Hey, I’m Nick.

I’m the guy behind Buck Built, and I’m the lead builder on every project I take on.

I grew up around construction and I’m a second-generation licensed contractor. I learned the trade in New England before eventually making my way west, building natural adobe homes in New Mexico and eventually focusing on ADU conversions and residential work here in Nevada County.

I’ve lived in Grass Valley for the past seven years and have owned my home here for six. I’ve worked on all kinds of projects throughout the county and built Buck Built entirely through word of mouth.

How I like to build

I care about building things that are going to last.

I like good materials, good craftsmanship, and taking the time to think things through instead of just doing whatever is fastest. When it makes sense, I also like using natural, non-toxic materials.

More importantly, I try to make sure my clients are getting a good value for what they're spending. I’d rather figure out how to get you a better project for your money than figure out how to squeeze another dollar out of the job.

I’m also actually there doing the work.

You won’t hire Buck Built and then find out the person who sold you the project disappears while a bunch of entry-level workers cycle through the jobsite. I’m hands-on throughout the project and take responsibility for how the whole thing turns out.

Most of the people I work for have come through family and friends, and I try to treat every client the same way. If we aren't friends when we start, I hope we will be by the time we're done.

Why ADUs?

ADU conversions have become a focus of mine because they bring together almost everything I enjoy about building.

They create significant value for homeowners — often with the potential for a very strong return on investment — while also creating more attainable housing for people who want to live in Nevada County.

And from a builder’s perspective, they’re just fun.

An ADU is a small space that can involve nearly every trade in construction: framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, tile, cabinetry, kitchens, bathrooms, finish work and more. I do those trades in-house rather than passing them from one subcontractor to another.

That approach saves money by reducing layers of subcontractor markup, but the bigger benefit is cohesion. When the same builder is responsible for the whole project, there’s less room for miscommunication between trades, fewer handoffs, and more control over the finished product.

The result is a better built, more cohesive space, with every detail considered as part of the whole project.

Built right. Built to last.

At the end of the day, I want to build something I’d be happy to have on my own property — something that’s well thought out, well built, and still looks and works great years down the road.

That’s really what Buck Built comes down to.