The_Craftsman

THE CRAFTSMAN

Here is a brief series of photos of projects I completed in Northern California between 2006 to the present time.    It's an
ongoing page, as I still live in the state.    It's mainly upscale or custom design-build work on high end homes or properties,
with commercial finish carpentry, property and yard improvements.

All structures were built on pressure-treated, preserved wood framework, with stained redwood decking

This long heavy staircase featured built-in-place construction, rock-solid handrails with metal rail panelling, and painted treads
dadoed into the stringers. Screw-and-glue construction resulted in a concrete-like structure, with no squeaks.

Office Improvements / Finishing Carpentry and Millwork / Cal Fire Offices, Sacramento, California

built-in oak entertainment center

This hallway, with oak flooring, features all oak millwork, doors and trim, baseboard, chair rail, wainscot and two custom
four-foot wide built-in oak sliding doors, for privacy during board room meetings. I manufactured all millwork on site
using a molding machine, and all solid panels and architectural woodwork were made straight from raw lumber on site as
well. The board room, which was the production area for the entire project, became the last room finished.

board room

The board room accents featured oak wainscot panels with a solid oak cap.   Doors, trim, base, custom table supports and
solid oak lamination of the large work tables were all performed on site.    Note the angled little custom solid oak work
table at the far end of room to the left of the door.    I installed all of the large screen television sets, supports and mounts.

a large residential grand staircase

new Trek decking and fencing

These photos were taken upon completion of new concrete block walls, flagstone tree boxes and stair improvements,
newly reconstructed front yard, perimeter redwood fencing, brick with concrete foundations, terraced rock flower
beds, driveway repairs, new service/storage area on concrete slab with secure fence and rolling gates.

protective pool equipment barriers

The Good Old-Fashioned Way

Old School Craftsmanship

This series of decks, landings, walkways and staircases were built on a long steep hill, replacing completely rotten and unsafe
structures. The hill made for extra work, but created a beautiful scenic viewing area and additional access on the property

There's also a brief section of landscaping, stone, brick and block work, as well as horticulture, maintenance and gardening
I've done. I worked for this client for the better part of six years, mainly on outdoor property improvements. The results
yielded all new fencing, concrete slabs, custom stone and concrete block, landscaping, planting, a reconstructed front yard
with rock garden, new property drainage system, new trees in place and old trees removed.

custom oak panelling and table

five hundred feet of redwood fence

Trek on a deck and grand staircase I built

working room with custom tables

Foreword

I'm a thirty-year professional carpenter, former Canadian contractor, business owner, field superintendent and foreman with
construction running in my history since I poured concrete sidewalks for the City of Brandon in 1975, straight out of high
school. I've learned a lot from some of the best, and have been fortunate enough to have had a long and colorful relationship
with many companies, contractors, individuals and employees since it all began.

I left Canada in 2003, returning in 2012 due to the utter collapse of the US economy.   These photos are a brief look at some
residential improvements I've done in California.     It's been an experience for a mountain man from the Great White North
to come here and work on some of the most beautiful properties I've ever seen.     It was culture shock for me to see how
luxurious and opulent some homes are in here La La Land.

S ee my Canadian work photos

concrete block tree boxes with stone

Here's a couple of very strong retaining walls built from pressure-treated wood set in concrete. Improvements shown
include a raised concrete slab with posts set in curbs, access staircases over steep terrain and a fenced service/storage area
with locked rolling gates.

The set of photos below shows the various architectural redwood improvements I constructed for this client
in Northern California

Working on properties like this one for the past several years was a welcome break from commercial and heavy construction

The client preferred to construct some new architectural improvements to the home using redwood, painted with dark walnut
stain. The funky little West Coast-style fence seen above and the decorative wood trellis were built to his exact specifications.
The redwood posts and painted triple-ply beam seen on the right shored up a sagging roof with open beams.

Here are more photos of the various projects I worked on over the course of several years in Northern California

have tools will travel

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