Blue Water Carpentry Inc – How we got here and where we are going
The Beginning
Dave Bagbey president and owner, started in the building trades while still a senior in high school. Fresh out of high school, Dave studied for the Michigan Builders License exam and passed the first time. This was no small feat judging by the amount of people at the testing site retaking the test. Through hard work and dedication to doing things the right way, Dave quickly learned the art of rough framing. At the age of 21 he was already the head of a rough framing crew and in charge of building complete houses, condos, and apartment buildings from the ground up. Dave always took the opportunity to try and learn as much as possible about the building and construction business through industry classes, trade shows and seminars. In 1995 at the young age of 23, Dave decided it was time to start his own construction business and started Blue Water Carpentry. Dave’s primary focus at that time was on rough framing contracting. He secured jobs with general contractors that where already familiar with his quality work. They were confident that Dave would deliver a quality job by doing things the right way and doing whatever it took to get the job done. With this working philosophy, BWC quickly grew, employing as many as 15 full time carpenters and focusing on custom home framing, remodeling framing, and custom decks. After years of having several crews, BWC scaled back to one crew. Dave decided that quality is much better for the customer than quantity.
In 1997, Blue Water Carpentry became incorporated. By providing rough framing services to many custom builders and remodelers, Dave has been exposed to a wide range of projects from new construction, whole house remodeling, kitchens, baths, finished basements, decks, multi family, insurance repair and commercial projects. As Dave will often point out, Rough framing is the only trade that has to know every other trades job, because the job starts with the framing, if the framing is wrong the whole job follows. Through out the many years in business Dave has often been approached by General Contractors wanting to hire him exclusively or become partners. Dave attributes this to his strong work ethic and honesty to his customers and homeowners. He decided that the next step in his building career would be to add general contracting as well. BWC first General Contracting jobs were two custom homes in the Ann Arbor area. One of the homes was barrier free construction to accommodate the owner being confined to a wheelchair. BWC added remodeling contracting in 1998 and today remains BWC, Inc main focus.
BWC is unlike most remodeling companies in that the owner, Dave, is personally involved in all aspects of the job. The customers meet with the Dave and not a salesman. BWC handles all rough framing and trim in house, and often you will see Dave framing and trimming the projects himself. With this close involvement, quality and attention to detail are closely supervised.
In 2005, Dave successfully became a Certified Graduate Remodelor from the National Association of Home Builders. Dave is also member of the Building Industry Asssociation, and Remodelers Council of the National Association of Home Builders, as well as being a Licensed Builder in the State of Michigan.
BWC future goals are to focus on technology and Green Building techniques that will incorporate more energy efficient homes, reusable building materials, and a cleaner home environment.
BWC mission is to provide it’s customers with an enjoyable building experience through accurate and realistic budgets, attention to details, safe jobsite conditions, and maintaining schedules to keep projects on track to minimize the disruption to the customers home environment.