With The Grain, LLC

We are very pleased with the design, construction, and function of our home by With the Grain! The design and build approach we used was a great process - and we would work with WTG again.

We decided to ‘return to the Valley’ in the early 2000s (A’s great great grandma settled near Victor in 1893 - hers is one of the older tombstones in the Victor Cemetery). We worked around the west over the past 40 years so accumulated quite a binder’s worth of ideas for homes and features. We spoke with a few builders and looked at various projects in the Valley. We met with Kurt to do a field review of a home WTG was building.

Aside from the expected selection criteria for such an undertaking, there were a few other considerations that made choosing WTG rather easy. On our walk-through of an ongoing WTG project, A observed a piece of one inch plywood and two layers of 15 mil plastic protecting the bath tub. The protections in place were noted and Kurt explained it was a ‘no brainer common practice’ for WTG. Another aspect that influenced our decision was WTG’s site keeping practices. Daily cleanup, materials reuse/recycling, footprint minimization, reduction of waste, and other ‘best practices’ were notable. Little things, but important to us - and already a part of WTG’s building approach! Easy decision! As a result, we entered a ‘handshake agreement’ and started down the path of building our home.

We worked with Kurt and Todd to determine how to proceed. Our schedule was to have our project complete and ready to commission in fall 2018. This worked for the WTG team as it fit well with their active and pending project schedule. We took a design-build approach with Kurt and Todd. Our agreement became a not-to-exceed contract approach and we were on our way.

We spent 18 months on the design, construction planning, engineering, cost-estimating (including a round of ‘value engineering’), and schedule. We worked through all aspects of the project - and got the vision of the project squared away in our minds as clients and WTG as builders. We collectively worked through the myriad decisions to get to a final design. Todd prepared numerous design concept sketches to capture what we collectively developed. The final design exceeded our intent and expectations. After engineering work on certain aspects of the design, the final construction drawings were prepared by Todd. An important aspect here is the experience of WTG in building unique designs. Constructability and construction efficiency were important aspects for us and the guys brought their many years of experience to bear. The huge advantage of the design-build over third-party or ‘e-plan’ designs was clear at this point!

The construction drawing package was submitted for permitting; and the plans were quickly approved. Kurt and Todd committed to commence work in June 2017 with completion by Fall 2018. We broke ground in June 2017 and had our certificate of occupancy in July 2018! Total project cost conformed with the agreement. Ahead of schedule and on-budget!

The communications plan we used worked well - routine status/progress/issues phone calls, weekly progress images, as-needed calls/texts for issues and opportunities, etc.

We were really pleased with WTG management, the WTG crews, the subcontractors, and various vendors. The meticulous attention to detail was notable - and still very much appreciated. And the crews respected our requirements for footprint minimization, debris management, no smoking on-site, and a few other items.

Attention to detail is an understatement in characterizing the work of WTG. These guys are really good - all our surfaces are level, plumb, and at the correct angle!

Above all else, however, is that Kurt and Todd are men of honor and integrity. We entered into the project on a handshake, the chaps were always completely honest and candid, and did what they said they were going to do. We developed not only solid working relationships, but lasting personal friendships. They are great people!

I have been in the interior design business for over 25 years and WTG was one of the more professional contractors I have experienced. Not only friendly, they were highly skilled in custom home construction and their list of subs are professional and on time. The end result speaks for itself.

Both owners are responsive and professional and we enjoyed working with them on design concepts. The project manager was the driving force behind the on time completion date, quality control, keeping an eye on the budget and the overall great experience we had during construction. She went above and beyond!

I would highly recommend With The Grain and their experienced team.