Charlie Shade has been a part of the homebuilding industry since the day he could hold a hammer. Gradually those hammers became drafting tools and a love for the construction of homes turned into a career.

Charlie started working summers for homebuilder Don Shields who constructed his grandmother's home. Don expected his carpenters to understand the whole home and how each trade relied on the other to complete a home. So Charlie spent time doing all of the menial tasks that all apprentices are required to do in this business. He began by working on the foundation of the home and finished by putting the last shingle on the roof.

This experience led Charlie to start his own home framing business in Richmond in 1988 and it thrived for the next ten years. The construction of homes, demolition, and occasional addition were all part of the challenges that led to making and keeping this successful and productive construction company.

Charlie's success as a contractor gave him the opportunity to work with J. R. Walker and Company as a production manager and estimator while moonlighting as a home designer for some of Walker's clients. This gave him insight into the living side of construction that makes the house a home. When the housing industry slowed in September of 2001 Charlie had an opportunity to make his move and C. L. Shade Drafting was born.

Many of the builders that Charlie worked with over the years now use his knowledge and experience in providing design plans for the homes and additions they build. Having his depth of background and hands on experience provides builders with an easily understood plan and the flexibiity to solve the clients changing needs during construction.

This is the reason that our clients say that C. L. Shade Drafting makes...

“Residential Plans That Work”