News & Highlights

Schroeder Celebrates 35th Anniversary. Launches 35 Acts of Kindness Campaign.

Schroeder Design/Build, Inc., a Fairfax, VA-based remodeling firm, celebrates its 35th anniversary year in 2021. And to honor this milestone anniversary, the company is planning 35 Acts of Kindness throughout the year.

The 35 Acts will be anchored by a year-long sponsorship of Hero Dogs, a local organization dedicated to raising and training service dogs for America’s heroes—our first responders and U.S. military veterans.

Acts of Kindness for other organizations, including the local food bank Food for Others, will be implemented throughout the year. Acts will range from large projects to simple and small kindnesses.

“As a company and as individuals, we are excited about both the variety of Acts of Kindness we’re planning and the organizations and people we’ll be helping,” said Andrew Schroeder, CEO of Schroeder Design/Build, Inc. “We’re so grateful to the community, clients and partners who helped and supported us these past 35 years and are glad we’re in a position to be able to give back in this fun and engaging way.”

The 35 Acts will involve Schroeder Design Build team members, vendors, suppliers, partners and partnership organizations, clients and past clients, friends, and family in different capacities.

“We don’t want to forget how we began, with two people starting a little company in the basement of our house along with two small children and two cats, and how far we’ve come. This campaign gives us the opportunity to honor the people and organizations that helped us along the way and to reflect back over the years,” added Trish Schroeder, co-founder of Schroeder Design/Build, Inc. along with her husband Tom Schroeder.

Sponsors Welcome
Schroeder Design/Build is encouraging sponsors and volunteers to join in its goal to spread kindness and give back to the local community. For details and sponsorship opportunities, contact Marketing@SchroederDesignBuild.com.

Schroeder Design/Build was founded in 1986 by Fairfax residents Tom and Trish Schroeder. A special 35th Anniversary logo will be used throughout 2021. For more about the company’s history, see www.SchroederDesignBuild.com/remodeling-about-us.

Tysons Premier Magazine Features our Master Bathroom Remodel in Article

One of our latest projects was highlighted in a feature article in Tysons Premier magazine in the Winter 2020 issue, published in January 2021. Titled “A Spa-Like Master Bathroom,” the article shows before and after photographs of the two-level bathroom, along with advice on how to create a master retreat for your own home and recommendations on how to work with a qualified remodeler–like Schroeder Design/Build!

This project is a National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s Contractor of the Year (CotY) award-winner! Read the full story.

Selema Lawson-Jack Named Blair Anderson Image Award Winner for Third Quarter 2020

Selema Lawson-Jack was named the third quarter 2020 winner of the quarterly Blair Anderson Image Award.

Some of the reasons she was chosen include:

• Being a strong leader
• Dedication to the success of the team and the company
• Taking on added responsibilites to ensure safety through COVID
• Being a compassionate and understanding coach to her team
• Boosting team spirit company-wide
• Maintaining a pleasant attitude
• Doing what is needed to get the job done

Selema joined Schroeder Design/Build in August 2018 and has transformed the production department in her role as Director of Production. She is well deserving of this honor that was presented during a virtual company meeting.

Andrew Schroeder and Mark Gill Win Back to Back Remodelers Advantage Impact Awards

Remodelers Advantage, a peer-to-peer advisory group that brings together remodeling professionals gave back-to-back Impact Awards in their Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 meetings to Andrew Schroeder and Mark Gill, respectively. Members of each Roundtable group vote on the winner based on the contributions made by its members to the group. This distinguished award recognizes the individual who embodies, in spirit and practice, selfless leadership and unwavering commitment. Qualification is based on how long a person has participated, reporting, helpful advice, activity between bi-annual meetings, and the value given to the group as a whole.

Andrew and Mark are members of the Mentor 4 Remodelers Advantage Roundtable that includes ten companies from across the United States. It is unusual for the same company to win this award two times in a row!

