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RG Cowan 2022 Recap

Here at RG Cowan Design Build we produce high quality custom homes to fit the dynamic lifestyles in the Grand Valley. We achieve this level of excellence by nurturing a Team of talented and diverse collaborators with a common goal in mind: live a life of beauty, fun and balance. RG Cowan Design Build elevate the world around us by creating modern, clean, beautiful spaces for life to be lived in the most aspiring way.

2022 was a forward-thinking year for us at RG Cowan Design Build. The pressures and unique challenges that the post-pandemic world has thrown our way have sparked an overhaul of our processes. With new things to consider at every turn, like material shortages and the ever-fluctuating labor availability, we had to ensure we continued to serve our clients as best we could. A more refined design process, streamlined communication, and structured leadership on job sites are only a few improvements we focused on throughout the year.

A primary challenge this year was managing the workload. It seems as though the mass exodus from cubicles created a new-found appreciation for how your home can be a multifaceted vessel for life and family. As designers, we want to say yes to every project that is brought to us. However, if we over-commit we can’t honor our client’s needs with as much dedication. As a team, we shifted our focus to designing and building only custom homes. This change is allowing us to redirect our energy to select jobs. Our daily duties are centered around the client experience, and if our time can be focused, the better that experience will be.

Continued education allows our team members to keep up with the ever changing landscape of custom home building while increasing creativity and efficiency within our team. During the upcoming year, Miranda and Josey are planning on attending the 2023 International Builders Show to gain knowledge of new products and systems that we can offer to our clients.

Not only did our systems change and improve, but so did our team. In the shop, we brought on Shop Assistant Zach Villamaria and welder Bill Campbell. Zach has been helping Shop Manager Tim with our GFRC jobs and general upkeep in addition to juggling a full school schedule at Colorado Mesa University. Bill has been our primary welder for the last several months and is churning out projects left and right while also instructing at Western Colorado Community College. We recently hired a Project Coordinator out of Montana, Chase Veldboom. Chase moved out here with his wife Kelsey and daughter Sailor to join our team. With experience in construction and running a business, he has proven to be an invaluable asset to our team. To learn more about Chase and his family, click here.

RG Cowan Design Build Fruita Team and Family

This year, RG Cowan Design Build also completed a number of projects that our team is very proud of. We finished a spacious retreat in Palisade which can be found here, a contemporary kitchen renovation (find details in our blog here), a craftsman master bathroom renovation, a Fruita tiny home, and we are on the tail end of another high-end kitchen renovation. RG Cowan Design Build’s Team are extremely proud of our work and we look forward to many more fun projects in 2023.

While we may have a team of workaholics, we always find time to spend with our families and friends. This year Ryan took his family to Mexico for some relaxing time in the sun and sand. Miranda, our Office Administrator, took a number of trips to sunny California as well as into the mountains for time on the slopes. Zach spent some time in Italy with his family studying ancient architecture. Chase moved his family here, which proves to be a unique experience every day.

We look forward to what we have on our schedule in 2023, and we can’t wait to share it with you! Happy New Year!

Picture of Ryan Cowan

Ryan Cowan:
Owner I Operator

RG COWAN DESIGN BUILD crafts dynamic custom homes in Grand Junction, Redlands, Palisade, Appleton, and Fruita, Colorado

We believe that good design is born of inspiration, iteration, and collaboration. It is born out of a process of idea making with a goal of creating beautiful spaces for people. It happens through the interaction with our clients, our collaborators, and our consultants, while always respecting constraints and the natural world. The process is Fluid, founded in the spirit of engagement, while adapting to the needs of a changing world. We think, we design, we build.

These buidling resources will help you navigate the process of building a custom home in and around Grand Junction, Colorado.


Dynamic custom homes for dynamic lifestyles in
Western Colorado

“I love my house – every time I walk in, I smile – I hope I can convey how lucky I feel to have worked with R.G. Cowan Design to help me design and build it. Ryan and his team took my vision, created a design that gave me everything I wanted in a well-designed package, and then built me a stunning house.

I am a natural worrier, but I soon learned that I didn’t need to worry because they had everything well in hand and were always many steps ahead of me. I wasn’t here and didn’t feel I needed to be here, which is saying something on a construction project. It is clear to me that every member of the team is invested in creating houses that are beautiful and built to last. The quality of construction and attention to detail are exceptional and it shows.

