Dear Bob and Donna,
It is getting close to the third anniversary of the start of construction on our property on Warren Island, and we wanted to share with you a review of the experience from our perspective. As you know, we embarked together on a project to create the first four season home on the south side of Warren Island. We had been working with our architects for almost a year before that, creating the design concepts for the house. But we sought your advice regarding the house location, and you were right
Of course, your experience building on the lake, coupled with your honesty and good judgment served us well throughout. The project was complicated by the rocky terrain substrate, and the exposed (but beautiful) location. Every piece of equipment, every bit of timber and lumber and fixture, and every workman had to be brought to the island by water, and then transported up the hill to the site. It was one of the wettest winters in recent memory. And despite everything, everything got done: the foundation and septic placement, the boathouse, the well drilling and well-house construction, and the demolition of the previous original boathouse and residence structures, and placement of landscaping features.
Not only did it get done, but it got done with a superlative standard of excellence. The attention to the important details at each stage of construction resulted in a finished house project nicer than the original imagined plan. In this day and age, if you say that you had a project like this built 1600 miles from your home, and that you visited the construction site only twice before completion, most people would be concerned. Our experience was different: we had Bob and Donna Turnbull looking out for us during the construction. We feel blessed that things turned out the way they did, and that we had you "in our corner." From our outset we felt confident in Pacific Construction, and we thank you for your honesty, judgment, skill, experience, and work ethic. Thank you, also, for the skilled craftsman whom you invited to work on our house. Their work gives us pleasure whenever we are in our house. We just wanted you to know how meaningful this experience has been for us, and to thank you for your part in it. Please feel free to use this letter in any way you see fit.
Sincerely yours,
Alexander G., MD
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It is both a pleasure and a privilege to write this letter on behalf of Robert and Donna Turnbull of Pacific Construction Company. These are two people who can easily garner an abundance of superlatives! We will be addressing our remarks from the point of view of very satisfied clients, and these will focus on two major aspects of our relationship -- the personal and the business.
But first, just a bit of background. When we decided to pursue seriously the notion of building a second home in North Idaho, we sought counsel. Since we are great askers of questions, we approached the numerous business people in Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint with the question: If you could have a second home anywhere in the area, where would be your choice?" Our selection of Hope was based on an overwhelming response in that direction. Secondly, we approached the task of finding a builder in much the same manner. Our question this time was: "Could you direct us to both a quality builder and a reliable one?" Several names were mentioned, and we selected four whose names we heard more than once. We interviewed each of them at length, and we were shown the products of their work. From this experience there was clearly only one choice for us -- Bob Turnbull, whose talent for unique yet practical design, coupled with expert craftsmanship in construction, was unmistakably evident.
We began our project with the purchase of the property and for nearly two years it was one of the happiest, most satisfying experiences of our lives. From the beginning, the Turnbulls, were totally straightforward, dependable, sincere, and throughly honest in every aspect of the construction sequence. There are many more adjectives that could be used, but all would be redundant. However, on top of these, it is important to note that they are truly happy and secure people personally, and this radiates to their associations. They exemplify the "perfect team" in every sense of the word, and working with them is a fun and uplifting experience.
And now to the business/product side of the picture. Because we live in San Diego, nearly 1500 miles away, it was a concern that all would go well (and as planned) in our absence. We were fortunate to have the need to make trips close to the area for other reasons, so we were able to personally follow progress on a 4 - to - 6 week basis. We found early on that this was really totally unnecessary, but it was enjoyable. Never once was there anything other than that which one would hope to expect. Never did we see anyone wasting either time or materials, any unpleasantness or dissatisfacation among workers or subcontractors on the job, nor any kind of sloppy workmanship. Granted, we were viewing with laymen's eyes, but generally we were not expected and we were able to spend a good deal of time per visit. Not once were we confronted with anything that gave evidence of "short-cutting" or "padding" in the construction. Since we were on a time and materials basis, we received bills from Donna approximately once each month. These were clear in every detail, receipts were included and, when appropriate, explanations came by telephone. She has always been cordial, gracious, and ever-patient.
The finished product is exquisite and impeccable. There are no "wish we had" spots due to the outstanding communication and guidance in selections that we had all along the way. We have been able to spend nearly half of our time in the home and we find it to be both very workable and aesthetically thrilling. Because we believe in Hope and its future, we like to think that, through the artful design and technical construction skills of Bob Turnbull, we have contributed to the beauty of the area. Indeed, he has the ability, the insight, and the heart to preserve the best of the old, and to combine it in an artistically pleasing, and technically correct fashion with the best of the new.
