Providence Design and Build Offers Full Service
By Kathy Bowen Stolz
Dennis Almeida of Providence Design and Build brings a unique background to custom home building in Lafayette. While other builders may offer design services, Dennis studied architecture for four years at Boston Architectural Center and even worked for two Boston architectural firms. “My niche is my design side.”
Perhaps it’s his New England upbringing, but Dennis said he prefers to use classic designs in his building projects because they have greater longevity. “However, I can design to any style because of my background. I can also take an out-of-the-box or on-line plan and bring something extra to it, such as bringing some of the clients’ design wishes to the plan.”
Placement of the home on the property is important to Almeida. When possible, it’s best to consider how its location will be most beneficial to sunlight, wind and the elements. These factors can impact the efficiency of a home tremendously.”
Dennis is the designer for about 50 percent of the work he does. “I am a concept-to-reality builder. What you can dream, we can build.”
Providence Design and Build typically handles six to eight projects a year. The company’s average home is approximately $500,000 and 4,000 sq ft, although Dennis does custom work for homes that sell as low as $120,000. He’s also done homes in the $1-1.5 million range.
No matter what the selling price, he noted that he doesn’t discriminate. His rates are the same from one client to the next.
Perhaps what really sets Dennis apart from other builders is his attitude. “One thing that’s very important to me is my relationship with my clients. I want to have a nice, friendly relationship with them. If something’s not right, I’m going to tear it out and start over. I would rather take a loss than have something ruin my reputation. A client’s satisfaction is very important to me and that satisfaction leads to referrals. Although we’re here to make a profit, it’s not all about the profit. It’s about the relationship.”
Almeida said he brings a personal touch to his projects. Clients deal directly with him 100 percent of the time on any matter. “I like to be face to face with a client. I want to be there whenever a client is talking to the superintendent or carpenter. People should expect more and get more with a custom home.” Overall, what Dennis Almeida likes most about building custom homes is dealing with the clients and producing something for them that’s one of a kind.
After meeting while they both served with the military in Germany, Dennis and his wife Cathy considered living in her hometown of Lafayette when they married. But the Acadiana area was in a recession in 1987, so they instead located in his hometown of Boston because of the educational and economic opportunities available.
However, they always intended to return to Lafayette to be closer to Cathy’s large, extended family. In November 2005 they and their daughters Olivia and Audrey made the move, and the community readily accepted them.
“I’ve been connected to this community for 28 years. We came down to visit two or three times a year, I already knew people here. I knew my way around town, knew the lumber yards. People are wonderful here.” Dennis said his being from out of state “has actually been a plus.”
The Almeidas opened Providence Design and Build in July 2006. He said it took nearly a year to get his contractor’s license because of the disruption from Hurricane Katrina. The first house he built in Lafayette was his own, building for the heat and humidity with higher ceilings than in New England. His home is one of the projects he continues to be most proud of.
Another project he’s very proud of is a recently completed home that uses solar power. Not coincidentally, the homeowners Collin and Lauren Bercier are also the owners of Louisiana Solar Solutions. Dennis said he met the homeowners through his display at the AHBA Home, Garden and Lifestyle Show. “The Berciers had bid the job to other builders, but got excited because I saw their vision and got excited about it too.”
Although his crew didn’t install the solar panels, Dennis admits he got an education in solar power from the project. “You can scale the panels to any size home and make them aesthetically pleasing.” He is hoping to partner with Louisiana Solar, the interior designer and the house designer in the near future.
“I always build as efficiently as possible and balance form and function to give the clients what they want but still keep energy costs down. There’s a balance to make sure the clients get their money back in value.”
Almeida puts special pride in his foundations. “The soil here is terrible, so I build a higher quality foundation. I’m a stickler. Some people think its overkill, but I want to make sure it’s done right.
In addition to Providence Design and Build, the Almeidas opened a design center, A Kitchen by Design, in 2009, to make it easier for their clients to select products. Over the next few years Dennis would like to expand the design center so that clients will have even more choices and make the process seamless.
The Almeidas set up A Kitchen by Design as a separate business so that their clients are free to choose whether or not to use the design center. Also, other builders can recommend the design center for their customers. Their companies now employ a carpenter, two laborers and an interior designer in addition to the owners. Cathy handles the administrative elements of the businesses.
The Almeidas also own Hometown Mortgage, next door to their other businesses. (They have owned a mortgage company in Massachusetts since 1997.)
But Dennis Almeida is happiest building homes. His five-year plan is to continue to build custom homes in the same market niche in the same town with the same people. “I really love what I do. I’m lucky my hobby is also my job.”
You’ll find Providence Build and Design at 3411 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70506 or at www.providencedesignandbuild.com. You may call 337-993-0707.