There’s never a dull moment for Barbara, Synergy’s resident Project Coordinator! She works across all of the home remodels we undertake and plays a central role in ensuring our projects are on-time, on-budget and, most importantly, helps to ensure our clients have a great home remodeling experience.
All of our Project Managers, Interior Designers and Carpenters are in-house team members, so let’s meet and learn more about Barbara and find out her role in ensuring Synergy is one of the best home remodelers in Reston!
Left: Barbara enjoying downtime at the Synergy family picnic with her husband.
What was your path to working in the home remodeling industry?
I grew up in a small rural town, spending much of my free time outside. You could find me in the vegetable and flower gardens my father and I created. Over the years, I developed a passion for designing each new season’s gardens and tending the seeds I planted as they grew and blossomed. In this, I found a calling—creating beautiful spaces that enhance both the beauty of nature and the quality of other’s lives. Since then, I’ve worked in all aspects of design and construction. I’m drawn to the constant change, tackling the unexpected and even solving the hard problems that are all part of creating the beautiful spaces that my clients envisioned.
Tell us more about what your day-to-day looks like?
Constant engagement. I align our design team, the field teams, and vendor partners to deliver my client’s vision. In this, I wear many hats…from the front office to the back office and into the field. I am one of the first people to start the job and the last person to QC our work to make sure we deliver the highest quality designs, construction build, and finishes. In many ways, I am the glue that makes the “behind the scenes” run seamlessly and keeps our client’s projects moving forward.
What skills are important to have to work in your role?
- Reading the Client—we have to get this part right
- Translating ideas into designs, projects, trades and materials
- Knowing residential construction from designs and blueprints to demo and build and through to the final punch lists
- Back office: accounting, purchasing, logistics and customer service
- Having extensive Interior Design experience helps – my career in construction spans 30 years!
What do you love the most about your job?
Every day is different…new clients, new ideas and new challenges
What are the most challenging aspects?
Right now, it’s material availability and delay. Our industry is experiencing significant material and appliance delays due to COVID closures and demand outstripping supply — placing unpredictable deliveries squarely at the heart of our critical paths. Much of my time is spent working with our vendors partners to make sure the products we have on order will arrive on time for our projects.
Tell us more about your favorite home remodeling project and why it resonated with you.
Image Credit: Synergy Design & Construction. Barbara recently worked on the remodel of this Primary Bathroom in a home in Reston.
I do not have a favorite project. For me, I love the interaction with the homeowners and sharing the experience with them as they see the transformation of their space from start to finish. The excitement and joy on their face is my favorite thing.
What advice would you give for anyone thinking of a career in interior design or residential home remodeling?
Residential construction is like “live theater”. You never know what you are going to get. If you enjoy wearing multiple hats, discovery, solving problems, pleasing people, being creative, and having each day being something different, then this may be something for you to try. The skill set I have is very diverse and allows me to be successful in my role. I find my work to be very rewarding as I know I make a difference in what I do every day.
About Our Home Remodeling Company
As a local home renovation company in Reston, Synergy Design & Construction not only designs your remodel, we build and project manage it, too. We have an in-house team of interior designers, carpenters and project managers. That means one point of accountability for you and a seamless experience. No hand-offs and no finger pointing between designers and construction companies or general contractors. If you’re looking for a full service design thoughtful home remodeler near you who specializes in kitchen remodels, basement remodels, first floor or even whole home remodels, get in touch. We’re always happy to chat about your plans for your perfect space!
If you’re ready to home remodel with a company who works with you from design all the way through to the finished product, get in touch! Our consultations are free and there is never any obligation. It’s all part of helping you renovate happy!
