Ghost Dance Construction Company

Vought Construction Inc. works as a general contractor out of Berkeley, California. Devon Vought and Jorge Escobedo run the company, which handles custom home building, whole-home remodeling, and home additions. They take on projects across the Berkeley Hills and other Bay Area spots, often on tricky hillside lots or sites next to culverts. The team partners with architects to follow the plans while dealing with local permits and utility rules like those from EBMUD.

Customers call on them for kitchen and bathroom rebuilds after water damage, ground-up ADU construction, basement conversions into bedrooms, and full restorations of older homes from the 1910s or 1920s. One job turned a kitchen into an ADA-compliant space with a new ramp and rebuilt a bridge. Another added three bedrooms and baths to a 1936 house while cantilevering the addition off a steep hill and matching original redwood details. Reviewers note how the crew solved plumbing runs in tight slabs, navigated permitting surprises, and kept old millwork and trim looking right.

They show up on time, send daily photos and updates even when owners are away, and hold weekly site meetings with architects and clients. Pricing stays clear from the start, with honest talk on change orders. Work covers Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, Mill Valley, Orinda, and Piedmont, and the crew keeps sites clean during long jobs that can stretch through supply delays or COVID-era rules. Devon, Jorge, Jairo, and Dean stay reachable for questions after the build wraps.

Twenty reviews give the company a 5-star mark. People keep mentioning strong communication, careful problem-solving on odd angles or code issues, and finishes that match historic details without extra mess.

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“The work of these guys is excellent. Thanks Vought construction in our private school San francisco waldorf school , They completed a remodel in our main office, converting a kitchen into an ADA-compliant space and entry ramp access . They also converted a garage in another school building into a new classroom. Their third project was rebuilding a 12’ x 4’ bridge, and the finished work was excellent. They showed great attention to detail, excellent communication, and punctuality throughout every project. I highly recommend them for their quality of work, professionalism, and commitment to getting the job done right. again thanks Davon and Jorge for your help throughout the projects...”

“My husband and I are grateful to Devon Vought, Jorge Escobedo, and their team at Vought Construction for the outstanding restoration of our Berkeley Hills home after extensive water damage. Our residence required major remediation and repair including rebuilding the kitchen and a bathroom, replacing walls, ceilings, flooring and carefully matching new wood trim and flooring to the original 1925 millwork. Both Devon and Jorge have an excellent sense of residential architectural aesthetics, are extremely knowledgeable about construction best practices as well as local building codes and requirements. Vought Construction handled every aspect of our challenging project with exceptional communication, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Throughout the project they listened carefully to our questions, provided regular schedule and budget updates and proactively sought our feedback. We were very impressed with their substantial efforts to deliver on their promise of high-quality work on time and on budget! After such a difficult experience with the damage to our family home of over 30 years, Vought Construction made the restoration process positive. We are thrilled to be back in our be”

“I worked with Vought Construction on a ground-up ADU build and home remodel at my property in Berkeley, and I highly recommend them. This was a complex project with several unique challenges. The ADU was built directly over a culverted creek, which required careful structural attention and navigating Berkeley’s permitting and EBMUD utility requirements. On top of that, the architect I hired proved difficult to work with, and I changed my plans midway through the build. Vought handled every curveball, redesign, and change order without a single complaint and kept the project moving forward. What made working with them stand out was their communication and reliability. I am blind and was living out of state for most of the construction, so I had to rely completely on accurate updates and trust their execution on-site. They managed the logistics smoothly, followed through on all punch-list items, and got all final permits signed off. The build quality is top-notch. If you need a reliable general contractor in the East Bay who can problem-solve complex site conditions and communicate clearly every step of the way, Vought Construction is a great choice.”

“Purchased a 1910 fixer-upper in Alameda, CA, and we have been working with Jorge since the beginning of the renovation. This was not a simple cosmetic project. The home needed significant work and was in a condition that would have presented challenges with traditional financing, so we knew from the outset that we needed a contractor who could help us navigate a complex restoration. We interviewed several contractors, and Jorge stood out immediately for his process, patience, and candor. Renovating a home of this age comes with plenty of uncertainty, and throughout the process we have been very happy with Jorge’s patience, willingness to answer our questions, and stewardship of the subcontractors he has brought onto the project. Like most major renovations, we have faced our share of challenges, including navigating City requirements and even having to part ways with our original architect. Through it all, Jorge and Vought have been the constant. Jorge’s team has done a great job managing timelines, communicating with us, and helping move the project forward. As a family taking on our first fixer-upper, we have appreciated having Jorge and his team guide us through the process.”

