose Us? (Or Not.)
We’re not the right fit for everyone — and that’s a good thing. Here’s the truth, laid out honestly.
Work With birch & beam co. If You Prioritize:
1. Doing It Right the First Time. You care about quality, safety, and longevity — not just fast results.
2. Homes With Heart, Built to Last. You want thoughtful, intentional, community-centered work, not “flip-grade” fixes.
3. Investing Wisely — Not Wastefully. You want a team who knows:
where to splurge
where to save
how to stretch a budget
how to make durable, beautiful choices
how to avoid costly mistakes
You value financial literacy + design literacy combined.
4. Supporting Local Tradespeople + Community
You want your project to help build:
neighborhood trust
local talent pipelines
better housing standards in Philly
long-term community stability
5. Transparency + Communication. You want updates, pictures, honest conversations, and a team who treats your home like their own.
6. No Corner-Cutting. Ever. No gimmicks. No cheap shortcuts. No unsafe work behind the walls.
Find Another Contractor If You Prefer:
1. The Fastest or Cheapest Bid. If your priority is speed or the lowest price, we won’t be your match.
2. A “High-End Look” Without High-Quality Work. We won’t install cheap materials that will fail in 6–12 months.
Some contractors will.
3. Subcontractor-Only Crews. If you're comfortable with rotating subs and limited oversight, many builders offer that model.
4. Cosmetic-Only Renovations. If you just want “pretty for now,” not “built for decades,” we may not align.
5. Minimal Communication. If you prefer a set-it-and-forget-it contractor, we’re more involved and hands-on than that.
Why Our Approach Matters
Families across the country have been burned by bad flips, unsafe renos, hidden defects, and rushed construction.
We’re building something different — something better: homes that are safe, beautiful, durable, and crafted with integrity.
At the end of the day, our work reflects who we are. And we want to build homes we’d trust for our own family for another 200 years.
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