Don Freitag joined HomeSquare in 2019 when his family’s company, Homeline, merged with the company. Their shared vision? To transform and elevate the home improvement industry. To accomplish this, they have become a highly-rated, one-call source for discerning homeowners (and businesses). Services range from whole house renovations to routine maintenance and handyman repairs. We recently spoke with Don to hear his professional advice and gain insights on some of his current work and past jobs.
Q: What are you working on now or recently finished?
A: I’m currently working on two custom baths, one Milford, CT on Candlewood Lake, and one in Norwalk, CT. One job is a full renovation and the other is a remodel of existing space for a handicap requirement. The challenge for the second job is that we had to create a barrier free shower within a walk-in closet. The closet gave us the extra space we needed for the larger shower. The design challenge was resolved by an interior designer, a wonderful space planner, who we partnered with on this project.
The solution he designed made the bathroom remodel come out fantastic, both in terms of looks and accessibility. There is an overall black and white theme where we used various tiles and textures. The matte black hardware is stunning. For the shower tile floor we used an octagonal tile with a mix of grays. It’s truly exceptional.
We’ve worked on several home remodels with aging-in-place requirements. Two other renovation projects required installing elevators. The home owners wanted to remain in their homes long term. We follow guidelines specific to these needs, which our team has become familiar with over the years.
Q: What special challenges are you facing now as a contractor, and how are they being resolved? I’m thinking of supply chain issues.
A: Right now I am waiting on custom windows and doors for a sun porch for a job in Rye, NY. What normally would be a six week wait, is now easily twelve to fourteen weeks. The slow down in the supply chain has definitely had an effect on the industry for both building materials and appliances. There’s a long wait now, that requires patience for everyone involved. The only thing I can recommend is to plan ahead and schedule your job now.
Q: Any memorable jobs you’d like to talk about?
A: Well, in 1991 I worked on the largest waterfront estate in Greenwich, CT. (The estate was featured in Forbes Magazine as one of America’s most expensive homes.) Ten years ago I worked at an estate in PA, at a Greenwich family’s second home. Dan Adams (another HomeSquare Producer) and I were literally going to antique malls over the weekend, picking out light fixtures. Our clients entrusted us to pick out fixtures and interior finishes. It was unusual for us to be part of the decorating team. That was memorable.
Every job is different. I worked on the house that was previously owned by Tommy Hilfiger; I worked for the prior owners. There were some very unique, custom wood finishes throughout the estate. Something we hadn’t experienced before but a job our craftsmen completed successfully.
Q: So what are the most requested exterior paint colors for homes now in New York and Connecticut?
A: White and black continue to be the most popular. Many homeowners are on-trend with white exterior and black framed windows. On the other hand, if the home is Victorian-style, clients are looking for a color scheme that’s a little more experimental. And we can provide paint color options.
Q: Lessons learned over the years?
A: Something very important I’ve learned that I try to share with our clients is; don’t look at your projects and home improvements only as “what is the cost.” Look at them as valuable investments. Typically, I try to work with new clients to educate them on the value of the renovation. Whether it’s a remodel, an addition, or even a paint job. I enjoy helping clients understand why their home is an important investment.
Moving into the future, our homes will continue to be a nexus. Home gyms, home offices, advanced technology in heating and cooling systems, generators for extreme weather, EV stations for electric and hybrid cars. More and more people are wanting it all. And we can help them get there.
Q: What are the best parts of your job?
A: The value of good relationships. First and foremost is the client relationship. I put great value in the trust my long term clients have in us. And as a project manager and contractor, it’s also critical to utilize the strengths of your team and who are your trusted trade partners. I love bringing in the right professionals for a specific job and putting teams together to achieve our clients objectives. Fortunately we have a great team here at HomeSquare. We’re very fortunate about that.
I’m also all about creating environments. We don’t just renovate houses or install kitchens. We create living environments. Whether it’s the way the light comes through glass, like in this interior remodel at the Eleish Van Breems Home store in Westport, CT, or how the deck relates to the kitchen and the outdoor spaces. It’s about making our environments a better place to live, work, and play.
Q: Do you have any advice for homeowners considering a renovation?
A: First, the most important thing is to invest in a concept plan. The plan is drawn by the designer or architect. There are a lot of things homeowners don’t consider when working on their own without a professional plan. And second, be honest about your budget. You need to understand what you can spend and communicate the budget clearly. As professionals, we can offer options for different finishes and product choices, to fit various budgets. For instance, one person’s bathroom may be $20,000 and another person’s might be $50,000.
Q: What’s so special about HomeSquare professionals?
A: HomeSquare pros strive to be fresh, ready to work, and diligent. After all, the homeowner has entrusted us with their house and we respect that trust.
When you’re deciding whether to renovate or remodel, and you have questions or simply want some advice, contact HomeSquare to discuss your ideas.
Eve Marx
Eve Marx is a national journalist and book author. Follow her reflections on home design and interior style on Instagram at the hashtag #funkybeachhouseseasideror.
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