They have gone above and beyond at every step and they have also been a real pleasure to work with. I cannot recommend them highly enough!”

Cary K-W
R.G. Cowan Design Client

“We have used R.G.Cowan Design/Build on two different home renovation projects now. We have found Ryan to be a person of integrity, honesty, and competence.

His design suggestions and attention to detail were greatly appreciated, and left us feeling that we would have a quality project that would serve us well for many years. We would definitely hire Ryan for any future projects!”

HU
R.G. Cowen Design Client

“Ryan and his team are an absolute delight to work with. They truly listen to how you want to use a space and how you want it to look. Then they work with you to make it even better than you ever imagined it could be.

The team consistently stays in touch and on time. Any budget changes are discussed beforehand so as not to come as a surprise. Their workmanship is outstanding. Ryan’s attention to detail is amazing. I look forward to working with Ryan and his team in the future on other projects.”

Tami
R.G. Cowan Design Client

“Ryan and his team helped us with our project from start to finish. We chose Ryan because of his knowledge of modern architecture being inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright who saw no limits to how design may improve the quality of the lives we live and put special importance on the value of beauty.

We love modern architecture because it shows the actual structure and materials used in the building, featuring design elements of wood, steel and glass. Ryan helped us balance the clean lines and minimalist interiors with the warmth of natural materials such as wood and stone. He created beautiful features in our home that stand alone as true art.

Ryan strives to create unique projects that set his work apart from other home builders. He enjoys the one-off custom design and build projects on various scales.

Ryan feels that architecture and the objects in them fill our lives with stories and meanings, becoming the backdrop to how we live our lives. We were truly fortunate to have Ryan and his team build our new home.”

Diana Foster
R.G. Cowan Design Client

“We hired Ryan Cowan (R.G. Cowan Design) to completely remodel our kitchen, family room entertainment center, pantry room, and three bathrooms, in addition to constructing a completely new 1600 square foot attached shop. Ryan’s attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines was most welcome. He made many suggestions that added immensely to the quality and enjoyment of the finished projects. He was always open to suggestions and willing to discuss alternatives. He was able to enhance ordinary “box” cabinets to make them look like custom cabinets in our kitchen, bathrooms and family room. We have no reservations in recommending him for remodeling projects or brand new construction projects.”

Nate & Jan Niebauer
R.G. Cowan Design Client

“Ryan and his team have completed several remodeling projects for me on two homes. The projects included a high end kitchen remodel, entry way remodel, installation of a custom deck with unique lighting, an RV garage conversion, a large multiple area bathroom remodel, floor plan redesign, office to laundry room conversion, and numerous door and window replacements. Every project has been on time and on budget. Ryan is very flexible both at the design stage and during construction. He provides innovative ideas and typically offers a range of options from high end to quality budget. I recommend him highly.”

GJ Nate
R.G. Cowan Design Client

“I have used Ryan Cowan to improve/maintain/rebuild my c. 1905 home since 2004. He has done great work, is always on time and considers budget.”

C Therrman
R.G. Cowan Design Client

“R.G. (Ryan) Cowan has performed several remodeling (kitchen, baths, basement finish etc) projects on my personal residence over the past several years. All work has been completed in a professional manner, within the time frame and budget.
In addition, I have had the opportunity to market two homes that Ryan extensively remodeled; both properties attracted strong interest and sold themselves in a timely fashion. The craftsmanship and care in Ryan’s work is evident throughout, and his pleasant, businesslike approach have always made him easy to work with.
I will continue to recommend R.G. Cowan Design & Build to personal friends as well as real estate clients that I have.”

Someday Soon
R.G. Cowan Design Colleague

“Having worked with R.G. Cowan Design/Build on many projects over the years as his plumbing contractor, I can safely say that the attention to detail that Ryan possesses is second to none. The R.G. Cowan team treats every job with the same importance, whether it is a small remodel or an entire custom home. The wealth of knowledge that R.G. Cowan possess in both design and construction produces an end product that, in my opinion, any one would be pleased to have.
Having worked with Ryan on both a professional and personal basis, I would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a designer or contractor for their next project.
Peak Plumbing & Heating L.L.C.”

Ed Guntle
R.G. Cowan Design Colleague

“I have worked with Ryan on residential projects & have hired him to do work in our office. Ryan does a great job providing what we have asked for in a timely and conscientious manner. He follows through when things get tricky & makes certain the job is done right. Ryan is also just a great person to work with.”

