A Builder's View

Tim McDonald

Tim McDonald is the one of the founding principals of Centric General Contractors.

Recent Posts

Rebuilding Napa After The Valley Fire

Posted by Tim McDonald

Sep 25, 2015 8:30:00 AM

Summer has officially ended.  However, there is no end in sight for California’s fire season.  The Valley Fire and lingering drought conditions have been a wake up call to our greater Napa Valley communities. While our firefighters work tirelessly to control the fire, many have already suffered loss – our community must come together to rebuild. 

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Topics: community relations

Zen and the Art of Solage’s Resort and Spa Expansion

Posted by Tim McDonald

Aug 6, 2015 2:00:00 PM

Recently, Centric General Contractors performed construction services for the Solage Hotel and Resort in Calistoga, California.  The project required a 2,000sf kitchen and bar renovation of Michelin Star-rated restaurant, SolBar. Work also entailed building a 40-seat courtyard for year-round outdoor dining and a 2,700sf addition to existing spa buildings. Just imagine a team of construction professionals, armed with hammers and power tools, performing required work without disrupting luxury resort guests and staff. No stress, right?

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Topics: Construction Case Studies, Luxury Resort, Hospitality

Age-old Craftsmanship Plays A Role In Modern Design

Posted by Tim McDonald

Jun 25, 2015 2:30:00 PM

CASE STUDY: Atlas, Jacobsen Residence 

In a world focused on globalization and mechanization, many believe the beauty and wisdom of age-old craftsmanship is becoming extinct. On a daily basis, news reports tell us how robots are replacing humans in an effort to create efficiencies. With these messages proliferating our media consumption, you may ask yourself how can classic craftsmanship sustain in today’s modern world?

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Topics: Construction Case Studies, Custom Homes, Craftsmanship

Chappellet’s Barrel Chai Blends the Art and Science of Winemaking

Posted by Tim McDonald

Mar 26, 2015 3:00:00 PM

Great winemaking requires a built environment that facilitates the complex blend of nature, art, and science.  Our story begins in the rugged terroir that is legendary for producing Cabernet Sauvignon. Situated on the rocky slopes of Pritchard Hill in St. Helena, Chappellet Vineyards envisioned a barrel chai that created a multi-sensory journey in winemaking and aesthetic appeal. Our team at Centric worked together with Chappellet to build a structure designed for wine storage and aging.

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Topics: Construction Case Studies, Winery Construction, Energy Efficiency

6 Tips for Finding the Perfect Custom Home Architect

Posted by Tim McDonald

Nov 20, 2014 2:00:00 PM

Finding a great architect is not an easy task. Whether you are looking to convert a warehouse into a living space, build an addition, or construct your ideal home from the ground up, an architect plays a critical role.  Knowing the importance of this role, you do not want to leave anything to chance when it comes to realizing your custom home plans.  To ensure a successful project experience, it is important to do your homework.  Rest assured, it is not as difficult as it used to be. The Internet and social media are great resources to begin your search. Architect websites provide visual references and pertinent information about their unique qualifications. However, there are other things you should consider prior to making your final selection.

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Topics: Best Practices, Planning, Custom Homes

Restaurant Project Planning Requires Some Food For Thought

Posted by Tim McDonald

Oct 17, 2014 10:00:00 AM

There is no shortage of great restaurants in San Francisco and Napa Valley.  It seems like every week, you can find announcements for new and exciting restaurants in EaterSF. If you are a restaurateur, you are thinking about the right chefs, desired location, preferred patrons, menu, pricing, promotion, and other details that will help you to differentiate yourself among the competition and realize your goals for success.  In the back of your mind, you know you need to think about a whole other realm of your dream establishment – planning for the functionality of your space. 

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Topics: Best Practices, Planning, Restaurant Construction

Room For Improvement: Planning Your Custom Home Addition

Posted by Tim McDonald

Jun 26, 2014 2:00:00 PM

Look around your home.  Do you see room for improvement?  Are you thinking about a new home addition? Envision what it would be like to have a little extra space, a new bathroom, home office, or some added distance from your crazy teenagers – whatever the case, the motivations for your home addition seem endless.

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Topics: Planning, Custom Homes, Home Addition