Houston Remodeling Guide 2008: What Do Those Initials Mean?

If you have been looking to buy a new home, remodel your current one, or just plain need a contractor to repair your winter-beaten roof, chances are you have met several building industry professionals and have a collection of business cards and price quotes to shuffle through. Some of these individuals have initials such as GMB or CGR after their name, like doctors have PhD and attorneys have Esq. or LLM. What do these letters mean?

These initials help consumers identify building professionals who have completed the requirements needed to receive and maintain a professional designation awarded by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

•The Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) designations are earned by members of the industry concentrating on building and remodeling, respectively.

•A Graduate Master Builder (GMB) is an advanced designation attained for example, after fulfilling the requirements of a CGB or CGR.

•The Certified Graduate Associate (CGA) is earned by individuals who are Associate members, most often specialty contractors who support the construction or remodeling process, such as plumbing, electrical firms, as well as financial and accounting service firms.

•The Certfied Aging-In Place Specialist (CAPS) designation program teaches the technical, business management and customer service skills essential in the fast growing segment of the residential remodeling industry.

•The Certified Green Professional (CGP) provides a solid background in green building methods and the tools needed for new construction and remodeling.

Course requirements vary for each NAHB designation, the minimum is six, six-hour courses to receive a certificate. All certificates require one six-hour course per year to maintain the designation. Building professionals learn the latest in the industry in courses such as Building Codes and Standards, Construction Contracts and Law, Customer Service and Quality Construction. The courses are offered around the country by NAHB’s education and training arm, the Home Builders Institute, at local and state Home Builder Associations as well as major industry expositions.

Those initials are an indication that the individual has taken time to expand and enhance his/her knowledge and professionalism in the building industry through education. As a consumer, trying to decide on which builder, contractor or remodeler to hire, knowing what they mean may go a long way in choosing who ultimately gets the job.

Michael R. Armstrong,

CGR, GMB

Cornerstone Building Solutions

(936) 445-1669

Adam A. Bakir, PE, GMB, CGR

Descon Homes LLC

(713) 952-4950

Adam Bakir, P.E., GMB, CGR

Incredible Renovations

(713) 532-2526

Wayne Ball,

CAPS, CGR

Lone Star Building

& Construction Services, Inc.

(713) 522-7111

John L. Bass, GMB

J. L. Bass Building, Inc.

(713) 956-7240 x 0

Dan Bawden,

JD, CGR, GMB, CAPS

Legal Eagle Contractors Company

(713) 723-8850

Robert (Bob)

W. Birner,

CGR, CAPS

Amazing Siding Corp.

and Renewal By Andersen

(281) 378-6000

Gil Boyles,

CGR, CAPS

GB General Contractors, Inc.

(281) 412-9988

Casey Butaud,

CGB, GMB, CAPS

Estate Craft Homes, Inc.

(936) 760-2600

Casey Butaud,

CGB, GMB, CAPS

Stratton Contractors DBA Maverick Construction Group

(936) 441-2610

Kenneth W. Charanza,

GMB, CGR

Charanza Contracting, Inc.

(713) 690-9511

Clint Childress,

CGR, GMB

Advanced Construction, Inc.

(713) 466-3662 x2

Keith Cohrs,

CGB, GMB

Brookfield Custom Homes, Inc.

(713) 722-9397

K C Cox,

cga, caps, cgp

Weyerhauser Company

(281) 931-1722

Ben Crawford, CGR,GMB

Crawford Renovation

(713) 463-8600

Clyde A. Curry, III, CAPS, CGR

Niagara Craftsman, Inc.

(713) 467-0062

Duncan Frazee,

CGR, GMB

Construction Services Group

(281) 350-1222

Susan Fruit,

ASID, CGR

Susan Fruit Interiors

(281) 463-2972

Gonzalo S. Garcia,

CGR, CAPS, GMB

JRG Builder & Remodelers

(713) 849-5119

John Gillette,

CGR, GMB, CAPS

Craftsmanship By John, Inc.

(713) 984-8834

Gilbert S
Godbold, MSM

GSG Builders, Inc.

(713) 988-4847

Allen Goehrs, GMB

Goehrs Builders, Inc.

(936) 653-1300

Allen W. Griffin,

CGR, GMB, CAPS

Gryphon Builders

(713) 939-8005

Stephen K. Hann,

CGR, GMB, CGP

Hann Builders

(281) 980-0800

Dennis Haws, CGR

All Star Construction

(281) 847-0294

Suzi Haynie, CGA, CSP, CGB

StrucSure Home Warranty

(281) 380-8574

Rob D. Hellyer,

CGR, GMB, CAPS

Premier Remodeling & Construction, L.P.

(713) 532-1100

Gary Huff, CGA

Choice Appliances

(281) 466-1065

Earl Hughes,

GMB, CGR, CAPS

Cross Connection Remodeling

(281) 304-0827

Jeff Hunt,

GMB, CGR,

CAPS, CGP

Heritage Construction Services

(281) 345-1001

Frank R. Jones, CGR

Cavalry Construction, Inc.

(281) 931-9900

Leslie S. King,

CGR, GMB, CAPS

Greymark Construction Company

(713) 722-7226

Thomas Lammers,

CGR, GMB, CAPS, CR

Houston Structural, Inc.

(713) 686-5900

Frank H. Marsters, III, GMB

Marsters Company

(281) 499-5507

Stephen McNiel, CGR,CAPS

Creative Property Restoration, Inc.

(713) 528-6404

Phil Messarra, CGR

Master Craftsmen, Inc.

(281) 482-0000

Bill Neighbors,

CGR, CAPS

Journey Construction

(713) 290-1617

Michael E.

Nolan, CGB

Cypresswood

Homes, Inc.

(713) 208-6596

J. Carter Noonan, II

CGR, GMB

Artisan Brothers LLP

(281) 313-7283

Breck Allen Powers,

CGR, CAPS, GMB

LBJ Construction, LP

(713) 781-0169

Scott Sage, GMB

Sage Built Homes, LLC

(281) 955-5756

Kaitlyn L. Sharp,

CGA, CAPS

Custom Plumbing & Hardware

(281) 847-0294

William L. Shaw, Jr.,

CGR, GMB, CAPS

Wm. Shaw & Associates, Inc.

(713) 666-1931

Jeff Sipes, CGB

WE Gilbert Co LTD

(713) 862-4777

Douglas Smith,

GMB, CGR

Smith Custom Builders, Inc.

(713) 722-9600

Bruce A. Sommers,

CPBD, GR,GMB,CAPS

Ashworth Construction, Inc.

(281) 360-6117

Randy Stow,

CGR, CAPS

Home Access Solutions

(713) 460-2100

Michael Strong,

CGR, CAPS, GMB

Brothers Strong, Inc.

(281) 469-6057

Chris Z. Vamvakias,

CGR, GMB, CAPS

Construction Services Group

(281) 350-1222

Scott Von

Gonten, CGA

Southwest Building Products, Inc.

(713) 932-6407

Doug Wayland,

CGR, GMB, CAPS

Wayland Construction

(713) 528-5898

Bob Welker,

CGR, GMB, CAPS

Construction Services Group

(281) 350-1222

Mike Wilburn,

GMB,CGR

Custom Builders & Remodelers

(713) 908-5500

Roland K. Younger,

CGR, GMB, CAPS

Living Improvements

(281) 499-7000

Dean Zografos,

GMB, CGB

Black Rock Builders

(281) 914-6785