In summary, there is only one comment to be made. If all of this sounds too good to be true, we would remind you that we have all the evidence -- our home! We would welcome you to verify our statements through a visit on the site if you should so desire.
Sincerely Yours,
Dr. and Mrs. Dean R.
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Dear Bob and Donna,
It's still hard to believe that what once was a dream has been turned into reality. The house you built for us is everything, and more than, we had expected and we just want to tell you how much we appreciate all your efforts in realizing that dream.
Your insistence on creating a residence that takes advantages of our building site, blends into the environment, and speaks to the quality on design, craftsmanship, and materials delights us everyday.
We were told building a home could be a frustrating or even unpleasant experience. Not with you -- the journey from taking our desires and ideas off the back of a napkin to the day we moved in has been a real joy.
We owe a great deal of thanks to you, Donna, and your wonderfully dedicated and patient crew!
With warm regards,
Bruce and Janie J.
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My wife and I purchased land on Warren Island, on Lake Pend Oreille, across from Hope, Idaho. The land was quite special, with large trees, moss covered rocks, and a beautiful cove set into the lee side of the island. We then went about selecting a builder to work on our "getaway home," and spoke with many residents around the lake. We interviewed several builders, and looked at examples of their work.
We finally decided on Pacific Construction, of Hope, Idaho, which is owned and operated by Bob Turnbull. We were very impressed with Bob's direct supervision of his construction, easygoing style, and "can do" attitude. His sites are always clean, his crews friendly and respectful -- both the their boss and his customers. We were not disappointed with our choice. Our requirement that our land remain as undisturbed as possible during the construction was met beyond our expectations.
We have built several homes in the past, from Houston, Texas to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and have never been as delighted with a general contractor as we were with Mr. Turnbull. He made suggestions that vastly improved the quality and function of our home, at the same time heeding all our comments and suggestions very promptly. The care and detail work on his construction is superb. Bob takes great pride in his work without questions, and continues to help us with minor repairs and alterations even years after the original construction was finished. He is a craftsman in every sense of the word.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or write. I can recommend Pacific Construction and Mr. Turnbull for your consideration without any reservations.
Sincerely,
Dr. Richard S.
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We are writing in reference to Pacific Construction Company. We have worked with Bob and Donna Turnbull on many projects. Pacific Construction Company recently constructed our new home on Warren Island. Mr. Turnbull also built our boat house on the island and two years ago, built our Marina building, which is an office complex and facilities for the boaters. It is located at Hope, Idaho.
We have has an enormous amount of praise on all his projects. The marina gets many people just stopping in to view the facility and they tell us that it is a wonderful asset to the community. Our home and its outcome has just delighted us. It is all custom made to order and we could not be more pleased.
Mr. Turnbull's work is of top quality and he only hires the finest of subcontractors. He and his crew take pride in their work and excel in top craftsmanship. Mr. Turnbull has good management skills and keeps his projects running smoothly. He has good working relations with his subcontractors and has them scheduled to do their work, so there is no delay. He works to acquire the best bids possible and is very selective in his hiring of subcontractors. He is always aware of what is going on with the projects and is at all times, in charge of any situation.
Bob also works very closely with his clients. He is very personable and listens to any suggestions and offers many beneficial ideas of his own to the project. He has great integrity and honesty. We have felt completely secure in all billings and materials. There is very little waste of materials and the utilization of them is evident. We have considered ourselves very fortunate to have Mr. Turnbull as our contractor and would hire him or recommend him again to anyone. We feel assured that any project that he attempts will be one of the finest quality and something that anyone could be proud of.
Thank You and should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Charlie and Tessie K.
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My partner, Don L., and I purchased our home on Golf View Lane in Sandpoint, Idaho from Bob and Donna Turnbull. I happened to see the home when golfing with a friend, and Don and I met with Bob a month later. When I first saw the home, I noticed all the details and high quality he put into the home as if it were his home. We closed escrow in February and have had many interactions with both of them over the past several months. Not only do we find their work to be one of the highest quality with complete attention to detail, we have also found them to be exceptionally easy and efficient to work with in any additional home enhancement efforts we have desired. It seems that we would mention to Bob or Donna a specific request and then find it done at a reasonable price, in a quality manner, and within an appropriate amount of time.
Since we bought the home in Sandpoint, we have had an opportunity to talk with other people who know his work also, and they seem to have had the same experience we did. It has been a great opportunity for us to find our second home at such high quality, in a very desirable area, and make wonderful friends all at the same time. Please feel free to speak with us if you have any questions about this letter of reference.
Sincerely,
Linda B., Ph.D.