Chris Fry Email & Phone Number

Dovetail Builders, Inc. has been in the Houston custom residential construction remodeling and repair business since 1988. We specialize in energy efficient, custom homes and remodeling projects. Home Repairs & MaintenanceOur repair/maintenance service division has been implemented to give our customers a resource for small to medium jobs and repairs, while still maintaining the trust and quality on which Dovetail Builders, Inc. has built its reputation.Custom Homes & RemodelingDovetail Builders built Houston's very first LEED-certified Platinum house. We are very proud to have been building green since back in the 1990s.

Houston, Texas, United States

Houston, Texas, United States

Houston, Texas, United States

Current project, scheduled for completion on August 2010. Teardown and new build of concrete green home, projected to be LEED Gold rated. This job entailed:1) Tear down owner’s childhood home and rebuilding on lot.2) Concrete exterior wall & roof construction with R-40 performance.3) Geo-thermal HVAC.4) Solar water heating.5) Rain water harvesting for irrigation & grey water.6) Steel framing with paperless drywall.7) Pervious paving.8) Reclaimed hardwood flooring.9) All cardboard packaging, recyclable containers and scrap steel recycled.

Dovetail took over management of this project in 2006 to complete a comprehensive seven-figure remodel of a 1940's home. This is the most technically challenging project Dovetail has ever undertaken.The Steves residence was-- and still is-- technically cutting edge, with Radio RAW automatic lighting for art displays, control of stereo sound and level to different rooms, automated alarms, etc. When Dovetail was brought onboard, the project was overbudget and behind schedule. For example there was not even an electrical plan for the lighting and alarm system. Working first and foremost as consultants, Dovetail turned this project around. The relationship has been so successful for both parties that Dovetail continues to work regularly with this client to the present day. Some challenges resolved with this job were:1) Completed and fixed home automation system for control of music, radio, raw lighting, HVAC and security systems.2) Channel glass with fiber optic system. Solved existing issues.3) Completely reworked site drainage and landscaping.4) Installed 1500 SF Ipe decking with hidden fasteners.5) Sorted out HVAC zoning issues.6) Created climate-controlled art storage room.7) Repaired numerous water filtration issues.8) All cardboard packaging, recyclable containers and scrap steel recycled.

New build of green home designed by Adams Architects. The Virgina Point house is the first home in Houston to be LEED Platinum rated. Additionally, the home is Houston's first residential potable water project.The home was featured in the Houston Business Journal (2007) and the Houston Chronicle (2009). The residence may currently be seen on Planet Green's "Renovation Nation with Steve Thomas" (8/28/09). Upcoming Home Tours with the Virginia Point house as a stop are the AIA Home Tour in October, and the Texas Society of Architect's Home Tour, on October 22nd.This job entailed:1) Minimal disturbance of lot.2) Stainless steel termite barrier (no pesticides).3) Recycled deck materials. All exterior surfaces are low-maintenance-- no woods used on exterior.4) Sustainable bamboo cabinets and floors used throughout interior. Wall framing from local tree species, and all interior paints, adhesives and sealants comply with VOC requirements.5) Building structure comprised of steel skeleton; use of wood minimized whenever possible.6) Spray foam insulation was used throughout project.7) Reflective metal roof and siding; the roof features 140 Photo-Voltaic solar panels. Residence designed to be 100% self-sufficient in electricity.8) Radio-RAW automated lighting system. All residence lighting low voltage or LED.9) 7,200 gallon water cistern. Rain water harvesting for 100% of total household and irrigation requirements. Central manifold water distribution system with pipe insulation. 10) Landscaping designed to be drought-resistant.11) Geo-thermal HVAC systems with fresh air intake energy recovery system. Ducts sealed during construction.Ten subterranean wells beneath home act as heat sinks to engage inherent coolness of earth. 12) All cardboard packaging, recyclable containers and scrap steel recycled.Portfolio pictures of the Virginia Point project are at this address: http://www.dovetailbuild.com/Portfolio/tabid/1255/Default.aspx

