What’s something you celebrate in your job?
One of my first large remodel projects with Hamish Murray Construction was estimating and project managing a 2,000 square-foot-plus addition. It included a dance studio on one side of the house and a two-story addition on the opposite end; with a new dining room, living room, master bedroom, and master bathroom. The homeowners wanted to stay in their house during the entire construction duration, and I helped make that happen! This project had some logistical challenges such as keeping the project on track during inclement weather conditions, as we started in the fall. We also needed to place multiple large 30’ Glulam beams that needed to be craned to the top. Throughout this project, I learned to deeply appreciate our great team at Hamish Murray Construction and our trade partners, and how they supported me.
What advice can you give to a homeowner about to embark on a construction project?
Before you choose your builder or your architect/designer, do your research first. Contact references, or network with your friends. It’s very much worth hiring a quality architect/designer/and a builder. Do not let price be the ultimate decision. In construction, most of the time, you do get what you pay for.
Also, it’s tough for most homeowners to really get what it takes to become a quality general contractor. Those who hire us sometimes end up being surprised at how stress-free we make things. What an owner doesn’t see is what we do behind the scenes to smooth things out: scheduling a complex timeline including all our trade partners, or absorbing unexpected costs that may come up. I also personally like that we choose not to nickel and dime our clients.
Tell us something about you?
Outside of work, I really enjoy what the great Northwest has to offer. In the summertime, I like to boat and camp or take my custom side-by-side rock crawler to the sand dunes or other places. My various personal motorsport “toys” can be prone to break down, but I enjoy working on them, which is another way I enjoy unwinding and relaxing.
What’s something you celebrate in your job?
Time and again, I get great satisfaction when I see a project come to life, especially when a client is delighted with the end result. For example, one of my earlier projects was this historic 1920s building that was repositioned to bring in contemporary elements to complement its historic design. This remodel included a roof-top deck, conference room facilities, gym, locker rooms, and bike hubs. These amenities helped put this old building back on the market to not only compete with the newer buildings, but it ultimately sold for one of the highest per square foot costs in Portland. Through the collaboration across the owner, property management, engineering, architectural and design teams, it was fulfilling to contribute towards its success.
No matter the project, that’s what I love about my job; I get to make a project come out right, on schedule, and to the satisfaction of the client.
What advice can you give to a homeowner about to embark on a construction project?
Don’t underestimate the value of a good designer or architect on a project. Whether you are laying out a new kitchen, planning an addition or a remodel, most often they will be able to interpret your goals and vision and exceed your expectations with some creative solutions. They will ask you questions and in return, you should always ask questions and give your honest opinions. It is a collaborative effort, yes, but as the client, you have the final control and say to make your project into what you want.
Tell us something about you?
In my spare time, you’ll often find me in my kitchen. I love to peruse recipes and cook new things. One day I hope to document my recipes and create a friends and family cookbook.
What’s something you celebrate in your job?
As a newer employee of Hamish Murray Construction, it’s exciting for me to be part of a strong team culture. As a “people person”, it really works for me and I’m seeing how a strong team culture gets strong results. For example, I recently worked with Michael Hibbits on an estimate. We had a meeting with a prospective client to go over our numbers and our assumptions. This homeowner had some great questions, so our meeting went much longer. What I noticed during the meeting was how well we laid out all our cost assumptions and how careful we had been in all our combined recommendations, and how we were able to collectively show up with solid answers. The owner ended up saying “We appreciate your hard work and we want to go ahead with you.” That felt great.
What advice can you give to a homeowner about to embark on a construction project?
When you are doing a remodel, it’s always good to know what to expect. Ask questions. We will certainly advise you on what could happen such as when an old wall is opened up.
Also, expect that you may change your mind on some details and ask for upgrades! For example, I have had homeowners say “no” to heated floors in a bathroom and then change their minds once construction has begun.
Tell us something about you?
I am very social and tend to be a wisecrack. I love to hear laughter at a job site, so I bring my humor with me to work. In construction, we work really hard, so I find that a bit of fun as we work hard boosts morale, and I believe that indirectly helps the general quality of work too.
Tell us about your residential construction experience.
At Hamish Murray Construction Inc., we pride ourselves in knowing not just how to build a quality home or remodel, but how to build on schedule and on budget. Your past experience may be different, so we’d like to hear what you are looking for in your next builder. We would be delighted to talk with you about your project ideas. We seek to bring your home dreams to life while keeping your project within a realistic budget for you.
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you. Contact us or call us at (503) 460-7203 with questions you have, or to tell us about your home plans.
