Q&A with Keith Christenson, owner of Christenson Construction
- Like-Media
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
By Like Media
Christenson Construction is a family-run general contracting company serving North Idaho. In this Q&A, the founder shares what led him to start the business, how working with family shapes each project, and why hands-on involvement, strong partnerships, and straightforward communication matter from start to finish.
Q. What initially motivated you to build a general contracting business in North Idaho, and how has the community shaped your approach?
A. My family and I moved here in 2021, and we have embraced every aspect of life in North Idaho. We love this community and the incredible natural beauty we’re surrounded by. We love the hardworking, loyal, and honest people who make North Idaho home, and we are blessed to be a part of this wonderful community.
The Sandpoint area has grown quickly over the last five years, and even with a recent slowdown in construction, we’ve been fortunate to stay busy. After moving here, we realized there was plenty of opportunity for me to hang my own shingle as a General Contractor (GC). Christenson Construction focuses on building custom new homes and doing major remodels. We’re just finishing a 5,000 sq ft custom home build in Clark Fork, which has been a fun project. I love working with clients to envision their dream home and then seeing it come to life!
Q. Your wife, Sara, and your sons, Bennett and Caleb, are all part of the business. How has working as a family influenced the way you operate and the values you bring to each project?
A. “Faith, family, and community” are the values that are the cornerstone of our family life. I love that we are able to build this company and incorporate those values into our work life. Building a business as a family and establishing a legacy for my boys gives our work extra meaning and focus.
Q. Bennett and Caleb both work alongside you in the field. What strengths or perspectives do they bring that contribute to the future direction of the company?
A. My boys have both been working with me part-time since 2021, so they already have a good deal of experience in the construction industry. It’s been fun to watch them acquire new skills, learn, and grow, and it’s reinforced my belief in encouraging young people to get into the trades or at least learn hands-on skills. My sons each bring unique strengths — leadership, attention to detail, and enthusiasm, to name a few — and new ideas to the table, and are a great asset to our team.
Q. For readers who may not be familiar with Christenson Construction, how would you describe the types of projects you specialize in and the craftsmanship that sets your work apart?
A. Christenson Construction is a General Contractor specializing in new home construction and remodels. We are committed to quality at every level. We approach each project with careful planning, clear communication, and skilled craftsmanship to create spaces that reflect how our clients live. We’re a small, family business, not a large company, so our clients get very personalized service.
I come from a long lineage of Swedish woodworkers going back six generations. In fact, my great-great-grandfather used to buy old farmhouses in Minnesota, fix them up, and sell them. He was one of the original “flippers.” I did a fair amount of woodworking with my Dad growing up, and I continue to have an affinity for woodworking projects, particularly designing and building custom cabinets and finish carpentry.
I’m the GC who’s always wearing a tool belt. I’m on the job site every day, not only overseeing but working alongside my crew and our subcontractors. I love what I do — creating and working with my hands, and seeing the fruit of my labor. My goal is to make the building or remodeling process smooth and transparent, with happy clients from the first conversation to the final walkthrough!
Q. What types of relationships have you built with subcontractors, and why are those partnerships so important to the way you operate?
A. There are so many skilled contractors in the Sandpoint area with whom we love working — honest, hardworking, genuine people who do such a fantastic job and really care about their clients. I couldn’t do what I do as a General Contractor without them, so it’s a blessing to include them as part of the team we work with on our clients’ projects.
Q. As your sons continue to grow in the business, what matters most to you about the legacy you’re building together through your company?
A. It’s very fulfilling to see the progress at job sites day to day, and to watch a client’s vision materialize as their house is completed. There’s a lot of job satisfaction, and I’m grateful my boys get to experience it. Building a company together has been a great opportunity to teach them hands-on skills they’ll use the rest of their lives, whether they stay in construction or not. They’ve also learned to interact with clients, solve problems, and value perfection in everything we do.
Christenson Construction LLC
208.255.0985
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