Gary has been in the construction and residential design professional since the early 70's. He assisted his dad, a general contractor not only with the designing of projects, but the actual construction as well. This is where Gary first discovered "It's better to work smart, than hard." Gary was a member of the Class of 1978 at the University of Florida majoring in civil and structural engineering. Originally from Florida Gary developed the respect of the local construction industry for his eye to detail and simple straightforward construction design. As Gary is fond of saying "Why make something simple complicated? Simple saves time & money." Gary relocated to Massachusetts in 1997 and soon settled into Mattapoisett. As part of his job at Fitzgerald Engineering, Inc., Gary routinely reviewed residential construction drawings. He was consistantly amazed at their lack of detail and common errors in structural design. After designing the structural framing systems for several contractors he decided to start his own part time service designing homes for builders. As word of the quality of his work spread through the construction community so did the demand for his services. So much so that in 2005 Gary decided to take his passion for residential designing to the next level and Gary D. Brackins & Associates became a full time entity.
On July 28, 2010 Gary relocated his office to 313 Main Street in the Town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
Gary is experienced in designing for High Wind Construction as required under the new 7th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code and has successfully completed courses AWC 207 and AWC 275 taught by Dr. Robert J. Taylor of the American Wood Council for "Design of Wood Frame Buildings" using the Wood Frame Construction Manual. He has completed the Wood University.org Engineered Wood program and attended numerous workshops by Simpson Strong-Tie, as well as over 30 years in Civil Engineering and Residential Designing.
With his experience "swinging a hammer," Gary understands how contractors build and incorporates his designs to meet their techniques. "I call it a win-win situation for both the home owner and the builder," Gary is fond of saying. "I give the owner what they desire at a reasonable price, and make it easier for the builder to construct. Who could ask for more?"
Gary's philosophy is simple, "Provide your clients with personable quality service at a reasonable price." Home design should include the needs of the owner, not what the designer "thinks" you should have. It must be a solid structure that will endure not only the elements, but time as well. If properly designed a wood built home is a permanent structure. So many remodels are caused by overstressed structural members that create cracks, sags and squeeks. Do it right the first time, you'll be glad you did.
Gary's belief is it should be your home, not the designer's home. Based upon his 12 years of teaching experience at Palm Beach Community College Gary is known for his "homework assignments" and the occassional "pop quiz."
Gary is committed to his profession, and will provide you with his proven experience for sound residential designs and structurally superior homes.
Gary is a Professional Member of the American Institute of Building Design, which next to the American Institute of Architects is the oldest professional organization for building designers and the Northeast Society of the American Institute of Building Design.
He is a Building Safety Professional Member of the International Code Council, developers of the codes we build by, and a Professional Associate of the Engineered Wood Association (APA) as well as a Design Professional Member of the American Wood Council (American Forest & Paper Association) developers of the Wood Frame Construction Manual and the wood construction standard, "National Design Specification for Wood Construction."
He is also a member of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts, as well as the National Association of Home Builders.
  
  
 
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