Our Story
We are craftspeople, skilled with all manner of tools to build things with. We are more then just carpenters. We are creative problem solvers. We are passionate about our work. We are dedicated to excellence in everything we do.
Raising the Industry Standards
We chose this for our company tagline because in addition to providing excellent customer service and a good-to-great construction experience for the customer, in our opinion the entire construction industry has room for improvement. A lot of room. It’s not that the industry is broken, or full of scandalous people that do shoddy work. It is not. Most of the trades and the people operating them do good work and are honest and fair with their customers. But that is not always the case, and after the Tubbs fire (and others in the region), it brought out the worst in some cases and people who weren’t qualified to do some of the work and projects misled people. That’s not right and this sort of action causes reputational issues for our industry. While we cannot change the behaviors of others, we can strive to do better than what the industry standard has become.
This is our commitment.
CSLB# 1072739
MISSION STATEMENT
“We deliver a professional residential construction experience that raises the industry standards.”
Core Values
Transparency
Accountability
Results
Discipline
Alignment
Precision
Our Focus
To raise the standards in our community through our commitment to world-class customer service.
To provide the most professional residential remodeling and custom homebuilding experience possible.
To make the most out of a customer’s budget and work in a timely manner to deliver our projects on time and on budget.
To earn the respect and trust of our customers, to create life long relationships that are a win/win.
To hire, train and mentor young craftspeople and carpenters to learn the skills necessary to become master-craftspeople.
Meet The Team
Our Founder
Russell Wahl
Founder Russell Wahl grew up in the construction business. His father worked in the trades, and as an elementary-aged school kid, Russell worked at job sites, picking up nails, sweeping floors and moving materials, yet upon graduated he attended Santa Rosa Junior College and earned a certificate in automotive repair, and went to work. After a few years of fixing cars, he realized he didn’t like repairing other people’s cars, and put on a tool belt where he became a construction industry journeyman. He worked for plumbers, electricians, a sheet metal contractor and carpenters until he decided to get his own GC license. Once licensed, for a dozen years or so Russell continued to do general construction and carpentry, most often on other contractors’ projects.
Then personal tragedy struck.
In January of 2021, his wife’s leukemia required a bone-marrow transplant and she went to Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto to receive treatment for 90 days. Russell went with her and suddenly, he could no longer do the day-to-day work of a carpenter or general contractor, so he hired his first employee and managed his client commitments from 100 miles away. Hence, “necessity is the mother of invention.” Put simply, he had to change how he knew what to do, and then committed to building a company, not just completing projects, and Sonoma Country Carpentry was born. We are pleased to report that his wife is cancer-free, and they are raising a daughter.
In addition to his devotion to family and his business, Russell is a dedicated student of Klemmer & Associates, a consulting company that specializes in Leadership Training and Character Development.
Mike Spencer
Project Manager
Michael’s journey in carpentry and construction began in South San Francisco, and he’s carried his passion for crafting into every facet of his life. Originally from Sacramento and now residing in Rohnert Park, Michael’s path has been uniquely shaped by his experiences.
With over 20 years in the industry, Michael’s early years included attending framing classes at just 16, sparking his fascination with construction. He further honed his skills working on historic Victorian homes in San Francisco from 19 to 22, leaving an indelible mark on his craftsmanship.
Despite a detour into computer software, Michael’s heart always yearned for the art of building. In 2007, he embraced his calling once again, blending his construction expertise with his technological background. Today, he seamlessly merges creativity and precision, resulting in homes that perfectly marry form and function.
Outside of construction, you’ll find Michael exploring the outdoors with his Alaskan Husky mix or crafting woodworking projects. Now as a Project Manager and Lead Carpenter at Sonoma County Carpentry, Michael brings his meticulous attention to detail, rich experience, and passion for craftsmanship to your project. With him by your side, your dream home is in capable hands, ready to be transformed into a stunning reality.