As a builder/general contractor we have been working with Dennis' team for many years. They are…read morevery professional and easy to work with and to ask questions when needed. We've built mountain rustic to mountain contemporary homes designed and engineered by them, so they cover all the architecture styles you can find in Tahoe-Truckee. We've recently built two spec homes (getting ready for our third) with Dennis' team and they really do help you as the owner/builder get everything done, especially with the pre-permiting and design approval process, as nothing can be more frustrating then getting "worked" in a design review committee meeting. They also get everything ready for the building department application process. We plan to continue to use DD&A for future projects. Steeleconstructiontahoe.com

Can't say enough good words about Dennis and his firm. Very professional, meticulous, and punctual…read more Dennis helped us with septic engineering and site planning for the house in Prosser. He chaperoned us through the entire cycle from doing preliminary site assessment when we were purchasing the land, through the design and permitting process. Dennis knows his trade. Never once there was a question or concern about his engineering work from neither Truckee building dept, nor builder/subcontractors, nor Nevada County inspectors. 2016 was one of the busiest year construction-wise, but Dennis found time to squeeze us into his busy schedule and got his work done before the due date.

Our new home build has been going very well. Christian and his crew have been great. Specifically,…read moreJustin and Vinnie are on top of everything and are responsive to questions. Christian, the owner, and his crew are professional and knowledgeable, and responsive.

Timberline Construction completed our house in Donner Crest over a year ago. We have been so…read morepleased with Christian and his company. We had to overcome some obstacles such as; living very far from the construction site (FL), and a pandemic. Christian's team was excellent in communicating updates and concerns throughout the entire process. Christian not only built and completed the house, but kept assisting us when we needed something from afar. It is difficult to live so far away from our second home, but with Christian's excellent business ethic, we felt confident that he would take care of us (within reason) if we needed anything. We enjoyed working with Christian and his entire team and would highly recommend him. Kristin P. from FL.

I worked with Donavan and his staff for a remote project in my home in Lake Tahoe and was so…read moregrateful for his expertise! The permit process wasn't easy so I had him do that too along with some drawings and he was super responsive and very patient with me. It's always a challenge to do upgrades without being there but he made it easy. His staff was very helpful and responsive as well. I highly recommend hiring him if you want some one with integrity who doesn't have inflated rates!

From the owner: We are a mature firm with youthful energy and a proven track record. Our project list numbers well…read moreover a thousand.The majority of our commissions have been for high-end residential products. We have also designed restaurants, multi-family housing, starter homes, industrial facilities, airport facilities, and mixed-use projects.Our goal is for strong relationships between owner, architect, and builder. We like to think our plans are builder friendly. We draw sticks not just pretty pictures. We are responsible to budgets and timelines.MWA, Inc. is a nuts and bolts firm with artistic talent and a strong understanding of how to create enriching places for happy people.

JK architecture is slow, unresponsive, and their engineer has willingly overlooked numerous and in…read moremy opinion substantial construction errors during an inspection of the construction (I suspect a conflict of interest due to their relationship with the construction company). The engineers at JK architecture do not deserve the trust that people place in the engineering stamps they put on their work. Oh, and their designs look like garbage. The most common response when people see the design JK architecture developed for my project is: "what the heck was the architect thinking?!? "

From the owner: Located in Auburn, Truckee-Tahoe, Reno and San Jose, JKAE is a team of visionary A/E design…read moredisciplines specializing in architecture, planning, interior design, structural engineering, civil engineering, surveying and design-build services. We bring 40 years of expertise driven design in public and private sectors through hands on services that are personal, passionate and proven.

We worked with DesignBar for nearly two years (2019-2020) on every stage of the design, build and…read moreimplementation for our Truckee home. While the firm is world class, it was having Holly Galbo Bopp as our lead point of contact and designer that made the process outstanding. Like anything, you can get products anywhere; it's all about the people. And Holly and the DesignBar founders were amazing. From selecting items in our budget and sourcing things that were our style to being adaptable and rolling with the changes of a new build, Holly was communicative, creative, and a problem-solving wizard. Our home is truly a "home" and the look and feel is a big part of that. Highly recco these folks and am personally grateful for the work! We'll enjoy it for a lifetime!

I had engaged with them to redesign 2 bathrooms and a powder room. It was not a big job and maybe…read moreas such low priority for them and not important. Holly who I was working with us definitely not a senior designer based on my experience. Entry level at best would be my evaluation. No attention to detail, no active listening skills, no due diligence, every meeting was a complete waste of time as she remembered nothing from those meetings. billed for every thing but delivered NOTHING based on what I had been shown I would get when I initially met with them. I eventually had to engage with Sarah the owner who at least measured up accurately but I still don't have finished plans or a spec sheet - nothing from a deliverables standpoint I was expecting for over $4000. I'm still waiting, I paid the invoices in hope I would get a final product but alas I must be very small potatoes for them. I would avoid this company like the plague unless you want to waste your money on people with little customer service as a priority and a company that will charge you for every email and still not deliver a final product! They give designers a bad name!!! I wish I had read Catherine's review before engaging as I'd agree with her over budget and under delivered. Holly didn't do any due diligence with measurements! No actual advise or direction on space saving ideas! Really a waste of over $4000 o could have and did most of that work myself! Their taste is old and antiquated! No creativity at all! FACTS: 1. Project started mid-December - it's now almost April and I still don't have a final 'folder' they advised I would get. 2. The owner agreed the work Holly provided as 'final' was not acceptable and stepped in to fix the issue. Yes I got plans with measurements eventually, but 3-weeks after she took over I still don't have a final spec sheet. 3. The owner kept going back to Holly to ask questions, Holly clearly couldn't remember a thing from our meetings and made stuff up so what Sarah the owner was getting was basically made up stuff and nothing that seemed even close to the conversations are agreements we had made. 4. It's also interesting how the owner has so much time to respond to these reviews vs actually finishing the project. 5. If anyone is interested in seeing what I first got from them, what Sarah sent which was better and the spec sheet that was not correct. Let me know I'm happy to share all this. It's nowhere close to what they advertise on Instagram and what they showed me I would get to 'hand over to the contractor'.

Great service! Very attentive to our needs. Patient with our changes. Highly recommended.read more

We have worked with Chris on two projects and he did a great job on both! He knows the area well,…read moreknows what needs to be done and has great experience going through the approval process required by all of the various county and club entities.

I have spent 1 week in Milan with Dennis and Natalie during Salone di Mobile 2025, and I was…read morefascinated by Natalie's incredible taste in furniture and finishing and her connections with high end brands like Minotti, Poliform or Molteni. Their habits to stay ahead of their game is among the best I have seen in architecture. You're fortunate if they find the time to work on a project together.

In search of a local architect. Dennis has been condescending in his communication style so far: he…read moreasked me how I came to hear of him (*as if I was in the wrong place for emailing his firm; keep in mind their email is prominently displayed on the World Wide Web) only for him to then snobbishly say that the "fit wasn't right". I'm sorry, but please consider providing a more professional justification for why you might be unwilling to enter into a discussion with someone regarding potential work opportunities. So far I can say that Dennis doesn't seem to be interested in new business, or in acting professional when turning away potential clients.