Casey Sievila
R.G. Cowan Design Colleague

“Ryan and the guys at R.G. Cowan Design + Build are creative, customer focused and hold themselves to a very high standard. He listened to what we wanted to accomplish and helped us come up with a design that maximized what we could achieve with our budget. In addition, his subs seemed to like and respect working with him and his company. That said a lot to me about his reputation and meant that they were willing to go the extra mile for him/us.”

Will Hays
R.G. Cowan Design Client

“When we bought our 1970’s era home back in 2005, it was drab, dated and under-loved. But the location and “bones” were what drew us to it. We knew we’d have to make some pretty major changes to make it liveable. We were fortunate enough to be referred to Ryan Cowan to help us with that journey. Ryan and his team did a fabulous job on our Liberty Cap kitchen remodel, as well as numerous other remodeling projects – when you find someone of Ryan’s caliber, you keep working with them. In addition to our new kitchen and dining room, he did a major renovation to our outdoor areas, including changing the entry and front of the house; stuccoing over the shake siding and adding a natural stone facade (which totally transformed the look of our home); demolishing our unsafe deck off the master bedroom and building a new one, complete with a spiral staircase down to the new back patio which includes a custom BBQ area, gas fireplace, and in-ground spa. He also did some creative tile work for us and a variety of design touches that have made our home a wonderful place to relax and to entertain guests. Our neighbors have been delighted with the dramatic changes Ryan helped make, changing our once “ugly duckling” into a custom showplace.
Some of the best things about working with Ryan (and there are many) are his complete professionalism, attention to detail, reliability, quality of work, flexibility, and design creativity. So many of the features we love best about our home are ideas that we never would have considered without Ryan’s suggestions. The various lighting options in the kitchen and outdoors are wonderful. The workmanship is topnotch. He took some fairly difficult architectural features and made them look natural and fantastic. Even when things didn’t go quite as planned, Ryan worked with us until we were satisfied.
We think Ryan is one of the highest quality professionals we have ever worked with. We have often recommended him to others who have asked who did the work on our home. We would work with him again in a heartbeat.”

Glmitch
R.G. Cowan Design Client

“Ryan Cowan built our house in southwestern Colorado in 2008 – 2009, completing it in about 11 months. It has 4 bedrooms & 4 baths, with about 3000 square feet and a detached garage. It is an energy star compliant “green” house, using a geothermal system for heating and cooling.
We live about 700 miles from the house, and although we did not do this, we could have had him do the project without ever seeing it until completion and it would have been excellent. When we did visit it during construction, communication with Ryan could not have been better. It seemed as though he could almost read our minds about what we wanted, and when we weren’t certain about various issues, he had excellent suggestions.
Ryan was “hands-on” during the project, actually building much of the house himself with a few helpers rather than, as many general contractors do, just showing up occasionally.
The house was built on a “cost plus” basis, and Ryan made sure to get the best deals possible for us on materials, was careful with spending, returned unused materials for credit, and so on.
The project was entirely stress free, even enjoyable. We considered (and still consider) Ryan a friend, which we cannot say about any other contractor we have ever dealt with.
We would be happy to show the house to anyone interested when we are there (about half time).
Ryan will have pictures of the project, and also to arrange with us a visit, if desired.”

Craig
R.G. Cowan Design Client

“Ryan has a great eye and I trust him implicitly not only to do great work, but to be honest, fair, and up-front at all times. I have used him on many projects, from a large addition, to small remodel, to damage repair, and I’ve never been disappointed.”

Christi Reece
R.G. Cowan Design Client

“Requested a consult on very short notice. Ryan showed up, provided options and advice. Finally provided good estimate to work on to help determine purchase price of a “fixer-up” home. Hope to work with Ryan again!”

Millitom
R.G. Cowan Design Client Quote

“RGC guided our planning from a simple deck to a combination deck and patio. He designed unique fixtures to secure the pergola over the deck to the roof. He was easy to work with during the design phase; he listens. He is a hard worker and gives 110%. He prices his work fairly and stands behind his work. I recommend R.G.Cowan Design Build without reservation.”

GJ
R.G. Cowan Design Client

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RG Cowan Design Build

Custom home builder in Fruita and Grand Junction, CO

Address:
156 N Mesa Street Unit B, Fruita, CO 81521

rgcowandesign@gmail.com
Office: 970-712-5554
Cell: 970-209-9971

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