“Daum’s eye for detail provides PSW clients with lasting value”

Carpentry, one of the world’s oldest professions, is a skilled trade. In the Pittsburgh area, there are few carpenters with the skills of Scott Daum and his team at Daum Contracting. As a second-generation carpenter, Daum has been developing his skills since he started working with his dad at the age of 12.

Daum started his professional career as a subcontractor for new home builders. By the age of 26, he had started his own company building custom spec homes. In 2012, he saw significant potential in the niche market of custom home remodeling. That’s when he partnered with PSW.

Daum states that the partnership is perfect for him. “PSW is able to focus on the preparation and organization of the project. As a partner, I am able to provide advice and feedback, but my primary focus is quality craftsmanship.” PSW has been working with Daum for over 10 years. “We trust Scott as our primary carpentry specialist because his level of skill is equally matched by his integrity, which has never wavered.” said Jeff Blunkosky, CEO of PSW.

To date, carpentry has often been a smaller percentage of a full PSW project. Custom pools, spas, and paver patios tend to be the client’s focus in a backyard remodel. Pool houses, patio roofs, and decks, while equally important to the overall value of a project, are often secondary in a client’s mind.

That all changed when PSW added Kortney Zoelle to create PSW's interior division. “The key to any interior remodel project is to rely on the experience of our specialists for each area of the project.” Zoelle said. Daum is an industry expert that is not afraid to provide PSW his opinions when needed. “He uses his experience to educate us and make us better.”

“It all starts with a good plan”. Daum then quoted the famous quote by Benjamin Franklin; “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”. PSW and Daum know that 90% of the success of a project can be determined before any crews even show up on site. “The team at PSW does a great job designing and preparing for a project. The communication and collaboration before a project starts means I have the information to do my job to the highest level.”

Once on a project, there is more than meets the eye. Like an exterior project, there needs to be a solid foundation to work from. “The foundation is everything. Everything must be built on a solid structure. Cutting corners at any stage of a project will lead to additional time and costs and could lead to outright failures”. Utilizing the right materials is also a priority. “Better quality materials often cost more money. It’s a fact. And. it’s very easy to find a cheaper product online. Even if the less expensive product is the same in every way, the real value comes from the company that stands behind the product. If there are problems, and there are always a few, will that company stand behind their product?”

Rob Healy, project manager and designer for PSW, knows the importance of having strong team members like Daum. “Scott and his team have an impeccable eye for attention to detail. His knowledge and dedication to his craft makes him an invaluable asset to our trade partner network; that ensures that our clients get the highest level of quality!”