“I'm a Bay Area architect and it's been a pleasure working with Devon and the team at Vought Construction on a complex remodel and addition project on a hillside lot in Mill Valley. From start to finish, they executed a complex project effortlessly. In my experience, Vought Construction embodies the qualities of a great contractor: excellent communication, clear pricing, a strong ability to execute technical details, and terrific project management. They're incredibly responsive and great at providing feedback on initial pricing during the pre-construction stage, as well as on scope changes throughout the project. Everyone from the project managers to the subcontractors is highly skilled and embraces a collaborative approach. They are client-focused and committed to building trust among all team members.”

“Devon, Jorge, Jairo, and team did a terrific job on our remodel. We were converting a den and a wet bar into a bedroom and bathroom, and were grateful to have such an experienced team to do our small-ish project. Since this was in a basement, the biggest challenge of the project was going to be how to run plumbing in such a constrained space and inside of a slab. Other contractors were somewhat daunted by that and were planning on fairly invasive solutions and bid accordingly. Devon was confident that during demolition a reasonable option would emerge, and indeed they did an amazing job problem-solving and found a minimal solution that didn't affect the surrounding space at all, and was not expensive. They were organized and communicative throughout, and very professional, even proactively checking in about any touchups needed after we've been using the space. Jose did beautiful finishing work and was a pleasure to have around, and our young son was delighted to see him and his truck each morning. The only hiccup was a small issue at the end where the painting sub didn't do a very polished first pass but they had them come right back to repaint. The finished space is as gorgeou”

“Devon was in charge of our custom home construction for our new home. He did a fantastic job and his professionalism and attitude is stellar. Equally importantly, I am still in touch with Devon and he is still so responsive when I need advice on anything to do with the house. He's fabulous. Thank you, Devon!”

“I've had the privilege of working with Vought Construction on several projects in both Berkeley and Marin County. They build beautiful homes, and their communication, from the initial stages to completion, has been exceptional. Throughout the projects, even when I was out of town, they provided daily updates with photos and videos, which were incredibly helpful. Building custom homes involves countless details that must align perfectly, and Vought Construction managed this impeccably.”

“We just finished a complete remodel of our 1914 single family Berkeley home with Vought Construction and we can't recommend them highly enough. Our house is adjacent to a culvert, has many odd angles, crooked walls, and a lot of areas were not up to current code, so the project was more complicated than initially anticipated, but Devon, Jorge, and Dean made our house look amazing. The house now has an old house charm that is modern inside with clean crisp lines. These guys pay incredible attention to detail and whatever hurdles are in the way, they find a solution. The result by far exceeded our expectations. Devon and Jorge are very responsive and throughout the project there was very close communication with us, the structural engineer, and our architect. They are extremely thorough and they work fast. When they say they are ready to roll, they roll, and we had to try and keep up with all the decisions on the fine details like fixtures, mirrors, hardware, etc. I also appreciate their honest communication about pricing and staying within the discussed budget. Doing construction is quite stressful and I feel so very lucky that I was able to work with Vought construction. The”

“We just completed a significant addition to our home that was originally built in 1936 with redwood-clad exteriors and wooden interiors. The Vought team cantilevered the house extension off the side of a very steep hill and worked with us to exactly preserve the same look for the exterior while bringing the house up to modern construction codes, adding 3 bedrooms and bathrooms and a new kitchen. Devon, Jorge, Dean and the team at Vought are amazing. The historic nature of the home required careful matching of wood types, stains and paints, trims and fittings that are time consuming and finicky to get right. The Vought team took the time to exactly match these details so the old sections of the house flow nicely into the new parts of the home. You literally cannot find a single part of this house that they didn't perfectly craft. Not a single cut that isn't perfectly made. Everyone who visits comments on it. It's just a stunning piece of craftsmanship. It's not just that Vought makes great homes: they are honest, up-front and transparent with excellent communication skills and a good working style with both us and our architect as well as the subs / vendors they work with. Any probl”

“I worked with Vought Construction Inc for a phased single family project in Berkeley and the first phase was just completed. The built quality and the project development process were both excellent and they have a very high standard and professionalism in their work; you will be pleased to see that they really care about your project from get-go. As people, Devon and Jorge are very honest and great in communicating with both my client and myself and the project was a joy in a very collaborative process as a result. In addition to the builder's skills and knowledge, a good Owner, Architect and Contractor collaboration with mutual trust is a fundamental key to a successful project. As an architect with 20 years of experience, I have worked with various contractors ranging from budget-friendly builders to super high-end contractors. I would say Vought Construction is one of the best that strikes that balance that I always look for in selecting a contractor for our projects. I look forward to the future projects with Vought Construction and can recommend them to all my clients. Nana Koami, AIA Owner of Koami Architecture”

