TWE Enterprises has Framed Thousands of Houses in its 22-Year History

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Residential developers like Hacienda's Brookfield Homes, Signature Properties, and Standard Pacific are well known for their fine residential developments. It's interesting to note, though, that all of those firms rely on their Hacienda neighbor TWE Enterprises for much of their construction.

"We really are neighbors. That's why we moved here in the beginning, so we could be close to everybody. I can walk to Standard Pacific," explains Leslie Dondero, who manages the company's West Las Positas Boulevard office and serves as corporate secretary.

TWE is a framing contractor, which means that they handle the construction of the home's stud walls, plywood and sheer wall sheeting, roof trusses, and roof sheeting. Another way to look at it: Every structural member of the house that's made of wood, TWE builds. The tasks at the Hacienda office include payroll, billing, accounting, and administration.

The company was founded in 1980 by Tim Eck, who now oversees the business from a home office in Idaho. In the 22 years since then, TWE has had a hand in building over 10,000 homes in the greater Bay Area. The company's staff of over 250 is currently working on projects in Gilroy, San Jose, Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Fremont, Dublin, Tracy, Concord, and Brentwood. They've had their headquarters in Hacienda for over eight years.

TWE provides one other important ingredient besides labor.

"We also provide the lumber - we can get a good price on the lumber since we buy such a big volume," adds Dondero.

TWE counts a number of houses in the Tri-Valley among their portfolio. "In Pleasanton, we've done a lot of work off Stoneridge Drive for Standard Pacific and in Dublin, up the hill off Tassajara Road for Brookfield Homes," says Dondero, who lists projects in Livermore and San Ramon as well. Standard Pacific, with whom they've worked for over 10 years, is their largest client.

Photo: Stud walls are built lying down, then raised into position on the building's foundation and nailed into place.

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