Chances are you’ve seen their logo on one of the many, many construction projects happening around Columbus, and it’s no wonder with their business doubling year over year since its founding in 2012.
“When we started [Compton Construction] it was two full-time and two part-time employees,” says company President Blake Compton. “At the beginning of 2015 we are at 14 employees.”
With a strong base of referrals and repeat clients, the construction company hopes to add another two to four employees by the end of the year, and potentially triple instead of “just” double their business.
Compton Construction has taken on projects like the Columbus Idea Foundry, Land-Grant Brewing, Lineage Brewing, Glass Axis and Hot Chicken Takeover at North Market.
“There’s three main styles of service that we provide,” Compton says. “One is construction management. [We] basically coordinate all of the construction process through subcontractors.” That means managing the schedule, subcontractors and the permitting process while working with design professionals to produce construction documents.
They also offer design-build services.
“We help steer the design to meet the budget,” Compton says. Through their carefully curated network, “We bring the architect and engineer that we feels best fits the project.”
The company rounds out their services with space planning and design. That encompasses small projects like adding a conference room, expanding or adding an office in an existing space, or putting in a patio.
Many of the company’s projects focus on the urban core area in and around 270 and specifically Franklinton.
“We do try to focus on certain industries,” Compton adds. They’ve found a niche with breweries, restaurants, business in the non-profit sector and branding agencies.
Their construction specialty so far has been adaptive reuse (substantially converting a building to a different use) and interior renovation.
“We’re really proud to do our first new build,” Compton says. The first build from the ground up will be a medical office in Dublin. Also on the docket for Compton Construction are phase two of the Idea Foundry, the Mikey’s Late Night Slice expansion, Modo Yoga, Land-Grant’s patio and Cafe Brioso on Long Street.
Besides ultimately leaving clients with great, functional spaces, “In some senses, we’re an extended marketing arm for our clients,” Compton says. They will help businesses tell their story through the construction process on social media and other outlets. They’ll also consult on things like space planning, working through permitting and zoning issues, securing bank loans and getting crowdfunding campaigns funded. Compton says he’s found a lot of clients through Kickstarter, finding it a good outlet to build relationships and support the community.
Two of his favorite projects are the Idea Foundry and Land-Grant, largely because of the affect and value to the community that’s building in Franklinton. As a company, Compton Construction is heavily involved in the community, supporting efforts like Wild Goose Creative, the Women’s Fund and the Harmony Project.
“We always say we would rather be involved with someone than just give them money,” Compton says.
For more information, visit comptonllc.com.
Photo credits: Cory Klein – Lineage Brewing, Bank Street, The Carvery; Matthew Carbone – Land-Grant Brewing
