Highline Construction

What Highline Construction does

Highline Construction is a privately held, founder-controlled design-build general contractor headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, serving Whatcom and Skagit Counties since its founding in 2011 by Trevor Swezey. The firm delivers an integrated service stack spanning custom home construction, commercial construction and tenant improvements, large-scale residential remodels, siding installation, and PHIUS-certified green building, with an end-to-end design-build process that bundles architectural design, engineering, permitting, construction, and a one-year post-project warranty under a single accountable team. In fall 2022 the company launched a civil construction division offering excavation, grading, stormwater management, bridge and road work, demolition, fish passage enhancement, and habitat restoration, which has since tripled in headcount and is led by industry veterans Levi Nyberg (Civil Production Manager) and Jason Madeiros (Civil Superintendent).

The company differentiates through certified passive house expertise (PHIUS Certified Builder and PHIUS Certified Consultant designations held in-house), specialized civil and environmental restoration capabilities in Pacific Northwest terrain, and a relationship-driven go-to-market combining direct outreach, a formal Referral Club targeting real estate brokers, and deep community involvement with organizations such as NSEA, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, Whatcom Land Trust, and Habitat for Humanity. Customer mix is diversified across SMB residential clients, commercial businesses (e.g., Carnal Restaurant, Spark Museum), tribal and government entities (Swinomish Tribal Community, WECU), and nonprofit partners, with revenue generated on a project-by-project, quote-based pricing model. The firm has held Best Builder Gold from Bellingham Alive! Readers' Choice for seven consecutive years (2020-2026), maintains a 4.8-star rating across 50+ reviews, and operates without disclosed external funding or institutional ownership.

Name

Highline Construction

Legal name

Highline Construction

Website

https://highlinewa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Highline Construction is a Bellingham, WA-based design-build general contractor serving Whatcom and Skagit Counties since 2011, delivering custom homes, commercial construction, remodels, civil and excavation work, siding, and PHIUS-certified green building for residential, commercial, tribal, and nonprofit clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

General Construction Services

NAICS

Residential Building Construction (2361), Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220), Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (237)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Office & Corporate Building Construction (IMAFACAA)

Keywords

• Custom home construction
• Commercial construction
• Design-build services
• Excavation services
• Green building construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Home Construction: Design-build and build-only custom home construction services in Whatcom and Skagit Counties with focus on Bellingham. Includes architectural design, permitting, and full construction.
2. Commercial Construction: New commercial construction, commercial remodels, and tenant improvements. Projects include restaurants, museums, office spaces, and multi-family buildings.
3. Civil/Excavation Services: Professional excavation, grading, stormwater management, environmental restoration, bridge installation, and demolition services. Works with private clients and public projects, including subcontracting for other general contractors.
4. Siding Installation: Commercial and residential siding replacements including fiber cement, wood, and metal siding. Occasional subcontractor work for large commercial or multi-family projects.
5. Large Scale Residential Remodels and Additions: Major residential remodels, additions, and renovations including historic home restorations and aging-in-place modifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Highline Construction is a design-build general contractor providing custom residential home construction, commercial construction and tenant improvements, large-scale residential remodels, excavation and civil construction (earth moving, grading, stormwater management, demolition, environmental restoration), siding installation, and PHIUS-certified green building services across Whatcom and Skagit Counties in Washington State.

Product overview

Highline Construction is a design-build general contractor offering a comprehensive suite of construction services centered around its core design-build methodology. The company's service portfolio includes custom home construction, commercial construction, commercial tenant improvements, large-scale residential remodels, excavation/earth moving services (via its civil division), siding installation, and green building services. The design-build process serves as the unifying methodology across all offerings, providing architectural design, engineering, permitting, construction, and post-project warranty support. Founded in 2011, the company operates primarily in Whatcom and Skagit Counties with a focus on Bellingham, WA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Home Construction Ground-up custom residential home building in Whatcom and Skagit Counties with a focus on Bellingham, delivered through design-build or build-only models. Serves high-net-worth homeowners seeking personalized design and quality craftsmanship.
• Commercial Construction New commercial construction and remodels for restaurants, museums, office spaces, and multi-family buildings in the Bellingham area and surrounding counties. Targets commercial property owners and tenants.
• Commercial Tenant Improvements Remodeling and improvement services for commercial spaces including restaurants, retail, offices, and institutional facilities. Budgets typically include design, permits, construction, loss-of-revenue buffers, and 10–15% contingency.
• Large-Scale Residential Remodels and Additions Major renovation, remodeling, and addition projects for existing residential properties, including historic home restorations and aging-in-place modifications.
• Excavation and Earth Moving Services Professional civil construction services including excavation, grading, demolition, stormwater management, retaining walls (including Redi-Rock), bridge and road construction, trenching, brush mowing, fish passage enhancement, culvert replacement, streambank stabilization, and habitat restoration. Works with private clients, public projects, and as a subcontractor to other general contractors.
• Siding Installation Services Commercial and residential siding installation and replacement including fiber cement (James Hardie), wood (cedar), and metal (aluminum longboard, copper) siding. Includes large multi-family projects and occasional subcontractor work for commercial or multi-family clients.
• Green Building and PHIUS Passive House Construction PHIUS-certified sustainable and eco-conscious building practices including passive house design and construction, green building strategies, and net-zero construction approaches focused on limiting energy waste through envelope construction, insulation, and air sealing.
• Design-Build Process End-to-end design-build delivery model covering architectural design, engineering, permitting, construction, and 1-year post-project warranty support, providing single-point accountability across residential, commercial, and civil projects.