Schroeder Wins National Award: Its First Ever Master Design Award

Schroeder Design/Build was awarded a National MASTER DESIGN AWARD 2020, taking the Bronze Award in the Universal Design category for our entry, “A Forever Home.” Our whole-house remodel project was chosen from among the best in the nation. The awards were given by Qualified Remodeler, and the winning projects are featured in the September 2020 issue of their magazine.

This is the first time Schroeder has won a Master Design Award!

Read our project story and view photographs here: “A Forever Home.”

2020 Second Quarter Blair Anderson Image Award Winners

For the first time, we have selected two of our team members for our quarterly Blair Anderson Image Award. Each of these individuals went above and beyond their normal duties to help our company thrive as the coronavirus pandemic overtook the industry. Our second quarter winners are:

Beth Botwright

Beth is our Chief Accounting Manager and carries many responsibilities including accounting, billing, sales and customer service. Some of the reasons she was selected are:
• Working long hours for weeks to ensure the company and its team members were taken care of financially
• Jumping in to research and secure financial resources during the pandemic
• Going WAY above and beyond
• Always has a smile on her face, even during high-stress situations

Linda Barrett

Linda is our Director of Marketing and leads our efforts to interface with the community and provide marketing support to our clients and our team. Some of the reasons she was selected are:
• Awesome team spirit
• Adjusting quickly to COVID-19
• Exceeding goals
• Pride in her work
• Facilitating marketing, social media, and showroom seminars

The awards were presented through a company Zoom meeting during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Schroeder Design/Build Announces Three Promotions

We are pleased to announce three promotions within our Schroeder Design/Build family:

• Ariel Mastbrook is promoted from Team Support Agent to Project Developer.
• Byron Gonzales is promoted to Lead Carpenter.
• Oswaldo Cabrera is promoted to Lead Carpenter.

Schroeder Design/Build takes pride in promoting the careers of its team members. If you’d like to work with us, visit our Join Our Team page.

Schroeder Design/Build Named to Qualified Remodeler TOP 500 List for 2020

Schroeder Design/Build, Inc., a Fairfax, VA-based remodeling firm, has been selected to appear on the list of the Qualified Remodeler TOP 500 Remodelers of 2020. The company appears as No. 474 in the 42^nd annual TOP 500 remodelers list that represents the industry’s largest and fastest-growing companies located throughout the United States.

The list was announced on August 14, 2020. See the complete list at: https://www.qualifiedremodeler.com/top-500-2020/

“It is quite an honor to be represented among the best in the nation,” said Andrew Schroeder, CEO of Schroeder Design/Build. “We work hard at providing the best quality remodeling, along with an outstanding remodeling experience, and we appreciate being recognized for our efforts both by our clients and the industry.”

Schroeder Design/Build was chosen as a 2020 TOP 500 remodeler by the Qualified Remodeler editorial staff for meeting a set of criteria including installed remodeling dollar volume, total years in business, industry association membership, industry certification, industry awards, and community service. In 2020, the TOP 500 represented $10 billion in remodeling sales volume on more than one million jobs.

About Schroeder Design/Build, Inc.

Schroeder Design/Build (SDB) is a top-rated, family owned & operated remodeling firm serving residential & commercial clients throughout Northern VA since 1986. As a Fairfax-based contractor, it provides award-winning remodeling, home building, and real estate sales. Company leaders endeavor to stay at the forefront of innovation, offering online portals to job communication, state-of-the-art construction processes, and advanced technological methods for managing jobs, promoting its services, engaging team members, and serving its clients.

In addition, SDB is intrinsically involved in helping the remodeling industry through appointed and volunteer positions, shared knowledge, and best practices. It is the recent winner of several National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) local, regional and national awards for remodeling projects in 2020, along with two NARI national personal achievement awards in 2020: the NARI Lifetime Achievement Award, given to co-founder Trish Schroeder, and the John Quaregna Award, given to CEO Andrew Schroeder.

