Our History

Since the summer of 1979, when I earned my contractor's license, I have built and designed homes in the San Francisco Bay Area. I even continued building through graduate school (Masters, journalism).

One of my early projects was a major remodel of an 1860's duplex, which my brother and I bought together in 1973. We lived in it with college friends, and fixed it up slowly. The man who had sold us this house became my mentor. Victor was 25 years my senior, and was an old world carpenter (and a firefighter, journalist, psychologist, mayor). He taught me how to build stairs, make windows, lay out a kitchen. My brother and I added a two story cottage in the rear of this property. We made it partly out of recycled materials: a greenhouse in San Bruno for the weather siding, Urban Ore windows for the atrium entrance, and we took the interior paneling from a demolished brothel. At this time we had little money, and also appreciated both the origins and enhanced character of the wood. For high profile spots like a fireplace mantle, I still try to find wood with a special blemish, a water stain, or a twisted knot. That really gives character to a room.

Today I have a small and dedicated crew. My employees tend to stay for many years and become accomplished in a variety of trades. Aside from workers' compensation and state disability insurance, I also provide a retirement plan and health insurance for my crew. They are my most important asset. I guide them to build as quickly as is reasonable without sacrificing quality. One of my former employees is now a City of Berkeley Building Inspector. I am proud of working hard and being fully accessible to the homeowner, not just during the project, but also for any questions or concerns long after the project ends. Because of this, I am often re-hired to do other projects for the same clients, and then referred to their friends and neighbors. In the past, I've come back to do fresh work for the same clients three or four times.

Over the last decade, I have been a House Captain five times for Christmas in April (now named Rebuilding Together). The organization helps elderly and low-income homeowners upgrade their houses for safety and handicapped access. Being a House Captain means managing a large group of volunteers in a sort of blitzkrieg barn-raising to spruce up their houses on the designated days.