Building an exquisite home requires talented designers, specialized labor, and positive collaboration.

Getting the right contractor involved early, well before the normal bidding process, is an invaluable opportunity to iron out important details and gain insight into a project’s possibilities – as well as its potential roadblocks. We’re experienced in conducting due diligence at the outset of the project, including feasibility studies, property surveys, entitlement determinations, financial considerations, and logistics.

Our early involvement provides upfront expertise that can help clients and architects avoid mistakes and miscalculations that could incur additional costs in labor, materials, and time later in the construction phase. As part of our pre-construction services we offer input on permitting, engineering, materials, team building, timeframes, cost, value engineering, and scheduling. We help clients navigate the unique challenges (such as the limited availability of island labor) and opportunities (including access to exceptional craftspeople) that building on Martha’s Vineyard presents.

Team building is part of our corporate culture. Early in the process, we help foster open dialogue, ensure clients are heard and respected, and help set expectations for all parties. We then gather the ideal team to help meet – and endeavor to exceed – those expectations.

We offer an intensely hands-on approach in which Andrew Flake is involved in every key decision and detail. Our clients deserve
no less.

Managing a construction project is a complex process. One must ensure that all participants – engineers, electricians, plumbers, brick and tile layers, interior designers, millworkers, painters, and other professionals – can expertly execute their own unique role while working seamlessly with the others. Andrew A. Flake, Inc. is known for generating the highest quality work from our contractors while fostering a collaborative experience that’s defined by mutual trust and respect.

Our process is entirely transparent and open book, which means that materials costs, labor costs, and associated fees are meticulously tracked and disclosed to the client. Additionally, no work can be done or change orders processed without Andrew’s written consent.

Providing this level of attention and oversight requires Andrew’s close, personal involvement. He is highly engaged in every project, attends team meetings, participates in every substantial decision, and is in regular contact with architect and owner. We deliberately limit our major projects to two at a time to ensure the availability of Vineyard labor and provide the care and responsiveness our clients deserve.

Throughout the process, we serve as an advocate for our client and a voice for our contractors. We help to ensure that clients’ needs are communicated effectively and met as efficiently as possible while ensuring their expectations are realistic and fair.

We make sure clients have everything they need for the continued care and maintenance of their finished home – and the confidence that we’re in it for the long haul.

The closeout phase is crucial to the success of the project, and client expectations can be met or shattered during this important period of time. Our attention to detail – and our commitment to open and constant communication – helps to ensure that this phase is completed as smoothly and swiftly as possible and according to the highest standards.

In fact, we review closeout procedures and expectations with the team as early as the pre-construction phase, and we send clear documentation to contractors well before the closeout phase begins, ensuring that all have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

We take care to ensure that all punch-list items are completed successfully and all accounting with our subcontractors is reconciled. Finally, a meeting with the homeowner, caretaker, or property manager to review all systems and operations completes what is often a two- or three-year homebuilding journey.

Our reputation for fairness and integrity is based on our treatment of clients throughout the design, building, and closeout process – and well beyond. When a project is completed, we provide a written guarantee of our – and our subcontractors’ – work and materials. Additionally, clients receive extensive, well-organized, and clear documentation containing critical information, including an overview of all services performed; subcontractor contact information; warrantees, service manuals, and maintenance instructions for all systems and finishes; municipal inspection reports and approvals; and as-built architectural and subcontractor drawings.

From seasonal projects to preventive maintenance, we provide clients with the guidance and resources necessary to preserve, protect, and enhance their homes.

Martha’s Vineyard is a harsh island environment that can wreak havoc on facades and finishes. No matter how many precautions are taken or how high the quality of materials used, Vineyard homes require specialized care to remain functional and beautiful. What’s more, many of the homes we build use sophisticated heating and cooling equipment and other advanced systems that require a special degree of expertise to maintain properly.

Many clients choose to keep Andrew A. Flake, Inc. involved with their home as long as the property remains in their family. We advise clients on ongoing care and maintenance, and if desired, coordinate and manage any necessary resources. Our services include:

• Annual and as-needed review of the conditions of the home
• Detailed short- and long-term maintenance recommendations and budgets
• Scheduling and execution of warranty-covered work during the first year and beyond
• Preventive and deferred maintenance and repairs
• Completion of small annual and seasonal projects
• Availability after-hours and weekends, year-round, for quick response to emergencies
• Consultation with clients, caretakers, and property managers for advice throughout the life of the home