Cam Fraser Construction Company Profile

alking with Cam Fraser is like taking a step back in time; his self-effacing manner is not artificial. You feel as though you are speaking with a humble, wise, master craftsman—because you are. Cam's been working full time in construction since he was just a teenager, and his ambition is undaunted. Working like that allowed Cam Fraser to purchase a home in Lake Tahoe when he was only 20 years old! He worked in the area for other contractors while completing his four year union apprenticeship. When he was starting out, the scenery and lifestyle appealed to him. Now, years later, he brings his family to that same home, where the Frasers enjoy snow skiing in the winter and boating in the summer.

Cam Fraser's work ethic is reflected not only in his dedicated clientele and successful 25-year business, but also in his superior finished projects, some of which have been published in main-stream publications and trade publications. Although he is reluctant to boast, Cam's work is the sort that looks as good behind the scenes as it does to the casual observer. In much the same way that the hallmark of fine jewelry is the back, or non-displayed parts, the hallmark of excellent construction is often in what you don't see. Cam and his team take exceptional pride in their ability to build in the details that make good design and esthetic sense. Cam Fraser Construction ensures that, by keeping things simple and un-fussy behind the scenes, homeowners see clean, crisp detail in the walls, trim, floors, and doors of their finished home or remodel. Less is sometimes more.

Trust (and Communication!) is Everything
Sonoma County native Cam Fraser's best customers are sometimes his toughest to win over. Cam recalls fondly a client who, after consulting with a just-starting-out Cam, went to see one of Cam's projects and expressed concern. Cam was taken slightly aback; he'd had every indication that this client would love his work. The gentleman, who became a longtime client and friend, stated that he didn't care for the color of the cabinets. Cam prevailed upon the man that the quality of the workmanship was what was important to look at; a client's individual taste varies, and that Cam Fraser Construction could provide whatever cabinets he desired. The two men came to an agreement: Cam did the work (which was superlative), and the gentleman became one of Cam's greatest salesmen.

That early interaction with a reluctant customer taught Cam something about trust. A customer's trust isn't always easily won, but once earned, it is the greatest asset a company could ask for. That once-skeptical client became a steady customer, and Cam has been working with the man and his wife for a generation, like many of Cam's clients.

Trust, it is often said, is a two-way street. "The best jobs are when we have mutual trust-between us and the homeowner-so we can become a team with a common interest," said Cam of his favorite type of project. Cam Fraser Construction employs highly trained craftsmen, one carpenter who has been with Cam Fraser Construction for 18 years, and Cam understands the value of their working relationship. Cam is quick to heap praise on his employees and subcontractors with whom he has long-standing relationships, and without whose mutual trust Cam could not uphold the standard of excellence that Cam Fraser Construction holds dear.

---Genevieve Albers
Staff Writer
The Prime Buyer's Report