Midlands Profiles
Paradime Construction, Inc.
For Stan O'Brien, building your custom home is a hands-on commitment. Literally. "I try to bring a new level of personalized attention to designing, building and selling quality homes," said O'Brien, owner, president and CEO of Columbia's Paradime Construction.
O'Brien opened Paradime Construction in 1999, but his affinity for design dates back to his Charleston upbringing. "I grew up in Charleston around a lot of classical architecture, and from an early age, I was especially interested in home design," said O'Brien, a South Carolina native and Clemson graduate who holds degrees in both architecture and construction science.
Since the beginning, the realization of O'Brien's dream has meant that he's had to wear several hats as a small-business owner. It's hard work, but he believes it works better for the customer.
"I design, draft and build," said O'Brien. "So when clients come to me and say they want to spend a certain amount of money, I design for the budget, which is something that a traditional architect might not weigh as heavily. And I understand the ins and outs of construction, so I can help my clients save money throughout the construction phase." In addition to basic cost savings, Paradime embodies a holistic, value-driven approach to home building. O'Brien is just as proud of the quality of his homes, and has worked hard to find trustworthy building partners. "I have worked with my drywall specialist, electrical company, kitchen designer and insulation expert for the nine years I've been in business," he explained.
And with the recent addition of an employee to manage and coordinate all of the subcontractors, O'Brien has more time to spend with his clients.
"Clients are very involved. I have on-site scheduled meetings during every phase, or as often as a client would like," said O'Brien. "And if they need to make changes, that's fine too. The person who designed their house is the person meeting them at the site." To meet the needs of a changing housing market, Paradime Construction is also exploring green building.
"It's expensive and the guidelines are extensive, but I'm looking to build more and more green houses from here on out."