“We hired Vought to remodel an older home in Piedmont and they did an excellent job. In the height of COVID, we took a 104 year old home down to the studs, and Vought did a great job navigating the structural surprises, permitting delays, neighborhood considerations, and supply-chain delays that accompanied our project. Strangers now stop us regularly to compliment the house and we were a finalist for Piedmont's annual design awards. Devon takes a lot of pride in his company's work and it shows. The project was completed on-time, a feat given the circumstances and events of the time. The project came in about 8% over-budget, mostly attributable to late-stage design changes. Vought was considerate to our neighbors and communicated the more disruptive work to us in advance. Vought did a very good job of holding their sub-contractors accountable and had them come out to amend work not completed to their standard. In the 16 months since we moved back into the house, Vought has been very good about honoring their warranty. A final word - Vought worked very well with our Architect and Project Manager, Kevin Scott, Smith, and having them in direct contact really helped the project go smo”

“Vought did an extensive remodel of our unfinished basement a few years ago, and were great to work with. The entire team is excellent at communication, quick to respond, and does quality work. It was a joy to have them around during construction. We love the finished product, and appreciated the post-construction check-ins to make sure everything was working as intended. Managing Director Jorge is a gem: always taking notes on details and helping to manage the strange things that come up in a big construction project.”

“I had the pleasure of collaborating with Vought Construction on a couple of custom single-family residential projects in the East Bay and couldn't be more impressed with the exceptional workmanship and outstanding results. Through design and scope updates prompted by us (the architects) and the property owners, Devon and Jorge kept an open mind for design possibilities while executing on intricate details other contractors may have missed. Throughout the project they maintained open lines of communication with all parties involved, keeping us well-informed of schedule at every stage while maintaining pace in the construction schedule. Vought Construction allowed the collaboration between architecture and construction to be seamless which ultimately lead to happy clients and a great product. I would not hesitate to recommend Vought Construction to anyone in need of a reliable and skilled general contractor in the SF Bay Area. Looking forward to working together again soon!”

“Vought Construction remodeled my Orinda home between July 2018 and March 2019. They did a fantastic job. The job involved demolishing the entire upper level of my home, and then installing new concrete piers and grade beams, framing new exterior walls and new roof, installing new stucco on the entire exterior of the home and redoing the entire upstairs rooms (kitchen, dining, and living rooms). Throughout the course of the project, Devon Vought was communicative and professional. He held weekly meetings at the site with me, the architect, and his project manager. He kept the project site neat and clean, and completed the work on time. Devon takes great pride in his work, and took great care in framing my home so as to minimize cracking in the new stucco exterior, and to ensure my tall (14-foot-plus) interior walls would be straight and true. Vought Construction completed the project in the spring of 2019 as scheduled, and the home is functioning beautifully. The stucco exterior is in great condition and has no cracks; the interior wall finishes are similarly in great condition - straight and true - and the deck railings and deck surface (made of steel and Ipe boards) are performin”

“Vought Construction is the best. We have worked with several firms over the years and the experience with Vought has been far and away the most satisfying and impressive. Devon and Jorge take the work and the process seriously from start to finish. Attention to detail and quality are top notch. They stand behind their work, they share their expertise, they listen to concerns and questions, and they over deliver. That last bit about over delivering, is not easy. Our expectations were very high, but from the early conversations and estimating through to the final walkthrough they kept impressing us. Yes, I would hire them again, and I will, but if you get a chance to work with them, do it.”

“As a structural engineering team, it's such a pleasure to work with Vought and team as builders. We've worked on a handful of complex hillside homes and they are well-versed at meeting the challenge. They keep good communication with us throughout the build process and are easy to work with. Happy to recommend them as builders for a vast range of residential construction.”

“As an architect with a background in the building trades, I recognize the importance and value of involving a contractor in the design process early and often. In addition to quality and craftsmanship in their built work, Vought Construction brings invaluable insight to the design, permitting and bidding process well before construction ever begins. Vought's upfront project management, clear and open communication and collaborative approach ensure that goals and expectations are met and exceeded. Devon and Jorge are a pleasure to work with and Vought Construction offers a level of care and professionalism that you won't find with most contractors.”

“We recently had a water leak, and Jorge from Vought Construction responded immediately, scheduling a visit and sending his crew over right away. The team was not only fast and efficient but also incredibly knowledgeable and professional. They took great care in keeping everything clean throughout the process. I truly appreciate their prompt help and couldn’t recommend them more highly!”

“We recently hired Devon and his team at Vought Construction to remodel our office. It was a very smooth experience because all our concerns and questions were addressed in a very professional manner. The Vought Construction team goes the extra mile and beyond to make sure that they deliver the work as promised. We highly recommend them for any construction project!”