Golden Rule Builders

Our experience with Golden Rule Builders has certainly be different than many people write about here. We just celebrated our third anniversary of moving into our home and we are still working on items from the original punch list. We contracted with GRB for a custom-built, Energy Star rated home constructed with "high-performance home energy modeling." We selected geothermal technology for heating and cooling. The system includes radiant floor heating on the first floor. However, energy usage is way out of bounds according to company engineers. We believe excessive energy consumption is caused by the absence of a thermal barrier between the ground and the slab—so the system heats the ground and the slab, lack of a thermal barrier between the house's footprint and large porches (meaning we heat them as well). Although there have been nearly 1,100 emails, hundreds of phone calls, and dozens of text messages since we began building our home, communication has been terrible. We can't recommend GRB for any size project. They certainly have not lived up to their name.

I went in to the showroom to inquire about kitchen countertops and had what I thought was a pleasant experience with the consultant. She took my information as I picked out a few options and then let me know she would work up a proposal and be in touch within a day or two. It's been 3 weeks and I haven't heard a word, not even a thank you for coming by. Ironically enough, this was my second encounter with this consultant. About a year prior, I called and was directed to her. I explained what I was looking for and she let me know how 'expensive' it could be and promised to call me back to set an appointment. That didn't happen either. When she asked this most recent time, how I knew of the showroom, I told her that I was familiar with the company and had seen renovation signs. I wanted avoid an awkward moment for us both. So much for second chances! I even gave this woman my business card (which includes email), my personal email and personal cell number. Can't help but wonder if she thought my money wasn't 'long' enough for the project. Anyway, I moved forward with another company and will be getting beautiful quartz counter tops and backsplash from them. Perhaps, the Golden Rule sentiment doesn't apply to all.

We met with Dennis in the early spring to talk about an addition that we were thinking about. He came and walked through the house and listened to our ideas and offered some of his expertise. The design process was great. He came back with almost exactly what we were thinking and we had very few modification. The design software GRB uses is sate of the art and makes design process so easy. Dennis was patient as we went through the loan process with our bank and continued to keep in touch with us on the process of County permitting. The onsite construction manager always kept us up to date on what was happening. There was never a doubt if someone was going to be at our house working or where we were in the construction process. We have been in our new addition for about 9 months and couldn't be happier. Golden Rule Builders is professional in every way, and their workmanship is fabulous.

Bethanny Dye at Golden Rule Builders is a pleasure to work with. I'm a designer and have worked with her on several projects. She has a good eye for designing kitchen and baths and is creatively talented for bringing function to your space. I highly recommend working with her!

We decided to do a total kitchen renovation in January of 2015. We had used Golden Rule Builders for a major addition to our home in 1996 and were extremely satisfied with the exceptional quality of the addition. We returned to a proven professional company. From our first meeting with Bethany, she listened intently, understood the vision I had for the heart of our home and worked to design that dream. This great relationship continued throughout the design and planning phases and transitioned when the team executing the vision and doing the actual work arrived on site. Key for us was that Joel Barkman's employees led by Steve were extremely professional and committed to delivering high quality work. And most importantly, the workmanship and quality of materials used made our new kitchen stunning. The pride in the work from all of the team is evident in the beautiful kitchen we now have. The project began in mid March and completed in May it came in on time and on budget! Our new kitchen far exceeded our expectations and came together to enhance not just our home but our highly-valued family time. We are glad we chose Golden Rule Builders for this project and highly recommend them to anyone undertaking building a new home or any remodeling effort.

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of meeting Bethanny and Dennis at a networking event in our community. From the moment I met these two people I knew that they were working for a company that had value and a strong foundation to provide excellent services. NEver in my wildest dreams did I think that my husband and I would have them design a bathroom for us but they did. In the early part of June, my husband and I finalized the contract with them to begin the design and layout of our bathroom. Our bathroom was 20 years old and to be honest with you was embarrassing to let anyone see, EVER! Golden Rule Builders turned our bathroom FROM an embarassing thing to walk into into a SHOWROOM that I am so proud of that I even want to sleep in it... (really- it's that beautiful). I highly recommend Golden Rule Builders on all levels-- price, craftsmanship, timeliness of getting the job done and easy to work with.

Hired Golden Rule to build our Custom Dream Home. They worked closely with us to get the French Country Farmhouse look and open/accessible floor plan we desired. Additionally, they directed us to some great vendors for things such as granite and flooring so we could get exactly the custom touches we wanted to add. Workmanship on crown molding, cabinetry, etc. was top notch. Scott, our foreman was great to work with. We have received many compliments on our beautiful home- with some guests even saying it is the nicest home they have been in!

We highly recommend Golden Rule Builders (GRB) for your building project. GRB is an honest, hard-working group of dedicated professionals that built our custom Arts & Crafts/lodge style home. They were an absolute pleasure to work with, felt they were always looking out for our best interests, and went the extra mile to accommodate our style and desires. Our home features rough sawn post and beams, a stacked stone fireplace with wood pellet insert, and a custom kitchen that includes a curved island. GRB also incorporated a couple antique elements into our project - a turn-of-the-century newel post in our stairway and an 18th century hand-hewn barn beam as our fireplace mantle - to truly personalize and make our home one of a kind. Our project manager, Scott, was exceptional! It was great having someone supervising our build who was extremely competent, knowledgeable, and personable. He was available at any time to address our questions/concerns. Scott effectively managed all the subcontractors and ensured we were completely satisfied with each phase of our build. Thank you so much Golden Rule, especially Scott and Jerry for your patience. After all is said and done we love our home and would choose GRB to do it all again.

Fantastic experience. Very professional, respectful and efficient. The quality of the work was superlative. From the initial meeting, to the design plan and construction Golden Rule Builders exceeded my expectations. I am already using them for another project. I highly recommend them.

Golden Rule Builders replaced our cabinets, backsplash and counter top in addition to building an island and installing an overhead vent and new cooktop. They were extremely reliable and honest. We agreed on a price at the beginning and there was never a quibble on it. The craftsmen we worked with were very accomplished, offered helpful suggestions to resolve issues and were extremely courteous. The working area was always kept immaculate. The only hitch we had was their review of the cabinet order. Several cabinets came from the manufacturer different than ordered (or were ordered incorrectly), were delivered to our house and then had to be re-ordered.

This is the second time that we have had GRB work in our home. The first was an addition and recently, a bathroom remodel. They do excellent work and listen to our needs and desires. They are very open to the changes that we thought were needed as the project was underway. Most of all, I trust GRB to work in our home and to get the job done beautifully. They are our builders of choice.

New kitchen counter top, back splash, and hardware on cabinets. Workers were extremely helpful, professional and considerate. They worked tirelessly and cleaned up impeccably. The whole experience was a pleasure.