At MurphyMcKenna, we believe:

Miniscule design details matter most.

As craft-obsessed carpenters, we are fastidious about how we execute the myriad of tiny design details that inspire pride in clients and architects. Armed with architecture backgrounds, we pour over and probe the architect’s drawings to fully grasp the artistic vision and the role that the details play. Our favorite thing is to elevate these details within the most challenging design plans to create something stunningly unique with our collaborators, be it an unexpected view or a exquisite finish.

We are passionate about delivering at the height of our craft. Everything about our process is constructed to support this.

Respect builds the remarkable.

The bedrock of our interdependent relationships, whether with clients, architects, designers, subcontractors or our own superintendents, is respect. A core value at MurphyMcKenna for nearly three decades, we believe it is what makes projects succeed. To this end, we create an environment where those we collaborate with feel they are not just listened to, but that their ideas are seriously considered and their opinions valued.

When people feel this respect, they communicate more openly and increase their commitment to achieving our North Star, a building that’s truly a piece of art. This results in increased productivity, which contains costs and keeps schedules on track, and a thriving, feel-good project. Of course, such respect starts at home. That’s why we prize our team of talented and honesty-at-all-costs communicators who love working closely with others and learning from them, as well as leading. To attract and retain this trusted caliber of skilled professionals, we provide full health benefits, 401K plans, paid time off and professional development opportunities.

Fewer projects enable superior service.

MurphyMcKenna is realistic about what it takes, in terms of managing the people, process and technology, to deliver a project that clients love and architects find meaningful. That means we don’t overstretch ourselves. Time and again, we’ve seen projects weighed down by difficulties (e.g, costly delays) because construction teams have been overburdened, communications have broken down and quality has taken a hit.

Instead, we happily stay at our boutique size so we have the room to provide the highest quality work in a transparent manner, an outstanding level of service and an enjoyable experience for all of our collaborators.

As proven and prudent perfectionists, MurphyMcKenna earns your trust by eclipsing design expectations at each phase of the building process. We are methodical about our process because making wise decisions, especially “minor” ones, for a complex project often hinges on several factors. A deep level of knowledge, experience and organization. Dedicated and high-performing collaborators. Honest and constant communication.

Our thorough and transparent approach instills trust and keeps projects on schedule and within budget while delivering the highest quality. In totality, our process enables us to realize, with precision, the client’s unique dream and the architect’s singular artistic vision. Specifically, it provides us the opportunity to craft the intricate, stand-out design details and finishes that others revere. Meticulous craftsmanship is our core.

“From project oversight to craftsmanship, we never have to worry about how things are going to turn out in the end. We can rest assured that the details we’ve designed will be faithfully executed.”

– Philip C. Rossington, CEO, Rossington Architecture

From the start, we listen and ask informed questions, foster friendly and open dialogue and bring a culture of full disclosure to ensure that the client, architect, design team and MurphyMcKenna are on the same page. Day in and day out. We are always an open book. This means we preemptively tackle, communicate and creatively resolve potential challenges head-on. Our ability to see around corners, due to our decades of experience, means there are a minimum amount of surprises and change orders. This accelerates the build, generating momentum and excitement on-site. Clients often describe us as straight shooters who they learn to trust because we prove – one candid conversation at a time –  to have their best interests at heart.

At the end, many call us friends.

During this critical phase, MurphyMcKenna produces a painstakingly prepared pre-construction binder:

• Specifies the construction details
• Identifies the scope of work
• Includes bids from pre-qualified subcontractors and collaborators
• Thoroughly reviewed subcontractor proposals
• Contains a preliminary budget
• Contains a realistic schedule
• Outlines cost reduction strategies (VE)
• Pinpoints risk areas

Our team’s architecture background enables us to deftly interpret the drawings for constructability, building system types and value management. As we investigate and iterate, we get closer to a robust roadmap that mitigates against any future surprises. We relish this stage because immersing ourselves in how to most adroitly execute an architect’s vision, and promoting it to skilled craftsmen, thrills and inspires us.

In the pre-construction phase, MurphyMcKenna:

• Handpicks multiple subcontractors to bid the project based on what the project requires and our valuable trade, decades-in-the-making knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of key players.
• Closely guides subcontractors through the specifics of the jobs so they are clear on what we aim to accomplish. This ensures the accuracy and quality of their bids. In this way, we begin to build a purpose-driven and enthusiastic team of collaborators before the actual build commences.
• Asks for clarification from the architect and design team about the project by initiating requests for information (RFIs) and the systems to support this process. We believe clients can save significantly on costs when they spend time with the architect upfront.
• Utilizes cloud-based, industry-leading construction management software Procore. It manages the bid process, RFIs, cost estimates and many other facets of the project. Procore enables the client, architect and design team to have complete, real-time visibility into the project at anytime, from anywhere. Ultimately, this tool increases everyone’s understanding of the moving parts and helps prevent items from slipping through the cracks.

Upon contract approval, with the objectives, budget and schedule approved, our North Star becomes creating a building that’s truly a piece of art. Once the subcontractors have been selected as the right fit for the project, they then become key collaborators. Our approach is to eliminate silos and instead forge synergies between everyone involved in executing the architect’s vision, irrespective of their locations (i.e., on-site in Sonoma, behind a standing desk in downtown San Francisco, on a ski slope in Zell am See). In this way, we can move with greater accuracy, agility and speed.

In the construction phase, MurphyMcKenna:

• Manages, motivates and schedules various subcontractors and other collaborators to execute plans, precisely. We have a long track record of subcontractors overdelivering for us, as we are experienced at knowing how to best support them.
• Sets up the job site in an orderly and tidy manner, including offices, facilities and equipment.
• Leads weekly on-site or remote meetings to provide updates and garner input (e.g., following up on requests for information). We understand that no matter the robustness of the roadmap, a complex project is an evolving process that impacts timelines and budgets as clients’ needs sometimes change.
• Documents, manages and disseminates a continuous stream of information (e.g., daily job logs, weekly budget reports) and ensures that the client, architect and design team can access any real-time information so they are always in the know.
• Builds upon the cloud-based systems and software utilized during the pre-construction phase, such as Procore and MS Project for project and document management and Sage for budget reporting and payments. We also introduce new tools, such as Multivista, for clients to experience video and drone documentation of the project. These tools ultimately lead to greater levels of transparency and trust between collaborators and better decision making.
• Presents, selects and procures first-rate materials and finishes. As master craftsmen, this is a specialty of MurphyMcKenna.
• Ensures the quality of work is outstanding, even if it’s at our own expense. We will not settle for anything less than perfect.

When turning over the project, we ensure the client is confident about knowing what information is where. We are cognizant of the fact that projects are remembered by clients by how they finish. As such, we do whatever it takes to leave the client feeling proud of the building and keen to tell others about their positive experience with MurphyMcKenna.

To exceed the client’s needs and goals, we begin our last week of work with the same focus on excellence and follow-through that we possessed on our first.

We aim for a zero punch list, so that when we walk through all components of the project with the client, architect and design team, there are few items outstanding. We are fastidious about getting these final details right, recognizing that they can be the difference between a solid build and a stunning one.

During construction project closeout, we present full documentation created during the project, from final budgets to warranties and product literature, in a closeout binder. This is the culmination of our well-organized documentation management system and process throughout the build.

Clients often like the continuity of working with MurphyMcKenna to maintain and service their building, as well as to undertake small projects. They trust us to expediently manage everything from a water heater issue to installing a new bathroom feature. Given our close relationships with subcontractors, we can deliver a range of services, always ensuring quality.

We value the opportunity to continue to serve clients year after year, delivering not just on our design promise but on our dependability as well.