Whitehouse Construction Co.
Growing in the neighborhood
Whitehouse Construction has made its mark
in healthcare, education and now retail
Whitehouse Construction turns 40 next year. Founded by Sid Salkin, the
name of the firm came from the fact that Salkin actually began the company
in a little white house near the firm's current Bedford Hts. location. Current
president Wayne Luczywo came aboard in 1988 and succeeded Salkin as president,
but the firm has never strayed far from these geographic roots.
Current owner Wayne Luczywo had gotten his start in the industry in 1976
as a carpenter, heavily into residential work with some side work in commercial
projects. He bought into Whitehouse in 1988 because he wanted to bring his
skills into service as a general contractor and concentrate on commercial
work. Salkin remained with the firm until his retirement in 1995.
Much of Whitehouse's early work revolved around remodeling, as it was
less competitive. The Whitehouse crew especially liked to focus on healthcare
facilities, with their frequent need for upgrading and for massive amounts
of coordination to deal with dust, noise and environmental hazards. "I
like the challenge," says Wayne. He's been involved with the MetroHealth
system since 1988, for instance, most recently at the Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit, with other recent work at the Veterans Administration in Lorain.
He jokes that "I haven't been out of the hospital since 1988."
One direction that Whitehouse has taken is to rely more on private projects.
The firm started out heavily in schools and government projects, and still
enjoys doing projects like pools and fire stations. "Schools are a
staple in summers," says Wayne, noting recent work for Chagrin Falls,
Mayfield, Shaker Hts., Nordonia Hills, Newbury, and Kirtland, with a few
ventures across the river into Berea and North Royalton. But closer ties
to architects has meant more negotiated work-and less red tape.
Tech wizards
According to Barbie Luczywo, firm secretary/treasurer, "We have
flourished in the last year. We are growing at great speed."
Some of this growth is due to the firm's take on technology. Its printer
scanner can store all documents electronically so they are accessible 24/7,
architects can get what they need right away, and superintendents have laptops
to access all information, drawing and permits, in the field as needed.
Owners now get a disc of "as builts" documents with all submittals
they can download to their own computers. As construction gets more technological,
says Barbie, Whitehouse is growing with it. "We can accomplish more,"
says Wayne.
Last year, Whitehouse accomplished its first new construction retail
project, for Aldi's on Euclid, with three more on the docket in Fairlawn,
Seven Hills and Alliance. It was a great experience, so much so that Whitehouse
is looking to expand into more retail. HUD is another new direction for
the firm. The time-driven market niche is nothing new to a contractor that
has been facing firm September (and August) school openings for years. "When
we set a schedule, it is a schedule," says Wayne. "We take completion
dates seriously, and we try to work ahead of schedule. We do it on all our
projects." .
And his success in the field has given rise to one of Wayne Luczywo's
favorite pastimes. "I like to go down the street and say, 'I built
that.'" BXM
Whitehouse Construction Company specializes in health care, social service
and education facilities, along with residential and a host of others
Healthcare
MetroHealth Pediatric Intensive Care Unit were totally renovated with
the 10-bed unit completely redesigned by DeWolff Architects with both patient
care and family-centered care in mind. In addition to family-centered care, the
PICU offers the latest in technology including state-of-the-art ventilators,
invasive and non-invasive monitoring. A three-bed chronic vent unit and
a two-bed deep sedation unit are also housed in the new PICU.
Other projects
- The MetroHealth Medical Center also remodeled its endoscopy unit from
a design by HFP/Ambruske Architects
- The Veterans Administration Hospital in Lorain offers general mental
health treatment in addition to specialized substance abuse treatment and
post traumatic stress disorder treatment.
- Digestive Health Properties Surgery Center renovation, designed by
HFP Ambruske Architects
Social services
Welcome House's Michael T. George complex, currently under construction,
is a new 8,000-square foot, single-level home, which will be augmented by
the renovation of two existing Welcome House homes, along with a garden
and recreational area, on a four-acre site. It is designed by Fogle-Stenzel
Architects specifically for aging mentally retarded/developmentally disabled
persons.
Coleman Professional Services's Sue Hetrick Building in Ravenna is designed
to support 24/7 crisis services to families and individuals with mental
illness.
Other projects
Robinsteen Home, a group home for the Cleveland Christian Home, designed
by Tomsick Architects/Planners.
Twinsburg MRDD facility with David Pelligra Architects
New Avenues to Independence
pool accessibility remodeling with Fogle/Stenzel as architect
Education
Chagrin Falls High School kitchens were totally revamped from a design
by Glen D. Romage Architects to offer an updated and gleaming new facility
for serving the school system.