Created an environmentally sensitive home with laid back, open and adaptable living and working spaces. Project demonstrates that green can be done on a budget, and can also be innovative and attractive. Energy Star rating exceeded by 14 points. Project projected to be LEED Silver.The Wareloft has been a featured home in the National Solar Society's Home 2007, 2008 and 2009 Tours. The Wareloft may also be seen in the April 2009 issue of Houston House & Home at:http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/HoustonHouseHome/0409_houhh/2009040302/42.htmlThis job entailed:1) Minimal disturbance of lot; no soil removed from site. Excavated earth used for berms to contain rainwater. Topsoil reused and all trees felled were mulched onsite.2) Permanent erosion control, with rain water harvesting for irrigation.3) Stainless steel termite barrier (no pesticides).4) High efficiency plumbing fixtures. Central manifold water distribution system with pipe insulation.5) Non-HCFC refrigerant HVAC heat pump. Passive heat reduction window shading and design assisted natural ventilation strategies. Special humidity reduction controls designed from analysis of moisture load(s). Ventilation system designed to ASHRAE Standard 62.2, with fresh air intake energy recovery system. Ducts sealed during construction.6) Wall framing from local tree species and all interior paints, adhesives and sealants comply with VOC requirements.7) Reflective metal roof and siding; the roof features Photo-Voltaic solar panels. Residence designed to be as close to self-sufficient in electricity as practicable.8) All cardboard packaging, recyclable containers and scrap steel recycled.APPROXIMATE PROJECT SIZE: 3200 S/FA website devoted to the building of the Wareloft can be found at this address: http://homepage.mac.com/cabincrk/wareloft/index.html

New home build. Custom-designed to fit precise budget requirements.This job entailed:1) Custom walnut & painted cabinet mix.2) Special loft and sunken areas for children’s activities.3) Strategically placed house around trees.4) Raking window wall at stairway.5) All cardboard packaging, recyclable containers and scrap steel recycled.APPROXIMATE PROJECT SIZE: 4200 S/F

Teardown and new build of contemporary house on site of client’s childhood home. Featured on AIA Home Tour in 2007.This job entailed:1) Aging in-place appointments of ADA bathroom & elevator.2) Special accommodations for client’s requirements with kitchen cabinets 38” high X 30” deep.3) 5” quarter-sawn oak panel plank flooring.4) Stainless steel countertops.5) Copper siding.6) Hand-rubbed cabinet paint finishes.7) Custom steel glass awnings.8) All recyclable containers and scrap steel recycled.

Comprehensive transformation of the Gundlach residence consisting of a complete remodel of the existing ranch-style home with the addition of a second floor. Project architect was a protégé of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.This job entailed:1) Express siding & cornice.2) Sandblasted glass entry.3) Copper roof & gutters.4) All cardboard packaging, recyclable containers and scrap steel recycled.

Complete gut and remodel of 1913 home. Twice featured on Eastwood Historical Homes Tour.This job entailed:1) Matched carpentry details on doors & windows with antique salvaged pine.2) Many new custom doors built to match existing doors—located antique door hardware to restore to as-built condition.3) Completely rebuilt double-hung windows & replaced broken glass with antique float glass.4) Installed salvaged long-leaf pine flooring.5) Remodeled kitchen & bathrooms to look “of the 1913 period.”6) All recyclable containers and scrap steel recycled.

First aggressive coreen project. Twice featured on National Solar Tour. Once featured on Bellaire Home Tour.The Solar House was the start of a continuing business relationship with the client/designer, Kathleen Reardon, and Dovetail. Ms. Reardon's professional website with pictures of the Solar House may be found at:http://www.rdarc.com/projects.html The Solar House job entailed:1) Extensive wall & roof venting.2) Installation of geo-thermal HVAC, Photo-Voltaic solar panels, solar water heater and solar pool water heating to generate approximately 15% of property power requirements. These strategies, in combination with Dovetail’s experience with wall and attic venting, plus the proper use of radiant barriers, have resulted in low energy costs, espcially relative to the size of the house. 3) Extensive custom cypress & maple wood detailing.4) All recyclable containers and scrap steel recycled.APPROXIMATE PROJECT SIZE: 5000 S/F

Removal and replacement of exterior finish treatment and remodel of interior. This job entailed:1) Removal of EFIS stucco system and replacement of exterior treatment with traditional cementious stucco.2) Replacement of windows.3) Interior remodel.

Comprehensive gutting and remodel of existing interior for three-story home. Client originally had residence custom built in the 1960s.This job entailed:1) Complete removal of interior and replacement with a remodel. 2) A second floor addition.

Dovetail’s first energy efficient new home.This job entailed:1) Unique skin vent design.2) Project originally designed to be AAC block, plans modified for project to incorporate wood frame and skin vent.3) Special split-level construction.

Complete gut & remodel of existing home.This job entailed:1) Special copper gutter & downspout detail. Downspout through back of gutter, then facia & soffit and straight down.2) Extensive marble work with all corners mitred.3) Extensive built-ins behind bank of six pivoting, mirrored closet doors.