How Schnellbacher-Sendon Group Built a Career on Quiet Precision

In the crowded world of construction, big headlines and flashy builds often steal the spotlight. But Eric Schnellbacher and Valeriano Sendon, co-founders of the Schnellbacher-Sendon Group, took a quieter route—and it worked.

Since 2005, their company has focused on exterior building facade restorations in the New York City Tri-state area. They don't build new towers. They don’t do interiors. They’ve built a business on restoring the outer skin of buildings—often without anyone noticing.

“We’re not trying to be everywhere,” says Eric Schnellbacher. “We just want to be known for doing one thing right.”

Why They Chose Facade Work Only

Before starting their company, both men had spent years working across different parts of the construction industry. Over time, they noticed a trend.

“Companies were spreading themselves too thin,” says Valeriano Sendon. “They were doing interiors, plumbing, roofing—trying to be all-in-one. But things would fall through the cracks.”

They saw an opportunity in doing just one thing—and doing it really well. So they launched Schnellbacher-Sendon Group as a specialist firm: one that would focus only on the exterior of buildings.

“It made sense,” says Schnellbacher. “You can’t fake expertise when someone’s trusting you with a historic facade.”

How They Built Trust in High-Value Areas

Working in New York means working in tight spaces. It means coordinating with property boards, co-ops, tenants, and city officials. That’s where the founders’ attention to detail made a difference.

“We don’t show up blasting music or blocking sidewalks,” says Sendon. “We’re quiet. We’re respectful. We treat it like we live there too.”

Their clients range from owners of historic brownstones to managers of commercial towers. Many of them return, year after year.

“We once had a client say, ‘You’re the first team that didn’t leave a mess,’” Schnellbacher recalls. “That stuck with us.”

On-Time, On-Budget: A Lost Art

One of their core values is reliability. They don’t chase quick wins or cut corners to grow fast.

“We’re not in this to scale and flip,” says Sendon. “We’re in it to stay.”

They’ve earned a reputation for finishing projects on time and within budget—a claim many firms can’t make.

“In our field, people expect delays,” Schnellbacher says. “We try to flip that. When we say 12 weeks, we mean it.”

That reliability is part of why they don’t need aggressive marketing. Most of their business comes through referrals and repeat clients.

Keeping the Work Personal

Nearly 20 years in, both Eric and Valeriano still visit job sites themselves. They don’t see leadership as a reason to step away.

“Being there matters,” says Schnellbacher. “You catch issues early. You keep quality high. Clients appreciate seeing the people who run the company.”

Their approach is hands-on and practical. It’s not about fancy project management software or trendy titles.

“It’s about presence,” adds Sendon. “When you’re on-site, you’re accountable. And so is your crew.”

The Philosophy Behind Their Success

At the heart of their work is a simple principle: do what you say you’ll do.

They don’t oversell. They don’t chase awards. And they’re not trying to be the biggest firm in the region.

“We’ve always believed that long-term trust is better than short-term growth,” says Sendon.

Their projects are often invisible to the average passerby. But for building owners and managers, their presence is deeply felt.

“When someone calls us five years later to do another building, that’s the real win,” says Schnellbacher.

Lessons from Their Career Path

For others looking to build a focused, long-lasting business, the Schnellbacher-Sendon story offers a few takeaways:

• Specialization can be your strength. “Pick a lane and stay in it,” says Sendon. “Don’t try to please everyone.”

• Be visible where it counts. That means showing up at job sites, answering calls, and dealing with issues directly.

• Don’t rush growth. “Slow growth isn’t a bad thing,” says Schnellbacher. “Fast growth can break things.”

• Reputation is everything. Their company doesn’t rely on ads or pitches. “We built this business one satisfied client at a time,” says Sendon.

  
  

Why Their Quiet Approach Still Stands Tall

In an industry known for chaos and missed deadlines, Schnellbacher-Sendon Group offers a different model—one built on quiet precision, accountability, and trust.

They’re not seeking headlines. But in the world of exterior restoration, they’ve become the people others call when the work really matters.

As Schnellbacher puts it, “If we’ve done our job right, most people won’t even know we were there. And that’s kind of the point.”