HGTV’s Property Brothers, Jonathan and Drew Scott, have nothing on Larry Stempel.
Much like the Scotts, who help couples find, buy and transform fixer-uppers into their ideal homes, Stempel uses state-of-the-art computer aided design (CAD) programs to help his clients realize their dreams.
“People are always talking about what they see on HGTV,” Stempel said. “That’s what I do. You can see it before you build it.”
Stempel founded Conceptual CAD, based in Marlborough Township, back in 2010. With a background in both commercial arts and engineering, he started out on a survey crew. He later worked his way up from a CAD draftsman for a Worcester firm to a CAD manager for a Pottstown firm before stepping out on his own.
Conceptual CAD offers planning, drafting and design services, with more than 25 years in the industry. Services include property and ordinance research, code compliance checks and building permit plans, to name a few.
But what makes the firm unique is not only Stempel’s passion for his work, but his ability to help his clients envision what their project will look like from the ground up before construction has even commenced.
He uses AutoCAD®, Chief Architect® and Adobe Photoshop® programs to design 3D models and virtual photos to show the smallest of details for the projects, which can include homes, additions, pools, decks, garages hardscape and landscaping.
“People get to see the project in 3D and that’s what they want,” Stempel said. “Sometimes they want to change things from their original plans so they really get what they are looking for.”
Stempel said he loves the residential projects but still does light commercial work, such as that which he did for Candlewyck Restaurant and Bar and the New Britain Inn.
He is currently working on several assignments, including designing custom homes, a finished basement, an addition and wrap-around porch for a Harleysville residence; a house restoration in Whitehall; and banquet facilities both locally and in the Lehigh Valley.
Stempel has been in high demand since last year, making him well-versed in area ordinances, he said. He attributes his popularity to the scope of his services, his creativity and pricing.
“One of the big draws is that it is cost-effective,” he said. “I charge hourly when most architects and design professionals charge about 10 percent of the total project. My costs usually end up being about 2 percent.”
His customers say they couldn’t be more pleased with his work.
“Sometimes you work with a vendor only to realize it’s like reinventing the wheel. That wasn’t the case with Larry,” said Laurin Fegley of Palm via a testimonial. “We spoke the same language and when he made revisions they were slight, not drastic, and we were able to produce a great finished product in a very short window of time, cost effectively! I’d gladly and confidently recommend Larry’s work to anyone.”
Stempel recently won Chief Architect’s 2012 Custom Pool Design Contest and 2013 Custom Garage Design Contest.
For more information on Conceptual CAD or a free consultation, visit www.conceptualcad.com, or call (215)896-3960.