BUILD June 2017

52 BUILD / June 2017 , A Knack for the Trade Collins Building Group strives to exceed the expectations of each individual client. Whether its bringing our creativity and experience to the project, or simply working through the details at your financial comfort level, we are involved every step of the way. Following his receipt of the CEO of the Year award, the company’s President and Owner Kevin Collins, tells us more about his own background in the construction industry as well as a flavour of what Kevin Collins, President and Owner of Collins Building Group, has worked in construction as long as he can remember. Starting at an early age, he assisted his grandfather with projects; this is where he grew to love the work. Throughout high school and college, he worked on golf courses and always ended up managing the larger projects. He remembers taking a lot of flak from older guys on the crews while he oversaw their work, but he knew he had a knack for the trade. “After graduating from Clemson University, I wanted construction experience on a much larger scale. I considered possibilities where I could get the most experience in a short time, and was offered a position with a golf course construction company north of Atlanta, Georgia. I was initially hired to fix the many issues they were having on a project, that was way behind schedule. During the following six months, I clearly remember thinking how ridiculous it was to be repairing things that should have never been faulty in the first place. “Two months later, I was a full- fledged golf course construction superintendent. The owner of the company assigned me to the management of a new course for one of the largest developers in Atlanta. Not being one to sit around, I hit the ground running and completed my first official project within 12 months, almost one full year ahead of the company’s previous project. “I believe it was the greatest experience I could have asked for. Things were going so well with my job at that time, that within a couple months I was asked to oversee every aspect of the project, from dealing with developers, county officials, architects, OSHA, building inspectors, and others. When I started working on the project, the property was completely wooded with nothing in place; but when I left, it was fully operable. Along with my crews, we completed all the construction in-house, something that I look back as being an extremely valuable experience.” In November of 2000, after he and his wife, Suzanne, had their first child, they decided to move back to the Clemson, SC area. They loved the community and felt it would be a great place to raise a family and start a new business. Kevin goes on to develop this point in his own words, before telling us about the strong objectives the company stands by, which informs all they work they perform. “I have never regretted making that leap of faith, and in 2012, with my wife Suzanne, we welcomed number five to our family. So, if you’re looking to build in Upstate South Carolina or the mountains of North Carolina, me and my team at Collins Building Group, Inc. are ready to assist you.” “Looking at the work of Collins Building Group, Inc. today, I would like to underline that our clear objective is to construct a living environment that is designed specifically for you and your family, within your budget, at the level of craftsmanship you deserve.” Following on from this, it is worth pointing out that Collins Building Group, Inc. was built on the following founding principles, which they stand by today as the firm continues to receive superb testimonials on the outstanding quality of their work and how they seek to look after the clients in the long-term and make them happy. • They understand budgets and respect the decisions you make regarding the finances of your project. They will work to your price point; • They respect your time and schedule; • They are available when you need them, even for the most minute detail; • They are fully transparent, discussing every aspect of your project with you openly and honestly, all the time and; • They are detailed and efficient. The cleanliness and functionality of your job site, and ultimately your home, are very important to Collins Building Group, Inc. 1702BU42