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Sisters, Oregon
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The contents of the on-line edition of The Nugget represent a selection among the stories that appear in the weekly print edition.

Laredo Construction honored for work
By Jim Cornelius

Guy Lauziere (left), Doug Hull and Carla and Bruce Merrell of Laredo Construction take pride in a job well done.

Laredo Construction's commitment to top-quality work and complete customer satisfaction has paid off in the winning of back-to-back Chrysalis Awards, a national remodeling industry award.

The Sisters company won a 2002 Chrysalis for "Best Detached Outbuilding over $100,000" for a poolhouse built at a Sisters area home.

Last year, Laredo won for "Best Exterior Face-lift."

The awards are a reflection of owners Bruce and Carla Merrell's commitment to getting the job done right.

"Anyone can just nail boards together," Bruce said. "We're very concerned with delivering what (clients) want."

Delivering what the client wanted in the poolhouse project was especially challenging.

The large room has a cathedral ceiling, which required some creative engineering on the support timbers. And the client wanted a log cabin built into the loft as a functional touch of whimsy.

On top of all that, the project had to walk a fine line to stay within code restrictions on second dwellings on a property -- and Laredo made sure it did.

Those challenges and Laredo's solutions were what made the project an award-winner.

The Merrells, along with staff Guy Lauziere and Doug Hull, acknowledge that their work requires at least as much skill in working with people as it does skill in construction.

"When you hire a contractor, it's kind of like getting married -- you're in a long-term relationship," Bruce said.

Many of Laredo's clients live outside the Sisters area and are building or remodeling second homes or are building their retirement place in the Sisters country.

Digital photography and e-mail help Laredo keep clients updated on a regular basis on the progress of their project.

According to the Merrells their work is about evenly divided between remodel work and new construction. While they build many large projects, they also do decks and patios and insurance repair work.

"We'll take care of anybody who is looking for a job well done," said Bruce.

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