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Barrington-based home remodeling company brings ‘refined’ business approach
The Refined Construction team of senior project manager Chris Otto, president Lisa Corcher, and her husband and owner Paul Horcher look over plans in their Barrington-based home office. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
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BARRINGTON — When buying a car or jewelry, seeking help from experts requires trust.
Long-time Barrington resident Paul Horcher understands that many consumers fear their lack of expertise will be taken advantage of for a bigger payday.
As chief operating officer of Refined Construction in Barrington, Horcher said he brings that understanding to building trust with his clients. His mission is to stick to timelines and be truthful about the plausibility of customers’ requests.
Horcher said that focus helps remove the stress that customers typically associate with the remodeling and home addition process.
“Our mission statement is to create a remarkable experience by helping our clients make the best decisions,” Horcher said.
Horcher has operated Refined Construction in this way for more than two years — with help from his wife, company CEO Lisa Horcher, and senior project manager Chris Otto.
Horcher credited his wife for being the motivating force behind the new company, an offshoot of his family’s Horcher Construction, Inc.
The 53-year-old family business specializes in facilities maintenance management and building solutions for commercial and residential markets. Since 2010, however, Horcher has been honing the craft of residential projects through Refined Construction, filling what he’s long considered an industry void.
“We founded Refined because we saw a pretty significant need out there to approach residential construction, and particularly remodeling, in a more transparent and open manner,” he said.
Before they get to work on a home, Horcher said the leadership team first listens to why the customer wants certain remodeling or reconfiguring done. The goal, he explained, is to determine what work best fits each individual situation — even if that means dissuading a potential customer from commissioning the work altogether.
“We help them look at it from different angles so they can make the best decision as to what they really want to do and why they should do it ... most contractors don’t ever go there because they’re all about the job,” Horcher said.
Likening his company to the rare “good guy” in the car sales industry, Horcher said his team prides itself on discovering the root of their clients’ reasons for renovating. That helps Refined deliver the best, most personalized results, he said.
Horcher credits that business model for Refined Construction’s ability to attract a clientele that’s excited to work with them again on future projects.
Refined Construction currently serves the area in and around Barrington, Inverness, Hawthorn Woods, Long Grove, the North Shore and northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Former client Ray Shei said the Refined Construction team exceeded his expectations on a upper and lower-level renovation of his Inverness home. The project involved the remodeling of the master bathroom, kitchen, living room and closing off of their upper-level walkway for noise mitigation.
“We are very fussy — especially me — and it far exceeded my expectations. It made our house a home,” Shei said of the home he shares with wife Janet Shei. “They showed first-class workmanship.”
Refined Construction is located at 123 South Wedgewood Drive, Barrington. Paul and Lisa Horcher, and Otto, can be reached at (847) 713-5011.
