Services:
We offer design-build services both "in-house" and in collaboration with a number of qualified local architects and designers. In addition, we offer and perform the following:

The Process:

We will meet with you and your architect throughout the planning and design phase of the project and help to establish the scope of work and assist in finding the most cost-effective ways to improve your property.

We will participate in every aspect of preliminary planning and preparation for construction, including subcontractor scheduling, site setup, and vendor orders so that the work will flow as smoothly and efficiently as possible once begun.

Your project will have a Lead Carpenter on site at all times whose sole responsibility will be your project. We normally have weekly meetings with the owners, the design team and subcontractors to insure timely decision making and smooth scheduling.

We will pay special attention to your unique needs such as landscape protection, neighbors, tight schedules and home security. Our staff is trustworthy, protective of your home and mindful of your privacy. We are aware of the somewhat disruptive nature of construction and work hard to minimize the impact on you and those around you. It is our goal to make your construction project an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Your project costs will be closely monitored so that we can provide you with a weekly or bi-monthly cost report that shows the percentage of completion in each construction category.

We take pride in our work and in our teamwork and we strive to take care of you and your home.

Qualifications:

BGGC has completed over 150 projects during the past 26 years, concentrating on but not limited to custom residential remodeling and renovation. In 2007, for instance, we undertook a complete renovation of the small but efficient Zellerbach Cafe located in Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley, collaborating with the award winning team of Marcy Wong & Donn Logan Architects.

See our home page for a list of other architectural firms we have collaborated with over the past 25 years.

Our long standing relationships and repeated work with many of the firms mentioned above is critical to our success over the years and discovering and developing new relationships in the design community is one of our key objectives.

Seismic Retrofitting:

In addition, we work closely with several local engineering firms and have become proficient in the key area of Voluntary Seismic Upgrades. This is a central part of our work since we are mainly in the business of recycling older homes which are situated in areas prone to major earthquakes. While many of these homes were built long before any modern standards for structural design were developed, we have developed a skill for identifying and improving weakness in foundation and structure to better withstand shock in the event of an earthquake.

Preservation Awards:

We have twice been recognized by the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association and awarded their annual "Preservation Award" for excellence in design and construction, once in 1988 and again in 2004.

Design Awards:

2008 NARI (National Assoc. of the Remodeling Industry) Merit Award winner. Peter Engle Architect / BGGC, Inc. General Contractor