Factor Design Build

Beyond horrible experience from start to "finish" on a multi-million dollar project in Boulder. We have built multiple very high-end homes over the years and working with Factor Design Build was a next level nightmare and their final work product was beyond embarrassing. They have no pride in their work quality and they can't keep their people long-term. Their project managers and owners couldn't care less about quality control. Almost every issue that we pointed out with met with excuses and gaslighting. We had 5 project managers over the course of our 15 month whole house remodel, as well as numerous designers and site managers. When no one is staying at the company, no one cares about the quality of their work and "craftsmanship" isn't even on the table. Most of their subs were clearly the "cheapest option", with a few exceptions. My wife and I even had to demand that one of their owners not step foot on our property after a particularly aggressive interaction at our 1st "substantial completion" meeting. We refused delivery of the house because there were literally uncapped electrical wires hanging out of the sockets and switches and paint still drying. The Boulder City Inspector told us the house was not safe to move into... but the owner of Factor was yelling at us for not signing the Substantial Completion paperwork and giving him a final check that day... After "substantial completion" the issues and problems with their work were seemingly endless and it quickly became clear that Factor simply couldn't handle it. Their work quality overall is extremely bad. The paint and drywall work is atrocious, our Marvin Ultimate windows had dents, scratches and glue all over them, not to mention that not a single one had the hardware installed properly. They even tried to touch up the windows and doors with Sharpie pen. Almost all of our Trustile interior doors do not close properly because most of the screws in the hinges are stripped out. Our stairwell, which was supposed to be a showpiece, was a total hack job, from handrail to spindle install... Reach out and I can share hundreds of pictures. We had to bring in a high-end Boulder contractor and numerous specialists, at over $160k, to finish the job correctly, as Factor is incapable of producing the level of true quality and craftsmanship expected in a high-end build, much less a mass produced tract home. Anyone can select expensive materials... it is the installation and fine finish work that sets the best apart from the rest. If you have experience with high quality construction and finish work, you will be massively disappointed with Factor's final product. We couldn't have been more disappointed and embarrassed about our project with Factor Design Build. We paid top dollar and expected high levels of professionalism, organization and quality... we could not have been more disappointed with their final work product and the entire process of working with Factor Design Build.

We cannot say enough great things about Factor Design Build. They handled our full home renovation and truly went above and beyond to make what could have been a stressful process feel easy, smooth, and even enjoyable. From day one, we felt like we were working with family and friends, not just a builder. The level of craftsmanship and high-end finishing completely blew us away. Every detail was thoughtfully executed, and it was clear they treated our home as if it were their own. Just as impressive was how respectful they were — not only of our house, but of our neighbors as well. They went as far as to reach out to each house in the area to let them know if there was anything they could do to make the process as least disruptive to the neighborhood as possible. That level of care says a lot about who they are as a company. Communication was outstanding. We received daily updates and photos, and at no point did we feel uncomfortable voicing opinions or concerns. Our project manager, Lam, and site manager, Jody, are truly exceptional people. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care made all the difference — we consider them friends and are happy we have the change to meet and work with them. Factor Design Build clearly sets themselves apart by employing great people and only working with subcontractors who meet their high standards. That commitment shows in every aspect of the finished product. The owners, Josh and Kent, were deeply involved throughout the entire process and were clearly invested in making sure we were absolutely delighted with the final outcome. Even after the project was complete, they continued to check in and take care of little things to help us get fully settled — something you rarely see. We would not hesitate for a second to recommend Factor Design Build to any family or friends considering work on their home (we already have given out their information to a few neighbors). They are the gold standard.

We recently completed a kitchen and primary bathroom remodel with Factor. We are first-time renovators and the Factor team made it an exceptional experience. The construction team was incredibly thorough, competent, organized, and solution-oriented. The four-month project was delivered on time and we couldn't be happier with the result. Early on in the design phase, we had some communication challenges, but the team was highly receptive to our feedback, made adjustments, and worked with us to make sure we were comfortable in our communications moving forward. Factor’s commitment to both the client experience and the final product truly stands out. We highly recommend them!

