An Interview with Patrick Grass

What led you to become a builder?

I was a carpenter and, when I found out that the people I was working for were coming to me for answers, I decided I should be the builder.

How long have you worked in the field?

I have been a carpenter for 32 years and a builder for 24 years. I worked in Texas during the building boom there ... Houston to Austin to Fort Worth. That's how I learned the trade. The opportunities were amazing. In three years I went from being a carpenter to becoming a partner.

Returning home?

I built the first four homes in the Cherry Hills Addition (Excelsior Springs), including mine when I returned to Missouri. I have built homes in King's Addition and Westwood, as well as homes in subdivions in Kearney and North Kansas City.

Do you have a specialty?

We are custom builders. We do it all ... new residential, new commercial and renovation work. If there were an area of speciality, it would be in larger custom home design.

Do you work on historic properties?

I've worked on several historic hotels. I did renovation work on the National Register Elms Hotel and the remodeling of the Oaks Hotel for senior apartments, which won several awards, as well as a hotel in St. Joseph. I'm getting ready to start a historic hotel project in Kirksville. I've also done renovation work on historic homes.

What about renovation work?

Property renovation makes up about 75-percent of our projects. New residential and commercial make up the other 25-percent. We work on renovations from a kitchen upgrade to finishing out a basement to whole house renovations and additions. If you need a screen door replaced you can call me. I'll do that too!

Do you provide help with getting required permits?

Yes. We acquire whatever permits are needed and make presentations to city staff and planning and zoning boards. Our architects can prepare necessary construction designs and aid in the design process. We take all the hassle out of it.

Who assists you on your projects?

I have built my own team of sub-contractors that I've worked with for 20 years. They are the best of their trade.

What are the advantages for people to build a new home?

We take the client's ideas for what their home should be and make it happen. We listen to what the homeowner wants and work out the details. I have sub-contractors who are artists ... like Brad Shelton, tile man, who took a piece of slate and cut out a ranch brand design to personalize a floor for the owner. The client brings their own ideas to us and we help them make a home that is personal and their own. It becomes more of a part of who they are.

What would you like potential clients to know about Custom Homes by Patrick Grass?

We go out of our way to make people's dreams come true. We enjoy working on upper end, luxury projects that provide a challenge. The team has a lot of experience to bring to the table. The featured log home was such hard work, but it was so much fun! We came up with interesting ideas, such as taking a uniquely shaped log that the owner brought home from Wyoming and incorporating it as a newel post into the stairway. We enjoy what we do -- it's not just a job.