Montgomery Sansome Company Profile

Other contractors might promise good results. But as many unfortunate consumers have found out first hand, not all contractors have the knowledge and expertise to back up their promises.

Len Nordeman, general contractor and general partner of Montgomery Sansome in Millbrae CA, is one of the contractors who can deliver proven results. With 43 years of experience, and more than 20,000 projects under his belt, Len Nordeman knows construction inside and out.

Starting with his first job at a San Francisco naval ship yard, Len Nordeman has been a hands-on kind of guy. "I built United States war ships for Uncle Sam for four years, including working in the submarine watertight division," he said. "If I can make a submarine watertight, then a homeowner knows I can definitely make their kitchen and bath fixtures watertight too."

At age 22, he obtained a building contractor license and was, for a time, the youngest building contractor in California. Out on his own, Len began to run his company with the same ideals he still embraces today as leader of Montgomery Sansome.

All Kinds of Family
Many contractors pass work on to subcontractors to complete jobs. While the work may get done, quality standards often aren't met. The overseeing contractor doesn't have full control over who is working in customer homes, leaving your family and your property unprotected.

Len Nordeman asks his own staff to handle every job contracted to Montgomery Sansome. The in-house team encompasses plumbers, electricians, painters and carpenters. Having a full staff under one roof allows for faster job completion as well as a more congruous approach to the business. One carpenter started working with Len Nordeman in 1966, and many others have been with him for decades. Len knows and trusts his workers, and they consistently provide the quality work for which Montgomery Sansome is known.

A reliable team is more than just a convenience for Montgomery Sansome, according to Len Nordeman. "We're more like a family. Everybody understands the goal—we're there to do a good job," he says. "I get such delightful reviews; the customers love the painters. They say they're clean, tidy and friendly."

The staff at Montgomery Sansome doesn't just seem like family to Len Nordeman—some of them actually are. His two sisters have worked with Len since he started the business, and they became partners in 1997. Some of his children work right alongside the other workers. "I enjoy working with them, and they've lightened my load," he says.

This idea of a family-run, family-friendly business has reaped definite rewards. Len Nordeman has maintained a complaint-free business record for decades. In fact, a recent, random customer survey found that 100 percent of Montgomery Sansome clients surveyed would use the company again.

Customer relationships don't end with Montgomery Sansome when the job is done. "Every single customer that I finish a project with becomes my friend," says Len Nordeman. "I enjoy being with people, and I enjoy the fact that they like what we did for them."

Len Nordeman and his customers often stay in touch—exchanging emails, going to dinner and working together on future projects. In fact, he works with many customers year after year, and some commercial clients do upwards of a dozen jobs a year with Montgomery Sansome.

Of the thousands of customers with whom Len Nordeman and the staff at Montgomery Sansome have worked, Len is most touched by those that take the time to share their experiences. Individuals who send thank you notes and recommend Montgomery Sansome to friends make a distinct impression on him.

"What makes it worth if for me is accomplishing the job and the acknowledgement at the end from the owner," Len Nordeman says. "I love knowing that my customers are truly enjoying the finished product with the knowledge they did not overpay."

While he is a seasoned businessman, Len Nordeman knows that life is more than a career path. Len and Montgomery Sansome are devoted donors to many different causes. Not just content to send money, Len Nordeman literally takes the helm with some of his gifts. As a licensed pilot, he flies as part of fundraiser raffles an FAA-approved hot air balloon he personally designed and built. With all proceeds going to charity, Len Nordeman takes raffle winners up and away on a one-of-a-kind balloon ride. The balloon has flown above seven countries, including Japan and France, and over the Great Wall in China.

A Clean Approach
Montgomery Sansome takes time to prepare before the work begins so there is less clean up required after the job is completed. Their dust reduction equipment with HEPA filters leaves customer homes as clean and dust-free as possible.

Len Noredeman is the head instructor in his own mold remediation class. Mold found in homes and other structures requires a specific method of removal. Len educates not only his own employees, but offers the course free to anyone who is interested. At the end of the course, participants must pass a test to be certified by Len Nordeman, a remediation technician.

A sign on the wall in the Montgomery Sansome office encompasses Len Nordeman's outlook on life and business: If it's unethical or illegal, don't even ask. We don't do it.

"Being ethical matters to me," he says. "It's the only way to win. Take for instance with customers—they know that when they ask, they will get my best answer."

When Disaster Strikes
Emergencies always seem to happen after business hours. It's not often you find a contractor who carries and answers an emergency cell phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether dealing with a flood or fire, customers can always reach Montgomery Sansome and schedule an immediate intervention.

Not only can they be on site within the day, the Montgomery Sansome team are ready to help often within the hour. They have the expertise to immediately handle any problem and always have trucks and equipment ready for service. They will even remove and store furniture or other items in their secured warehouse to save homeowners the trouble of finding a storage unit on short notice.

Insurance adjusters from all major insurance companies put their trust in Montgomery Sansome. With the help of the immediate, around-the-clock availability and in-house expert staff, insurance professionals trust Montgomery Sansome to renovate homes and businesses suffering from water, fire and smoke damage.

Montgomery Sansome uses Xactimate, a national estimating software system that helps insurance agents and contractors ease the process and speed the time in which customers can move back into their homes after a disaster. 

Montgomery Sansome has completed major projects including fire repair at the Ahwahnee Chapel, federal and state government jobs, and many restaurant renovations. Their biggest job was a major fire loss fix where Len Nordeman's team completed a $300,000 renovation of a business in a mere six days, even going to the length of complimentarily cleaning and repackaging the business' salvageable wares.

So when you're looking for an experienced San Mateo County or Bay Area general contractor to care for your remodel, install new windows and doors or help reclaim your home after a disaster, trust Len Nordeman and Montgomery Sansome to bring their expertise to your project.

Customer Annette did, and she shared her recent Montgomery Sansome experience during a research call. "They were very pleasant to deal with, they showed us every option, they explained everything, and they guaranteed their work," she said. "They were very easy to do business with, and it was a great experience."

—Lauren Bongard Schwarz
Associate Editor
The Prime Buyer's Report