Byggmeister Design & Build

Having joined our team as a carpenter in 2000, Cador has held multiple positions at Byggmeister. Currently, he is the full-time estimator working with the project development team to clearly define and accurately estimate project costs (our goal is for actual costs to be within 2% of estimated costs). 

Cador feels that one of the things Byggmeister does best is create a sense of teamwork. "Not just among the crew," he says, "but for everyone involved: the architect and homeowner and the builders. The trust between Byggmeister and our clients is very high because they know we are all on the same side, we all want the same thing: the best possible outcome for their home."

Karin got to know Byggmeister from the outside in: she was a client before she joined the design team in 2003. "I was really impressed not just with their work, but with how respectfully they treat the client's space, and how approachable everyone in the company is," she says. "They keep their promises and always follow through."

During her project she realized she has a knack for product selection—marrying form, function and logistics—and was inspired to pursue interior design full-time. She founded KM Design, an independent interior design company, and at the same time created a new position within Byggmeister. "I really love coordinating products & finishes selection at Byggmeister," she says. "I get to be involved in such interesting and exciting projects."

After a wide range of carpentry jobs and a bachelor's degree in History and Literature of Medieval Europe, Paul Eldrenkamp founded Byggmeister (Scandinavian for "master builder") in 1983. "I've always put a high priority on two things: fostering easy, friendly relations with our clients and building a team of people who are as interesting and diverse as they are talented and dedicated."

Paul has long experience in high-performance homes and frequently speaks to industry groups and the public about energy efficient construction. He is also a founding partner of The DEAP Energy Group, a consulting partnership that helps project teams move up from code-level construction to Passive House, zero-net energy, deep energy retrofit, and other high-efficiency building standards.

Maria has been with Byggmeister since 1995, and has seen the company change in size but not in work ethic. "Excellence is Byggmeister's philosophy. Everyone here brings something unique and different to their work, but they all believe in doing their best work every time on every job," she says. She thinks the company's dedication to quality makes a visible difference. "They make excellence a priority so that when the job is done you can see the difference."

Josh started with Byggmeister in 2008 as a carpenter after having "worked as a general carpenter for a small renovation and remodeling firm for over seven years." During that time, Josh grew "to appreciate the attention to detail in fine residential construction. In my search to find a company that shared the same appreciation, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that not only do Byggmeister employees share the same regard for detail, but their customers do too."

Josh has since moved into the position of Senior Lead Carpenter and Production Manager. In the latter role, Josh is responsible for balancing resources across jobs, supporting other lead carpenters, and overseeing quality and safety standards. 

Josy has been part of the Byggmeister design team since 2014 when she relocated to the Boston area. After 3 years of graduate architecture school, she worked with the Newton based architecture firm Tise Design Associates and spent time in Western Massachusetts as a residential energy consultant for the Center for EcoTechnology.  

She was attracted to Byggmeister because of our "integrity, strong client relationships, and environmentally sensitive approach" and is very excited to be part of a cohesive team. "My past roles as designer and consultant often felt as though I was working on the outside but the design-build model at Byggmeister allows me to be a part of renovation work from the first site visit, through design, all the way through construction." When she's not on the job she enjoys biking, playing hockey and spending time outdoors with her three kids.  

Bill has a long history with Byggmeister, going back to 2001 when he first joined the team as an Apprentice Carpenter. He quickly moved into the realm of estimating projects and few years later he returned to school to become an Architect. He is currently pursuing licensure.

We asked Bill, why, after earning his Master's Degree in Architecture, did he want to come back to work with Byggmeister? “After I had left Byggmeister, when describing the company's process and approach I would still find myself saying "we" - it's a rare and special thing, to work for a company whose mission is one that you believe in.  That was a hard thing to walk away from in 2007 and I'm grateful that since then we've been able to collaborate in a new way."

Francis worked in construction for four years before joining Byggmeister in 2012. Francis appreciates the team environment and feels that the emphasis on community sets the company apart. Francis was initially attracted to Byggmeister in large part because of the warranty program and focus on energy efficiency. He says, "I've never encountered another company that cares as much about energy performance, or does as much to ensure that their work holds up over time."

Prior to joining Byggmeister in 2019, Stephen built, installed and refurbished countertops in Virginia. He had been considering a career in the trades for a while, but it was at this job that he "learned how much I love to build things. Taking raw materials and making something out of them that is pleasing to look at and also valuable is a great feeling."

Stephen interviewed at several construction firms before accepting our offer. He says he chose us for several reasons. "I was impressed with their body of work, I really liked the people and felt there was a great atmosphere of camaraderie, and the benefits package is extremely generous."