Other projects
- Kirtland Elementary School four classroom addition designed by ThenDesign
Architects
- Shaker Hts. High School Girls' Varsity Locker Room, designed by Christian
& Klopper
- Mayfield High School interior classroom renovations,designed by ThenDesign
Architects
Retail, residential, offices
Aldi's on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, as well as projects in progress
in Fairlawn, Seven Hills and Alliance: Whitehouse does a lot of work for
this growing chain of discount grocers.
Cleveland's Moreland Courts is undergoing through Whitehouse the first
comprehensive restoration since they were built between 1922 and 1932. This
building is on the National Register of Historic Places
Other projects
- Magnet fourth-floor renovations designed by Richard L. Bowen Associates
- Burt Hill Kosar Rittleman offices, designed by the firm itself
- Business Results Ltd. Offices, designed by Applebrook Designs BXM
Teamwork & consistency
Two watchwords behind Whitehouse Construction Company's success.
Though Whitehouse Construction owner Wayne Luczywo started out in residential
work, he found his true niche in commercial work. It is appealing, he says,
as it involves what is key to him: a team of professionals, owners, designers,
contractors and subs, all with professional experience in building that
allows a teamwork approach to develop around a project.
In fact, says Wayne, teamwork is one of the two quintessential words
that spring to mind when Whitehouse is mentioned. First come the owners.
Says Wayne, "I am always working for the owners. I am accessible.
I give them my cell, my home phone. It gives them a level of confidence
to know they can always deal directly with the company owner." Plus,
he adds, he still carries his tools, swings by the site, runs the weekend
service calls, and works all night if needed to get the job done. "I
like to swing a hammer," says the former carpenter.
"Many construction business owners try to keep clean," says
wife Barbie Luczywo, firm secretary and treasurer. "Wayne will get
down and get dirty. He has that kind of dedication, And it gains the respect
of the employees. They know he knows the work and can help them if they
need it."
Warranties at Whitehouse are not limited to a year, Wayne adds; the company
carries full documentation on every project, knows every component, and
can be there when needed even down the road.
Wayne explains, "Here, quality means conforming to customer specifications.
This gives us a loyal customer base. I have a hand in every project, and
I have a very critical eye. We turn out a quality project at a fair price."
Calls at home are nothing new for the Luczywos, and not just from owners.
Often they come from councilpeople and others who need advice from someone
in construction as to what makes sense in a particular instance. Wayne is
happy to lend his expertise.
Subs are vital part of the team
Another vital part of the Whitehouse team are its subs. "We have
a loyal group of subs," says Wayne. "We grew up with these people.
I was a sub, and I have an appreciation for how to treat subs. And our subs
tell us about other good workers. They say, 'Give this guy a call-he's good.'
And we can trust them to know who is good."
Adds Barbie, "We make sure if a problem arises with a job that we
end up with a win-win situation with our subs."
But a major part of the Whitehouse team is its staff, a loyal one with
low turnover. Two staffers predate him, says Wayne, and two he's known since
high school. "This is not a typical place of business," he says.
"We trust these guys and treat them right." The firm has five
in the office and 10 or so in the field, but it is on the grow, with another
project manager needed and another superintendent as well.
Barbie is a key component of firm success. When she decided she'd rather
keep things organized in the office at Whitehouse as an officer than try
doing it an amateur from a distance at home, she moved over after a long
career in retail. That retail experience gave her time and money management
skills to bring to the firm as well as human resources and training abilities-and
the willingness to work long hours. And, adds Barbie, "I keep an eye
on the budget, and look at bills and change orders." She also does
the heavy lifting if needed and almost literally carries her own weight.
Both Luczywos are down-to-earth people, and having a husband/wife team
gives owners and architects two key management sources who keep constantly
in touch with the specifics. The two drive separately so they have freedom
to take on different schedules-one early, one late-and make sure there is
always someone in the office. "It assures continuity and consistency,"
says Wayne.
Consistency rules
That is the second hallmark word at Whitehouse. Wayne says that "consistency
is always the foundation of good business." And Whitehouse exemplifies
this. Everything in the company's running of a project-from the bidding
process through scheduling, communication with owners and architects, and
follow-through, and finally even to the closing of the project-follows along
a continuous process that yields a professional, efficient experience, and
a great outcome. "We are very consistent with how we operate, and with
our projects," says Barbie. "So when we do the next project for
a client, they know what to expect and will be just as happy with the new
project as with the previous one." BXM
