About Us

Dean Little was already a professional tradesman with a decade of building experience when he moved from the construction to the entertainment industry in 1996. During the next decade he expanded his skills to encompass entire new universes: building vipers for Battlestar Galactica, spaceships for the Fantastic Four, opulent castle interiors for Cinderella, other-worldly locations for Stargate, Gothic towers for the Chronicles of Riddick, Santa’s sleigh, a whimsical toy workshop, and an elf village for the Santa Clause movies.

In 2006 he established his own contracting company. "I wanted to offer the same exacting work we created for movie sets to home and business owners seeking superior or specialized renovations." For his 14-member crew, he hired many veterans of the movie construction industry, due to their proven ability to produce high-quality, highly-demanding work under tight deadlines.

"Most of my team are extremely good craftsmen. We create our own customized millwork. We can build to any scale. We can take apart the components of a heritage structure and determine how to rebuild it better and stronger, using modern tools and materials, but still keeping the historic look and charm."

Even before installation is complete, the elegance added by this custom-made moulding is clearly evident. DRL Enterprises gives clients on-site millwork..

As skilled professionals, his team relishes a challenge. Each project is unique. "We have a different outlook. Homes do not have to be the same. The Smiths can have a different house than the Jones'." Dean observed.

Our Renovation Process

The individual attention given to each project starts with the first consultation. Dean invites potential clients to bring in their ideas, no matter how challenging or unusual. He will then coordinate with an architect, engineer, interior designer or other professional to make your concept work - and help you solidify your vision.

Before starting on any project, architectural drawings are done so you can see the finished result. Although these drawings are conceptual, creating the drawing helps eliminate any misunderstandings before the start of construction. "It is less expensive to do the drawings and make sure it is right than to build something and have to take it out and redo it," Dean notes.

With drawings approved, DRL Enterprises arranges for all the required permits. Timelines depend on the scope of the project. A kitchen renovation with paint and new floor will take about a month; a major addition is six months; and a complete gutting and re-building of a home interior will take a year or more.

For major home renovations, DRL Enterprises encourages the homeowners to move out during construction. The company brings their own portable workshop, built into a 12 foot by 30 foot trailer, to the job site. If the home is being gutted, the interior will also be used for workshop space as the home is rebuilt.

To ensure your project gets the attention it deserves, we limit the number of projects we accept. Only two or three concurrent projects are accepted.

Once we complete construction, we clean up. Our policy is to leave every job site cleaner than when we arrived.

New Construction

DRL Enterprises also accepts contracts to build entirely new structures, like the log home shown below in various stages of construction. Click on any of the images to view a full-size version.

For more images of this project, visit our photo gallery.

To discuss your building or renovation project, contact us or send an enquiry form.