Letter from Linda

This month I looked back at 2009 and was somewhat surprised to realize it was a particularly great year for Gridley Company. This feeling had nothing to do with the typical barometers by which we measure success in our industry: sales revenues, average project size or industry recognition and awards. It was due to the many wonderful opportunities we’ve had this year to help our clients with some special problems.

I always say that when we start a project for someone, it’s about much more than the blueprints, the construction, and completing all the items on the checklist. For us, it’s really about helping people find solutions and live better.

We’ve had a number of especially meaningful projects this year where we’ve been able to use our time-tested approach: listen, understand, solve. For one elderly client we had the opportunity to rethink a home’s design so she could live in her home longer rather than have to move to a retirement home. For another client, we figured out a great way for a family to ease their ailing dog’s movement into and out of their home because a typical dog door was not working. Below, we share the story of a project where we were able to ensure our client was home and settled for the holidays despite numerous timing challenges.

Positively impacting our clients’ lives is really what has made me stay in and enjoy this business for over 30 years. So thank you to those of you who have allowed us into your homes and lives.

Wishing everyone a very
Happy New Year!

Linda Gridley
Gridley Company

Making It Happen: How We Kept Our Client from Being Homeless for the Holidays

When we first met with our clients Joan and her mother LaVerne, it was soon apparent they had a problem situation. They had just sold LaVerne’s Willow Glen home and had to be out by December 9th, less than a month away!

The two bedroom, two bath townhome she purchased was in need of a full remodel, a process that typically can take several months. But the thought of LaVerne being homeless for the holidays was completely unbearable. So rather than dwell on the obvious hurdles ahead, we looked at it as a great opportunity to show what can happen when the folks at Gridley Company do what we do best: solve client problems with great communication and coordination. Within a week, we helped LaVerne select her bath fixtures, new windows, paint, flooring, new doors, as well as complete the needed electrical work and plumbing. We even helped her plan a new furniture layout so she would feel at home right away!

By December 1st, less than two weeks from our first design appointment on November 19th, we started construction on LaVerne’s townhome. This was despite having to obtain the homeowner association’s approval to change the windows and doors on the home! We are really pleased at how we were able to pull everything together in such a short period of time. In fact, we fully expect to have her master bath and both bedrooms completed by her move in date. All in time to enjoy her home for the holidays!

info@gridleycompany.com
www.gridleycompany.com