- Back to Articles

Renovation Is Both Art, Craft at Wills Co.
By Andrea Fanta
 
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Abbott and Costello. These legendary duos showed us that two really might be better than one.

Now, meet Wills and Harmer.

This team is applying the power of two at their general contracting operation, The Wills Company, in Nashville. From their Charlotte Avenue office, they are, as their business motto reads, “redefining renovation.”
Ridley Wills, born in Nashville, graduated from the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture. He’s the design man.

Wendell Harmer, also a Music City native, joined Wills almost 10 years ago after studying organizational development at Vanderbilt University. He’s the do-it man.

“We definitely complement each other. That’s why we’ve stayed together so long,” Harmer said. Wills sees to the creative portion of the renovation process, and Harmer takes cares of the logistics needed to realize that vision.

“What Wendell brings is management,” his partner said. “I bring an eye.”

Both men credited their success to the team routine they seem to have perfected — indeed, during an interview about their work; they finished each other’s sentences.

But besides this chemistry, what may really set the company apart is the rare service it provides to Nashville homeowners looking to renovate.

As general contracting workers, Wills, Harmer and his staff can do everything from adding a side porch to renovating a bathroom. Even atypical projects can find a home here; recently they turned Harmer’s old doghouse into a gothic canine home for a Humane Society fundraiser.

But their real specialty lies in historic preservation — that is, making changes and additions that look like they came with the house.

“You have to make it look like the house was never touched,” Wills said. For example, when working with a West End homeowner, Wills’ designs had to meet Metro Historic Commission standards.

“They (the homeowners) had two children and were living with them on the same floor with no guest room. It was tight,” Harmer said. Their challenge: knock the roof out; expand the attic to include a bedroom, kitchenette and connecting staircase and do it so the house’s front look unchanged.

That mission may sound a bit overwhelming, but projects like those seem to energize Harmer and Wills. In fact, the pair has begun translating their passion for quality home renovation into a renovation-for-dummies sort of manual that homeowners can use to ensure the work they pay for will last.

Some examples: to prevent new cabinets from warping, install a piece of solid blocking between the faceplate and the cabinet’s rear. For a better-looking marble countertop, consumers should choose a solid color marble over a streaked pattern.

Ultimately, this dedication to a person’s home — which is perhaps society’s most intimate setting — is what fuels the company, both men said.

“Sept. 11 has brought people back to their homes,” Wills said. “They want to make sure it’s right.”

The Wills Company
352-1228
6949 Charlotte Pike

Back to Top