Inside, a two-story entry hall showcases ornate wrought-iron railings and a marble floor.
Paradigm Building Group’s founder and president, Tim Winter, was with NVHomes for six years and had built at least 150 houses for clients when he decided it was time to build one for himself and his wife. He was itching to try his wings as “a smaller builder with a custom approach,” and thought, “If I can build my own house, then I can do it as a business.”
He was right. He launched Paradigm Building Group, LLC, soon after and has been going strong ever since—in spite of the fact that he established his business in 2007, just before the recession hit. He plunged in with three spec homes and though it took a year and a half to sell them, he was already on his way with a full plate of additions and renovations. A burgeoning sideline of commercial projects has included a historic restoration of the Hermitage Inn in Clifton, Virginia (now a restaurant called Trummer’s On Main), and the renovation of Charles Luck Stone Center’s new Georgetown showroom.
Paradigm Building Group recently completed a 10,000-square-foot custom home in Fairfax that boasts two kitchens, a two-story living room clad with moldings and millwork and an entry with a marble floor. Winter says the company is moving towards more high-end projects like this one, but for now continues to do a lot of what he terms “pop-top renovations,” which are essentially projects in which ramblers are enlarged with second floors. “They’re a smart way for people in [desirable] areas like Arlington and Alexandria who have older rambler-type houses to stay put in great locations yet open up their space,” Winter explains. “We’re able to do them pretty fast—the average time is about four months.”
Paradigm puts a premium on being “on time and on budget” with all their projects. The team strives for transparency in business, wanting clients to be able to “see behind the curtain to understand all the costs of what we do.” It’s a customer-oriented philosophy that emphasizes partnering with the client and trying to make the construction process as easy as possible for them to understand.
According to Winter, his least favorite aspect of the job is dealing with the red tape of applying for permits and handling paperwork, which always takes longer than anyone anticipates. But this hassle pales beside his favorite part of the process: “It’s the end result,” he says. “We bring the concept to people in the beginning and then they get to have it become reality. I love to see the excitement on the client’s face when they walk in the door for the first time.”
Facts & Stats
Paradigm’s five-person staff includes field and operations managers and sales and marketing people. They hire a team of qualified subcontractors for the work.
Specialties: Paradigm Building Group, LLC, does additions, renovations, custom homes and commercial projects.
Inquiries: Paradigm Building Group, LLC, 3951 Pender Drive, Suite 105, Fairfax, Virginia 22030; 703-476-5877; paradigmbuilding group.com; email: [email protected]