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Long-standing partnership for fish passage projects including bridge installations to replace undersized culverts, streambank regrading, and salmon habitat restoration in Whatcom County. Partnership inherited with civil division launch. Multiple completed projects including Pepin Creek Bridge, Deer Creek Bridge, and Starry Road Bridge installations.
• Skagit Fisheries Enhancement GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for fish passage and habitat restoration projects in Skagit County. Projects include Thompson Creek Box Culvert installation to replace undersized culvert and Lower Day Slough Fish Passage bridge installation. Expansion of civil work into Skagit County.
• Whatcom Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for coastal wetland habitat restoration projects including Bridge Way property in Blaine for California Creek watershed restoration. Provided demolition, brush clearing, and site preparation for wetland restoration enabling native plantings.
• Bode's PrecastminorOthersLocal manufacturer in Everson, WA for Redi-Rock precast concrete block retaining wall systems. Recommended most frequently for residential and commercial retaining wall projects.
• JWR DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural design collaboration on multiple custom home projects including Samish Contemporary and Modern Day Farmhouse. Collaborative design process with Highline Construction and Highline Interiors.
• Johnston ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeattle-based architectural firm collaborated on Cabin in the Woods project in Whatcom County. Design collaboration with Highline Interiors for contemporary NW architecture.
• FalconWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign partner for Carnal Restaurant tenant improvement project in Bellingham. Collaboration on restaurant design including custom bar, kitchen, and historic preservation elements.
• Mindport ExhibitsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Spark Museum Rotating Gallery project. Mindport relocated collection to Spark Museum following closure of Mindport in downtown Bellingham.
• The Orderly SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome organization company collaborated on annual service project for Skookum Kids The Landing facility. Provides professional organizers for service projects. Referral partner through Champion Membership in Referral Club.
• Favinger PlumbingminorOthersDonated plumbing services and materials for Skookum Kids service project bathroom renovation.
• Interior Doors and MoreminorOthersDonated goods for Skookum Kids service project.
• Stone ProsminorOthersDonated goods for Skookum Kids service project.
• Judd & BlackminorOthersDonated goods for Skookum Kids service project.
• BP Cherry Point RefineryminorOthersProperty owner along Terrell Creek in Blaine, WA. Engaged Highline for brush mowing services to prepare land for NSEA native species planting.
• Kent's Garden & NurseryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouthpreneurs of NW Washington program partner with $300 gift card in Pro Membership package and $5,000 gift card in Champion Membership Garden Makeover package. Local business supporting referral rewards.
• Brandon Nelson RealtorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate broker partner in Youthpreneurs of NW Washington program. Co-founder of youth entrepreneurship awards program alongside Highline and Kent's Garden & Nursery.
• Katheryn Moran PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional photographer offering 90-minute business branding photoshoot with 20 final images in Referral Club Brand Builder Pro Pick package.
• Fanatik Bike CominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal bike shop offering $2,500 gift card in Pro Membership Galbraith Gear Grab package and $5,000 in Champion Bike Shop Score package.
• Bellingham TreehouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business offering two-night stay gift in Champion Press Pause package for Referral Club rewards.
• Chrysalis Inn & SpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal spa offering $1,500 gift card in Champion Press Pause package for Referral Club rewards.
• NW Sailing AdventuresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sailing charter offering two-day/one-night San Juan Islands sailing adventure for four in Champion Sailboat Slumber package.
• Greenhouse (Home Store)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal home goods store offering $5,000 gift card in Champion Home Makeover package for Referral Club rewards.
• Northwest PlumbingminorOthersPlumbing contractor for WECU Sewer Line Replacement project. Highline performed excavation work under contract with Northwest Plumbing.
• Lautenbach RecyclingminorOthersLocal Whatcom and Skagit County recycling center for demolition debris. Wood becomes mulch or farm animal bedding, drywall becomes farm animal bedding, wiring and scrap metal is melted down, concrete is crushed for road construction.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Andersen Construction: PNW general contractor with commercial building, tenant improvement, and design-build expertise across Washington and Oregon — comparable delivery model and service mix to Highline's commercial work.
• BNBuilders: Pacific Northwest general contractor serving commercial, tenant improvement, and residential clients with design-build delivery. Comparable in market geography (WA) and service portfolio to Highline's commercial side.
• GLY Construction: PNW-focused commercial general contractor with design-build expertise across office, healthcare, education, and tenant improvement — overlapping with Highline's commercial TI and build segments.
• Exxel Pacific: PNW general contractor with custom residential, commercial, and tenant improvement capabilities — overlapping service portfolio with Highline in similar regional geography.
• Lease Crutcher Lewis: Pacific Northwest commercial general contractor with comparable commercial construction and tenant improvement capabilities serving the broader WA/OR market.
• Korsmo Construction: Pacific Northwest commercial general contractor with similar project mix of commercial buildings and tenant improvements in the Puget Sound region.
• Moceri Construction: Pacific Northwest design-build general contractor with overlapping services in custom residential, commercial, and civil/excavation. Directly comparable as a regional design-build GC; Highline's civil production manager Levi Nyberg previously led the civil division at Moceri.

Broad incumbents

• Skanska USA: Global construction firm with significant Pacific Northwest presence in commercial, civil, and infrastructure construction. Broad incumbent against which Highline's commercial and civil offerings must compete.
• Turner Construction Company: National commercial general contractor with broad tenant improvement and commercial construction capabilities. Represents the upper-scale incumbent that Highline competes against on larger commercial pursuits.

Regional players

• Chuckanut Builders: Bellingham/Whatcom County-based residential and light commercial builder. Comparable in geography and custom-home design-build orientation, though smaller scope than Highline's full-service portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Highline Construction