With over 20 years of building experience, combined with a passion for the environment and delivering true quality to our customers, we create and build homes, kitchens and baths, and additions in the Central Vermont region that truly stand out.
Meet the Team
Back in 1997, before the official formation of Montpelier Construction, the five original partners decided to collaborate on a large project as a single, cohesive team rather than as individuals. As a full service, residential construction company in central Vermont we are committed to producing quality,energy-efficient construction and fine woodworking at reasonable prices, created within a humane and cooperative work environment.
MALCOLM GRAY (Founding Partner) Malcolm began working in the construction trades in Florida in 1971. Coming to Vermont in 1975 for Goddard College's Social Ecology Program, he focused his studies on energy efficiency, affordable construction, and renewable energy systems. Since then, he has focused on green building practices, affordability, and home performance. He has been certified for Home Performance with Energy Star since 2006 and a Passive House consultant since 2012. These design toolboxes give him ways to create homes that barely need a heating system, are very comfortable and require little maintenance. Email: malcolm@montpelierconstruction.com
HARRY STRAND (Founding Partner) A dedicated woodworker since the 1980s, Harry brought his talent and skills to Vermont in 1994. Prior to forming Montpelier Construction in 1998, he partnered with one of Montpelier Construction’s original founders Chris Miksic, and together they worked with Vermont Center for Independent Living and volunteered on Habitat for Humanity Projects. Harry also designed and built a 1,000 square-foot woodshop and built his own home in Middlesex. Harry continues to develop both his project management and hands-on building skills, particularly as they relate to home energy performance and contributes to the professional development of his work crew by imparting a democratic approach to managing projects and encouraging crew members to develop professional relationships with clients. Email: harry@montpelierconstruction.com
CHRIS CLARKE MIKSIC (Founding Partner) is a certified PHIUS Passive House Consultant (CPHC) and PHIUS Builder (CPHB). He is acting President of the Nonprofit Vermont Passive House and is dedicated to growing the awareness and implementation of the Passive House Standard. Chris strives to build to the highest energy standard in the world with green low carbon, sustainable, and vapor open assemblies. Construction, building materials and operating a building, all have a contributing Carbon footprint. "I look to decrease that footprint by using local sustainable materials and recycling. Small and sustainable will be the design of the future! Conservation and energy efficiency saves us money and should be an environmental concern for everyone. Let’s make the Planet Green again!". Email: chris@montpelierconstruction.com
TIM FARYNIARZ (Founding Partner) Tim started in the building trades over 25 years ago. In 1998, coworker and friend Harry Strand encouraged Tim to join a new partnership: Montpelier Construction. Tim loves the creative outlet carpentry affords, especially as it applies to energy efficiency. As a certified Home Performance Contractor through Efficiency Vermont, Tim is able to put his expertise to work, creating solutions for clients that are functional, beautiful, and energy efficient. In the future he'd like to expand his work in energy efficiency to help those in low-income brackets, specifically where cost-savings are concerned. He also wants to focus more on finish carpentry and making furniture. Email: tim@montpelierconstruction.com
JON WILLIAMSON Jon began as a carpenter’s helper with Montpelier Construction after working as a classroom teacher for several years. He became a partner in 2008. Jon is drawn to the building trades because he likes the physical work as well as the critical thinking and problem-solving skills it requires. It's also an environment he's at ease in. "I lived in a house that was constantly under construction by my mother, an amateur interior decorator, and my do-it-yourself father." He's happy to have his own tools now rather than standing around holding things and handing tools to his father. A generalist, Jon enjoys everything from framing to floors, setting tile and casing windows. As a site coordinator, he likes working with subcontractors, clients, and co-workers to realize a common vision. His background in environmental science informs his building practices daily and resonates with the company's vision of sustainable building. Email: jon@montpelierconstruction.com
MITCHELL ESTRIN grew up in his family's hardware store in Cleveland, Ohio where he developed his love of tools, great customer service skills, and vast knowledge of the detailed inner workings of houses. Equipped with these abilities, he moved to Vermont in 1994 and started working with Malcolm on a project outside of Montpelier. While Mitchell has done most things on a job site, including contracting, plumbing, electrical, framing, and finish work, nothing compares to his master tile work. Mitchell has a unique feel and love of the material, particularly natural stone, and his work is a highlight in a number of Montpelier Construction projects. In 2007, Mitchell became a Certified Energy Efficiency Home Specialist for Efficiency Vermont and consults regularly with clients on how to improve their homes' energy performance. He lives with his family in Plainfield, Vermont where Mitchell built their home in 2005 using local, natural materials. Their home has received a Five Star Plus energy efficiency rating. Email: mitchell@montpelierconstruction.com
INDIGO RUTH-DAVIS At Montpelier Construction, Indigo wears many hats from working with homeowners as a draftsman to turn their ideas into construction drawings, to leading building crews in the field. Indigo specializes in contemporary high performing and Passive House construction. In the design phase, Indigo uses Passive House energy modeling techniques to optimize design and energy efficiency elements to customize the building envelope to best suit the needs of each homeowner’s goals and budget. Indigo brings this knowledge of building science to the job site and his knowledge of how to put a building together to his energy consulting and design work. With a commitment to the traditional craft of carpentry and an eye to our place in a changing climate, Indigo looks to contribute to a better built environment by striving to make every project functional, beautiful, energy efficient and easy to live in. Indigo has written about Passive House building for the Journal of Light Construction and other publications. Email: indigo@montpelierconstruction.com
“Completely satisfied on all fronts. This was our 2nd extensive house renovation project, the first being with another firm in another state. After the challenges of that project, it was a relief and breath of fresh air to work with the Montpelier Construction team. Their craftsmanship, attention to detail, and professionalism came through in every way, and the proof is in the finished product — beautiful!”
— Paul G.