We recently connected with Dalen Bakstad and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dalen, thanks for joining us today. We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
When I was just starting out, there was a builder in town who really helped me with questions I had about doing the right applications. Sometimes, especially out here, it feels like you’re on an island, trying to figure everything out on your own—or, like in my case, just doing things the way my father taught me. He never really helped me with business questions, but more with things like the best way to waterproof a “blank” or how to approach a certain installation. I remember once asking him if I could pay him for his time, and he simply said, “One day, someone younger will need your help, and just pay it forward.” That stuck with me. I’ve tried to live by that advice ever since, and whenever I can, I make sure to pay it forward too.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a third-generation builder, and have been in the construction industry for over 30 years. My first experience was working alongside my father on residential projects outside of Vancouver, BC. I grew up in Bellingham, WA, and after a few years, I moved to Seattle to frame houses and pursue my passion for music. But after a while, I realized I wanted to explore something a little different, so I started to travel and I developed a deep appreciation for architecture by visiting museums across Europe. That journey sparked something in me, and I knew I wanted to return to building in Seattle. So, I moved back and started taking on odd jobs for friends and friends of friends. I always made it a point to give my best effort, treating each client with the same respect I’d want for myself—keeping them informed about prices and schedules so there were never any surprises. As the projects grew in size, I founded Bakstad Construction, and through it all, I’ve held onto the same philosophy of client-centered construction.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In the early days, I wore a lot of hats. Not only was I the builder, but I was also the designer and the person clients would constantly turn to for ideas, since there wasn’t an architect or designer guiding the process. This became overwhelming for me, as I was so focused on building and trying to be as efficient as possible in that part of the job. Eventually, I reached a point where I realized I couldn’t continue this way. I told my partner that I wouldn’t take on any more projects unless there was a designer or architect involved from the start. From then on, whenever clients reached out, the first question I’d ask was, “Who is your architect or designer?” If they didn’t have one, we’d provide them with recommendations to find someone who was the right fit. At first, I lost a few jobs as a result of this change, but in the long run, it turned out to be the right decision. Now, I have the privilege of collaborating with incredible people, and we’ve built lasting, positive relationships.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
For us, it’s all about doing what we say we’re going to do. We don’t pretend to have all the answers; if we don’t know how to do something, we’re upfront about it and work together to find the solution. I believe in being honest with my clients, and that means pricing projects based on what they will actually cost and providing realistic timelines for completion. We spend a lot of time making sure we communicate these important details clearly with our clients, so they always know what to expect. In the end, our clients are satisfied and never feel taken advantage of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bakstadconstruction.com
- Instagram: @bakstadconstruction
