Success With The 'New Old House' Trend

Vermont native Chris Nichols’ background was varied before he turned to new home construction, renovation and remodeling. “I got into the business a bit by default. After college, I moved to Wyoming to work as a carpenter for a few years. Then when I moved back to Vermont, I sold real estate for five years. I started renovating specs on the side when business was slow. Finally I decided I had to make a choice,” recalls Nichols. “Was I going to be one of those carpenter-contractors wearing a belt all day, or was I going to go the full-on business route? I decided I enjoyed the business aspects more.”

He made the leap and business was good. Then, about seven years ago, his wife showed him a catalog from panelized home manufacturer Connor Homes, which specializes in designs for the “new old home” buyer. His reaction? “Yeah. That’s nice,” he recalls. “The homes are undeniably beautiful. But I wasn’t really interested. I can build my own walls, thank you.” But his wife persisted and he decided he give Connor Homes a try for a winter remodel of a Colonial home. “I figured it might be better than snapping lines on a frost-covered deck.”

Expanding Volume
“We tried it and it went well. It went so well that when I had a chance for a multi-unit project in Woodstock (VT), I wanted to use their system. But I also wanted some reassurance. So I went and met with owner Mike Connor and told him I wanted to be the exclusive builder for the upper valley. Mike agreed. On the basis of that conversation, a gentleman’s agreement and a handshake, we moved forward. And I’m really glad that we did. It’s been seven years and we’ve done over 20 houses together and in all that time there’s hasn’t been as much as a speed bump.”

Nichols is tapping into a market niche that appears to have been a sleeping giant. Indeed, an entire movement known as the “new old house movement” has sprung up as a backlash to the lack of distinction in architectural design that permeates the American landscape today. Nichols specializes in creating new historically accurate homes that look like they’ve graced the landscape for decades.

Using Connor’s building system, design and engineering services, has allowed Nichols to expand his business without having to expand his payroll. “Simply put, it affords us additional opportunities. It also allows us to be a more professional and well-rounded outfit,” says Nichols, who has eight projects going simultaneously this summer, with signed contracts that will keep him busy through next May.

Nichols says he’s surprised more builders haven’t embraced a building system. “I was talking with Mike Connor the other day and I asked him why more builders aren’t banging on his door. I think it’s a variety of things. Builders aren’t big on change since a very small difference can make a big impact on your bottom line. I was willing to try it because it was a fairly small project and it wasn’t being force fed to me.”

Advice For Other Builders
If you do switch from site building to panelization, Nichols recommends adding a 6,000-pound forklift to your tool chest. “It’s safer and more efficient way to build, not to mention just plain fun to have on the job site. We no longer have to lug plywood to the roof all day. Plus there are a lot of detail on the homes we do. With the work basket on the forklift, two guys can work at heights and be relaxed. It’s a money and time saver, not to mention added safety.”

Nichols, who employs six in the field plus office staff, also recommends choosing the best people, whether that’s your manufacturer or the people on your payroll. “No one person builds a home. It takes a team that includes the contractor, carpenters, trades people and homeowner. Our concept is to design by committee and we’ve discovered it’s important to get it right by having input from everyone attached to the project. Even the least educated people on your staff can have the most brilliant ideas because they haven’t over thought it.”