<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[MN Builders]]></title><description><![CDATA[We are a relationship-driven, employee-owned, details-obsessed, premium building company in Northern California.]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 17 Oct 2026 23:57:41 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.mnbuild.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Start Smart, Finish Strong: Why Pre-Construction Matters]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you've been following construction trends lately, you've probably heard the term "Passive House" popping up in conversations. ]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/start-smart-finish-strong</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6886e1453f524736c9e08a7d</guid><pubDate>Mon, 28 Jul 2025 02:53:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_5641eed20d9d48229511e9feb47d9c57~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>MN Builders</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Better Than Business As Usual:The Art (and Science) of High-Performance Construction]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you've been following construction trends lately, you've probably heard the term "Passive House" popping up in conversations. ]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/better-than-business-as-usual-the-art-and-science-of-high-performance-construction</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67edafc26e3c528b1e8ef971</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Apr 2025 21:57:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_6fa535beaf91420692416f2f5dfd332b~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>MN Builders</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Talking Shop: Shop Series Part 1]]></title><description><![CDATA[As our company grows—and the scope of our expertise and the range of our projects expands—it’s sometimes easy for even the long-timers here ]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/talking-shop</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64a58c9029eb1c05c04627bf</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:11:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_cdfed7387bce4c2ea3a6bf53a39ac9f3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_906,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Eric Goetting, COO, Millwork</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Beauty and the Box: Shop Series Part 2   ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why every MN custom cabinet starts with something you never see.]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/shop-series-part-2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64a5907d83475b12ae092773</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 Sep 2023 19:15:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_27a2e9a5892947379605d81fa8a52302~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Eric Goetting, COO, Millwork</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Decisions, Decisions: Shop Series Part 3   ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Embarking on your custom cabinet journey. At MN Builders, we admit we’re hardly objective when it comes to custom cabinets, mainly...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/decisions-decisions-shop-series-part-3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64fbaaa926ecb9facd8556b9</guid><pubDate>Sun, 03 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_88e06710ec514eea864d3dd9abb49514~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Eric Goetting, COO, Millwork</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Front &#38; Center: Shop Series Part 4  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Choosing the face of your cabinets. When it comes to the interior design of your home, first impressions count—and choosing the right...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/front-center-shop-series-part-4</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64fbabb759a3157747932961</guid><pubDate>Sat, 02 Sep 2023 23:30:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_dd708df13d0b43c19e1ad9a2931176cf~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Eric Goetting, COO, Millwork</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finishing Strong: Shop Series Part 5   ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Choosing the right finish or veneer for your custom cabinets. The majority of custom cabinets we do at MN Builders boil down to two...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/finishing-strong-shop-series-part-4</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64fbadee37055f189cf95635</guid><pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2023 23:40:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_d1a19de92e064101857c592c68f8715d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Eric Goetting, COO, Millwork</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Beauty Within: Shop Series Part 6]]></title><description><![CDATA[A look inside your custom cabinets. When discussing custom cabinets, our minds naturally gravitate towards their “curb appeal”—the...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/the-beauty-within-shop-series-part-6</link><guid isPermaLink="false">652b45ffc7b0d45bef5f7e90</guid><pubDate>Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:19:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_b8f2ba90bc1d4089a7d1674d44e9fe64~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Eric Goetting, COO, Millwork</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Art of Accuracy: Shop Series Part 7]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why our shop drawings are your plan for perfection. Our last six posts have delved into the myriad of decisions that combine to make your...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/the-art-of-accuracy-shop-series-part-7</link><guid isPermaLink="false">652b4741f4552554056da4a8</guid><pubDate>Sun, 27 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_6616778666824c94a5ad65aaa9d3692c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_750,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Eric Goetting, COO, Millwork</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bay Business]]></title><description><![CDATA[Here at MN, our shared devotion to the details sometimes makes it difficult to see the bigger picture. And as important as every...