Our Distinctive Advantage
Tracery Professional Builders, Inc. was established with the desire to give customers a personalized building experience with the highest construction standards. We stipulate quality workmanship where it shows AND where you can’t see it.
Our construction process is designed to ensure an enduring, sound and beautifully crafted home. Our extensive technical expertise and comprehensive approach to each project sets us apart from typical home builders. By applying advanced building criteria surrounded by a framework of collaborative effort, we can specialize in uniquely challenging projects and intricate customization.
​
We remain responsive and engaged from the start and past the finish.
​
Tracery Professional Builders, Inc. is dedicated to:
-providing quality workmanship and construction
-technical precision
-complete management services
-promoting long-term, collaborative relationships
-safety and education
-anticipating client needs
-being there when you need us
We carefully select our projects to allow the focus to remain on the specific needs of each home transformation, no matter the style or concept. By taking on a limited number of clients, we can give the individual attention necessary for exceptional outcomes. We want to be proud of our work, and we want our clients to be thrilled with the results.
​
Credentialed, Educated & Experienced
Associations play a vital role in the building industry. These organizational efforts focus on meeting professional needs, using the right construction materials, or educating builders in code interpretation. Each is finely tuned to provide members with critical information in their area of expertise. We are a proud member of the following organizations:
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only independent national association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. NARI's focus is on professional conduct, continuing education and training, and fair and ethical treatment within the industry.
Mark Macdonald holds the prestigious National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Certified Remodeling Project Manager status.
​
A Certified Remodeling Project Manager (CRPM) designation professionalizes the role of managing a remodeling project. A CRPM has oversight of every aspect of the remodeling project - project planning, communications, project cost management, quality assurance, risk management and record keeping.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB), founded in 1912, is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing marketplace trust, consisting of 113 independently incorporated local BBB organizations in the United States.
Campbell Chamber of Commerce
The Construction Management Association of America is an industry association dedicated to the practice of professional construction management. CMAA represents more than 21,000 members including federal/state/local government and private sector owners, construction consultants, technology suppliers, academia, and legal organizations all with a common goal: to improve our nation's infrastructure.
The U.S. Green Building Council - Northern California Chapter (USGBC-NCC) is a 501(c)(3) California public benefit corporation that educates, inspires, and provides resources for industry transformation to build and maintain sustainable communities.
"We envision a world where everyone enjoys safe, beautiful and functional kitchen and bath spaces." The National Kitchen & Bath Association is a not-for-profit trade association that represents the kitchen and bath industry. It has almost 14,000 member companies across North America.
MISSION
To advance the practice of structural engineering, to build community among our members, and to educate the public regarding the structural engineering profession.
VISION
A world in which structural engineers are valued by the public for their contributions to building a safer and stronger community.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or sometimes USEPA) is an agency of the U.S. federal government which was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 145,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society.
​
ASCE's Mission:
Provide essential value to our members and partners, advance civil engineering, and serve the public good.
​
Read their vision and goals.
Passive House is both a building energy performance standard and a set of design and construction principles used to achieve that standard. The Passive House standard is the most stringent building energy standard in the world: buildings that meet the standard use 80 percent less energy than conventional equivalent buildings, and provide superior air quality and comfort.
Chi Epsilon was founded in 1922 to recognize and honor civil engineering students and professionals, and now has 130 active chapters at universities across the United States. It is widely recognized in the profession and has initiated over 113,000 members. Students and professionals are selected to become members based on recognition of their scholarship, character, practicality and sociability, considered by Chi Epsilon to be the four primary traits of a successful
FAQs
How do I select a custom home builder or remodeler?
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way of making the right choice but it usually comes down to a good reputation, technical expertise, and finding someone you can work with comfortably.
Should I competitively bid my project to several builders or negotiate with one builder?
In theory, competitive bids make sense, but in reality, the process is flawed. The old adage “you get what you pay for” is true in construction as it is for other industries and goods. Very often bidding is based on a set of incomplete plans and the bids themselves are never a true apples-to-apples comparison. Each builder is calculating their costs based on the quality and service they intend to offer: some may bid low, counting on change requests mid-project to increase the final price while others bid sloppily and use poor workmanship or materials to avoid going over budget. The worst will scrutinize plans for errors and omissions that provide areas they can exploit to their advantage.
We recommend negotiating with a reputable, trustworthy builder that you have researched thoroughly. If you do decide to go with competitive bids, and are considering TPBI as well, we request to know who we are bidding against, to ensure we are competing with builders who provide a comparable level of quality and workmanship.
​
How do I analyze competitive bids on home construction projects?
First, make sure the bids are as close to apples-to-apples as possible; every home builder has his own way of estimating and may use different categories than his competitors. To ensure the estimates are as consistent as possible, we suggest providing an outline specification when the plans are given out to bid. Take note of things the builder has included in their estimate (inclusions) and things they are explicitly not including (exclusions). A simple, one-line exclusion like providing scaffolding can cost thousands extra on larger jobs. The more information you can obtain about how the bid prices were calculated, and the clearer it's presented, the better chance you have of making the right decision.
​
All that being said, choosing a home builder should never be based on price alone. It is also important to consider the long-term durability of the construction and materials being used, the air quality when you move in, and the impact on you and your family during construction.
Can I live in my house while it is under construction?
All jobs are different and every home has many variables, so each project is considered on a case-by case basis. When plans reach the permitting stage, it can be determined whether or not a client can live on the property during construction or if they need to find temporary housing elsewhere, and how either option will affect schedule and budget.
​
Can I make my own purchases?
TPBI finds that some homeowners wish to get involved with the purchase process to save money. Unfortunately, saving money is rarely the result. Historically, homeowner purchases tend to slow us down, and usually don’t keep with our schedule or standards. Also, the client’s inexperience almost always causes us to get involved at some point anyway, to handle damage control, and to assist when issues arise. This results in time and labor paid to TPBI, and most often cancels out any initial savings to the homeowner.
What is the warranty on the work done?
We warrant all items that we both purchase and install, and we follow California Civil Law Code Section 595. TPBI does not warrant or guarantee any item purchased or installed either by the homeowner or subcontractors not hired directly by TPBI.
Do I need a permit to get the work done?
It is rarely the case that a renovation or remodeling job does not require a permit. TPBI requires all plans to be approved and permitted by Authorities Having Jurisdiction before physical construction work can begin on site. Illegally performing work on a property without following the mandated permitting process or obtaining the proper permits can result in a loss of our Contractor’s License. We simply are not willing to take that chance, and would suggest homeowners be extremely cautious of contractors who don’t abide by all federal, state and local mandates.
​
Are you licensed and insured?
Tracery Professional Builders, Inc. is a Class B, General Building Contractor, licensed by the State of California.
License Number: B777347
We are insured and bonded, including Workers Compensation and General Liability policies, per all California statutes.
Professional Engineers License: California, C59561-CA and Washington, C37222-WA
EPA Lead Renovator: #R-I-45875-10-00030
​
What are your Workmanship and Quality Standards?
We follow the National Association of Home Builders Standards as per
Residential Construction Performance Guidelines-Contractor Reference, 4th Edition
(ISBN - 978-0-86718-670-3) and the NARI Member Code of Standard Practices.