Sun & Earth Inc.

Sun and Earth Construction has quickly and efficiently solved many problems for us. When they have done large projects for us we have always been more than satisfied. Jim is 100 percent honest and trustworthy.

I have know Jim Graham for many years, decades actually, in several different capacities and it is always great to deal with him. He is very knowledgeable on energy usage and building methods and can help apply them in creative ways to solve custom problems.

Jim Graham of Sun and Earth Construction is a dream contractor. He helped me choose my building lot, decide on the elements I wanted in my house, situate the building for the best views, and transform my dream into reality. He incorporated my values of an adobe, solar structure and created one of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen. I recommend Jim Graham without reservation.

We have known Jim Graham since 1999 when he installed a metal roof on our existing adobe house. A couple of friends who live a block from us had contracted with Jim to install a pitched metal roof over the flat roof of their adobe house and we had watched as the roof progressed. It looked solid and beautiful and our friends were very happy with the outcome. Jim had also worked on the house of some other friends, with similarly excellent reports. So we hired Jim to do our new roof and were delighted by the outcome. Our roof was somewhat tricky as there was a slanted part (with clerestory windows for passive solar heating and light) and a flat part on the main part of the house, together with a bedroom wing that also had a flat roof. We wanted to keep the clerestory windows, which Jim turned into skylights with metal covers to provide shade and reduce heating in the summer. Jim carefully matched the main house roof and the bedroom roof. The eaves that were added were exactly the right depth to give good shade in the summer and lots of sun in the winter. The roof looks so good that most people can’t believe it wasn’t originally designed that way. We were extremely happy with the quality of his work—attention to detail, creativity, and cost.
Thus, in 2003, when we decided to build a garage/garage apartment addition, the first contractor we contacted was Jim. We discussed what we wanted, he drew up plans, and the cost was very reasonable, so we didn’t bother to check with anyone else. We knew that we wanted to build with adobe, if possible. Our original house was built with adobes made in Juarez, but by 2003, there were not many sources in Juarez, and the cost had gotten a lot higher. Jim, however, had done a lot of work with rammed earth and adobe building. He provided an adobe form and helped our son set up an adobe manufacturing site in our former horse pasture to produce the 3000+ adobe blocks needed to build the addition. He was always available to consult on the block-making. The addition turned out great. It’s well-laid out and tightly built with skylights and large front windows for solar heating, and it’s got a lot of character. For example, Jim had some extra boards of walnut which he used for window sills in the bedroom and kitchen. He also found someone to do hand-made custom interior doors. It’s just a pleasure to go in there.

Since then, Jim has done several small to medium projects (AC install, maintenance and repair, repairing roof damage due to wind, etc) that were always done in a similar, excellent way. For example, in February, 2011, we were out of town when Las Cruces experienced a severe cold snap with sub-zero temperatures and temperatures remaining below freezing for several days. Jim checked our pump house for us, found considerable damage to pipes etc, repaired it all and cleaned up the mess. As always, he did a great job, without us having to worry about getting home.

Since 2010, after retiring in LC and taking new jobs in Kansas and retiring again, we have spent a substantial amount of time out of town, visiting our son and his family, travelling, etc. A simple phone call to Jim is all that is required to have our LC house checked, prepared for our return or to close it down in our absence. Jim’s reliability gives us substantial peace of mind.

This spring (2020), we are having him renovate our master bath to make it more handicapped-accessible. And again, we didn’t bother to check with anyone else.

In short, we most highly recommend Jim Graham for his commitment to quality building that is creative and practical, and done in a timely fashion, and has a huge “bang for the buck”.

Jim Graham of Sun & Earth Inc. has worked on a number ofl projects for me during the past 30 years and has been excellent in all regards. He goes the extra mile always. An example, when he quoted more than he actually needed for a job he then offered to paint several rooms to make up the difference. That has never happened with anyone else. I have total confidence in Jim Graham and Sun& Earth.
Jo-an Smith [email protected]

I have worked with Jim Graham, owner of Sun & Earth Construction, as both a client and as a draftsperson for other clients of his. He is very knowledgeable and innovative in his specialty of energy-efficient design. Jim works very well with his clients, listening to their desires but, when necessary, explaining clearly why he would recommend a different approach. He is very personable, easy-going yet hard-working, turning out impressive-looking and well-constructed homes for his clients. I recommend him highly.

My husband and I first contracted with Sun & Earth in 1995-96 to build our adobe dream house. We have loved the result so much that we have never moved. Through the years, we have turned to Sun & Earth for an addition, renovations and environmental innovations. Throughout, they have provided excellent craftsmanship, professionalism, integrity, and reliability. Jim Graham and his crew are wonderful to work with. I wish we could give them more stars!

Jim Graham is one of the few people who understand working on adobe houses. He has rebuilt the sunroom solar windows after hail damage, he reroofed our garage and managed to find a product that sealed the house roof (a problem no one else was able to solve) and the product improved the reflectivity of the roof as well. He repaired damage to trim on the house, and he has been a dependable source of advice on maintenance on our house.

Our building was created by Sun & Earth and we couldn't be more pleased. Jim and his team really know what they are doing, and we have experienced a huge reduction in our utility bills! The geo-thermal system we use gives us greater temperature control, and our clients and guests are seeing the benefit!

We've been working with Sun & Earth for many years now. They have done a great job for us on large and small projects. We highly recommend them.

I've had Sun&Earth do solar installations and roof repairs on my houses in Las Cruces for the past two decades. They have always been quick to respond, and efficient in the installation and repair work. I've had solar hot water for the past 12 years, trouble free. I highly recommend them for fast, fair, honest work.

They do good work at a fair price and they do so in a professional manner.
They respond to requests in a timely manner which is important to me. They also are very knowledgeable about the services they provide. I have recommended them to friends with good outcomes.

We have hired Sun & Earth for two house renovation projects. We are very happy with our renovations. Jim Graham and Jerry are both great craftsmen and easy to work with. I recommend them highly.

A review of Jim’s resume and overall experience is impressive. It is apparent from the start that he can build a wide variety of concepts that meet all your expectations as consumer seeking energy efficient construction and design. His end product will be quality through and through and meet all of your expectations. He meets all the professional standards you would expect.The level of responsiveness is well appreciated.

Jim recently completed a unique warehouse project for a long term customer and they cannot say enough good things related to the overall flow of the project and extra added features that he installed within it. The extra attention to detail and energy considerations led to a great experience for the end customer.

Give Jim a call. You will be glad that you did.

I met Jim shortly after we moved to Las Cruces in 2008. He came highly recommended for elastomeric coating for the flat roof of our late 1980s home. This made a major difference as we adapted to
this southwestern climate. Since then we had a major hail storm and only minor repairs were needed. Now it is 2020 and time to consider repairs, once again he gave us a fair price and truly great service, including clean up. Thanks Sun & Earth we are set for years to come.

I've lived in a Sun and Earth home for almost twenty years. Jim Graham built this house with great attention to comfort, beauty, and the environment. Passive solar features and the positioning of the house keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Adobe construction, wood vegas, saltillo floors are not only beautiful, but also practical. Over the years, Jim has helped me maintain the house by installing a high efficiency evaporative cooling system and a new, elastomeric roof. Jim is an excellent builder; he is reliable and trustworthy, and the homes he builds are nothing short of magnificent.

I have had Sun & Earth Builders reroof three homes in the Las Cruces area. Each has been on time and as priced.
The roofs and areas did remained clean and safe while in process. At completion everything was picked up and looked as before.
The roofs all were warrantied.
These roofs were all completed on time and as quoted.