Contractor Profile: Syracuse Modern Builders (SMB)

Company Name: Syracuse Modern Builders, LLC

Headquarters: North Syracuse, NY

Established: 1998

Ownership: Local, family-owned business

Company Overview

Syracuse Modern Builders (SMB) is a full-service general contracting firm specializing in commercial renovations. For over 25 years, we have focused on updating public spaces in Central New York. Our team consists of 45 full-time employees, including specialized carpenters, licensed electricians, and project managers who live and work in the Syracuse area.

Experience with Educational Facilities

SMB has a long history of working with school districts and higher education institutions. We understand that schools operate on strict academic calendars.

• Onondaga County School Districts: Completed hallway and locker room accessibility upgrades for three local high schools.
• SUNY Upstate Medical University: Renovated three lecture halls to include updated audio-visual tiered seating.
• Syracuse University: Handled a “refresh” project for a satellite office building, replacing flooring and paint in 20 administrative suites.

Credentials and Licensures

• Licensed & Insured: Fully licensed to operate in the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County.
• Lead-Safe Certified: Certified by the EPA to handle older buildings that may contain lead-based paints (common in older campus structures).
• ADA Specialists: Two of our lead project managers are certified in Universal Design, ensuring all renovations meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for wheelchair access and navigation.
• Green Building: Members of the U.S. Green Building Council; we prioritize “low-VOC” materials that don’t leave harsh chemical smells behind.

Capacity for Summer Timelines

To meet the “summer crunch,” SMB uses a “Double-Shift Model.” During June and July, we employ two separate crews:

• Day Crew (7:00 AM – 3:30 PM): Handles heavy construction, demolition, and carpentry.
• Evening Crew (4:00 PM – Midnight): Handles painting, floor finishing, and technology installation.
• Local Supply Chain: We maintain a 10,000-square-foot warehouse in Liverpool, NY. This allows us to buy all materials (like whiteboards and flooring) in April and store them locally, so we never have to wait for a delivery during the project.

Sample Project Plan: “The Westside Academy Project” (2024)

This was a previous project where SMB had to renovate 30 classrooms in 60 days.

• Week 1-2: Demolition & Prep. Removed old chalkboards and fixed wooden desks. Patched walls and updated electrical outlets for new tech.
• Week 3-4: The “Shell” Phase. Applied two coats of eco-friendly paint. Installed slip-resistant floor tiles.
• Week 5-6: Installation. Mounted new whiteboards and interactive screens. Delivered and assembled 900 pieces of movable furniture.
• Week 7: Inspection & Cleaning. Conducted a walkthrough with the school principal and a professional cleaning crew to remove all construction dust.
• Week 8: Final Sign-off. Project delivered 4 days ahead of schedule.