Flower Construction Co.

John Flower, president and founder of Flower Construction Co. (FCC), has been a lifelong lover of buildings, and started working in the construction industry at a young age. Flower is proud to see his current team at FCC specialize in design, new construction and renovation projects for elegant homes in New York City and northern New Jersey.

FCC works with some of the most respected architects in the U.S., and Flower’s team has built a reputation for detail and quality. “We sub out all of the mechanical work,” says Flower, who explains that everything else is done in-house. FCC employs 30 people with backgrounds in engineering, craftsmanship and technology; these specialists co-produce quality new residences and improvement projects that beautify and add value to high-end homes. The full-service company embodies a highly disciplined approach in additions, renovations, new construction and historical restoration. The team is also qualified to perform work to the specifications of the LEED program of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Flower ensures focus and quality on all of the company’s projects by keeping the operation small. “Our company has been the same for 15 years,” he explains. “We have no plans for huge growth.” The company’s customer base expands occasionally, and only by word of mouth. “All of our work is direct referral, either from existing clients or the architects we’ve worked with.”

Long-term Relationships to Last

A history of happy customers ensures that FCC maintains steady business despite setbacks resulting from the recent recession. With related industries that manufacture supplies for the specialty construction company falling under financial pressure, FCC has faced disruptions in its supply chain; waiting on materials constrains a company’s ability to maintain labor efficiency and constrain budgets.

“This means relationships matter even more,” says Flower. “We do diligence on multiple subcontractors and suppliers for any given phase of the job to ensure that they can deliver without sacrificing quality.” And to that note, FCC strives to develop lifelong relationships with each client, and falling behind because materials were unavailable could compromise a good rapport.

Aside from the physical construction process, FCC offers a variety of services designed to include the homeowner in a project. The company’s website offers a client access page, where customers can track the progress of a project, see plans and pictures, share a project with friends and family through e-mail or social networking, and build a personal record of construction and renovations.

Periodically FCC sponsors lectures at The Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America in New York City. The institute offers classes, travel courses and other educational programs that bring the rich history of architecture and craftsmanship to industry professionals as well as art enthusiasts. FCC is a member at the institution, as well as the American Institute of Architects, the Land Conservancy of New Jersey and the Central Park Conservancy of New York.

Neoclassical Updates

FCC displays some of its recent projects in a gallery on the company’s website, including projects that span all aspects of general renovation due to the team’s dedication to bringing tasteful modern amenities to classic homes. New construction projects include well-fit additions to time-honored architecture, residences and unusual outbuildings with artistic, postmodern flair.

A stone colonial gets upgrades in Essex Fells, including a fresh kitchen with marble counter tops and an addition that blends in with its original design thanks to the FCC team. In the same borough, FCC has also constructed a poolside cabana featuring a modern elliptical roof, sharp overhangs and a wet bar. A Stick Tudor about 30 miles southwest in Far Hills also gets a facelift, with an addition boasting perfectly matched beams and stone arches. The team is proud to note that each project is managed and completed with timeless style in mind.

With each project FCC encourages client involvement. Homeowners can expect a thorough analysis of all aspects of construction accompanied by a detailed estimate entailing material and labor costs as well as subcontractor evaluations. FCC commits to a budget formatted to the guidelines of the American Institute of Architects, and develops an efficient construction schedule outlining time frames and decision milestones. Every project employs a dedicated, highly trained carpentry crew led by a foreman and a dedicated project manager on-site. Field surveys, shop drawings and templates are part of the FCC package, and are always available to clients.

FCC maintains that its mission is to deliver homes with the best technical, structural and finished quality construction in the industry to establish a lifetime relationship with each client. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Flower Construction Co. is a perpetual leader of high-end residential construction in the Tri-State area.