MSK Design Build

I have been meaning to right this review for MSK Design and Build for some time; especially if you are looking for a full design and build company. In a nutshell, MSK Design and Build is an impressive company!!! Everyone at MSK was so respectful of our home, property, and most importantly our pets. A truly professional all-inclusive design and build company. Leadership, Scott and Kat: Scott personally inspected our home to make sure proposed changes were correct and gave us difficult news when it was not. Kat, what a special lady. Gave sound professional advice thru out the entire year long experience. She really knows her stuff and the business, and I never felt as if my construction business ignorance was being taken advantage of. Bottom line, trust Kat and Scott!! You won’t go wrong. Design, Linda Bryant: What a gracious and thoughtful person. She genuinely took the time to understand what we wanted And more importantly, she cautioned us on what would not work and why. BTW: She has great taste. Trust her when she recommends. Project Management, Curt Roth: Curt was excellent in managing a timely project and keeping us informed. He was very thoughtful in closing on action items, or details. Site Lead, Jason Owens: Man, he is really good at putting it all together. I wish I had a quarter of his skill set. The house looks so professionally done. I mean all the handles in the kitchen line up perfectly, it looks awesome!! Plumbing, Jorge Martinez and Miro Mihalev: You know, plumbing is something I can never get right. No matter what I do, something leaks. Thank goodness MSK had the A team work on our house. Pipes and the water heater moved, and laundry equipment was relocated. All seamlessly and professionally done. Painting, Shawn Mapes, and Clinton Van Name: You know there is nothing like having your home professionally painted inside and out. The house really pops wherever you stand, and the paint looks rich and luxurious. Lastly, their prep work was first rate, from stucco cracks to window treatments. Framing and Finishing work: Jose Saucedo, Alvaro Alas and Jose Mariscal: These guys made some of the perplexing little things seem easy, and in the end really made the small things perfect. A pocket door we had installed was a perfect example. The attention to detail by these gentlemen, and MSK mgmt., makes that door work perfectly One additional note that I found refreshing was the relationship MSK has with their subcontractors. MSK worked closely with all their subcontractors, which met that it did not fall on us to anyway manage. I have heard horror stories about subcontractors being slow, late, or poor workmanship. Not one of the subcontractors exhibited any of that Summary: You can’t go wrong with MSK. Are they cheapest? No. Are they the most expensive? No. Are they the most professional, respectful, timely, highest quality contractor? I think so. Can’t wait for phase B.

A year ago, my husband and I found ourselves in the predicament of having downsized from our home of almost 20 years in the Oakland Hills to a 2 bedroom condo in Rossmoor with a beautiful view and an interior dated to early Austin Powers. Our beloved contractor of 30 years had just retired, and we felt some anxiety about who would be able to take on the project of updating, modernizing, dare we say transforming our place into a home? We are so lucky that we found MSK. From initial meetings to planning, demo, design choices, budgeting, and dealing with the unexpected (hello, bathroom plumbing encased in concrete and sloping kitchen floors), they've been great. They really shine at excellent communication throughout the process and taking care of all the details, from permitting to dealing with homeowner association concerns to neighbor concerns and questions. The designer we worked with made the arduous task of picking paint colors, lighting, carpeting, appliances, tile, cabinetry, etc. so much easier and actually fun, they work with wonderful local suppliers. The quality of attention and craftsmanship they applied to our home always made us feel like we were getting top value for the money spent, and we always knew where we stood in terms of the budget. If I were to choose one quality I most valued, it was the level of communication and follow through that run's through the company from the top on down. We provided them a challenging site (scant parking, close neighbors, our constant presence) and they met it all with grace and good humor. So, from structural changes that took us out of the 70's to great bathrooms, living areas and the gourmet kitchen I thought I'd left behind in Oakland, they really made our place a home that reflects us. From my perspective, their value provided far exceeded the money well spent. Thank you, Scott, Kat and the whole MSK crew.

Our MSK Design Build Experience In late 2022, we decided we needed help updating a 1974 build that we had just moved into but didn’t have the budget to do a total remodel or the ability to live elsewhere during the work. Also, we were new to the area and needed help with recommendations for purchases and choices like appliances, backsplash, counters, flooring, windows, etc. We needed to hire a company we could trust from top to bottom. We met with several companies. Only one had the depth and gave us the comfort level we sought, and later lived up to it: MSK Design Build. Here's what we experienced: Our initial impression of MSK Design Build was that it is a 20+ year old, carefully assembled business and team the heart of which is its employees. The team had competence, confidence, talent, creativity, and empathy for their clients. What a package! MSK communicated well and completely. They were patient, methodical and considerate during the design process. They listened well and were respectful of our input. The construction project management tool, CoConstruct, enabled us to keep track of all aspects of the remodel. Budget and financial matters were handled with sensitivity, accuracy and thrift. Work was scheduled with concern for our needs and comfort. A temporary kitchen was set up in our living room and the kitchen worksite was completely sealed off. There was someone at the house working every day and the work site was kept clean and neat. Care was taken to ensure our kitty was kept out of harm’s way. MSK knew how to work around supply chain challenges. They understood how to work with permitting authorities so that there were no delays. MSK’s mantra was “If you’re not happy with something, we’ll make it right.” The rest of this story is almost too good to be true. MSK finished the project early. We have an absolutely beautiful, completely new kitchen with plenty of storage. A wall was removed, windows modified and ceiling raised to give us an open concept kitchen, dining and entertaining area. We have great looking LVP floors throughout our home, and all new windows and sliders. We love it all. We actually had fun working with MSK. Who says that? We learned a lot from them. We enjoyed the whole team and trusted every one of them. Who says that? Our salute to the whole MSK Design Build team! Marji and Ron Goldberg Walnut Creek, CA

