ABOUT US

Since 2013, Compass Carpentry has been restoring historic homes in Eureka, Arcata, and beyond. We also specialize in remodeling kitchens and bathrooms as well as additions and new construction.

Whether you’re needing to repair the roof on a century-old home or reimagining the home you love to accommodate a growing family, Compass Carpentry is a team you can depend on to help you turn your vision into reality. We guide you through the entire process, simplifying the decision making and bringing our expertise into every detail of the project.

These core values are at the heart of everything we do:

Intuitive Design

We are passionate about transforming your experience within an important space. Whether it’s optimizing the lighting to the different functional areas of your kitchen or customizing the finish carpentry to match the original millwork, we bring a superior level of thought and intention to our designs.

Quality Craftsmanship

Our approach to construction is not about getting jobs done “cheap and fast.” We love getting to bring in our unique expertise to transform a space, both in the dramatic changes and the intricate details. We collaborate with architects and engineers to ensure your home improvement or new construction is built to last.

Trustworty Service

Hiring a construction crew requires a high level of trust. Not only are you asking someone else to tear down and rebuild a very important part of your home, but it also often means sharing your space with that crew for the next several months. It’s our goal to be reliable, respectful, and responsive throughout the process.

Our Team

Shawn, General Contractor

Shawn handles the business end of things at Compass Carpentry. He’s often coordinating behind the scenes to help make client’s vision become a reality. He has a knack for simplifying the complex and solving the mysteries that are bound to come up in working with older home remodels. He first fell in love with history and archeology while living in Ireland during his undergrad, and decided to combine his love for creative problem solving, working with his hands, and interest in historic preservation by getting his degrees in Construction Technology and Historic Preservation and Restoration through College of the Redwoods. Shawn, his wife Nan, and his two daughters, Lily and Finn, love calling Humboldt home.

“Solving mysteries is my favorite part of the work I do. Not only solving the electrical and plumbing problems that I know will make the house safe for the homeowner, but also trying to find solutions that fit with a customer’s unique needs. When a customer says ‘I need a kitchen remodel, but I don't know why or what's wrong with it, or how to make it fit my needs,’ I love to try and figure out how to make that work for them.”

Ryan, Production Manager

Ryan makes sure the work gets done and leads the job site execution in everything from demolition to installation. He also makes the custom millwork and cabinetry needed for individual projects. His energetic nature is often the driving engine of our team and his perpetual enthusiasm has a way of making the days go quickly. Before receiving his Construction Technology and Historic Preservation and Restoration degrees at College of the Redwoods, Ryan spent some time working for a log home company in North Carolina, traveling while working on organic farms, and building custom cabinets for Forbes Cabinets. The efficiency and seamless workflow required for these jobs influence his approach to production. His other hobbies include listening to snarky political podcasts, hanging out with his dog Lavar, or playing in one of his many rock bands.

“In the day-to-day workflow, we’re an interesting crew with diverse interests. I love that people can feel safe leaving us with the key to their homes. We’re responsible, and we make it a point to stay up to date with innovative practices, always trying to keep customers in the loop as well.”

Lauren, Carpenter

Lauren is the newest member of the Compass team and brings a great sense of cohesion to the job site. She’s always positive, consistently reliable, and willing to crawl into even the worst of crawl spaces. With a keen sense of observation and attention to detail, she keeps things moving along in a systematic way. Day to day, that looks like helping Ryan on the job site, as well as organizing the equipment and keeping track of the schedule. Before pursuing carpentry, Lauren was a field biologist. After a couple of years in that career, she decided to pursue a long-time interest in woodworking and got her degree in Construction Technology at College of the Redwoods. While not on the job site, Lauren enjoys collecting ideas for interior design or woodworking projects to emulate in future projects or volunteering at the humane society.

“I enjoy seeing something being completed, that sense of accomplishment when our productivity has a visual impact on the space. I also really like the small family-friendly feel of our company. It’s not ‘just a project’ to us. It's something we want to take pride in throughout the whole process.”

Our Process

THE DESIGN PHASE

CONSULTATION

Our process begins by coming to your home and listening to your goals and desires for your space. We’ll identify the key problem and take the time to understand what’s most important to you. Together, we’ll develop an outline for a solution and a timeline for how to get there.

DESIGN

Next, we’ll take the information you shared to create a customized and detailed plan for your new space. We’ll draft a floorplan layout, create a material specifications list, and research the best options for your unique needs.

PROPOSAL

We’ll meet again to go over our design plans & recommendations. We bring visual samples so you can envision the transformation. As we go through our detailed scope of work and timeline for the project, you can share feedback, ask questions, and make sure you are confident in moving forward.

THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE

PREP WORK

Before we begin work on your home, we’ll take the time to protect your property. We use high-quality floor protection and screens to ensure the construction zone is sectioned off while still allowing you to have maximum access to the rest of your house.

CONSTRUCTION

This is where the magic happens! In both the major transitions (like demolition day or putting up new walls) and the behind the scenes details (like electric wiring and plumbing) we’ll share our progress and make sure your goals are being accomplished according to plan.

COMPLETION

As the project comes to an end, we’ll go over every aspect of the project with you. Rest assured—we’re here for the long haul, so even after the final cleaning and inspection, our guarantee will address any unforeseen issues. All that’s left is to enjoy your new space!