We bought a 2,500 sqft Tudor revival built in 1906 in a historic Denver neighborhood. It was outdated and had a typical choppy, closed-off floor plan. We chose Factor to open up the floorplan, update the finishes, and add almost a thousand square feet. It was a big project -- almost a year of construction and several months of planning and permitting. Factor is not going to be the cheapest option. We've remodeled five different houses, and this was by far the most extensive project we've ever done. It was also unique because we oversaw the project from 1,200 miles away. Factor made our lives easy by handling all the design, managing all the subs, and keeping us well-informed throughout the project. The quality of the work is outstanding, bordering on flawless. They hold their subs to a very high standard. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them and hire them for future projects.

Factor helped bring our vision to life. We did a full remodel of our wrap around deck, complete with new front door, windows and (coming soon) french doors. I love the material selections and we couldn't be happier with the end result. We have used our outdoor space more in the past month than we did in 3.5 years! Highly recommend Factor - great team, great service and great result.

We recently completed a multi-room remodel with Factor - master bed and bath, guest bath, basement bar, as well as exterior flagstone work and a new deck build. From day one of working with Factor, we felt as if we were a part of the Factor family. From the design team, to the construction, and project management team, they spent all the time necessary to go through every detail so by the time our project began, we knew everyone was on the same page, and knew exactly what the design was; right down to the last door knob. Everyone who walked into our home was not only professional and extremely knowledgeable, but kind. It’s a laborious process to go through a remodel, but knowing the people working in your home are caring people with your best interest in mind makes it all worthwhile. When any issues arose, the project management team was right in front of it, coming up with an immediate plan of action for how to move forward. We couldn’t be happier with the end result. Everything is exactly as we envisioned, and the quality is incredible. They go above and beyond. We had such a great experience and would hire them again in an instant.

We love our new house! It has been an epic journey to this point... after a nasty flood, Josh and his team stepped in to rebuild not only our home but our sanity. With Phil at the helm day-to-day, the FDB team overcame every challenge our project threw at them - from old services requiring replacement, new found ceiling spaces to create height, our design desires... I am thankful we chose FDB as no other team in CO would have delivered our project on time and on budget. I've already recommended Factor Design Build to anyone I know looking for a full service operation. They even make the admin easy :) Will be having them over for a housewarming BBQ soon as became friends - we weren't just a job...

In 2018 we purchased a home that was built in three major phases from the late 1940s through the early 2000s. The pros at Factor Design Build did a whole house renovation for us; from design to substantial completion was just under a year, which is remarkable given the scale of the project. Designer Brianna McCaffrey helped us bring coherence and improved functionality to our home; she understood our style preferences perfectly. Project manager Richard Begando steered the job through the usual twists and turns on time and on budget. Lead carpenter Aaron Backhus was, quite frankly, so much more than that. We relied heavily on his steady competence.

Factor Design Build did a great job adding on to our nearly 90 year old home. The new spaces look like they have always been there... and wow, they are beautiful!

We recently moved into a new home, and Factor Design Build helped us make updates to our kitchen, bathroom, laundry and mud rooms. Although our job was relatively small, the Factor team treated us like we were a priority, and we were impressed with every person we interacted with, from the owners to our project manager to the carpenters and contractors who were in our home every day. One of Factor's biggest strengths is their ability to effectively communicate with their clients, and we always felt informed and brought along in the process. Our project manager, Scott, was especially great to work with, and we trusted his advice and judgement. We were very happy with the end result of their work, and we are already planning a future phase of updates. We feel fortunate to have found such a trusted, collaborative and skilled partner in the Factor team!

