One thing we constantly work on here at Highline is balancing details with overall perspective. As we embark on a new year, we’re reminded to reflect on how all of the small details in 2022 added up to some pretty special things for our employees, our clients, and our community. We’re happy to announce our 2022 impact report.

Design-Build

Though we do still work with outside designers and appreciate getting to expand our network in that way, we’re moving more and more towards designing most of the projects we build in-house. Our design team completed 9 projects in 2022, and our construction team completed 11 projects. Some of our highlights are already in our online portfolio, including this inviting Lake Whatcom Remodel and this upscale Samish Contemporary new build. Others are yet to come.

Excavation Services

Some long-time dreams came true when we opened our civil division in October. This marked a big turning point in Highline’s history, and we’re really excited to take on our first full year of excavation work in 2023.  One is a small number, but when it is one new division with the level of skill our civil team has, it’s not so small at all. We’re ready to take on a combination of public and private work and are equipped and experienced in a wide range of services, including: excavation, land clearing, stormwater management, drainage, block walls, bridge installations, grading and yard expansion, demolition of old homes and structures, trenching, gravel driveways, brush removal, and more.

Employee Satisfaction

Each year, we survey employees to get their perspective on what we’re doing well and what we need to improve. In 2022, not only was our employee retention higher than the national average for the construction industry, but our year-end survey showed 100% of our employees were “satisfied” or even “very satisfied” this past year. Some of the most popular words they use to describe our workplace culture were: supportive, welcoming, friendly, collaborative, professional, dedicated, fun, respectful, engaging, cooperative, genuine, and family-friendly. Speaking of family-friendly, we were able to celebrate a whole lot of new love this year. This included 5 new babies and one new dog being added to Team Highline.

Customer Satisfaction

It’s hard to put into words how thankful we are for the community we’re a small part of. We work hard to do right by others, and it feels so good knowing others are consistently working to do right by us too. That level of care for one another is something that gives us hope in an oftentimes uncertain world. 61% of our business this year came from referrals. After thousands of votes were counted, we were named “Best Builder” in the Bellingham Alive! Best of the Northwest Reader’s Choice Awards for a third consecutive year. We even had the lovely opportunity to catch up with some former clients several years post-completion of their lake house to see how the home we built for them has become their family’s most treasured place. All of these things feel special and remind us that what we do is bigger than four walls and a roof.

Community Giving

Because we don’t always know how to show how thankful we are for the opportunities we continue to have, the best thing we’ve been able to do is pay it forward. Community giving has long been a part of the way we do business. In 2022, we gave $7,425 in monetary gifts; more than $4,000 in in-kind gifts; and over 120 service project hours across 12 local organizations and to one local family in need.

For whatever way you may have been part of our story in 2022, thank you. If we haven’t met yet, perhaps you’ll work your way into our next chapter here in 2023. Cheers to a new year with new opportunities to learn and grow.