After approaching several contractors and a couple of design/build firms about a home remodel project we’d been considering, we opted to work with Kat, Scott and the team at MSK Design Build. We made this decision because MSK immediately presented as the most organized and communicative outfit that we spoke with. We engaged MSK to help us increase the footprint of our home by approximately 200 sq ft, convert an old bathroom into a ‘Jack and Jill’ shared bathroom for our kids and completely replace the primary bathroom and closet. MSK’s designer Suzy was very helpful and easy to work with as we developed and refined plans for the project. Because we wanted to consider a variety of possibilities, this process went through many phases but no one at MSK rushed us or requested additional funds for the time involved. After we’d landed on a design that we were comfortable with, Scott and his team took over to build everything. Our initial meeting with the team of professionals that MSK has on staff set the tone for the whole project. It was super helpful and comforting to have MSK directly address matters as mundane as where a porta potty would be located to the more critical dynamics of subbing some of the work out to outside craftsmen. On a couple of occasions, our project got delayed by some severe weather and COVID but MSK always kept us informed about the situations and pushed to get back to work as soon as possible. During one particularly intense winter storm, some tarps were blown loose from the exterior of the work site and we had to call our Project Manager, Curt, on a Saturday morning. Curt didn’t hesitate to get the Lead Carpenter, Jason, and his associate extraordinaire, Jose, over to our place and within an hour everything was buttoned up tight despite the howling wind. Eventually we did have an issue with some of the tilework performed by MSK’s sub and we had to pump the brakes on the project to get the issue resolved. But Kat, Scott and Suzy were quick to schedule an onsite meeting with us to get to the bottom of the matter. After hearing concerns and considering potential remedies Kat and Scott very matter of factly told us, ‘If you’re not happy, it’s unacceptable and we’re gonna make it right.’ We agreed on a plan to address and resolve the tile problems and MSK got it done with out protest or drama. I also want to make clear that outside of the tile sub issues, the work that MSK did was of a very high quality and now (approximately 6 months after the completion of our project) we’re using completely hassle-free spaces that we love. They may not provide the lowest price at the onset of a project but they stuck to our budget and the professionalism was well worth every penny we spent. In addition to the folks mentioned previously, we want to make a point of acknowledging and expressing gratitude to Shawn (MSK’s Painter), Alvaro (second Lead Carpenter) and Miro (one of MSK’s Plumbers) who were simply wonderful to work with.

This was our first experience doing an actual remodel—we’ve spent years doing DIY projects and will continue to do so, but we knew we needed experts to take care of our kitchen remodel. We really can’t believe how lucky we got! Why you should go with MSK Design Build: 1. They do EVERYTHING. 2. Design – The best ever. Our designer, Linda Bryant, listened to what we were looking for – to turn our 1950s galley kitchen into a functional, clean space. She created a wonderful and unexpectedly spacious design without changing the footprint of the kitchen. She gave us homework – how do we use our current space, what’s working, what’s not working—and gave us honest advise on which bell or whistle was something we should spend our money on. We just loved her! 3. Permits – I don’t know what that would have entailed, but I know it saved me time and aggravation. Our neighbors up the street had to fit this into their busy schedule, and they are on month 5 still trying to get their new kitchen done. 4. Vetted reliable contractors – no getting bids and hoping the one we chose showed up to work and completed their jobs--MSK brings long-held reliable relationships with them. MSK wouldn’t work with them if they hadn’t proven themselves. They showed up, did great work, were quiet and respectful. They left our place each afternoon clean with all tools put away. Al Alas, our onsite project manager, made sure of that… We credit Al for getting the work done, and done well. 5. Finished a week early!! - Our flooring folks had a cancellation the week before they were to start doing not just the kitchen, but the whole house! They were able to start a week early at the opposite end of the house while the kitchen cabinets were still getting put in and were done before they initially were supposed to start. It feels like a brand new house, not just a new kitchen. Every time we look at our new kitchen, it makes me smile and feel just happy to be here. Thank you Kat, Scott and team for taking care of it all! Dana & Rob Klyver, Walnut Creek

