Bob Sickenberger Construction

Bob Sickenberger Keeps the Art of Custom Finishing Alive

By Greg Howard

Bob Sickenberger doesn't need to advertise. Word of mouth from building trades people to former clients brings a steady stream of demand for his custom finishing skills.

Part of Bob's reputation rests on his ability to bring numerous areas of subject matter to the table, and his ability to partner directly with builders and architects, and ultimately, the client. He's able to talk them through all phases of building because of his extensive work in the custom home building market. He is able to convey his vision to both homeowner and subcontractors alike. "Many factors come into play before the sheetrock is even put up," Bob explains. "It's necessary to have a conceptual plan going into the project, and I am able to do that."

Bob's team primarily does interior finish work in mid- to up- per-level custom homes, including a great deal of remodeling work in nearly every size or phase. For example, a current job requires taking out nearly 1,700 square feet of a home - essentially everything but the bedrooms - and putting back in 2,500 square feet.

"I wouldn't want to take on a job much bigger than that with the crew I have because we're known for doing mostly hands-on work and I depend on my positive referral base to keep bringing in business. Our small crew allows us to attend fully to all details of a job," Bob says.

Bob is willing to go do a job as simple as hanging a door if one of his partners or clients asks him to. As for his ideal job, he says, "I'd like to design and install trim throughout a beautiful custom home - every aspect of every room! I am often able to do that once a client sees what our team is capable of. This creative license keeps our jobs exciting and interesting."

Bob eased into the custom finishing life through his father, whom Bob describes as an excelled woodworker, but not some- one who was fortunate enough to become part of the industry. Bob says, "My father loved woodworking, but never had the chance to pursue it as his primary passion."

Fortunately, Bob found others who did. His first mentor was a 50-year-old carpenter named Will Cabral, and after that he worked for Earl Driggs, a seasoned woodworking professional and custom home builder in the Alamo, Danville area. Bob found himself moving from journeyman to foreman to project supervisor in a nine-year period. And now he's a mentor himself - to his own son, Eric.

"Eric's been working for me for five years, and he's getting good," Bob grins. "He has a very strong sense of graphic design, he gets along very well with people and he has learned to help clients articulate what they want. Eric will think nothing of sketching something out several times until a client understands what a mantel or crown detail will look like. Often they don't know, so you have to offer options and ideas until you can communicate with them and really understand them."

This emphasis on the client's point of view hints at the heart of Bob's work philosophy. When asked to name the biggest difference between himself and his competitors, Bob admits that from the perspective of pure craft, the differences may not be immense. "If you have an experienced, quality craftsman who understands and can do the work, there may not be a difference. But there may be a big difference in how the client is treated. We design our work around our customers' needs. In remodel situations, we might offer to install a temporary kitchen facility to carry them through the inconvenience of being without a kitchen, or break projects into phases to soften the disruptions of everyday life."

Bob knows his clients appreciate the service and communication they receive. "They appreciate the phone call when a subcontractor is going to be late or if a product fails to ship out in time. They like to know that your best interests are also their best interests. They like to feel comfortable about the work you're doing in their home."

That level of comfort has its own rewards, as clients who are comfortable with Bob's work will often given him complete creative reign over certain projects. For example, he has a client who wanted a mantel. Bob tried to explain to her: "We've done fluting throughout your house, and now I want to break the mold and do all panels." She said, "I don't care what you do. As long as it looks good."

When she returned home from work, she immediately called Bob. He laughs, "She was so impressed and excited about how good it looked. Reactions such as these are what keep us focused and creative.

"Part of life is having a passion for our work and we are fortunate to not only do what we enjoy, but also to pass that craftsman skill down to the next generation. I am excited to see what my son, Eric, will bring to our business."

Bob Sickenberger Construction is located in Brentwood. Contact Bob or Eric at (925) 250-7138.

November 2005 Builder Architect Edition Issue

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