George Cleary, a native of Columbus, Ohio and 1984 graduate of Bishop Watterson High School, founded The Cleary Company in April 1994. With $10,000, a computer, a truck, some tools along with his buddies as labor, he used his experience in remodeling sales and his reputation in the community to secure jobs as a general contractor.
“The thing I love most is being part of the emotion of a remodeling project. Translating a customer’s vision into a design and then building their dream is the best part of what we do. This coupled with working with great friends makes what I do so rewarding.”
George’s Top 4 Favorite Client & Projects
“When I was asked to list my favorite projects, I found it was very hard. They are weaved in relationships more so than projects. I cherish that I have lifelong friendships with so many of the clients who hire our Team!”
Number 1, of course, is his first client! “Luke and Gail were confident enough to trust me with not only The Cleary Company’s very first job but a project that in today’s dollars would cost $150K+ to build.” They eventually sold that home in Upper Arlington, Ohio but guess who they called to remodel their next home and most recently again for their retirement home in Westerville, Ohio? George! Read more about their projects and George’s relationship with them on our blog.
Second, of his favorites is another longtime client, whose home we’re currently working on, is Georgeann in Bexley, Ohio. “She reminds me of my mom, always smiling and doing whatever she can to make you comfortable.” Starting with new windows in 2006, The Cleary Company has completed over 6 remodeling projects in her home and currently are designing another! Click here to see the 3 bathrooms we remodeled for her in 2014. To view her 2011 kitchen remodel click here.
“Another favorite is the custom home we built for Kate, a dear friend of my wife Cathy and my family.” After months of design, development and estimating for an extensive addition and whole remodel to a modest ranch in Upper Arlington, OH, we all came to the same conclusion. The better value for her project was to tear down the entire house and rebuild the foundation. Building a new foundation allowed us to better position the home on the lot as well as create a new dry basement with taller ceilings. Fun Fact ~ Project Manager Rob Lindeboom was the previous owner and sold this home to Kate years before she hired The Cleary Company. Read more about this project on our blog!
Although he could go on to list many more George’s final favorite clients are Julie & Garth. The Cleary Company has completed 7 projects for them over the last 10 years! In 2011 they started with updating the millwork and doors, then came the kitchen, 2 bathrooms, a basement and a new sunroom. Tour their 1st-floor addition in this video. The addition included enlarging the sunroom plus building a new master suite, laundry room and mudroom. This project will allow them to age-in-place in their beloved home. “I see them several days a week at the gym and they remind me how they love their home. You can’t get better than that!” Fun Fact ~ George was the altar boy at their wedding when he was in middle school!
George attributes his success to his honesty, integrity and his ability to build such a wonderful team. He’s happy to be part of enhancing properties in the neighborhoods where he lives and works. To learn more about George read our blog!