Minden, Gardnerville, Carson City & the Carson Valley
With 40+ years of hands-on building experience, Gary Wake personally supervises ground-up custom homes, whole-house foundation lifts, historic Victorian restorations, and custom kitchen and bath remodels across Minden and the Carson Valley.
How we build
A home is only as lasting as what it stands on. Explore the four stages of a Wake Construction build to see how we engineer and craft every home from the ground up.
We excavate expansive clay soil, compact an engineered aggregate base, and pour steel-reinforced concrete slab or perimeter foundations that will not settle.
From whole-house lifts on steel I-beams and timber cribbing to heavy post-and-beam framing and roof trusses, we build straight, rock-solid structure.
Stacked travertine ledger stone, three-coat exterior stucco, Spanish barrel-tile roofing, and custom heavy-plank redwood gates built for Nevada weather.
Solid-wood cabinetry, granite and quartz countertops, river-rock fireplaces, interior arches, and 12-foot bi-fold doors opening to Sierra views.
Before & after transformations
Drag the slider on any project below to see how we take a home from excavation, framing, or a failing foundation to a finished space you will love coming home to.
See how we built the 1889 Victorian home lift and restoration
See how we built the whole-home kitchen and great room remodel
See how we built the covered stone outdoor kitchen and pavilion
What we build
Whether you are building a custom home on your lot, remodeling a dated kitchen, or rescuing a settling foundation, Gary Wake manages every trade under one roof.
Ground-up custom homes tailored to your lot, your views, and the way your family lives.
Permanent structural solutions for cracked slabs, failing brick footings, and settling homes.
True-to-era restorations that preserve historic architecture while modernizing structure and systems.
Full-gut kitchen and bath transformations built with solid-wood cabinetry and natural stone.
Detached guest houses, bedroom suites, art studios, and covered outdoor kitchens.
In-house architectural drafting and complete commercial restaurant and tenant build-outs.
Foundation repair & house lifting
When a foundation cracks or settles in expansive Carson Valley soil, cosmetic patching only hides the problem. We lift the home onto steel I-beams, remove the failing concrete and unstable soil, and pour a new reinforced foundation built to stay level.
Raise the home safely onto steel I-beams and stacked timber cribbing.
Remove failing brick piers or cracked slabs and excavate expansive clay soil.
Compact engineered aggregate base and tie steel rebar reinforcement.
Pour a new concrete foundation and set the home back down level and secure.
Featured portfolio
Walk through six of our favorite builds across Minden, Carson Valley, and California, with real job-site progress photos and finished spaces.
Ground-up custom residence featuring Sierra Nevada mountain orientation, stacked travertine ledger-stone masonry portico, and structural timber framing. Wake Construction coordinated all grading, foundation pour, framing, custom interior arches, and 12-foot bi-fold exterior doors.
Detached single-story secondary dwelling unit constructed from the ground up on an engineered concrete slab. Wake Construction managed drafting, utility connections, stucco exterior walls, Spanish barrel-tile roofing, and full living quarters.
Complete interior and exterior renovation transforming a dated residential layout into an open-concept great room. Wake Construction removed structural partition walls, built a floor-to-ceiling river-rock fireplace, and installed solid walnut shaker cabinetry.
Full commercial restaurant build-out from a gutted retail shell to an operational dining destination. Wake Construction managed interior demolition, grease-trap plumbing, commercial electrical, kitchen framing, and exterior storefront facade work.
Ground-up covered outdoor kitchen and entertainment pavilion featuring stacked travertine ledger-stone masonry and polished black granite. Wake Construction excavated the patio, poured reinforced slab footings, framed the timber pavilion roof, and installed outdoor appliances.
Historic restoration of an 1889 two-story Victorian home requiring a whole-house lift to replace failing unreinforced brick footings with an engineered concrete foundation. Wake Construction restored the curved wrap-around porch back to 1889 period specifications, updated mechanical systems, and built custom stucco fencing.
Homeowner letters
Read word-for-word letters from homeowners who hired Wake Construction to build their custom home, lift their foundation, or remodel their kitchen.
