Category Archives: Construction Planning

By Paul Post

Hilltop Construction Company started out as a one man operation – Tom Albrecht Sr. and a pickup truck.

Today his son, Tom Jr.; daughter, April; and her husband, Dan Washburn, are leading the Queensbury-based firm into a second half-century of business, with thriving activity in both the residential and commercial sectors.

“We work with about eight different architects,” Albrect Jr. said. “They all tell me they have plenty of work, at least 12 months of work in front of them. That means there’s work we haven’t even touched yet on the construction side of things. So the outlook is very, very healthy.”

Hilltop is marking its 50 anniversary this year, with plans for an official celebration in August. The company is headquartered in a handsome new building at 21 Casey Road, just north of Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport.

 Tom Sr. and his wife, Cindy, founders of the company retired three years ago.

By Carol Ann Conover

In the heart of the Adirondack Park, where the rugged landscape demands as much resilience from its structures as its people, Adirondack Customs LLC has spent nearly two decades turning regional character into craftsmanship. Founded in 2007, the Riparius-based custom home builder has evolved from a hands-on startup into a multifaceted family venture that manages everything from timber frame construction to complex permitting. According to Jaki Rainsberger, who recently joined the team to support the company’s growing operations, the firm’s identity is inextricably linked to the land it builds upon. The company’s mission statement emphasizes their local roots, noting that they do not just work in the Adirondacks—they live there—and that this local knowledge shapes every structural decision.

The business operates as a true family venture under the umbrella of 6K Holdings, a name that represents the family members who keep the engine running. This structural synergy is further strengthened by their sister company, Bison Facilities Management Services (FMS). While Adirondack Customs focuses on the artistry and physical construction of regional homes, Bison FMS acts as a core strategic partner, allowing the family to offer a more comprehensive suite of services. Ken Stonitsch, a partner who has been with the company for 10 years, serves as the primary man on site for the construction side. Known for his old-school work ethic, Stonitsch handles the heavy lifting of estimating, drafting and subcontractor management, often utilizing Chief Architect software to bring client visions to life.

By Rod Bacon

The inclement weather much of the country  has experienced this winter has been challenging for building contractors but they are continuing to move their projects forward.

Middle Grove-based Munter Enterprises, Inc. is no exception.

“Our people are tough and they’re holding their own,” said Vice President Mike Munter. “We’ve skipped a few days of concrete work here and there because we didn’t want to open up more ground for it to freeze so we’ve been timing that work. It’s slowing us down a bit but not stopping us.”

The company is moving ahead on projects started last spring and summer as well as working on new ones.

 The steel is going up on Skyward Drive in the W.J. Grande Industrial Park for the 35,000-square-foot office/warehouse building for Ambrave Corp., a designer and manufacturer of advanced tactical gear for military special operations forces and law enforcement under the brand Direct Action and for outdoor enthusiasts under the brand Helikon-Tex.

By Christine Graf

Middle Grove-based Munter Enterprises, a construction and real estate development company that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, continues to experience high demand for their services. The family-owned business offers design-build and general contracting services to commercial and industrial clients, providing them with comprehensive guidance through all stages of construction.

“We’re seeing a lot of activity in terms of our manufacturing clients that are needing to expand and build. This is good news because that means more jobs, and these local manufacturing jobs are vitally important to keep our economy strong,” said Michael Munter, vice president of Munter Enterprises.

The company has numerous projects in the works including two at the WJ Grande Industrial Park in the City of Saratoga Springs. Within the park, they are constructing a 50,000-square-foot building for Soleno, a Canadian company that manufactures drainage pipe used for storm water management. For Soleno, it will be their first U.S. manufacturing facility. The company has announced that they will consider adding a 25,000-square-foot expansion to the building in the coming years if demand for their product continues to rise.

Their second industrial park project is a 30,000-square-foot expansion to a building Munter Enterprises originally designed and constructed for AgroChem in 2015. AgroChem produces advanced chemical solutions that help dairy farmer produce high-quality milk with maximum efficiency. 

Updated March 6, 2024

By Rod Bacon

When Tom and Cindy Albrecht founded Hilltop Construction in 1975, Tom was a one-man crew. Forty-nine years later the company boasts 36 skilled craftsmen and covers an area that stretches from Albany to Schroon Lake, New York.

