Builder Advantage Newsletter - Builder Highlight

June 15, 2018 | By: Ethan Beck





Now, eleven years after completing our first build in Portland, Ethan Beck Homes is undergoing an exciting period of growth. Amidst the greater number of projects and an expanded regional presence, we have stuck with a handful of guiding principles. “Live, love, laugh...build for it” has been Ethan Beck Homes’ slogan since the beginning, and it still defines the ethic and the motivation behind our work. We put our heads together to express the key ingredients of our success and some of the thinking behind how we work. 

WHY WE BUILD
Our focus is on building comfortable homes that are easy to live in, believing that high performance and livability go hand in hand. As builders, we take our role seriously, and we understand the responsibility in building structures that will add to the fabric of Portland for generations to come. With this in mind, we see our decisions through the lens of energy efficiency, durability and livability. Our vision is to add to the beauty and character of Portland neighborhoods for generations to come, while reducing our homes’ impact on the environment.

HOW WE BUILD
Our building approach is defined by durability and “buildability.” Our details have proven to be effective and we stick with what works, while keeping an eye out for new systems that can be effectively integrated into what we do. Our material and detail selections allow us to build a consistently high quality, energy-efficient home at a reasonable price point.

TEAMWORK
A defining aspect of our culture, our teamwork is defined by a commitment to high-quality work and a positive outlook over the long term. By using the same team of subcontractors from job to job and year to year, we establish consistency, quality control and clear expectations. This “team” vision extends outward to include allies like Earth Advantage, a third party verifier, who pushes us to excel and innovate. We are able to pose the question: “What can we do better?” and we have the team to effectively provide answers in the field.

TECHNOLOGY
We consistently incorporate innovative technologies and the current best building practices into our homes. From ductless mini splits to fine-tuned air sealing methods, we seek out the most efficient systems, products and practices to build the best homes possible within the budget.

BUILDING SCIENCE
Building science shows up in our attention to detail across the board. We take pride in our air sealing and always enjoy seeing a cohesive, tight thermal envelope before and after sheetrock. Craft and building science go hand in hand.