So it’s this ultra-luxury market. But what’s cool about Devon is that he’s not like most people in this market who are older—he’s not 60 or 65 years old and slowly worked his way up. Devon is much younger, so we figured this would be a great podcast to have him talk about how he operates in this market.
Devon, how did I do on that intro?
Devon: Great. Yeah. Happy to be here. Thanks.
Logan: Well, I appreciate that. I’d love for you to kick off with a little bit of backstory about yourself and Vought Construction, so we can have more context on who you are and why we should be listening to you.
Devon: Vought Construction was founded in 2010. I just kind of fell into the trades—I didn’t do great in school, but I ended up getting my contractor’s license in 2013 at 22 years old, one of the youngest in California. Over the last ten-plus years, the business has grown into a luxury home-building company that provides impeccable service. That’s our main focus. We like to say that anybody can swing a hammer, but providing an exceptional experience is what sets us apart.
Logan: Let’s talk about some of your projects. I know that on one of your website’s featured project pages, you’ve got a music studio—it’s not just high-end work, but intricate, custom projects. Can you talk more about the work you do and what luxury really means in this context?
Devon: Our niche is hillside luxury. We get called in for the more difficult projects on steep, 45-degree hills. They’ll have features like music studios, elevators, large curtain glass sliding doors, and incredible views. We’re based in the Bay Area, so almost every house I build has a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. And of course, we use a lot of high-end finishes.
Logan: When you started 12 or 13 years ago, did you go straight into these multi-million dollar homes, or was there a progression?
Devon: It was definitely a progression, filled with mistakes and learning experiences. I started out as a handyman, helping realtors prepare homes for sale with small repairs. That grew into bathroom and kitchen remodels, which eventually led me to get my general contractor’s license. At that point, it was still just me and a helper, but I kept growing. A lot of that came down to sales—doing a great job, focusing on service, and building a reputation. I wasn’t making a ton of money at first, but I focused on how to provide the best service possible. That approach eventually led to what we have today, which is more of a management company rather than just a contracting business.
Logan: When you were working with real estate agents, were you already in these high-end homes?
Devon: It honestly happened by accident. I was sanding a wall in a house one day, and a realtor selling a $2-3 million home next door asked if I could take a look at something. That led to years of work. She was actually one of the people who signed on to my general contractor’s license and provided my experience. She played a huge role in my career.
Logan: What was she like?
Devon: She was energetic—sell, sell, sell. I learned a lot about sales from her. She could sell anything and had a great eye for potential in homes. She also taught me that you don’t always need a complete gut renovation to make a space look incredible. I apply that thinking even today.
Logan: That’s huge. A lot of contractors want to move into the high-end market, but the homeowners they’re targeting are very discerning about how they spend money. So being able to empathize and understand their mindset is key. Were you actively spending time with these homeowners?
Devon: Absolutely. You have to start mirroring the people you want to work with. That meant cleaning up my image—no beat-up trucks, presenting myself better, and actually engaging with clients beyond the job site. I would ask clients if we could have lunch or dinner together. Some realtors thought it was weird, but the homeowners loved it. That kind of engagement made me part of their world, introduced me to their network, and really helped build my reputation. Today, my biggest sales strategy is still wining and dining.
Logan: That makes so much sense. When you go to these dinners, are you nervous at first?
Devon: Maybe the first time, but now it’s second nature. It’s fun, and it’s also a great way to learn. I always ask clients about their experience with us—what they liked, what we could improve on. I also ask them what makes a difference for them when hiring a company. That feedback is invaluable.
Logan: Are these dinners happening only after the project, or during as well?
Devon: For clients, it’s usually during or after the project. For architects, I cold-call and invite them to lunch or dinner. We even bring lunch to architect firms, do a small presentation, and build relationships that way. One lunch led to a $4 million project bid, so the ROI is incredible.
Logan: Do you have a dress code or a way you present yourself for different meetings?
Devon: Absolutely. Sales is a performance, and first impressions matter. Depending on the meeting, I might wear work boots and a nice shirt to show that I’m hands-on, while my business partner wears a cardigan to highlight the management side. It’s about reading the room and dressing accordingly.
Logan: You also throw celebration parties at the end of projects. Can you talk about that?
Devon: Yes, we host housewarming parties for our clients. These homeowners are proud of their homes and want to show them off. We invite the neighborhood, the design team, and potential clients. We hire a chef, bring in rental furniture, set up a beautiful spread, and make it a great experience. It’s a fantastic marketing event and a way to build relationships. The cost is minimal compared to the return we get in referrals and new projects.
Logan: That’s incredible. It’s clear that what sets you apart is your attention to detail, not just in construction but in relationships and branding. Devon, this has been an awesome conversation. If you want to check out Vought Construction, just Google ‘Vought Construction video’ or check the show notes for the link.
Thanks for coming on, Devon!
Devon: Thanks for having me!