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/bay-business</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6480d65a51e95d255018e57b</guid><pubDate>Mon, 12 Jun 2023 17:06:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_e57d0b1a2d804a0c92cffae23a189cba~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_633,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rich Robb, CEO</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Driven by Design]]></title><description><![CDATA[This spring, MN Builders will celebrate its 42nd year in business. That kind of staying power is no small feat, especially in the...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/driven-by-design</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63c733a250ae5915db9f8235</guid><pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2023 23:53:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_e90c53623d484b159c21481bc7250189~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_892,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>MN Builders</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Managers in the Making]]></title><description><![CDATA[How Three Employee-Owners Have Made Their Mark on Our Business Amir. A HOW IT STARTED; HOW IT’S GOING “I was hired as a Carpenter in 2017...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/managers-in-the-making</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63f92b3f0b38a3d88e359801</guid><pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2022 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>MN Builders</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Management Is Everyone’s Business]]></title><description><![CDATA[If it feels like we have spent an entire year talking about MN’s transition into a “management-based company,” it’s because we have. And...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/management-is-everyone-s-business</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63f929d0ea7aed60c37e9515</guid><pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2022 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_4c26d9da8df741ebb889445dfbae0cd6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rich Robb, CEO</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Prepare to be Flexible: Some advice on approaching your Bay Area build]]></title><description><![CDATA[At some point during every Bay Area remodeling or home building project, the same question creeps into the homeowner's head: Is all this...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/prepare-to-be-flexible</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6328f053fe80a690354eb439</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2022 22:46:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_8b8e7378fff6461e84284ec1b2487e54~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_714,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>MN Builders</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Leaders in the Making]]></title><description><![CDATA[CEO Letter, Rich Robb “ LEADERS DON’T CREATE FOLLOWERS;  THEY CREATE MORE LEADERS.” — TOM PETERS I have a few questions for everyone...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/leaders-in-the-making</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63f92795ce5c2d383a066ed8</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Aug 2022 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_7aaa629e9dca42868987334bd96b379b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_621,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rich Robb, CEO</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Engineering Trust: How MN Builders puts the value back in value engineering ]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the trickier aspects of the English language (or any language for that matter) is how certain words take on new meanings with the...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/engineering-trust-how-mn-builders-puts-the-value-back-in-value-engineering</link><guid isPermaLink="false">62c5c04e3965e7688396d716</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 Jul 2022 17:49:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_09467a598d314b9992cdd51c92473f2d~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>MN Builders</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Quality Is a Marathon]]></title><description><![CDATA[CEO Letter, Rich Robb There is a reason we spend so much time around here talking about quality. Consistently delivering the very best...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/quality-is-a-marathon</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63f92730d8b404a0a9a78783</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Rich Robb, CEO</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[One More for the Backroads: An architect’s perspective on teamwork]]></title><description><![CDATA[If variety is indeed the spice of life, Berkeley-based architect David Trachtenberg has it made. A quick look at his firm’s portfolio...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/one-more-for-the-backroads-an-architect-s-perspective-on-teamwork</link><guid isPermaLink="false">621ebad1e455a045ae40344a</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:57:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_4e3b9fd228fa47788463a97d68f1122c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_946,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>MN Builders</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Building Science:  How climate change is changing the way today’s homes get built  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Anyone who has lived in the Bay Area long enough has witnessed firsthand the impact of climate change on our everyday lives. The natural...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/building-science-how-climate-change-is-changing-the-way-today-s-homes-get-built</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6359ca48be0b3d272aa0aa96</guid><pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2022 20:44:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_518d61afdc37422588779aea7a897c2b~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_770,h_540,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>MN Builders</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Taking the Plunge]]></title><description><![CDATA[Five Tips for Surviving a Home Remodel What is it about the word “remodel” that can make even the most optimistic homeowner wince? Is it...]]></description><link>https://www.mnbuilders.com/post/taking-the-plunge</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61a572a888c1930016ccd989</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2021 02:52:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/af68bf_fd914b5a4ffb4fce98b6b13decaff0ca~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_817,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>MN Builders</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>