By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Business name: Sarkisian Builders
Address: 42 Glenwood Rd., Rutland, MA 01543
Owner: Patrick Z. Sarkisian
Contact Information: 1-508-886-6478, www.sarkisianbuilders.com
How long has Sarkisian Builders been in business?
“We'se coming up on our 50th year in January,” said Patrick C. Sarkisian, sales manager for the family-owned building and home remodeling company. “My dad is very proud of that.” Pat Sarkisian and his wife, Carol, run the business with their sons, Greg and Patrick.
“We'se been in central Massachusetts that whole time. We work in Worcester County and towns like Holden, Paxton, and Rutland to the west, and Shrewsbury, Westborough, Northborough and Southborough to the east.”
Are you a full-service general contractor?
“Yes. We manage plumbers, electricians, whoever is needed. Many of these subcontractors have been with my dad over 30 years. When you'se in someone's home, you must have competent, quality people working for you,” Patrick Sarkisian said.
“My dad is “old school” as far as what materials will be used and how a job gets done. He won's use in your home what he wouldn's use in his own. His name means everything to him. He can count on one hand the people he hasn's been able to satisfy in 50 years.
“We'se remained a relatively small company on purpose. We don's have too many projects going at once. When we start a job at your house, we don's leave until that project is completed.”
What are major trends in kitchen and bathroom remodeling?
“In kitchens, no one seems to want a double sink anymore. They want one big sink. They love a hot-water spigot over the stove. And we'se going back to a truly eat-in kitchen rather than just a breakfast nook.
“In bathrooms, people are installing radiant heat in the floor. Instead of a fiberglass tub-shower unit, they choose a bathtub or create a custom shower to make it unique to their style and needs.”
What are other popular remodeling projects?
“We do a lot of in-law additions for an older parent with separate kitchen, living room and bedroom and often a separate entrance. It's a trend we see more of as the population ages.
“Replacement windows with low-e, argon gas are very energy-efficient and popular as fuel costs continue to rise. You start to see the payback immediately. The amount of heat that escapes with old-style windows is amazing.
“We'se also doing a lot of roofing with all of last winter's issues and the storms this summer. One thing we have done differently for years is installing six feet of ice and water barrier instead of just three feet (from the roof edge) as we have seen ice dams go back further than just three feet. The extra three feet really makes a difference.”