After 46 years of hard work and dedication to the company and the community Tom and Cindy retired in 2021.

The company is now owned and operated by their daughter April Washburn, son Tom Albrecht Jr. and April’s Husband Dan Washburn .

“We’re in a unique region where the construction industry is doing really well,” said Dan Washburn, vice president of commercial operations. “We have found our niche and continue to grow each year.”

One reason for the company’s success, said Washburn, is that they have built up a loyal clientele that knows their projects will be done on time, on budget, and with quality workmanship.

The Design/Build firm does both residential and commercial projects. 

“Our projects are custom designed and built to fit the desire of each individual customer ” said Washburn

On the residential side the company specializes in extensive home renovations as well as custom built homes from Saratoga to Schroon Lake.

By Christine Graf

Queensbury-based Northern Mechanical Services has been providing HVAC services to residential and commercial customers throughout Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties since 1992. The company’s technicians and installers specialize in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, zoning, plumbing, and indoor air quality design

“We service and install HVAC and plumbing, but we focus more on HVAC,” said company vice president David Crear. “Two-thirds of our business is commercial, and the other third is residential.”

On the commercial side, the company tends to work on smaller projects for a diverse client base. In terms of residential work, they focus primarily on repairs and replacement, with new construction representing a very small percentage of their residential business.

While both commercial and residential business remain strong, Crear reports that residential consumers have reduced spending.

“We have seen a lot of interest in some of the clean heat programs– moving towards dual fuel which could be a heat pump with gas or propane. There’s been a lot of interest in those types of things, but overall, you can tell that people have pulled back from spending.

With a staff of 28 employees, Crear said the company has no plans for expansion

By Christine Graf

F. H. Alexander of Schaghticoke has been providing commercial construction, design/build, and commercial renovation services to customers throughout the Northeast since 1991. Last year was a busy one for the company, with crews working on projects in Ticonderoga, Moreau, Oneonta, Plattsburgh and beyond

In Moreau, they built an Alltown Fresh truck stop, one that opened just a few months ago. For F. H. Alexander, it was their third Alltown Fresh. The others are located in Schenectady and Livingston. 

The company also completed construction of a Hoffman Car Wash in Oneonta as well as a Dunkin Donuts in Plattsburgh. Construction of Paper and Pencil, a new restaurant in Ticonderoga, will wrap up after all of the kitchen equipment arrives. 

“We have absolutely nothing local going on at the moment,” said company president Frank Alessandrini. “We do have a small fitness center addition to the Marriott Fairfield at Exit 12 in Malta that’s coming up this spring. We also have a structural renovation project in Albany that’s also supposed to happen in the spring.”

Currently, F. H. Alexander has three Dunkin Donuts remodels underway in Plattsburgh. This summer, they will start construction of a new Dunkin Donuts in Malone, one that will include a restaurant, donut production facility, and retail rental space.

By Paul Post

This winter’s mild weather has been a hindrance for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. But it’s been a big help to contractors such as Hilltop Construction, which is handling a $4 million expansion and makeover of Drive Garvey’s Hyundai dealership on Dix Avenue in Queensbury.

The business, which includes selling Hyundai’s high-end Genesis vehicles, is nearly doubling in size. Also, the current facilities—from service bays to bathroom tiles—are getting completely redone.

“We’re even replacing furniture, lighting fixtures and switches, and everything is going to be as environmentally kind as possible,” said Mark Garvey, who owns the business with his daughters, Shannon Bruhns and Kyle Garvey. “We really had no choice, but to do it. Hyundai has grown by leaps and bounds the past few years. Our sales are up about 18 percent from 2021. Our best sellers are SUVs.”

“We’re revamping 98 percent of the store inside and out,” he said. “Everything is going to be brand new. We’re adding a second floor to the existing building that will have five huge offices for sales, management and our e-commerce business.”

The Parts Department is getting a second floor, too.

In December, industry sources reported that South Korea-based Hyundai surpassed General Motors as the world’s third-largest automaker by volume (3.3 million), surpassed only by Toyota (5.1 million) and Volkswagen (4 million).