As people find themselves spending more time at home, demand for luxury houses have gone up. In the past year, many people have sold off their condominium units and started construction on their empty lots, opting to build a home that has all the comfort, safety, security, and space they could ever want or need.
This should not come as a surprise. After all, it is during tough times like these that people realize the importance of owning a home that serves as a safe haven during the pandemic. And if you can build that dream house right now for the very different world we live in today and the “new normal” that is to come, then what’s stopping you?
This is where Excalibur Builders comes in. It’s a boutique company that specializes in the design, construction, and home transformation of mid- to high-end residential homes. Under the independent leadership of Sergio “Serge” Syjuco, the firm has not only survived the worst of times but has actually thrived amidst the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“People are having larger homes built with more amenities than your average house. Most of my clients request that we maximize the use of their lots. I’m currently building several homes that incorporates a home spa, gym, theater, offices, large showcase kitchens and other amenities you usually find in commercial spaces. For them, the home is where they now live, work, and entertain themselves,” said Serge, the man who owns and runs Excalibur Builders.
Excalibur Builders has practically built all styles of houses to date. It’s all about the aesthetic needs of clients and their family—whether it’s building a home from the ground up or transforming an older house into a new one, said Serge.
Quality over quantity
Excalibur Builders is very particular with the quality of the projects they deliver. It’s always quality over quantity, which is why they choose to work on only a handful of houses per year.
“If we can no longer accommodate prospective clients, we either ask them to postpone the project or only do an architectural and design package initially for them. This allows us to give each project the careful and dedicated attention they need, so every single one can be completed and turned over on the agreed upon time frame,” said Serge.
Service, dependability, and accountability are the pillars of Excalibur Builders. In other words, clients get what they pay for and even more.
“We have made it a commitment to be customer-oriented. It doesn’t matter what time my clients need to talk to me. I will take their calls anytime. I even take calls and respond to messages even while on vacation. Even during the height of the pandemic while construction temporarily stopped, we continued working on the design of our projects to show our commitment to deliver. That’s how involved my team and I are to the work we do,” said Serge.
When it comes to designs and spaces their clients need, it’s a collaborative process. Serge and his team work closely with their clients to come up with the best design possible, incorporating both the wishes of the clients with their skills and expertise.
“From the first day we met Sergio Syjuco, he attentively listened to all the needs and wants of me and my family. During the first outbreak of the pandemic he assured us that the pause in construction would only be temporary. He and his team made substantial improvements on the original designs of my home which we are very happy with. We are three weeks away from moving into the new enchanting Spanish modern home he designed and built for us,” said Attorney Irwin M. Ambal, one of Excalibur Builders’ happy clients.
“Serge and his team at Excalibur have paid attention to everything I’ve said from day one. For the past two years he has answered my calls even at unholy hours. He is easy and professional to deal with, especially when there are changes in the plan I have to make,” said Anthony Gan, another satisfied client.
Serge said he is just a conductor and his orchestra is made up of his laborers, engineers, architects and assistants.
Like a marathon, military operation
Building a luxury house is like running a marathon. You train for weeks or maybe even months before the actual race, which is like the mobilization phase in construction, wherein Serge and his team meet with clients, conceptualize and draft plans, and make necessary revisions.
Like a marathon, every one is enthusiastic to start the project. But as the race progresses, runners get tired, and the pace begins to slow down. This is like completing a project on time and within the allotted budget.
Just like running in a track, starting strong is important. But what is most important is crossing the finish line in a timely manner. This is what separates Excalibur from the others. It’s relatively easy to break ground on a project, but what is most challenging is to turnover a home in accordance with the expectations of the client, Serge said.
Construction is also like a military operation in that not all things go according to plan all the time, despite the most careful planning a seasoned team can do. Unexpected events happen along the way which no one could have accounted for. However, Serge is all out to “win the war,” so to speak, to deliver the completed projects to happy clients.
“This is where Excalibur Builders excels. No matter how many obstacles come our way, we will go beyond what is required to make sure we deliver, even if it ends up costing me in the end. That’s finishing strong. Something other contractors don’t take to heart as much as we do,” he said.
Breaking ground is easy, but turning over completed homes to happy and satisfied clients on time is more important.
Confidence and trust
“Demand for residential construction is very strong and will continue on this trajectory despite the current pandemic. People have realized the value of what a well- designed and built home brings. However, the cost of construction is going up with the price of essential raw materials such as steel substantially rising. The availability of a good labor force is also hard to find these days,” he said.
Building relationships with their clients through confidence and trust is of utmost importance. If Excalibur Builders commits a mistake, they fix it immediately. It’s all about accountability, an important characteristic that is hard to come by in the service.
Serge is grateful to his entire team who has stood by him in the toughest of times. He also expressed his gratitude to the multitude of clients that have put their full trust on him over the years. It is because of them that Excalibur Builders continues to thrive despite the challenging situation.
Serge said: “I will continue to do this only until I can pivot to building institutions that will bring immeasurable benefit to the public such as schools, hospitals, churches, and shelters for the poor.”
It’s one sure, solid step at a time. For now, his attention is focused on creating the most beautiful luxury homes possible.
For more information, contact Excalibur Builders on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/excaliburdesign or visit their website www.excaliburdb.com
ADVT