The phone rings early in the morning, and it’s a long-time client who treats our team of skilled craftsmen like family, continually lauding our work. It’s these types of clients we all have and all love and, of course, will drop anything to help. As I navigate my usual morning commute, I’m greeted by a forlorn sigh and the description of the freak-fire which destroyed their beloved outdoor living area (along with the home’s family room, kitchen, and master bedroom). Getting past the initial shock, we had to act quickly to ensure their safety. Quite the start to the morning. Challenges with this project run deeper than just the build: security of the entire affected area, good and sensitive communication, and navigating a pandemic lockdown can cause even the strongest-willed person to throw their hands up and call it quits. When the fire broke out, it took out the entire backyard and portions of the home, making the structure unlivable. We needed to mitigate the fire damage and make sure the house was secure against break-ins, but also, no damage existed that could cause harm to the neighbors. It’s these moments where relationships matter. The client needed a trusted and established partner to begin the rebuilding process. Professional knowledge is only one part of the puzzle. It’s here an empathetic ear, and extra solace goes far to remind the client all can be rebuilt. Lastly, none of us saw the difficulties a pandemic would bring. At a time when a person was about to use every square foot of their home to shelter-in-place, our client would be in the middle of a rebuild with no use of their beautiful outdoor living area to get through the day. Luckily, we were able to work with the city of Clyde Hill and continue through an emergency services waiver. What was done? The outdoor living area included a complete rebuild of the gazebo, including a large sitting area and fire pit. Stone patios were replaced, and additional stone was chosen to create a secondary, uncovered living area with a fire pit to enjoy during the summer months. The build is a testament to superb craftsmanship and design. However, we believe excellence also includes the holistic approach to listen deeply, empathize and understand a client’s history, external pressures of the world, and build community and relationship.