Chad Williams Designer Builder

13 Reviews

General Contractors

3 Hires on Houzz

About Us

Online consultation

40 years in business

Locally owned

Your Elite Multi-Disciplinary Group of Master Builders in Santa Cruz

Chad Williams of CWDesignSolutions is a residential designer and builder in Santa Cruz County CA. With over 40 years of hands on experience in every phase of home building and remodeling. Chad tells us “ I have planned , designed, drafted and built with my own hands dozens and dozens of homes, remodeled them and added on to them. I take a complete comprehensive approach to every aspect of a project. Our goal is to make your dream come true. To meet your specific individual project needs.”. As an expert hands on tradesman, Chad Williams has a complete understanding of all materials and practices employed in residential construction. What is available, where to purchase and how to install. Chad is also a certified Green Building Professional. Producing several Near Net Zero designs for houses that are producing their own energy. Considering all aspects of site orientation, topography, micro environment, available energy sources to produce the most green, sustainable, energy efficient habitat for the location and your particular requirements. Chad donates a minimum of 10% of his net income monthly to charity. He is a hospice volunteer, active in his local church, an avid photographer, bicyclist, hiker, husband, father and grandfather.

Services Provided

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Attic Conversion, Barn Design & Construction, Basement Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling, Custom Home, Deck Building, Energy-Efficient Homes, General Contracting, Green Building, Guesthouse Design & Construction, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Home Remodeling, Home Restoration, Kitchen Remodeling, Modular Home Additions, New Home Construction, Pool House Design & Construction, Porch Design & Construction, Project Management, Site Preparation, Staircase Design, Storm Shelter Construction, Structural Engineering, Sustainable Design, Tiny House Construction, 3D Rendering, Architectural Design, Architectural Drawings, Bathroom Design, Building Design, Custom Homes, Drafting, Floor Plans, Garage Design, Historic Building Conservation, House Plans, Kitchen Design, Outdoor Kitchen Design, Passive Solar Heating & Cooling, Space Planning, Universal Design, Construction Drawings, 3D Home Design, Remodeling, net zero housing design, land use planning, house plans design drafting, green building design

Areas Served

Amesti, Aptos, Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, Aromas, Capitola, Corralitos, Day Valley, Elkhorn, Freedom, Interlaken, Moss Landing, Pajaro, Rio Del Mar, Seacliff, Soquel, Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Bonny Doon, Live Oak, Rio Del MAr, Royal Oaks, Seabright, Monterey, Carmel, Los GAtos, San Jose

Awards

Licensed General Contractor, Certified Green Building Professional Build it Green 2014

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14 Projects

Scotts Valley, CA

Credentials

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Featured Review

Medina Project Construction Corp

Relationship

Client

As a general contractor, I have worked with Chad from CWDesign Solutions on multiple remodel projects. Chad always delivers. Clients are extremely satisfied with the design. Read Full Review

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13 Reviews for Chad Williams Designer Builder

Newest first

HU-693384500

Relationship

Client

Chad was extremely helpful and picked up drawings for our ADU mid cycle when my current draftsman unexpectedly was not able to complete the project. He got hte work done quickly and stayed on top of things for us. We were very grateful he was able to push it through.

October 26, 2021

L W

Relationship

Client

In 2015, I built an Art Deco style house in Santa Cruz, California. Chad helped me with the drawings and the application for the building permit. He did an exceptional job. This year, 2021, I build another structure, an ADU on the same lot, I asked Chad to help again. This time, I did not have a stuctural engineer to work with the design. Chad used the Code book to design structure of the house according to my design. I got the permit in September 2021 and started building it now. I am very with Chad’s work. He is knowledgeable, professional, competent, and trust worthy. I highly recommend his service. Lw

October 22, 2021

Julie Hughes

Relationship

Client

Chad is a very nice man who talks a good game but did not deliver on my project. Chad hired a concrete company to replace my driveway, front steps and build concrete planter boxes, who treated my front yard like a dump. He was not on-site at the beginning of the job (or any day for that matter, until after the start of the days' work) and did not convey design information to the concrete contractor, which resulted in avoidable change orders. I had to go over the days' plans each morning with the concrete contractor to make sure the project was on track and being constructed correctly. He did not provide a porta-potty for the job (even though it was specified in the SOW) which ended up with some of the workers relieving themselves in my front yard. Trash and cigarette butts were left daily on the worksite, even after alerting him to this issue. Chad takes almost no responsibility for his errors unless pushed to do so. His attention to detail is lacking, to say the least. He backed out of several other aspects of the project, I assume, once he realized he had a client who knew basic construction protocol. While the end result was mostly acceptable, the process was stressful and was an unfortunate and costly mistake to hire him.