Factor Design Build completely remodeled my master bathroom and what an incredible job they did! From the first design meeting with Jenny to the completion of my project they have provided exceptional customer service while getting the project done on schedule. Travis Orme is a skilled and passionate project manager who was with me every step of the way. Lam La keeps the project moving smoothly and has excellent attention to detail. Richard Begando did a great job working on my bathroom from start to finish. Kent and Josh thank you for having an amazing team to help me create a beautiful master bathroom.

My wife and I started our design-build journey in the Spring of 2017 with an idea that we wanted to create a true master suite in our mid-century home, something that was not a priority in that era. After much consideration we figured out that the “easiest” way to accomplish our goal would be to demolish an old sun room, knock out a wall, and combine two existing bedrooms to create the space needed for a large bedroom, bath, and walk-in closet. We consulted an architect friend of ours, who suggested that we look into design-build firms, largely to ensure a consistency of vision and communication throughout the project. We interviewed two. The second one was Factor Design Build, and we were done. We were in a bit of a unique position, as we were determined to live in the home while it was coming down around our ears. Thus, we felt a strong desire to find someone we could trust and, possibly even more importantly, enjoy spending time with while our lives were being disrupted. I cannot emphasize this enough—from the first moment we met with Josh Fiester (owner) and Jane Blumer (architect) at our home we could tell that Factor is a FAMILY that genuinely and earnestly cares about its clients. Months later, as the final paint touch-ups are concluding, we feel they are now part of our family, too. We wanted someone who could help us enhance our vision for our home and was competent enough to actually accomplish the design. We could not be more satisfied. From interior design to solid construction to seamlessly meshing the new build with the existing structure, Factor continually exceeded our expectations. I should say that our home is the home I grew up in, so it was also paramount to maintain the “good bones” and homey vibe that had existed here for 50 years. No problem there. From the outside, you would never know an addition had been attached. A few words about the people—they are very, very good at what they do. They are scrupulously honest, funny, and fun to be around. When you have someone in and around your home 8 hours a day for months on end, that’s important. Josh and Kent run the ship crisply, Jane is a fantastic architect, Jenny is a spectacular designer, Travis Orme is as skilled and caring as any project manager you’re likely to meet, and Travis Surkalo is a “carpenter” without compare (I use the quotes there because he can actually do everything from framing to cabinetry, plumbing, trim, and electrical, too). I have no doubt whatsoever that the Factor team is imminently capable of executing a client’s specific vision down to the smallest detail. However, I will encourage any person considering a design build (Factor in particular) to relax a bit and engage with the process. Everyone at Factor from the top down is a creative person, and when given the opportunity to let their creativity flow, they work magic. If you can relinquish a little control and truly embrace their collaborative mindset, then your project will turn out more amazing than you ever could have imagined. Ours did. Some things will not go smoothly. Some things will not be perfect on the first try. Some things will not go quickly. Construction is not a simple journey from point A to point B, any more than life is. But, like life, it is quite possible to enjoy the ride. We enjoyed the ride enough to cry when they finished.

The Factor Design Build team is awesome and made everything fly. Super sharp, creative and helpful all the way. Thank you guys!

We’ve worked with Josh and his team on a number of projects over the years, helping with tree care projects. We don’t hesitate to recommend him. Really excited to see all the great work that Factor is doing!

We hired Factor Design Build to completely renovate a 1960 ranch in Golden, CO. We saw so much potential in the property, and the Factor team shared that vision. After our first meeting at their office, we knew we had selected the right company. Kent and Josh are truly professionals, and their team has been so much fun to work with. The scope included taking the house down to the studs, vaulting the ceilings, moving the stairs, updating the pluming/electrical/mechanical systems, an exterior refresh, and a complete interior renovation. There are several qualities in the Factor team that come to mind when I reflect on our positive experience. They are punctuality, progress, communication and flexibility. They valued our time by always arriving on time. The rate of progress at our weekly construction meetings was impressive, and the subs and project managers were there everyday to get us in on time. Communication and documentation was clear and detailed, and the team was flexible when we needed to make decisions on the spot. They completed the job within our budget, and the only change orders were items that we decided to add along the way. Factor took the stress out of this project so that we could focus on our growing family, and we are absolutely in love with the finished product! We would highly recommend them, as they were not only great partners in construction, but have become great friends too.

