Wednesday, May 5, 2004

Creating and renovating

Local firm makes old looks new again

By KRISTINE FORTUNATO
kfortunato@thecitizennews.com

When Sam and Susan Burch wanted to renovate their home, located just west of the courthouse in Fayetteville, they knew the project would require some special attention. The circa-1840s home was built by Sam’s great-great-great grandfather, William Bennett, who also built Bennett’s Mill (now the Old Mill Steakhouse).

The renovation project consisted of adding one and a half stories to the home, approximately 1,600 square feet of living space. This included a master bedroom suite upstairs, a large bathroom, back foyer, laundry room, screened porch and more than doubling the size of the kitchen.

Knowing the project would require special skills and attention to detail, Burch called his friend Jeff Ellis of Ellis-Cook Construction to undertake the job.

Ellis-Cook Construction is a multi-faceted construction company specializing in three areas of construction: renovation, construction management and custom built homes.

Jeff Ellis has been a home builder since 1977. Joe Cook, who has also been involved with construction all his life, teamed up with Ellis in 1998 to form Ellis-Cook Construction.

Ellis credits his father with being his inspiration in the business. “He was great with his hands, and the only one of 10 children to attend college,” he said. “He could fix anything in the house, and emphasized the quality of being good with your hands.”

Ellis says his favorite part of the business is the creative side. “I love becoming a co-creator with our customers,” he said. “The trick is to get their ideas out of their heads and into mine and onto paper, so we’re all on the same page.”

So, just how did the renovations to the Burches’ home go?

“It was a wonderful experience,” Burch said. “To complete a project of this magnitude in only three months was amazing. The finished product is beautiful. We are so happy with the job Ellis-Cook did.”

Ellis-Cook Construction is located in Fayetteville at 740 E. North Glynn Street. For more information on their construction services, call 770-461-6677.