“As we began inquiring about the possibility of building a custom home, we had several requirements: a reasonable bid, a competent contractor, a solid and sound finished structure, and a clean job site. We didn't know this contractor would need to find solutions to so many difficult problems and have the patience of a kindergarten teacher to explain things to us, or what would appear to be a Houdini to solve several problems we encountered building our home. Gary Wake was all of that for us. We have a beautiful home that under the guidance of Wake Construction grew out of a grass field. Shortcomings in our design created countless problems, but Gary is such an expert problem solver, all issues were resolved to our satisfaction. We had many unique details (arches, wood-burning pizza oven, rounded fireplaces, 12-foot bi-fold doors) that were like mysteries to us, but our detective took care of them with expertise and a nod to the decor theme. We were often on site, but when we could not be, we were kept updated with phone calls, emails, and photos. Gary is punctual and always returns phone calls or emails quickly. Gary's unequaled customer service throughout the project helped us feel at ease and confident with our choice. We would happily recommend Gary Wake and Wake Construction for any of your construction needs.”
Ground-up custom home with arches, wood-burning pizza oven, rounded fireplaces, and 12-foot bi-fold doors
“By recommendation, I contacted Wake Construction to repair the severely broken foundation and rebuild the extensive structural damage to my apartment. The renovation far exceeded my expectations and I would recommend Wake Construction for your project needs. There isn't a job or task they cannot complete.”
“Living out of the area we were skeptical about a major renovation performed on our 1889 Victorian home. We contacted Wake Construction and were very comfortable from the first phone call. The communication and explanation of the scope of work to be performed were excellent throughout the project. Not seeing the house for several weeks prior to completion, WOW, our 1889 Victorian home turned out beautiful and we want to share it with everyone.”
“Wake Construction performed many construction services on my home. Included were foundation lift, chimney and hearth removal, family room addition, complete new kitchen, granite countertops in kitchen and bathrooms, tile flooring, removal of acoustic ceilings, painting, wrought-iron and vinyl fencing, and many other miscellaneous projects. I am very satisfied with Wake Construction's performance and the supervision by the owner, Gary Wake, who was always an advocate for daily neatness. I am pleased to recommend this contracting firm to anyone who would be interested in having work performed by this company. I will continue to contract with this firm for further house repairs and redecorating.”
“Wake Construction recently added a mud room to our house. The planning, workmanship, clean-up, and communication during the project were all excellent. We can enthusiastically recommend the company to anyone planning a home improvement or similar project.”
Homeowner protection guide
Gary Wake believes an informed homeowner makes the best client. Before you sign a construction contract with anyone, make sure these four protections are in writing.
Verify an active state contractor license, bond, and workers compensation insurance before work starts.
Never pay more than 10% or $1,000 as a contract deposit to secure your residential project.
Insist on a detailed written contract itemizing scope, materials, and milestone payments.
Never hire an unlicensed handyman for structural, plumbing, or electrical work over $500.
Field notes & construction guides
Straightforward breakdowns on remodeling sequences, bathroom planning, and hiring a licensed general contractor.
Stucco fences have emerged as a popular choice for homeowners seeking to enhance their property's aesthetic appeal while providing functional benefits. These structures, made from a mixture of cement, sand, and lime, are not only visually striking but also offer a range of advantages that make them a practical option for boundary demarcation.
Custom gate design is an art form that combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, serving as a crucial element in the overall architecture of a property. A well-designed gate not only enhances the visual appeal of a home or business but also provides security and privacy.
Upgrading the electrical systems in historical homes is a crucial step in ensuring both safety and functionality. Many older homes were built at a time when electrical standards were vastly different from today's requirements. As a result, these homes often have outdated wiring, insufficient power supply, and inadequate grounding systems.
Start your project
When you call or write Wake Construction, you do not get a salesperson or an estimating desk: you talk directly with Gary Wake. Tell us what you are planning and we will walk your lot or home together.
Every consultation is handled personally by Gary Wake. Whether you are planning a custom home on your lot, lifting and replacing a failing foundation, or remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, we walk your property and talk through the work together.