September 28, 2021

Comment from Chad Williams Designer Builder:

I am deeply concerned when any client is dissatisfied. Whenever a problem arises, we work diligently to rectify it.
I am very sorry employing us left Ms. Hughes dissatisfied.
The process of having 8-10 workers in your front yard for over a week is certainly trying.
At the end of the job the landscape was repaired to as good or better than was existing. Site was left clean and debris free. I agree that the concrete contractor should have supplied a porta potty and that no one ever relived themselves on her site.
Our work is done exactly as described in the scope of work and per our daily discussions with the client. My self being on the job daily.
I know the client has had the work reviewed by other building professionals. This peer review found our work to meet highest industry standard.
Over the past 25 years I have had over a hundred satisfied clients.
I hope this one review does not erode my credibility.
That my positive track record out weights this negative review.
Sincerely,
Chad Williams Designer Builder
10-14-2021

Wes Hall

Relationship

Client

We recently added a bathroom and expanded a bedroom in our house. Working with Chad from design to completion. Both he and his sub-contractors were professional and did everything to make the process as easy and non disruptive as possible, all our questions were answered, and people showed up on time. The project was finished just as the pandemic started, so I hope everyone is doing ok in these trying times.

August 6, 2020

Comment from Chad Williams Designer Builder:

Hi Wess and Carol,
Hope all is well with you and family. You are wonderful people to work with. Honest and trusting I believe we formed a very clear and functional working relationship that enabled my team to provide the best of service to you. So you helped me do my job.
Thanks,
Chad Williams.

Michael Nguyen

Relationship

Client

Chad is an expert in every aspects of his architectural design profession. With a very artistic skill, he helped remodeling my garage into a beautiful accessory dwelling unit. He also helped speedily obtaining the permit and working with the city through out the construction process. His many ideas and suggestions have saved me a lot of time and money putting into this project. Chad is wonderful person to work with.

June 1, 2020

Comment from Chad Williams Designer Builder:

Thanks Dr. Mike
Dr. Mike allowed me to collaborate with him making a old run down building into a beautiful and functional ADU and storage. Thanks again Dr. Mike
Chad Williams

Anton Kokarski

Relationship

Client

I've hired Chad to take over the design and permitting that my previous architect failed to deliver on. From the first engagement conversation, I knew Chad was a solid candidate with a structured approach. The project although it may seem simple required getting a variance and working through issues from various agencies plus a public hearing. All of that was tackled without any confusion or going back and forth for months. We are now on the second leg of the project, getting a building permit and it is huge relief to have Chad driving this through the county. Initially, I wanted someone to take care of the permitting process, but after working with Chad for some time I am going to use him as GC. If you want someone who knows how to work with the county, reasonable, punctual, experienced, and dependable, go for Chad. My only regret is not finding him a year earlier.

June 1, 2020

L Winn

Relationship

Client

I hired Chad to draw the design I created for a rental residence and help facilitate the building permit process. Chad did an excellent job. He showed his knowledge and experience in his work. I highly recommend his service. I have recommended his service to a few people I know already.

May 29, 2020

Comment from Chad Williams Designer Builder:

Mr Winn is a talented artist and designer. He is wonderful to work with. I am lucky to have had him as a client.
My Best,
Chad Williams

Medina Project Construction Corp

Relationship

Client

As a general contractor, I have worked with Chad from CWDesign Solutions on multiple remodel projects. Chad always delivers. Clients are extremely satisfied with the design. As a builder, I am always pleased that he considers construction during the design stage. I would highly recommend CWDesign Solutions when in need of a building designer.

October 31, 2016

Gary UTILE

Relationship

Colleague

I have enjoyed working with Chad on several occasions and have found Him to be reasonable, competent and creative. He responds quickly and I have gladly referred Him to others

October 20, 2016

twofeathers31

Relationship

Client

Chad provided a wonderful service not only developing the plans for my new home but also helping with the permit process. We worked out the house plans together and I value his ideas and experience. And I am happy with the end result - a very well designed and well built home.

August 25, 2016

Allan Mayfield

Relationship

Client

It has been a pleasure to work with Chad on the design and permit filing for my 1,513sf duplex in Monterey County. He is hardworking, knowledgeable, creative, honest and fun to work with. It has been a very difficult conversation with the county, requiring many extra steps due to the unusual nature of the property and Chad has been outstanding in providing suggestions and alternatives, as well as, top notch design. I would look forward to working with Chad again.

August 25, 2016

HU-315926

Relationship

Client

I have worked with Chad on a few different projects. He is very on task and in my experience seems committed to getting the job done efficiently, on time, and at minimal cost to the client. I have and would recommend him highly.

August 22, 2016

Mrs Picky

Relationship

Client

I worked with Chad, the owner, on the redesign of my 1,000 square feet home, which includes a master bathroom addition and a new roof structure. Chad is easy to work with and his past experience as general contractor is very valuable when designing while paying attention to the overall building budget. He is a Green Building Professional and is on top of new products on the market. What I liked most is that he is very open minded about materials that he hasn't worked with and he did quite some research to give me professional advise. Chad does plan heated floors, which was the selling point for me when I was looking for a designer. Getting to know him over the course of the design project confirmed that he is a true expert in various areas. If I get stuck during construction and need independent advice, it is a peace of mind that I can always call Chad and get his opinion.

August 16, 2014

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Chad Williams Designer Builder