In their own words
What homeowners say after Gary Wake builds for them
Five families wrote to us after their custom home, foundation rebuild, Victorian restoration, kitchen remodel, or addition was finished. Their letters are printed here exactly as they wrote them.
- Supervising contractor
- Gary Wake, Owner and General Contractor
- Documented reviews
- 5
- Primary service area
- Minden, Gardnerville, Carson City, and the Carson Valley
- Experience
- 40+ years in the building trade
- Consumer guide
- Verify licensing and contract rules
Verbatim homeowner letters
Five client accounts, quoted word for word
From raising a custom home out of a bare field to lifting an 1889 Victorian onto a new foundation while the owners lived out of the area, every letter below is printed as our clients wrote it.
- 01Custom residence
"As we began inquiring about the possibility of building a custom home, we had several requirements: a reasonable bid, a competent contractor, a solid and sound finished structure, and a clean job site. We didn't know this contractor would need to find solutions to so many difficult problems and have the patience of a kindergarten teacher to explain things to us, or what would appear to be a Houdini to solve several problems we encountered building our home. Gary Wake was all of that for us. We have a beautiful home that under the guidance of Wake Construction grew out of a grass field. Shortcomings in our design created countless problems, but Gary is such an expert problem solver, all issues were resolved to our satisfaction. We had many unique details (arches, wood-burning pizza oven, rounded fireplaces, 12-foot bi-fold doors) that were like mysteries to us, but our detective took care of them with expertise and a nod to the decor theme. We were often on site, but when we could not be, we were kept updated with phone calls, emails, and photos. Gary is punctual and always returns phone calls or emails quickly. Gary's unequaled customer service throughout the project helped us feel at ease and confident with our choice. We would happily recommend Gary Wake and Wake Construction for any of your construction needs."
Richard & Nora MazottiCustom home clientGround-up custom home with arches, wood-burning pizza oven, rounded fireplaces, and 12-foot bi-fold doors - 02Minden, NV
"By recommendation, I contacted Wake Construction to repair the severely broken foundation and rebuild the extensive structural damage to my apartment. The renovation far exceeded my expectations and I would recommend Wake Construction for your project needs. There isn't a job or task they cannot complete."
Gene SetoApartment foundation & structural rebuild clientBroken foundation replacement, engineered base compaction, and structural apartment renovation - 03Orinda, CA
"Living out of the area we were skeptical about a major renovation performed on our 1889 Victorian home. We contacted Wake Construction and were very comfortable from the first phone call. The communication and explanation of the scope of work to be performed were excellent throughout the project. Not seeing the house for several weeks prior to completion, WOW, our 1889 Victorian home turned out beautiful and we want to share it with everyone."
Larry & Linda Scott1889 Victorian restoration client1889 Victorian home foundation lift, period porch restoration, and full interior renovation - 04Minden, NV
"Wake Construction performed many construction services on my home. Included were foundation lift, chimney and hearth removal, family room addition, complete new kitchen, granite countertops in kitchen and bathrooms, tile flooring, removal of acoustic ceilings, painting, wrought-iron and vinyl fencing, and many other miscellaneous projects. I am very satisfied with Wake Construction's performance and the supervision by the owner, Gary Wake, who was always an advocate for daily neatness. I am pleased to recommend this contracting firm to anyone who would be interested in having work performed by this company. I will continue to contract with this firm for further house repairs and redecorating."
Carol GoddardWhole-home remodel & foundation clientFoundation lift, chimney removal, family room addition, custom solid-wood kitchen & bathroom remodel - 05Atwater, CA
"Wake Construction recently added a mud room to our house. The planning, workmanship, clean-up, and communication during the project were all excellent. We can enthusiastically recommend the company to anyone planning a home improvement or similar project."
Dave & Georgeanne AdamyCustom home addition clientCustom mud room addition
Homes behind the letters
See the projects behind our homeowner reviews
Explore the custom homes, historic Victorian restorations, and whole-home kitchen remodels our clients wrote about above.
- 01Custom home

Stacked-stone portico & twin wood entry doorsMinden & Carson Valley, NV A custom home raised from bare ground in Minden
A family brought Gary Wake a bare lot facing the Sierra and a wish list most builders talk you out of: interior arches, rounded fireplaces, a wood-burning pizza oven, and 12-foot bi-fold doors. He walked it from the first footing trench to the stacked-stone entry, and the house grew straight out of the sagebrush.
- 06Victorian restoration

Restored 1889 Victorian in autumn colorOrinda, CA Lifting and restoring an 1889 Victorian
Larry and Linda Scott lived far from their 1889 Victorian and worried about trusting anyone with it. Gary Wake lifted the two-story house onto steel beams, replaced the failing brick foundation with reinforced concrete, and rebuilt the curved wrap-around porch the way it stood in 1889.
- 17Kitchen & bath

Solid-wood cabinetry, granite & travertine medallionMinden, NV The Goddard kitchen, granite and solid wood
Carol Goddard asked Gary Wake to take out a brick chimney and hearth that ate her floor space, level the floor, and give her a real kitchen. He built solid-wood cabinetry, set granite counters, laid a tumbled travertine backsplash with a tile medallion, and scraped the acoustic ceilings while he was at it.
- 03Kitchen & bath

Walnut shaker cabinetry & white quartz islandMinden, NV A whole-home remodel that opened everything up
The owners lived with a boxed-in oak kitchen, burgundy walls, and worn carpet for years before they called Gary Wake. He took out the walls that divided the house, built a river-rock fireplace floor to ceiling, and gave them a walnut kitchen with a white quartz island their family now gathers around.
Why clients recommend Gary Wake
What every client can count on
Every project is built under direct owner supervision, with clear written scope and clean daily job-site management.
- 01
Gary on site
Gary Wake supervises the job himself, every working day, so decisions get made on your property and not from a desk across town.
- 02
A clean site at the end of each day
Carol Goddard called Gary an advocate for daily neatness. Your home stays livable and your yard stays yours while we work.
- 03
You always know what is happening
Phone calls, emails, and photographs keep you current, even when you live out of the area, as the Scotts did during their 1889 Victorian restoration.
- 04
Problems solved, not postponed
Design gaps, unstable soil, and surprises inside old walls get worked out on the spot by a builder with 40+ years of answers.
Talk with Gary Wake
Ready to talk about your own project?
Call Gary Wake directly about your scope, budget, and timing, or send a consultation request and he will get back to you personally.