By Matthew, Lead Installer/Owner of Hitchcraft Siding & Exteriors
The Quiet That Sparked a Shift
There’s a kind of quiet that settles in after a long day on site — when the tools are packed, the crew’s gone home, and the last bit of sunlight hits the siding just right. That quiet used to feel like closure. Now it feels like possibility.
I spent over a decade in residential construction, leading installation crews for a major company in the Northeast. I learned the trade inside and out — the materials, the timelines, the rhythm of a well-run job. I took pride in the work. Still do. But somewhere along the way, the business became too much about business and not enough about the people.
It started to feel transactional. Detached. Like the work was happening to homes, not with homeowners. I missed the conversations, the collaboration, the sense of pride that comes from helping someone bring their vision to life. I wanted to get back to that — to the human side of the craft.
That’s why I started Hitchcraft.
We’re rooted in Oswego County and proudly serve the wider Syracuse area. This is home — not just geographically, but emotionally. We know the neighborhoods, the weather, the quirks of older homes and the charm of new builds. We’re not just contractors. We’re neighbors. And we’re here to bring care, creativity, and a little bit of magic to every exterior we touch.
The Leap Into Self-Employment
Starting my own business wasn’t a casual decision. It was a leap — one fueled by a mix of pride, pressure, and possibility. I knew what I’d be walking away from: stability, predictability, a steady paycheck. But I also knew what I’d be walking toward: ownership, creativity, and the chance to build something that felt personal.
I didn’t want to be just another contractor. I wanted to create a business that felt like an extension of myself — meticulous, imaginative, and deeply invested in every detail. I wanted to work directly with homeowners, not just through layers of management. I wanted to bring warmth and personality into a field that often feels cold and commoditized.
Naming the Magic
The name “Hitchcraft” came to me in a flash — part surname, part spell. It was bold. It was weird. It was… risky.
I’ll be honest: I almost didn’t go with it. I worried it might sound too quirky, too niche, too out-there for a construction company. Would people take it seriously? Would it turn off the kind of clients I wanted to attract?
But the more I sat with it, the more I realized that Hitchcraft wasn’t just a name — it was a declaration. It said: this isn’t business as usual. This is craftsmanship with character. This is siding with soul. This is a company that believes in transformation — not just of homes, but of how we show up in the world.
And once I saw it in mockups — bold lettering, clean lines, a hint of whimsy — I knew I couldn’t call it anything else.
What Hitchcraft Stands For
Hitchcraft is about more than siding, gutters, and trim. It’s about care. It’s about showing up with integrity, listening to what homeowners really want, and delivering work that feels intentional.
It’s about being local — not just in geography, but in spirit. We’re part of Oswego County. We know the weather, the soil, the way lake winds wear down a fascia board. We know what it means to take pride in your home, and we’re here to help you protect and elevate it.
It’s also about magic — not the wand-waving kind, but the kind that happens when design, detail, and emotion come together. When a house goes from tired to timeless. When a homeowner sees their vision reflected in every corner. When a project feels less like a transaction and more like a transformation.
The Fears I Carried
I won’t pretend this leap was easy. There were — and still are — moments of doubt. Will the leads come in? Will people understand the brand? Will I be able to balance creativity with practicality?
But every time I share the name, every time I explain the vision, I see something click. People lean in. They smile. They get it. And that reaction — that spark — reminds me why I took the leap in the first place.
What’s Next
Right now, Hitchcraft is in its soft-opening phase. We’re laying the groundwork, refining the details, and getting ready to take on our first wave of projects. There’s still a lot to build — literally and figuratively — but the foundation feels strong.
If you’re reading this, thank you. Whether you’re a future client, a curious neighbor, or just someone who stumbled across our site, I appreciate you being part of this journey. Hitchcraft is just getting started — and I can’t wait to show you what’s possible.
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