“When they poured the foundation,” Michelle remembered, “we stood outside and prayed over it — that this would be the place where our family grows, where the foundation would be strong. And it has been, in every way.”

From a friendship formed at church to a home built on faith, the Bittick Family Story is one of trust, craftsmanship, and care that endures long after the final nail is set.

Where It Started

For some families, finding the right builder begins with a phone call. For Joel and Michelle Bittick, it began in a Sunday school class.

They met Mike and Cindy Garabedian through their church nearly two decades ago — long before they ever broke ground.  

“We’d known Mike for years,” Michelle said. “We were friends before we were clients. I always knew I wanted him to build our home — it was just a matter of timing.”

When Mike began building in a neighborhood close to their children’s schools and the rhythms of their daily life, everything fell into place. “It was the easiest decision we ever made,” Michelle laughed. “It just made sense.”

Built by Friendship, Grounded in Trust

Building with a close friend might intimidate some — but not the Bitticks.  

“There wasn’t any fear,” Joel said. “Mike approached the entire process the way a friend would — respectfully, diligently, and honestly.”

Even with the natural stresses of building a home — budgets, schedules, expectations — the experience exceeded what they imagined.  

“Mike was always two steps ahead,” Michelle added. “If I saw something on site and called him, he’d already be fixing it.”

They watched their home take shape, room by room. “From the foundation pour to the final walkthrough, he was present. He wasn’t just overseeing a project; he was stewarding a relationship.”

Designing for Family and Function

With four daughters, the Bitticks knew their home had to balance beauty with practicality. “We wanted a space that worked for our family — bedrooms for each of our girls, a guest suite for parents if they ever needed to move in, and a game room upstairs for the years ahead,” Michelle explained.

She’d spent years collecting ideas in a scrapbook before the design phase even began. “I had this vision,” she said. “Mike and the architect brought it to life — and made it better than we imagined.”

Mike refined every detail, making sure each space fit the family’s daily life. “He added thoughtful storage in every nook and corner,” Joel said.  

Outside, he designed a covered patio complete with a TV and seating area. Nothing beats their living room — a space that became THE place to be for friends and family alike. “It’s where we spend most of our time,” Michelle said. “Whether we’re playing games, hosting holidays, or just unwinding, this space feels like us.”

More Than a Home — A Haven

The Bitticks moved in just one week before Thanksgiving — and hosted the holiday that same month. “It sounds crazy,” Michelle said, smiling, “but it was perfect. It felt like a dream come true.”

For their family, the home quickly became more than a place to live — it became a vessel for connection.  

“This house doesn’t terminate on us,” Joel said. “It’s a gift we get to share. We wanted it to be a haven — for our family, our friends, and anyone who walks through the door.”

Their daughters’ friends grew up spending weekends here, and now, as adults, the Bitticks hope to welcome their future grandchildren into the same space.  

“Every one of our girls still has her room,” Michelle said. “We’ve updated them, but they’re waiting — ready for the next generation.”

Integrity That Lasts Beyond the Build

Even after the home was built, Mike’s commitment never wavered. When a plumbing issue surfaced after move-in, the Bitticks called him for advice.  

“He didn’t hesitate,” Joel recalled. “He said, ‘This was on us — and we’ll make it right.’” That moment, they said, solidified what they already knew.  “He’s not just a builder,” Michelle said. “He’s the kind of person who stands behind his work.”

Seventeen years, four daughters, and countless memories later, theo home still feels like new. “Mike’s workmanship, his integrity — it’s the best of the best,” Joel said. “We’d recommend him to anyone. Honestly, we already have!”

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