Meet Our Southlake Owners
When we asked Ernie and Sheila McAnally why they picked up the phone and called Mike Garabedian — twice — their answer was:
“You can trust him to always do the right thing.”
That statement spoke to character. Our Owners met Mike through civic organizations, coaching soccer, and years of shared community involvement. In their words:
“That speaks to the quality of the man, not just the home builder… he’s a very quality individual.”
When trauma hit their home — twice — the trust they had for Mike and Garabedian Properties became the reason they called.
A Builder’s Expertise: Knowing What You Cannot Yet See
The first incident was sudden and severe. Sheila told us Ernie had called her, saying:
“There’s water floating through here… shoes and stuff were floating with it.”
A broken toilet had been running for hours, and no one had discovered it. By the time someone had seen it, significant water had moved through the home. Ernie recalls our response to his call:
“It was like the Marines hit.”
Crews arrived immediately and began drying the floors, cutting the sheetrock where it needed to be removed, and the situation was contained quickly. Expertise is not just about speed — it is also about foresight.
During the second renovation, after a pipe ruptured during Snowmageddon, Mike delivered difficult news:
“The good news is we’ve stopped the water coming in… the bad news is it’s done a lot of damage… and the worst bad news is you’ve got damage coming that you haven’t seen yet.”
At the time, the damage appeared limited. Our Owners had thought they had gotten it before the damage was that bad. Later, wood floors began buckling 25–30 feet away from the original rupture.
“Again, his expertise showed up. He knew what he was talking about. He was right.”
That is what experience looks like — not reacting to what is visible in the immediate aftermath, but anticipating what is coming.
Listening First: Protecting the Integrity of the Home
Speed matters during water damage, but so does preservation. The McAnally’s were clear about one thing:
“We wanted to maintain the integrity and the appearance that the house had. We wanted it to be consistent.”
They did not want a patched house; they wanted continuity. This home renovation, one that happened from a traumatic weather event, was unanticipated. Therefore, it was important for our Owners that their house look as if it did when they first built it.
“Mike heard that, and he protected that… at the same time made some suggestions. We were able to protect the continuity of allowing the house to continue to look like it was all done at one time… but at the same time, some subtle upgrades that didn’t change the character of the house.”
Two Renovations. One Standard.
The first renovation stemmed from plumbing failure. The second from a ruptured pipe during extended winter power outages. In both cases, the process was structured, thorough, and transparent.
“They were very good at explaining, okay, this is what we put down. This is when the next stage takes place.”
Daily communication mattered.
“He checked with us daily. How did we do today? Where are we at? What do you need?”
Even during tear-out — the most unsettling phase of restoration — trust remained intact.
The Garabedian Team: Precision Without Corner Cutting
Major portions of both renovations involved replacing and matching wood floors — one of the most technically demanding aspects of restoration.
“The crews are just unbelievably talented… they matched it to perfection.”
At that time, we had to match other stain colors of the home, and we did. Twice, we had to redo the wood floors of our Owners home, and each time, we were able to match it.
“Across the board, they’re all very good at what they do… there’s not any corner cutting. It’s done and it’s done right.”
That standard flows from leadership at the top.
Working With Insurance: Advocacy Matters
Insurance companies often begin with baseline assumptions about grade and quality, but custom homes are not baseline. As Sheila explained:
“Insurance companies don’t start out at that grade… they make more basic assumptions.”
Mike met adjusters onsite. He advocated, documented, and explained the situation in a way our Owners could not have articulated themselves.
“He works very well with insurance companies… probably one of the most effective people I’ve ever seen work with the insurance company. He always keeps everything level but firm.”
Owners should not have to explain construction grade, material standards, or replacement equivalency alone. That advocacy protects both quality and investment of the project.
What Owners Should Expect
Every insurance-related renovation is different. However, Owners should plan for approximately 120 days from appraisal through completed restoration, depending on:
- Scope of hidden damage
- Material availability
- Insurance review and approval timelines
- Structural or mechanical systems located within the affected area
The key is patience and proper sequencing.
When you choose the right builder, you are not simply hiring someone to repair damage. You are choosing someone who will:
- Act quickly
- Listen carefully
- Advocate firmly
- Restore correctly
- Protect the integrity of your home
When we asked our Owners why they instinctively called Mike the second time, the answer was immediate:
“Because he’s earned the right based on the trust that he’s built up from previous projects.”
Perhaps the most meaningful statement of all:
“My dad was a home builder, and he always told me to look for two things — look at the quality of individual in charge, and someone who is trustworthy. If you can’t trust them, you’re never going to get through the project, and you’re never going to get the home. I think my dad would have loved Mike, because he lived up to all of that.”
Though we did not build our Owner’s home, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve them during a time of crisis. Have you experienced a traumatic weather event and need assistance in repairing your home? Our team would like to help.
📲 Call us anytime at: 817.748.2669
