Byggmeister Design & Build

Rachel joined the company in 2009 after having hired Byggmeister to renovate her master suite. Rachel started as a consultant helping to develop standards and goals for energy and water use, and indoor air quality and to track these over time.

After she became an employee, Rachel's role evolved to include project management as well as performance tracking. One of the things that Rachel feels distinguishes Byggmeister is the emphasis on performance. “During project planning we look for opportunities to improve comfort, efficiency, air quality. In other words, we plan to improve performance. Then, once the project is over, we measure how we did and apply the lessons learned to future projects. It’s a virtuous circle.”

In 2018, Rachel assumed the role of General Manager. She currently splits her time between shepherding projects through the planning process and overseeing the company’s operations.

Before coming on board in 2015, Rex worked in residential property management. In addition to carpentry he was responsible for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC repair. Rex says he was drawn to Byggmeister because, like Paul, he believes that "new construction is a form of cheating; there are already so many beautiful homes out there that need to be updated and reconfigured."

Since joining the team Rex has had his hands in everything from demolition to finish carpentry. He describes himself as "in love with the work. What makes Byggmeister so unique is that all the people believe in what they are doing, want to do the best job they can, and will stand behind it."

Luci Rawe has always loved to build. “Growing up I worked in my Dad's woodshop; making things with my hands has always captivated me.” After majoring in environmental studies and working for a custom furniture shop, Luci began searching for carpentry work. She sought out design/build firms because of their collaborative structures. "When I found Byggmeister I was immediately drawn to the focus on energy efficiency and the type and size of the projects.”

Hired in 2017, Luci radiates delight with her work and the relationships she is developing. “I love how much one on one time I have gotten with the lead carpenters. As much as I am here to work, I am also here to learn, and they have so much to teach about the mechanics of a house. Not to mention that it’s just so much fun to work with tools all day!” 

An ardent carbon dioxide cutter, Jason has been doing home energy assessments and air sealing for Byggmesiter since 2009. He says he wanted to work with Byggmeister because our "company spirit is always to do the right thing. Not to mention that the crew is so smart, funny, passionate and talented."

Before joining Byggmeister Jason ran a successful painting business, but his concern about climate change led him to learn the weatherization trade. Jason claims that "nothing makes me happier than to crawl around in the recesses, nooks and crannies of someone's home, and repair the holes responsible for that home’s heat loss." Which sounds far-fetched until you've been on a job with him; then you know he means it.

Here's a poem Jason wrote to his favorite building diagnostic tool:

An Ode to the Blower Door

O, Blower Door
You red glowing beauty
Giver of wisdom
Revealer of mystery and hidden secrets
Perfection-maker
You lift me with your lusty breeze
Though some may think that I'm a bore
I’ll never stop my blower door

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."

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."

With Byggmeister since 1998, Corky says the best part of the job for him is getting to know the clients. "Our clients are generally pretty interesting people, and they seem to respect the fact that we're generally pretty interesting people, too," he says. "I'm also very conscious of the fact that they are trusting us with their homes, and they are spending a lot of money and deserve an excellent result."

A carpenter since 1989, Catherine worked as a subcontractor for Byggmeister for about five years before joining the company in 2002. "I really like my work and I really like this company," she says. "Paul is very creative, and he maximizes our attributes and works with our flaws." A former cook and caretaker of thoroughbred horses, Catherine says she gets great satisfaction from seeing what she has helped to build.