“Based on Qualified Remodeler’s analysis, the TOP 500 firms tend to share several common attributes, including strong revenues, a commitment to customer service, insightful sales techniques, and strong customer loyalty,” said Qualified Remodeler owner and editorial director Patrick O’Toole. “These attributes helped put the firms on this list, and contribute to their success.”

About Qualified Remodeler

Additional information about the TOP 500 can be found in the August 2020 issue of Qualified Remodeler magazine, and at www.qualifiedremodeler.com.

Schroeder Design/Build Wins National CotY Remodeling Award

SDB was the winner of a National CotY Award (Contractor of the Year) for our project in the category of Green–Entire House/Addition during an awards ceremony in April 2020. We took a run-down rambler home in Fairfax City, took out interior walls to create an open concept, bumped up the ceiling with a clerestory addition, and redid this entire home for Green Living and Aging in Place.

Virtually walk through this home in our 3-D Matterport video!
Read about this home’s journey in our Project Stories.

2020 First Quarter Blair Anderson Image Award Winner

Jack Canan is the much-deserving winner of our Blair Anderson Image Award for the 1st quarter of 2020. Jack is our Senior Project Manager and an invaluable member of the SDB team. He has a great fun-loving spirit and loves to surprise us with a sci-fi costume, a joke, a gift, or a tasty treat from time to time in addition to performing his job.

Some of the reasons Jack was chosen include:

• He wears a number of hats, including being our estimator, commercial salesperson, commercial project manager, production fill-in, and director of new home builds
• He is developing an entire system for commercial and new builds in addition to running that department
• He worked hard at landing a large commercial account in the first quarter
• He works steadily and conscientiously with whatever is asked of him, without expecting recognition
• He always has a cheerful attitude and remembers to appreciate people

Jack works hard and represents the spirit of Schroeder Design Build. This award was presented through a company Zoom meeting during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Schroeder Family Members Make Remodeling History with TWO National Achievement Awards

Trish Schroeder and Andrew Schroeder were awarded two of the top honors at the recent Evening of Excellence awards held by the National Association of the Remodeling Idustry (NARI). It is the first time in NARI history that two members of the same family have won top honors, and the first time ever that a mother and son were selected for the top National Achievement Awards simultaneously.

Trish Schroeder, co-founder and Director of Business Development, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes accomplishments, awards, local community involvement, and NARI National involvement in both appointed and elected offices.

Andrew Schroeder, CEO of Schroeder Design/Build, was awarded the John Quaregna Award. This award is designed to recognize NARI’s young remodeling professionals and associates for their efforts and achievements in the remodeling industry.

The awards were announced on Friday, April 24, 2020.

Washington Post features Schroeder Design/Build’s CEO Andrew Schroeder

Company CEO Andrew Schroeder was featured recently as one of the remodeling experts in an article in the Washington Post. The real estate-related article, titled “Preparing a property for sale: How to put the best place forward,” was written by Wendy A. Jordan and published on Thursday, April 2, 2020.

Throughout the Washington Post article, Andrew shares his expertise on the building as well as the real estate markets to help local homeowners sell their homes quickly, even in these current market conditions.

The first rule of presale home improvements,” says Schroeder, is to do “the minimal amount that it would take to make the buyer want the home. Make a list of changes that will maximize the return.” He goes on to describe which rooms and which elements of each room should be “spiffed up” prior to putting a listing on the market.

Read the entire story here.

2019 Fourth Quarter Blair Anderson Image Award Winner

We are pleased to have selected Nelson Alcocer as our Blair Anderson Image Award Winner for the Fourth Quarter of 2019. Nelson is one our expert carpenters and a member of the team that is creating dream homes for our clients.

Here are some of the reasons Nelson was the winner:

• He takes care of his customers and receives high praise from both our clients and the other team members
• He brings in his projects on time and on budget
• He produces high-quality work
• He is fun to work with

Nelson really represents what Schroeder Design/Build is all about and is well deserving of this honor. The award was presented at our Holiday get-together.