It was a pleasure to work with the Factor team. We used Factor Design Build for a renovation on a rental property we purchased in Boulder. They did an excellent job turning our 3 bedroom/2 bath house into a an updated beautiful 4 bedroom/3 bath house with an added lower level entrance. They were professional and friendly and brought together an excellent team to get our job done. We would happily work with them again.

Wonderful experience with Factor Design Build on the complete interior remodel of our home. The project included bathrooms, complete kitchen overhaul, flooring, refinishing walls and lofted ceilings, closet reconfiguration, electrical work and custom built-ins. Couldn't be more pleased with the finished product and thoroughly enjoyed working with the Factor team. They were on top of it throughout the project and very communicative. Project was complete on the projected deadline. White glove service that was a great fit for our family.

Factor Design Build is an amazing company to work with. They take the time to ask questions and truly understand what you need and what is best for your family. From our first meeting we felt we were in good hands. During the design process we came across an opportunity to buy a new home. Kent, Josh and team were genuinely happy for us, and while we were excited to find our new home, we were sorry to not be able to continue the process with Factor. The culture at Factor makes you feel more like family than a customer. If you are looking for a design/build firm I would highly recommend Factor.

Factor Design was nothing but professional and accommodating throughout our entire remodel process, and we are thrilled with the result. The team prided themselves on quality craftsmanship and completed the project on time and within budget. We love our new kitchen, bathrooms and built in sunroom. Thank you, Factor Design Build.

Josh from Factor was the lead for our new home build in Boulder. Josh made our building experience wonderful...we didn't have any of the horror stories that you hear about from the home building process. Josh and his team coordinated every detail of our job, making it easy and enjoyable. Josh went above and beyond his job description to deliver us a beautiful home, on budget and ahead of schedule. Trust in your builder is crucial and with Josh you can feel confident that he will deliver as promised and will go above and beyond to make sure you get the product you want. We were able to leave town for several months during our build because we knew Josh would deliver as promised without us needing to be there looking over his shoulder. There is no way we would have been able to manage the build process without such great support...and we absolutely love the house!! Thanks Josh!

I would never use another firm to build or remodel my home. They provided great upfront options, walked us through the selection process, and stuck with us through the twist and turns to the finish line. Top Notch all the way!

Factor Design Build took all the stress and pressure out of remodeling our home. From managing high end professionals to assisting with selecting the finishes, they handled it all. Countless surprises have been encountered while remodeling our 105 year old home and Factor has handled each one with professionalism and expertise, all the while keeping our budget in mind. We are very confident in the job Factor is doing and we're certain we'll love our new home. If you're interested in a remodel, but don't have the time to manage it, Factor is your firm.

I'm a homeowner in Boulder that hired Josh Fiester to design / build our home renovation. The final results exceeded our expectations and we were able to move in on time and as expected. As you know, the story is never that simple! Our home had been renovated several times before, and from missing supports to swelling soils, we encountered many unforeseen challenges. Josh was able, in most cases, to anticipate the challenge, but in all cases, handle it to our expectations and with exceptional results. He's masterful at coordinating and holding the various subs accountable, with special attention held to the high quality of finish work. During the design process, Josh creatively expanded upon our vision for our remodel with both innovative and practical solutions. He appears to have a lifetime of field knowledge, from which we greatly benefited. I wouldn't hesitate to hire Josh's firm for our next major project.

Factor Design Build is the type of reputable company that makes things happen. In the world of construction, there are always challenges and deadlines. This team of professionals has a great ability of pulling together their resources to take action quickly. They take problems and turn them into opportunities that work well for the construction team, design team and home owner. I will continue to work with this team as they create beautiful, thoughtful and creative design projects.