I would highly recommend MSK Design Build!!! We first used MSK in 2019 for a kitchen remodel. We had a very distinct, modern look we were trying to achieve and felt MSK was the team that would be able to do it for us. We used them again this past year (2022) for a bathroom remodel, stairs and banister/railing project, putting hardwood into our upstairs area as well as transforming a formal living room and guest room into a new En Suite for visiting family members. We had quite a few friends go through a remodel and heard all the crazy stories of trying to get multiple contractors, designers, architects, etc. to get on the same page. The beauty of MSK is that they're a design-build firm and take responsibility for everything from design to execution. They even follow up every few months after completion to make sure we're pleased with the outcome. We chose MSK because we felt they were honest, forthcoming people. And we were right! They kept us up to speed on anything that varied from the detailed plan they had set forth from the beginning. They use a platform called Co-Construct that keeps everyone up to date on what's happening and allows for extremely easy communication between client and builder. That was extremely important to us since our hours aren't always conducive to playing phone tag throughout the day. The team at MSK was amazing! Our designer, Suzie, helped us go from everything we had seen in magazines and online to putting together a well thought out design to help match aesthetic to function. The team that came in everyday were fantastic as well. The team that came in were always very professional, courteous and punctual. They definitely stand behind their work. They respond right away and get someone out here as soon as they can to fix it without me having to constantly remind them. Amazing! We get so many compliments on our new kitchen and family room and love the look! Our new bathroom, stairs and En Suite are amazing! I would recommend no one else but MSK if you're planning a project!!

A hundred KUDOS for MSK Design Build who just completed our kitchen remodel. Kelly and I worked great together to fine tune the design, focusing on both function and beauty. We tore the existing kitchen down to the studs and replaced everything. Chuck, the onsite construction lead, was on top of every detail. The form, fit and function came out perfect. Every time we come into the kitchen, we get a smile on our face.Thank you to Kelly, Chuck, Curt, Kat, Scott and the entire team for a job well done. We would recommend MSK hands down.

This was our second time using MSK. The minute we went in to escrow, I called them to get our project going. I can’t say enough about how well they managed both of our remodels. MSK takes care of you from A to Z and is always available. Our designer Karen was very thorough and took our project in stride as we continued to add to it. Al, our lead carpenter, was professional and reliable. The staff and subs were excellent. MSK stuck to their timeline and managed the whole process really well. We are thrilled with the result and so happy in our new space.

Can't say enough great things about MSK Design-Build! We moved to Walnut Creek in Summer of 2021 and bought in a hot market. Needed a remodel and our realtor recommended a design build. I research online and narrowed down to 3 East Bay companies. I interviewed each and was blown away by MSK. We had a lovely designer, they worked with us on budget and they were exceptional in the build quality - not to mention cleanliness. We lived in the home during the remodel so we're breaking it into phases. Very excited about how it all turned out. Phase 1 was mechanical as everything in the house was outdated, plus a bathroom remodel and other things like doors, paint, etc. Can't recommend MSK enough!

MSK did a major remodel for our home including removing and rebuilding a multiple walls, extending our roofline and garage, and total gutting and remodeling of our kitchen. The work took multiple months during the pandemic with many supply chain issues. MSK was professional, responsive, and with us from beginning to end. I am so thankful that we chose MSK to do our project. They guided us through the remodeling process as well as accommodated our needs as we were insistent on living in our home while the remodel was in process. Jason, lead carpenter, moved our washer outside and connected it for us. Curt, project manager, and team moved our dining table at least 3 times so that our grand piano was still playable. The whole crew was respectful and always wore their mask while working in the house. MSK is a professional company with integrity that listens to their clients.

We have moved into our gorgeous new bathroom and we are thrilled with it. Once again, Linda's design is beautiful and meets all of our criteria. Her care in creating the design and her expertise in helping with our selections ensured another successful outcome. Joe, Sean, Dom, Gary, Jorge and the entire team did a fantastic job. Joe and his team were timely, efficient (completed the project AHEAD of schedule), tidy, unfailingly friendly and checked in with us when on-site client decisions needed to be made. Another excellent experience with MSK!!

We would highly recommend working with MSK Design Build on any home remodel project. We selected MSK to remodel our kitchen after interviewing several firms. From our initial meeting to project closeout, MSK was great to work with. Owners Scott and Kat, designer Kelly, and lead carpenter Joe were all professional, highly skilled, and hard-working. At every phase of the project, the team was quickly responsive to questions and requests. The online platform Co-Construct kept us aware of every aspect of the project and the day-to-day schedule. Co-Construct provided very easy communication between us and the MSK team and allowed us to continue working and traveling throughout the project. It was a pleasure to work with the team on the design. Kelly and Scott provided several layout options for enlarging our kitchen and adding access to outside. Kelly quickly learned our style and provided great options we had not considered, all while keeping our budget in mind. During the construction phase, Joe did an amazing job minimizing the impact on our lives. The site was left clean every day. He was always available to discuss what was being done and the next steps. He was hard-working, friendly and on top of every detail. Our black lab misses watching Joe and his team work! We love the new kitchen and would definitely use MSK for our next home remodel project!