Testimonials

“James Crist Builders built us a home over 15 months, as expected for the scale of the project. We were very close to the expected completion date, and the team worked really hard at the end to get us into our home as quickly as possible. Everyone was professional; nearly all subs were polite and respectful. The project was kept clean throughout the process. The team even provided design assistance and comparative shopping. They have also been very responsive when things have had to be repaired or adjusted. I would highly recommend this builder.”

“A big key factor about James Crist Builders is being there beyond just the project. James Crist Builders worked seamlessly with our architect to ensure that every detail of our dream home met or exceeded our expectations. This was our first home rebuilding project, and James Crist Builders made the process smooth and enjoyable. James Crist Builders’ office manager/interior designer Julie Sternfield did an amazing job of keeping us informed, while also coordinating the activities of multiple third-party contractors and suppliers. After we moved in, James Crist Builders made sure that all remaining “punch list” items were handled promptly and professionally.”

“We hired JC Builders to construct our new 6000 sq ft home in Palo Alto. Jamie Crist had also built the home we bought new in 2003 and lived in until 2014. We asked him to tender for this project because 1 We felt that the quality of the home we bought in 2003 was very high and the aftercare excellent. 2 We like the fact that Jamie has based his entire career and reputation on work in and around Palo Alto and is one of a handful of highly respected local general contractors. We had braced ourselves for a very stressful time (based on myriad anecdotes from friends and business colleagues), cost overruns, delays, and frustrations. Looking back over the project’s lifetime (June 2013 to August 2014) we are thrilled with how smoothly it all went. Jamie and his incredibly competent and easy to work with colleague Julie lived and breathed the job. We navigated delays, change orders, and defective supplies in a collaborative way, and we moved in on time and within sight of our original budget. I have no hesitation in recommending JC Builders to you.” 

“We hired James Crist for a major remodel that included adding a second floor to an older house. We found him and his team courteous, professional, and dedicated to producing a high-quality house at a fair price. Jamie was honest with us about issues that arose and worked with our architect, the city departments, and the subcontractors to resolve them as quickly as possible. Julie was fantastic at helping us choose design elements and finding the best possible pricing. We are thrilled with the work they did for us and would highly recommend them.”

“James Crist Builders, Inc. was responsible for the project where I now live in the Barron Park area of Palo Alto. The work involved the demolition of an existing structure and the construction of a 4 bedroom/3 bath single story home.

I chose Jamie for four reasons: his bid was thorough in ways that told me he knew at a detail level what needed to be done and how much that would cost; he chose sub-contractors and suppliers with reputations for quality and timely work; the bank where I had a construction loan had high praise for him; he had built houses in Barron Park and in so doing had left happy homeowners and neighbors. 

The 11 month project took about a month longer than we originally projected, mostly for reasons having to do with the rains of Spring 2009. Importantly, we came in under budget. That is because we had budgeted realistically and because his project assistant is a remarkable shopper, dealing both with local vendors and Internet suppliers.

As we proceeded, it became clear that Jamie had the regard of Palo Alto planners and inspectors so the work moved apace. He also has the regard of my immediate neighbors. At Christmas I received a card from a neighbor I didn’t know, thanking me for building an attractive home and thanking me also for my choice of contractor. More than one person has dropped by to offer the same thanks in person. Crist’s workers observe the local rules, keep a clean workplace, don’t let radios blare and don’t park in other people’s driveways. Among them are some remarkably talented craftsmen”

Crist Builders do small jobs with the same care and attention to detail as they give to big ones. I’ve had them replace counters and a kitchen sink in a condominium. And I’ve had them retrofit and expand a kitchen area and a bathroom in a retirement community apartment. The same quality work, the same care for the neighbors and staff, the same good feeling of appreciation when they completed the work.”