Blue Ribbon Turns Back Yards Into

It's a dream for any architect or designer — budget constraints are minimal, enabling them to design, create, and fulfill dreams to the hilt. But for Craig Smith and Stephen Estrada and their company, Blue Ribbon Design/Build, the fantasy is repeating itself as they continue to craft some of the most beautiful, exotic — and expensive — back yards in the mid-Atlantic region.

For almost a decade, Blue Ribbon Design/Build, which primarily serves the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., areas, has created spectacular outdoor environments. They've consistently turned average-looking back yards into stunning sanctuaries, comforting havens, and natural extensions of the home.

Built on what Smith says is a foundation of integrity, innovative and creative designs, and competitive pricing, they have evolved into one of the most trusted names in the industry.

The company specializes in major landscape construction including: driveways, pools, pool decks, pool houses, stone walls, retaining walls, water features, patios, decks, gazebos, plantings, lighting, and garden architecture.

"Our jobs are of the larger nature — they typically take from one week to six months," Smith said.

Smith and Estrada launched their business about eight years ago. Estrada received his degree in landscape architecture and horticulture from the University of Maryland.

"We both studied horticulture and drafting and things of that nature ... Now we do more design and management," Smith said.

There are two key elements that set Blue Ribbon apart from its competitors. First is the company's focus on detail and technical construction, and Smith and/or Estrada's involvement every step of the way. In fact, one or both go by each job site every day.

Second is the company's emphasis on the total package. They don't just build a patio or pool or driveway. They help their clients conceptualize, plan, and then implement the big picture for a complete outdoor setting.

"We'll do anything you want done outside your home — pools, cabanas. We sell a complete package. We do the entire back yard," Smith said.

In addition to pools and cabanas, they'll integrate patios, driveways, retaining walls, garden architecture, ponds and waterfalls, walkways, steps — anything to fulfill a client's vision.

Their complete package focuses sometimes cost customers from $200,000 on up.

"We create designs that are detailed and meticulously prepared based on years of hands-on field experience," said Smith. "So our designs are not only beautiful, they are functional and require a bare minimum of maintenance, affording you the leisure time to enjoy your new outdoor environment."

Blue Ribbon's work is so impressive it will be part of an HGTV Dream Homes episode, scheduled to air this fall.

Blue Ribbon paved the surfaces, created a magnificent pool deck and courtyard and patio areas for Richard Landry, a homeowner in Potomac, Maryland.

Smith said his company got the offer based on word of mouth. An architect involved in the program contacted a paver manufacturer and asked whom the manufacturer would recommend to do the job. Blue Ribbon quickly rolled off his tongue.

Then the custom design process took place. They met with the homeowner. The goal was to "transform the back yard into a resort."

Not surprisingly, that's a common request among clients, Smith said. Some know specifically what they want, like the client who wants his asphalt driveway converted into 10,000 square feet of pavers.

Then there are others who are after a look, but need help defining it.

"There are some clients who say 'I don't know exactly what I want, but I want a pool and I want it to look beautiful,'" Smith said.

At that point they sit down with the architects and bring the client's fantasy to paper and then to life.

For one client, there was no cap on the budget. Smith and Estrada spent six months in the design phase.

"It was carte blanche," Smith said, saying those types of jobs are especially fun.

Another customer wanted a helicopter pad. Done.

And business has been hopping for Blue Ribbon. They're typically scheduled four to eight weeks in advance and already have more than $1 million in designs lined up for the fall.

There's been a clear trend toward home improvement projects in the past year, he said. In particular, Smith said he's seen how the shift in attitudes since Sept. 11 has affected business.

"Since Sept. 11, people have stopped vacationing and are investing in their homes," Smith said. "They're more willing to improve their curb appeal, and it helps in resales."

People tend to spend 10 to 20 percent of the value of their home on the outside of their house, Smith said.

Meanwhile, another factor that sends Blue Ribbon to the top of the field is their guarantee. They say that most of their competitors boast that customer satisfaction is their top priority, but few are willing to back it up with a warranty of more than five years.

Blue Ribbon Design/Build offers an unprecedented 10-year warranty on all projects. There are virtually no other companies in the market willing to double the industry standard by offering such an extensive guarantee, the company says.

"We can make such an offer because we know that everything we create is designed to last," the company says on its web site. "Our projects are engineered from the ground up to endure the natural elements of the environment they share and to withstand extensive use."

And what does the future hold for Blue Ribbon?

"We want to stay small and be able to provide great service to our customers," Smith said. "We aim to continue to provide personal attention to each job."

Blue Ribbon LLC.
Craig Smith
536 W. Central Ave
Davidsonville, MD 21035
(877) 550-2583
Send Mail Now - Click Here
www.blueribbonllc.com

Michele Dawson writes each week on one of the contractor members of The Concrete Network (www.concretenetwork.com). She has written about the home building industry for several years and was on the public affairs staff of the California Building Industry Association.