Fast Facts about Lensis Builders and Lensis Kitchen & Bath Solutions:

• Richard Lensis is a registered Class A Building contractor, the highest level licensing available for contractors in Virginia.
• We are a certified member of the National Association for the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
• We are a certified member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)
• We are a certified member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC)
• We belong to the Greater Manassas Prince William County Chamber of Commerce
• We are a member of the Better Business Bureau

 

Lensis Builders celebrates 15 years in business in 2010!
Voted Best Builder in Prince William County for 2009 DC Metro COTY award winner in 2009 and 2008

 

Lensis Builders Inc. is proud to have the following certified professionals on staff:

Richard Lensis, President — CKD (Certified Kitchen Designer) and CBD (Certified Bath Designer) with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), CR (Certified Remodeler) with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and LEED Green Associate with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Richard incorporated Lensis Builders in 1995.

Laura Taylor, Operations Manager — AKBD (Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer) with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), and CKBR (Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler) with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Laura also earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Labor Economics from the University of Akron, 1990. She joined the Lensis team in 2004.

Stacy Lensis, Account Manager and Kitchen & Bath Designer — AKBD (Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer). Stacy also earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design from Radford University in 1990. Stacy joined the Lensis team in 2002.

Jeff Moore, Lead Carpenter — CLC (Certified Lead Carpenter) with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Jeff has over 30 years of experience in residential construction, and joined the Lensis team in 2001.

Jon Waters, Lead Carpenter — CLC (Certified Lead Carpenter) with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Jon has over 30 years of experience in residential construction, and joined the Lensis team in 2005.

 

What are NKBA certifications?

What are NARI certifications?

What does LEED mean?

 

 

 

What do these certifications mean, and why should I hire a firm with certified NKBA designers?

Learn more from the NKBA website.

Why hire a Certified Designer for my Kitchen & Bath projects?

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most essential rooms in a home. You want them to be comfortable, functional, beautiful and safe. You also want them to reflect your individual style and taste. Designing a kitchen or bath to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing takes highly specialized skills and knowledge. That's why working with an NKBA-Certified Designer is invaluable.

NKBA Certification

The premiere hallmark for kitchen and bath professionals, NKBA Certification is based on proctored examinations and extensive industry experience. NKBA Certified Designers must also meet annual continuing education requirements annually.

The NKBA certifies kitchen and bath design professionals in various stages of expertise:

AKBDŽ Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer

• Minimum 2 years industry experience
• 30 NKBA Education hours
• 2 professional affidavits

CKDŽ or CBDŽ Certified Kitchen Designer or Certified Bath Designer

• 7 years industry experience
• 60 NKBA Education hours
• 2 affidavits, 2 client references

Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler (CKBR)

NARI Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodelers (CKBRs) provide remodeling services specific to kitchens and bathrooms. To become a CKBR, candidates must possess skills and knowledge focused on the requirement of materials, layout, and installation of kitchens and bathrooms.

To qualify for the CKBR designation, applicants must meet all of the following:

• Be employed by or own a firm engaged in remodeling kitchens and bathrooms
• Adhere to NARI's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
• Have a minimum of five years continuous experience in the remodeling industry
• Have completed 4 kitchens and/or bathrooms per year
• Completed 16 hours of continuing education
• Successfully completed a comprehensive application that details their background and experience
• Successfully complete a one-day written examination on business, construction, and remodeling practices related to kitchen and bathrooms
• Submit all required application materials and fees

Selecting a Designer

Choosing a design professional can be a difficult decision. By selecting an NKBA Certified Designer, you will be working with a professional who:

• Has demonstrated comprehensive knowledge in kitchen and bath design, as well as construction, mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems
• Adheres to a strict Code of Professional Conduct
• Is an expert in the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines & Access Standards, which recognize the importance of consumer health, safety and welfare in kitchen and bath design
• Is a member of the NKBA, a professional organization that provides them with the training and tools needed to succeed
• Is skilled at assessing consumers' individual needs and wants and creating designs that meet and exceed these requirements
• Remains current on local building codes, safety and environmental regulations and the wealth of new products and equipment on the market

The Design Process

When selecting a design professional:

• Ask for references and visit their showroom or store, if possible.
• Involve the entire family in the process and discuss any special needs.
• Pick the designer that satisfies your taste and style most. You should not be persuaded to do anything you don't like or that doesn't fit your budget.
• Trust an NKBA Certified Designer to help make your dream kitchen or bath a reality.

 

Why hire a NARI certified professional?

Learn more from the NARI website.

Only full-time, professional remodeling contractors are eligible for certification by NARI. You can be assured that any time you hire a NARI certified remodeling contractor, you are hiring an individual who has made a strong commitment to the professionalism of the remodeling industry and to his or her business. And because remodelers are not eligible for certification until they have been actively involved in the remodeling industry for at least five years, you know that the NARI certified remodeling professional you hire has had a number of years to develop the experience and skills that can only be gained through extensive hands-on practice.

Certified Remodeler (CR)

NARI Certified Remodelers (CRs) are professional remodelers who provide a full range of remodeling services. To become a CR, candidates must possess skill and knowledge in a broad range of business management and technical skill areas.

To qualify for the CR designation, applicants must meet all of the following:

• Be employed by or own a firm that derives at least 90% of its sales volume through remodeling work
• Adhere to NARI's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
• Have a minimum of five years continuous experience in the remodeling industry
• Completed 16 hours of continuing education
• Successfully completed a comprehensive application that details their background and experience
• Successfully complete a one-day written examination addressing 20 knowledge areas related to general remodeling practices and business

 

LEED Green Building Certification System

What is LEED?

LEED is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000 through a consensus based process, LEED serves as a tool for buildings of all types and sizes. LEED certification offers third party validation of a project's green features and verifies that the building is operating exactly the way it was designed to.

What types of buildings can use LEED?

LEED certification is available for all building types including new construction and major renovation; existing buildings; commercial interiors; core and shell; schools and homes. LEED systems for neighborhood development, retail and healthcare are currently pilot testing. To date, there is over 4.5 billion square feet of construction space involved with the LEED system.

How does LEED work?

LEED is a point based system where building projects earn LEED points for satisfying specific green building criteria. Within each of the seven LEED credit categories, projects must satisfy particular prerequisites and earn points.

The five categories include Sustainable Sites (SS), Water Efficiency (WE), Energy and Atmosphere (EA), Materials and Resources (MR) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). An additional category, Innovation in Design (ID), addresses sustainable building expertise as well as design measures not covered under the five environmental categories. The number of points the project earns determines the level of LEED Certification the project receives.