By GUY C. DENECHAUD

Based in Lyme, Estes & Gallup (E & G) Construction Company has been actively involved in both commercial and residential construction projects of all sizes in recent years.

According to company vice president Nick Estes, it is the continued personal involvement of one of the owners in each project the firm undertakes that has made it possible to continue to thrive and grow, even during slower economic periods.

Incorporated in 1972 by Russell Estes and Harley Gallup, the father and maternal grandfather of current operators Tim and Nick Estes, Estes & Gallup remains a family business, with founder Russell and wife Noreen Estes still active there.

E & G primarily focused on residential construction in the early years, but for the last 10 years has been increasingly involved in commercial, industrial and institutional construction and renovation.

Among the more prominent commercial buildings completed by the company in the last few years is the Ledyard Financial Advisors building in downtown Hanover at the corner of Main and School streets. That building was originally called the Chimneys Building due to its historic New England architectural styling.

E & G currently employs about 40 individuals including carpenters at all levels, painters, site work specialists, and laborers. Annual sales for the company are in the $15 million range, according to Nick Estes.

“We are large enough to tackle good-sized jobs, but fully enjoy the smaller home-improvement projects as well,” said Estes. “The variety keeps it interesting.

“We feel that we offer a great value in that we can provide the range of services that the larger companies can, but can deliver it in a much more personal way,” Estes said. “We get to know our customers, their needs and desires.”

In late July, Estes & Gallup was awarded the $3.4 million construction contract for the second phase of the Gile Housing Project in Hanover. Work began in late summer and should be largely completed by spring 2010.

The company also won a $900,000 interior project for the Dartmouth College studio art department, film and media studies and its Hop Design studio. The 23,300-square-foot work, set to begin in September, will include a new wood shop, welding shop, painting, sculpturing and animation studios.

Company projects slated for completion this fall include renovations at the Beta Fraternity house that serves Dartmouth College; the final building in the Railroad Row offices in downtown White River Junction; repairs on the Orford Church; renovations at the White River Mobil Station; and work on the Lyme Inn and the Lyme Hardware store.

Estes & Gallup is the general contractor for the Lyme Inn project, a substantial renovation that included the removal of the canopy on the side of the inn facing away from the Town Green and the demolition of an adjacent structure that served as housing for the prior innkeepers.

A new elevator has been added, and the dining room has been expanded while retaining its historic charm. New energy-efficient appliances have been installed in the kitchen, and a new tavern will soon open near the building’s rear entrance adjacent to a conference area.

Throughout the structure, original features such as wide wood floor planks, historic doors and hand-hewn wood beams remain. Access has been improved, and safety systems and some amenities have been added. Work at the site is slated for completion by early fall. Finishing touches to the interior décor should continue to be made through the winter.

E & G will handle the interior renovation of the Phillip Read Library in Plainfield, which is set to begin this fall, and The Family Place in Norwich. Crews will also be working on upscale new residences in Hanover, Norwich, Croyden and Quechee this fall. ?