Schroeder Design/Build Is Still Open for Business During the COVID-19 Crisis

When establishments all around us are closing in response to COVID-19 concerns, we want to let you know that Schroeder Design/Build is still open and working with clients. We, as part of the construction industry, are classified as “essential” and thereby enabled to remain open for business.

We’re Instituting Special Safety Precautions

We want to assure you that we are taking special precautions to keep our clients and our team safe.

Virtual Meetings

We continue to function with our usual services as we are able, with virtual meetings online. We can hold virtual face-to-face meetings, view plans and discuss options, all online.

Stringent Safety Measures

We do have team members working on sites as well. On our job sites, we are installing plastic sheeting to separate the work area from your living areas. We are also practicing diligent sanitary practices according to CDC recommendations. In our office, we continually sanitize surfaces and have asked our team members who can to work from home for the time being.

If you’d like to talk to us about remodeling, please give us a call at 703-449-1700. We’ll be glad to help you plan your dream home…even from afar.

Schroeder Design/Build Selected for 2020 Best of Fairfax Award

March 31, 2020—Schroeder Design/Build., Inc. was recently selected for the 2020 Best of Fairfax Awards in the category of General Contractors.

Each year, the Fairfax Award Program chooses only the best local business from in and around the Fairfax area with a focus on companies that have demonstrated their ability to use various marketing methods to grow their businesses in spite of difficult economic times. The chosen companies exemplify the best of small business; often leading through customer service and community involvement.

The 2020 Fairfax Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. The winners are chosen through various sources of information gathered and analyzed in each category.

About the Fairfax Award Program:

The Fairfax Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Fairfax area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Fairfax Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. The organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Its mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

Schroeder Design/Build Wins Two 2020 NARI Grand Awards

Schroeder Design/Build, Inc. was honored with two top awards by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) at a recent NARI Metro DC 2020 Capital CotY™ awards ceremony held February 8, 2020:

• Grand Award Winner for Universal Design—Entire House
• Grand Award Winner for Green—Entire House/Addition

The project that won both of these awards is located in Fairfax City, VA. Highlights of the home include a two-story clerestory addition lined with windows, architecturally-interesting rooflines, an open flow, a gourmet kitchen, his-and-her garages, a stunning master bath, a playful patio, and much more.

The NARI CotY Awards

Each year, NARI Metro DC presents its Capital CotY awards to members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects. This year’s entries totaled more than $26 million worth of remodeling projects.

Judging for the NARI Metro DC Capital CotY awards is performed by an impartial panel of industry experts from a different region, based on criteria involving problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, and degree of difficulty. The term CotY represents “Contactor of the Year.”

Trish Schroeder Honored with NARI President’s Award

Trish Schroeder was honored with the President’s Award at the recent NARI Metro DC 2020 Capital CotY™ awards ceremony, an “Evening of Excellence,” held February 8, 2020.

Since 1986, Trish has dedicated herself to supporting and promoting the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and has served in a number of volunteer positions. On the local NARI level, she served as Vice President, President and Chairman of the Board; as Chairperson for the areas of committee, education, membership and consumer awareness; and as a mentor to other remodeling companies. On the national level, she was appointed National Chair Committee and served on the membership, education and awards committees.

The winners of the President’s Award, as chosen each year by the local chapter President, were awarded by Daren Smith, 2019 President and Chairman of the Board for NARI Metro DC, and owner of Smiley Renovations, LLC. “I chose Trish because she has demonstrated over time that she is passionate and sincerely invested in the success of the NARI organization,” he said.

“As Chair of the Membership Committee, Trish has been an absolute force in organizing, streamlining, and bolstering the committee’s actions and efforts. I have personally benefitted, as well as witnessed her selfless nature and willingness to help any NARI member. I could not think of anyone who would be a better representative of NARI, and no one more deserving to be recognized and thanked for her efforts to increase the professionalism and strength of the NARI organization.”

