What It’s Like To Work With Us
From initial idea to approved plans, we partner with you to realize your home vision. We collaborate with trusted architects and designers, consulting closely to keep your project in alignment with your vision and on budget. We ensure transparency using the Buildertrend digital platform, providing instant access to daily progress, schedule, and invoicing. As solution-oriented partners, we offer experienced guidance: if surprises arise, we bring multiple solutions, ensuring a consistently smooth and enjoyable process for the changes you envision for your home life.
The Wilko Process
We pride ourselves on consistent communication and creative troubleshooting with you to the end.
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This is the starting point where we listen to your vision. We hold an initial meeting and consultation to understand your specific needs and desires, discuss the project's feasibility, and introduce you to our team and the services we offer.
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Before breaking ground, we lay a solid foundation for success. We collaborate with our trusted local network of architects, engineers, and designers. We help define the precise scope of work, develop detailed budget planning and scheduling, manage all permitting requirements, and provide accurate estimating based on your final plan sets.
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This is where your vision is brought to life. Our skilled, multi-trade crew and extensive network of reputable subcontractors execute the work with the highest standards of quality and efficiency. We diligently manage the entire process, including all city and special inspections, to ensure your project is built correctly and safely.
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We ensure you are always informed and in control. We provide daily progress reports, real-time budgeting analysis, and regular scheduling updates. All communications are documented and transparent, managed through the easy-to-use Buildertrend platform—giving you instant access to every detail of your project in one place.
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Our commitment to your home extends beyond the final walkthrough. We guarantee the quality of our craftsmanship and are committed to ensuring your complete satisfaction. Our word is our reputation, and we remain a resource for you after the project is complete.
"Paul and the crew at WilKo Builders were a real life saver for us. Our previous contractor had disappeared and we were left in the lurch. Paul came in, assessed the situation, made some great recommendations and presented a plan and quote that were spot on. WilKo builders were always on time and on budget with clear communications throughout. Now we have the perfect spare room/gym that we hoped for."
Ted Feyler, Oakland
Frequently Asked Questions
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We don’t give estimates to get a project. We give estimates to give a clear picture of the cost of a project. Our numbers are based on the information we have and our experience and knowledge of the industry. We aim to be as transparent as possible with our numbers up front with the aim of minimizing change orders or cost creep during the project.
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Budget allowances are given in the proposal and are designed to offer a realistic dollar amount for any given line item that has not yet been decided on, priced out, or where the work scope has potential to change during the course of the project. We lean on our industry expertise and trusted list of vendors and suppliers to find creative solutions for the times when wants and budget restraints don’t quite match up.
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You can keep track of your projects schedule on our project management app Buildertrend. We use a ‘Critical Patch’ method to give a true reflection of where the project currently stands and how that relates to the finish date and other milestones. Depending on the size and complexity of the project we build in float days and lag time with the goal being to offer a no vibration schedule where the client is always in front of what's going to happen. Extensive lead times of certain materials are documented and clients are afforded detailed dates of when decisions need to be made to keep everything running on track.
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Our clients have a direct line of communication to one or both of the owners throughout the duration of their project. No fuss, no hassle, no chasing around your contractor who is ghosting your calls. Direct communication and timely responses. We believe the quicker an issue is dealt with the easier it is to deal with. Where necessary communication is logged on Buildertrend to ensure an easy to find, detailed, and accurate documentation of what has been communicated.
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Our project management app Buildertrend is one place that catches all set up. From initial proposal to final invoice everything is communicated through the app. You will receive updates via email and every time you log into your client portal. It captures scheduling, budgeting, decision making, and all facets of the construction project. The daily log feature helps a client keep track of what's happening each day, especially if they are not living on site, with work updates accompanied with photos and videos. We update when materials or fixtures are delivered and document what's in the deliveries. The client can stay on top of when sensitive items are achieved like inspections passed or electric service upgrade has been completed.
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We perform a large proportion of the work in house. Our crew are skilled across multiple trades with individuals specializing in different things. They are attentive to the work we are doing and responsible. We have evolved to operate this way to give ourselves greater control over the project, especially the budget and schedule. When we need a sub contractor we rely on our extensive list of contacts that has been built up over the years of working in our industry. We have long standing relationships with multiple subcontractors and are equipped to manage them effectively.
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All our vendors and suppliers are reputable locally based businesses operating in or around the Bay Area. We don’t compromise on the quality of our lumber or materials. The minimal up front cost saving for the client is not worth the bellyache of the inferior finished product.
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Our catchment area is typically San Francisco and the East Bay, including Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, Alameda, Orinda and Lafayette. We have vast experience of working within these municipalities and dealing with the different requirements of their respective building departments, code requirements and pulling permits. We know many of the building inspectors and have a good working relationship with them which helps ensure a smoother running project. Occasionally we take on projects in the South or North Bay depending on scope and size of the project.
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As General Contractors our expertise is to build from designs and plan sets. If you just have an idea about what you want to build, we work in close collaboration with a tight network of local architects, designers and engineers who will help you imagine the changes you want to make, and get them permitted, so we can start the job. Don’t be discouraged if all you have is a dream, we can help you get a plan together to make it real from start to finish.
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Our guarantees meet all legal requirements as set out by California law and are written into our contracts. Above and beyond that, we trade on our name and reputation. If there's anything you are reasonably unhappy about either during or post construction we aim to tackle and rectify that immediately. We stand by the craftsmanship of our projects and will address any workmanship that you feel doesn’t meet your expectations.
Get In Touch
If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.
2213 Fifth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 213-2049