Gardner F. Goetze General Contractor

I work/bill on a time and materials basis for the most part, but am open to discussion about working on a set bid, depending on the project. I don’t upcharge charge my clients for materials, i always create detailed invoices with receipts for clients home and business records and our invoices are sent in a weekly basis. I have 2 men that work for me, d have a rate schedule for them as well.

Phone consultation first, and then if it all seems to be a solid fit, a site visit. (In some rare cases a consultation fee is implemented, if it’s a large and timely assessment with a fair amount of travel) Then we review all expected business agreements, and if we are all set, I have a simple contract for us to agree on. Then, the most typical part of the process with a new customer is to watch everyone get exited about the great new addition (or repair solution) to the lives of the client that we are creating :)

I have had some wonderful mentors. I was originally guided into the trades by my father, a unique artisan, with a perfectionist sensibility, and a high regard for the most excellent quality work. That sensibility, I still maintain. Through the years, I’ve worked under some very unique designers, architects, structural engineers, and contractors, all of which I naturally made a point to learn from, listen to, and observe. As far as any formal schooling, I did go to art school, which included years of craft, work projects, shop craft, and developing the ability to derive a concept, plan it out, and see it through to production and delivery.

I’m uniquely capable at working and creating with my hands, so I naturally fell into this type of work. Originally it was because for many years I was a performing musician and this type of work allowed me a flexible schedule. I was able to work for different carpenters and Wood workers on creative projects when I had the time to do so. Of course in the early days I started as a general construction assistant, a roll with no shortage of humbling hard physical work. I am very grateful for that foundation.

Homeowners for the most part. As well as detailed historic restoration and maintenance of renowned recording studios. I have worked for companies that I’ve subcontracted me for the Golden Gate national recreation area, I have work for museums, and I’ve been commission by fellow artist to help on projects they are curating.

Vaulting a 16’ ceiling in a master bedroom. It was a flat drop ceiling with canned lights, then was redesigned and vaulted 4 feet higher to meet an exposed ridge beam spanning 16 feet, the result being a beautiful vaulted ceiling in the master bedroom. This went along with a beautiful master bathroom remodel that included a walk-in shower and floor to ceiling glass door.

Start with a phone consultation, and then a site visit. Let’s make sure all expectations are clearly laid out and contractors portfolios are presented, and clear and comfortable discussion is had all up front. It’s all about the right working relationship in order to achieve a customers goals and get the best out of your contractor. Advice I would give would be to make sure that relationship is the best fit before hiring any contractor.

Clear Vision and realistic budget. I’m happy to help realize vision with clients. It’s a specialty, we use all the resources online at our disposal (including all inspiration apps :) and I am able to create mock ups of our project on “Sketch Up” Then we closely look at the vision and focus on the very realistic budget, then we see what can be done there. There’s a lot of things to account for, and one wants to review, all elements that go into a project.