Metzdorf joined the union, learned carpentry skills, and was getting comfortable in the industry when the economy in the early ‘80s brought a shift into his job duties. He figured he could do better out of his garage and pickup truck — and went off on his own.

Twenty-three years later, Construction NW is well-known in Gig Harbor for its custom residential work. No longer working out of his home, Metzdorf employs a small office and field crew in addition to using subcontractors. As the company became more established, the jobs became more high-end. While focusing on custom residential homes, Construction NW also builds spec homes, does major remodels, and light commercial work.

About 17 years ago, Metzdorf started offering design-build services, which now encompass the majority of its contracts. Metzdorf is a self-taught designer, who used his college background and desire to learn as a springboard for adding a new dimension to his work.

“If we design (the project), we establish a rapport with the customer,” he said. “Customers become like our family.”

Metzdorf said he used to know every contractor in town, but now he hardly knows any of them; the competition is fierce although the lack of buildable lots seems to be keeping away new contractors. He sees Gig Harbor starting to become a more exclusive neighborhood because of the price of land and because it’s becoming a desirable location to live. “It will be a higher-end neighborhood. For a high-end builder, it’s a good place,” he said. “The market has come to me. As you gain expertise and reputation, the caliber of work grows.”

Because it takes a while to build a new home — usually a year or more including the design process — Construction NW is offering spec homes for those who don’t want to wait. The spec homes range in cost from $500,000 to $1 million. The last couple of years saw a drop in work, however, because of the lack of land.
“In the market now, the houses are not sitting, and are usually sold before they’re finished,” he said.

The construction industry has seen quite a shift since Metzdorf first got his foot in the door. Government requirements such as structural and civil engineering have changed dramatically. Technology has changed customer requirements for modern homes, and builders must keep up. “We are in the state of constant re-education,” he said. A lot of times, the customer and the builder are learning together.

Another challenge technology brought is harder to solve. As the younger generations are more attracted to high-tech jobs, it’s more difficult to find skilled labor. “Carpentry is hard work and takes a certain skill and sharp mind,” Metzdorf said. “The younger generation doesn’t want the learning curve.” Still, it will always take human hands to build a house, and there only so many computer jobs. Metzdorf thinks eventually there will be a swing back.

One thing Metzdorf doesn’t see change: the quality of service his company provides to customers. “Being honest and ethical has been the core for how I wanted to run my business,” he said. “Customers are our best form of advertising.”

The company continues to grow, with more jobs to manage and plans to do more land development in the future. Metzdorf has good support behind him: His wife, Michelle, has been the company’s bookkeeper all along and has since taken on more duties. His son, Kellen, has been doing field work for him for about a year. Daughter Erin used to help too, doing some computer renderings, but is staring college this fall majoring in art and design.

Metzdorf has also kept involved in community work, as an active member of the Port Orchard Rotary, where he serves as community service director. He used his building skills to carry out several projects, including a repair and upgrade to the service club signage at the city’s Tremont Street entrance, and is putting the finishing touches on the new Kitsap Transit Rotary Park adjacent to the foot ferry terminal in downtown Port Orchard.

“The Rotary is an outlet for giving back,” he said.