As seen in Builder/Architect (Connecticut Edition) Four Square Builders, Inc. HBA Award-Winning Custom Builders Building Dreams…One House at a Time Four Square Builders' attention to detail gives every project they do an intriguing and unique style that lets you know immediately they "have an eye" to do the job to the "proper scale." Being known for their architectural detail and superb craftsmanship has earned them a reputation for excellence and exemplary ethics through the construction community. Known for paying attention to detail and producing quality construction, architects and clients award Four Square Builders, Inc. substantial projects because they appreciate their in-depth knowledge of construction, their hands-on, organized building methods, and the degree of detail Neal and Steven provide for their clients. Four Square Builders has successfully built award-winning homes for some of Connecticut's most discriminating people. The careful attention that each detail, large and small, receives means long workdays and busy schedules for these brothers, as well as one very important by product - satisfied clients who keep coming back. Four Square Builders was started in 1986 when Neal and Steven purchased several multifamily houses for remodeling in Bridgeport, CT. This successful venture was just the beginning. Enthused about the prospect of expanding their portfolio to include home building, Neal and Steven took an interesting approach to hone their skills - they hired a general contractor to build a home from the ground up and to teach them the construction business. "We paid him to do the work while we learned," Neal said. Like most successful builders, Four Square Builders emphasizes team-work as the key to their success, from client relations to design to construction. Neal and Steven, have always enjoyed a close personal relationship, bringing a unique blend of talent, skill and efficiency to their work. "One of our strengths is communication," Neal said. Steven works in the field every day, ensuring the plans that he and Neal so carefully created are precisely implemented. Neal works with the customer and handles the contract administration, job costing, construction management, presentation package, paperwork and most phone calls. "Neal excels in dealing with the customer. He has excellent interpersonal skills and goes out of his way to please the customer, even at his own expense. Steven's talent is exhibited in the day-to-day supervision. Steven supervises the subcontractors to ensure all work is performed to the customers' satisfaction. The two brothers make an excellent team." "Neal is very analytical and invests a substantial amount of time in developing the specification. He believes in thinking through every little detail, so the customer knows the product that is being built, and the precise cost." "Neal and Steven made my project almost free from stress by only contacting me when they needed a decision from me. All problems were handled by them, without my involvement. Building my house was a fun project for all of us!" - Susan G. Moody Knowing that the functionality and comfort of the home revolve around the HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, Steven and Neal insist on using state-of-the-art equipment and materials for their homes. All of the homes utilize multiple zones for heating and cooling. They use cast-iron boilers and CPVC for domestic water lines most of the time. A significant amount of time is involved in making sure the electro-mechanical systems exceed state and local requirements. Their homes are also properly humidified. Each air handler on their hydro-air systems utilizes individual humidifiers to ensure proper and even humidification throughout the house regardless of size. Many of their award-winning home projects are very challenging. Surrounded by wetlands, live streams and large areas of rock, they have the ability to fit homes on the lots to satisfy the towns and clients. Careful environmental engineering is required to meet all of the towns' strict requirements for development. "The Berkos will not cut corners." - Alan Shepard, Nowakowski, O'Bymachow, Kane & Associates. With a discerning eye for detail, a nearly obsessive drive for perfection, and a heartfelt dedication to pleasing the client, this team continues in the tradition of its long and distinguished history. Enjoying the excellence of the company's reputation, they are able to choose projects carefully. "We interview the people who come to us as much as they interview us," Neal said. "From a 2,200-square-foot cape to over $1 M, if the client feels we're the right ones and we feel that they're the right ones, we take the job. Our interest is in giving our very best - design, materials, workmanship…even little things like daily cleanup of the site. Our goal is to build every house with an award-winning mentality, regardless of size." Their award-winning mentality has brought Four Square Builders several notable accolades: Best Custom Home Under 3,000 Square Feet, Best House of the Year (3,000- to 4,000-square-foot category); Best 8,000-Square-Foot Custom House; and Best $1 Million Speculative Home. An additional honor for the year 2002 has been bestowed on Neal Berko by the HBRA of Fairfield, CT: the "Builder of the Year" award. This award was earned for his hours of dedication to the HBA and the building industry. "As you know, we are not strangers to this business of building a home. Never before, however, has the experience been so pleasant, so comfortable and so rewarding. From clearing the land to the November award dinner honoring you for creating the House of the Year, there was never an argument, never a cross word, never a thought but that we were treated with the utmost respect and friendliness by you and everyone on the job. We came away from the experience with very warm feelings of respect not only for both of you, but for the exceptional quality of workmanship exhibited by every last one of your subs." - P. Hurley Bogardus, Jr. Outside of Bridgeport, homes built by Four Square Builders can be found in Westport, Weston, Wilton, Ridgefield, Bridgewater and Pawling, NY State. One of their current projects is a 4,400-square-foot antique reproduction that mirrors the horse farm properties that Pawling is famous for. "We had a great experience working with New York State. Our goal was to stay within the community history and state and town guidelines," Neal said. This unique and elegant home is on the market for $1.5 Million. In the estate area of Quaker Hill, the home will feature extensive copper molding, built-ins, antique brick chimneys and fireplaces with custom mantels, vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, radiant-heat floors in the master bath, granite and marble, and state-of-the-art-appliances. Four Square's meticulous attention to detail and providing the best craftsmanship give them the confidence to stand behind their work long after the construction is completed. "After a house is built, the customers just need to call us and we'll take care of anything reasonable. We don't give a definitive period of warranty. And because we take care of all the details and keep the customer involved, we really have no callbacks," Neal explained. "Our house has lived up to your billing and was worth the wait. Both you and Steven can be very proud of your product. It is the best available for your dollar, and that is good business. Your service was also excellent. You skillfully guided us through all the blind alleys and gray areas to make building a fun and positive experience. The communication channels were always open, receptive, and helpful. The 'subs' you used were excellent as well." "Your pursuit of the newest technology and building techniques make your product lie on the cutting edge of excellence." - Ronald Kopcik "Building our home with you was a very enjoyable and problem-free experience for us. We have already given your name to several of our friends and work associates, and we would be glad to recommend you to anyone." "As residents of Newtown, we appreciate the fact that both of you live in the community and that you continue to care about and support local issues. We will always refer to you as our builder, but now we consider you our neighbor." - Rick and Tammy Nelson "Most people complain about not getting in touch with their builders. We spent every morning between 6:30 and 7 a.m. talking. This made the whole job go smoothly." - Alan Dinho As active members of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association (HBRA), Neal and Steven value interaction with their peers. "We take our HBRA of Fairfield County very seriously. The organization consists of a tremendous number of upscale-quality builders and associates," said Neal, who is the President. "The networking is phenomenal. The main reason I enjoy working on the HBA is that we can talk about issues that are not personal but rather industry-specific. We're trying to make our industry better for all of us by working with the State Task Force, Government Affairs and the Legislative committees. B/A is proud to feature Four Square Builders, Inc. Your attention to architectural details…knowledge of construction techniques and methods, boundless energy and enthusiasm…workmanship and execution are of the highest caliber. You have earned the respect of all who work with you - architects, craftsmen, and clients alike. For more information about the awarding-winning homes of Four Square Builders, Inc., contact Neal Berko at 44 Great Ring Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482, or (203)270-8610. << back to News