“I was completely surprised to be chosen for this award,” Schroeder said. “I consider lifetime success as continually surrounding yourself with those in your industry from whom you can learn and I’m glad to do my part.”

Schroeder Design/Build Wins Best of Houzz Design Award

We just won the 2020 Best of Houzz Design award!

Best of Houzz Design celebrates home professionals whose work was most popular among Houzz users in the past year. This means photos of our work garnered the most user engagement and ideabook saves, among other things.

According to Houzz, the annual Best of Houzz awards recognize the top-rated home pros and most popular designs on Houzz, by category and area, across the country and around the world. Winners are announced annually, chosen by the Houzz community of millions of homeowners.

As a result of winning this award, Houzz automatically posted the Best of Houzz badge onto the Schroeder Design/Build Houzz page. Schroeder was also awarded the Best of Houzz Service award in 2019, and the Design and Service awards in 2018.

2019 Second Quarter Blair Anderson Image Award Winner

Schroeder Design/Build is pleased to announce that Oswaldo Cabrera was named the Blair Anderson Image Award winner for the second quarter of 2019. Oswaldo works hard as a carpenter and makes our company look good.

Some of the reasons why he was chosen include:

· The quality of his work and his overall performance is outstanding

· He never complains and is always smiling

· He is a team player

Congratulations Oswaldo for your great work!

2019 First Quarter Blair Anderson Image Award Winner

The SDB team was proud to honor Juan Velasquez with the Blair Anderson Image Award for the first quarter of 2019. Juan is our Real Estate Acquisition Director and works tirelessly to show the remodeled properties we have for sale, and showcase our new construction—also for sale! You might find him any weekend holding an Open House.

We thought Juan should win this award for:

· Doing all the right activities that yield positive results;

· Always having a smile and being willing to help; and

· Being open to lending an ear.

In addition, Juan is instrumental in keeping his ear to the ground to find new real estate projects for the company. He looks for lots where we can build new construction, and tear-down/rebuild and remodeling opportunities. If you have a home to sell and don’t want to fix it up, talk to Juan. We often buy houses “as is.”

Congratulations Juan for a great job!

2018 Fourth Quarter Blair Anderson Image Award Winner

Deirdre has been working in the remodeling industry since 1995! She enjoys hanging out with her 8 (you read that correctly) rescue pets, including 3 dogs, 4 ferrets, and 1 cat. She also enjoys visiting local wineries with her husband as well as sketching and painting portraits.

Deirdre’s Fun Facts:

• Worked as a Script Supervisor for small independent films when living in CA, and as a teleprompter operator on set for the show “House Detective.” I had the opportunity to work with Francis Ford Coppola and the cast of his film, “The Rainmaker” (including John Voight, Danny Glover, Matt Damon and Danny DiVito) – that was a cool day.
• Travelled to all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii, and driven across the country 8 times.
• Skied the Zugspitze of the Bavarian Alps. It is the highest mountain in Germany (in Garmisch-Partenkirchen).

Deirdre was nominated by her peers because she absolutely outperforms expectations, she works well with the team, and she owns her job and responsibilities.

Congratulations, Deirdre! Your hard work never ceases to amaze us!

2018 Third Quarter Blair Anderson Image Award Winner

SDB and our team members are proud and honored to award our Blair Anderson Image Award to Ron, Project Manager.  Ron has been with our company for 3 years and he consistently gives 100% in all the projects that he manages.

• He is a tremendous asset to our growing company and team
• Works very hard and diligent
• Admirable and a great example of team player and leader
• He has vast construction knowledge and passion for what he does especially since he has been in the industry for 40 years
• Our clients and our team members enjoy working with him
• When he is not managing a project and our awesome Field Team, Ron enjoys spending wonderful quality time with his wife, family, and grandchildren.
• He enjoys hunting and competes in archery.