Some of the finest residences in the region display the craftsmanship and skills of Prutting + Co. Custom Builders. Founded in 1975, the firm was created by Connecticut native Dave Prutting and his late wife, Deborah. The couple evolved from college-age apprentice carpenters installing wood-shingle roofs, learning building skills from the ground up, to creating the full-service company. Moving on to administration and motherhood, Deborah was an indispensable partner. Through 48 years of marriage, “she held the ladder for me,” recalls Dave, who also collaborated with her on buying and renovating seven homes of their own while raising two children. Dave has been residing at Extown Farm, a fully restored historic 1786 farmstead in New Canaan.
How did the firm grow from custom wood roofs to full-fledged construction?
Our style was “whoever hires us we do a good job.” We get a reference from a client or somebody hears about us and then we get another job. It’s a domino effect. You earn the right to get the work.
What do you look for in a client?
Fairness. These jobs are like marriages, so it’s important that you are reasonable, listen to each other, work together. When we see someone strident, unrealistic and overwhelming, we think, “We’ll pass.” You’ve got to get along. If you’re fair with me, you’ll get it back three times over.
You say estimating is the foundation of construction. How do you set prices?
It’s pertinent you tell us as much as you can about what you want. We start with at least a skeleton set of plans. Then we do the leg work, measure and add and seek the cost. For instance, we don’t know how many doorknobs you’ll need, or what kind. So for competitive bidding, we have to use a budget that’s a realistic starting point. We call them allowances.
Why do so many projects go over estimate?
Midstream changes are the biggest cause of delays and cost overruns, and 19 out of 20 changes come from the client.
How do you approach craftsmanship?
It starts with knowing what good is, what excellence is—you have to know “Gee, that’s beautiful joinery.” When you walk into an art gallery, you know the difference between a craft drawing and a Van Gogh. The only way to learn that is experiencing it. Over time, people teach you. You find the right people who do excellent work and then you supervise them.
How does renovation differ from building new?
Renovating is unknowable, we always have to be prepared for unforeseen conditions. It’s tough, there’s always an asterisk.
What are challenges in new building?
How do we achieve ultimate flatness—avoiding bulges in the wall, humps in the floor, sag in the ceiling. In steel construction, the weight and fitting to size. Then there’s mechanical layout—where to put the vents, lights, beams, ducts.
What differences are there between working on traditional and contemporary houses?
Traditional might involve more decorative elements. In contemporary, there’s the lack of decoration—if you don’t have crown molding, the juncture of wall to ceiling to floor better be straight.
How is technology altering the business?
The changes are fast; software is improving planning and managing schedules and financials. There used to be hand-drawn blueprints—nowadays BIM modeling takes a two-dimensional plan and explodes it into 3D reality. And products are evolving and getting better and better. It all goes into a positive evolution of building trades.
What is a building that’s inspired you?
A Greek Orthodox Church I visited in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. There are no 90-degree angles, all arched, curved, a domed room. I’m very geometric. I like square, Mondrian, but that church is a stunning building. It’s by Frank Lloyd Wright.
What will homes of the future be like?
They’ll be site specific environmentally—super insulated, properly ventilated, energy efficient. They’ll respond to what’s going on in the world. Near the water they may be on stilts.