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Kristian Bell Enjoys Extraordinary Challenges Kristian Bell Construction | Houston, Texas
Kristian Bell Enjoys Extraordinary Challenges By Kathy Bowen Stolz | Photography by Kathleen O. Ryan
H
ouston contractor Kristian Bell loves projects where he gets to be creative, producing unique projects that “push the envelope of design.”
As a renovation expert, Bell enjoys the challenge of unique projects that demand extraordinary skills. “We don’t do facelifts that require some new trim and a coat of paint.” In fact, some of the projects that Kristian Bell Construction renovates teeter on the edge of a teardown, he said. “Sometimes we tear down everything except two or three walls and keep partial foundations. We try to keep the
integrity of the neighborhoods, but our work is based on the customer’s desire.” Most of his company’s remodeling and renovation projects are in the Memorial section of Houston. Although most of the houses were originally constructed in the 1950s and 60s, the homes remain in demand because of the location and the school district’s reputation. Homeowners choose Kristian Bell Construction for their renovations – some costing more than a half million dollars – to recreate their vision of a dream home. “Every single project is completely different. I don’t like to put my customers in boxes which limit them on what is possible.” Bell uses subcontractors that share his passion for creating unique spaces. “I’ve got nine immediate trades
that I keep busy on the five or six projects we have underway at any time. They include master carpenters, master framers and several ‘jack-of-all-trades’ guys. “I can consistently guarantee my product because I use the same subs over and over. The product is based on the trades’ abilities. I’ve had several of them since Day 1 [of my business]. They stay with me because they like my crazy ideas that challenge them.” Bell said he has an amazing team, both in the office and in the field. “It takes the entire team to pull off these great products.” Bell has built his business on word-of-mouth recommendations, only recently creating a website after ten years. For the first six years he worked alongside his childhood best friend, Brandon Redgrave, focusing on small remodeling and building projects to refine his carpentry skills. Kristian originally called his business Krazy Custom Creations.
Houston contractor Kristian Bell loves projects where he gets to be creative, producing unique projects that “push the envelope of design.”
“I love doing one-of-a-kind projects, and people love looking at my work on-line, from what I hear. I built my business primarily through my personal Facebook postings. I’m a self-taught master carpenter who has a God-given gift for design.” During those first six years in business he was a minor league baseball pitcher with custom design/building as
a hobby in the off –season. He always knew he would end up working in construction and was planning for the transition when his baseball career was over. Kristian had grown up on construction job sites, tagging along with his father, who is a contractor with 40 years of experience. He learned the ins and outs, the good and bad from watching his dad build his own companies. But before beginning his construction career, he had to follow his dream of becoming a professional ball player. That dream was becoming a reality when he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 11th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. He played in New York, Michigan, and Florida for four seasons before he was traded to the Oakland Athletics for Marco Scatoro in 2007, going on to play for the Stockton, Calif., and Midland, Texas, AA teams. His six-season record was 20 wins and 20 losses with an ERA of 4.76. (Three of those seasons he was plagued by injuries, which led to a shoulder surgery.)
“My company’s reputation is everything to me...”
One February day during the off-season, a miscalculation with a table saw ended Bell’s pitching career. Slicing off his right index finger was truly a life-changing event for this right-handed pitcher. “I took it [the accident] in stride. I recognized baseball was finally over. I didn’t expect to be a 20-year veteran pitcher, because too much can happen. In fact, I was in rehab at the time from my shoulder injury. “I started my company, KCC Contracting, two weeks later. I had planned my future while I was playing, and I knew where it would go after baseball. It was an easy transition to contracting.” “Baseball taught me a tremendous amount about the business side of an operation. I had observed the internal operations of each team, and I acquired a tremendous amount of knowledge on business management methods and the effectiveness of working as a team.” Bell said, “I have worked hard to build my company into what it is today. The company has continuously grown from year to year based on my unique portfolio.” He added, “My company’s reputation is everything to me, and I stand 100 percent behind each and every product. Last year I changed the company name to Kristian Bell Construction to underscore how I stand behind my product.”
Not only concerned about his company’s reputation, Kristian hopes to transform the contracting process. “People don’t think ‘integrity’ when they think of contractors. We are viewed in a negative light because many contractors cut corners to maximize profit or because miscommunication on job sites kills the precious relationship between client and contractor. Then, the bad experience gets relayed to others. Everyone probably knows someone who has had a negative runin with a contractor, which creates a lack of trust when homeowners get introduced to one. This is what I want to change.
smiles on people’s faces, along with their appreciation, when they see the finished project. I want them to be proud of what they paid for. His five-year plan is to expand to doing high-end custom homes while continuing to do renovation projects. He would like to do more commercial projects as well. He would also like to develop some property rather than just build on customers’ lots. No matter the job, Kristian Bell will continue to look for projects where he can push the envelope. Is the envelope ready?
“I want my company to represent a standard for quality work through integrity, honesty and professionalism. My company is different. I am willing to lose profit to make sure things are done the right way.” Many in the construction world avoid remodeling and renovating projects because new construction is much easier, Bell noted, and the interaction with the clients is much different. Conflicts can arise naturally between the contractor and the client during the remodeling/renovation process, especially if the clients are living in their homes, because the paint fumes, dust and overall mess that come with the job can make living in the home a nightmare. “Every customer is unique in how they handle the upset of remodeling.” Kristian looks at projects as a four-quarter game of chaos. In the first quarter everybody is optimistic and happy as the transformation begins with demolition. In the second quarter the customer must make a lot of decisions, which builds stress. In the third quarter there is almost always some sort of conflict because the customer can’t see the finish line, even though it is right around the corner. In the fourth quarter the customer is relieved to see the pretty finishes, and the end is finally in sight. “Before we start the massive undertaking of an extreme remodel, I explain to the customers that respect should be the most important thing to keep in the forefront of our interactions. Throughout the long process, I try to keep everyone involved free of stress, regardless of the possible bumps and mishaps down the road on the journey to their dream home.” Kristian is there to make the homeowner happy. “I love connecting with good people. It is gratifying to see the
“Kristian Bell Construction is an elite company based in the Memorial Area of Houston specializing in new home construction and high end home renovations. Kristian Bell has been building his team since day one, grooming them into the quality tradesmen he still has today, allowing for a consistent high quality product. His team is instilled with the same high expectations of quality workmanship, work ethics, and integrity that are the founding principles of the company. Extensive knowledge and creativity offers clients beautiful and sophisticated solutions that match both budget and lifestyle. With family resources in construction and carpentry extending over 80 years and an in house design team with over 25 years design experience, Kristian Bell Construction is prepared to take you from the beginning design phases to a finished home. “