Dialogue Design Build

Josh is an amazing woodworker. He built me my dream dining room table that i had designed. The table is 42×96 and made of local reclaimed wood that is laminated together. Josh and I went to a few lumber yards and sourced the wood together. Josh then invited me to his shop to review the project and offer my opinion, it was a very collaborative project. The table is now 3 years old and looks like the day he delivered it.

We recently commissioned Josh to build a custom bed for us, and it was an amazing collaboration. He was able to take our conceptual drawings from a digital model and translate it into a beautiful tactile object.
Our process working with Josh and why it was such a great experience:
1) there was great communication from beginning to end; we had many discussions on our design intent and ways to realize it; he gave us updates along the way, including progress photos, and we had very clear discussions about resolving any detailing, finishing, or other issues that came up
2) Josh is extremely knowledgeable about wood and its properties, guiding and educating us through the selection process to find the best fit, and advising on constructability of our piece; we met several times to discuss joinery and looked at several finish samples of wood; his shop is also great fun to visit
3) not only is he knowledgeable, but he is clearly passionate and meticulous about his work, and it is truly reflected in the finished product; the edges and irregularly angled corners on our bed are perfect
4) we were given realistic estimates for time and budget, and he worked with us to try to fit within those constraints and yet achieve our aesthetic goals
5) he whole-​heartedly embraces a design challenge; we had given him some very specific geometries and design constraints, and he even took apart his tool and refitted it to construct the headboard
6) he has such a great professional and personal demeanor, you couldn’t ask for a better working relationship
We hope to work with him again!

Josh exceeded expectations in every way… easy recommendation and would work with him again in a heartbeat.

Joshua is a miracle worker with wood. He totally understood what would work with our home in his design for a deck guardrail. He worked within our budget and now that the guardrail is finished I just wish we had unlimited funds o have him work his magic on other areas of our home.
The crew from Dialog Design were incredible; punctual, friendly, trustworthy and they readily took on additional jobs involved with the new guardrail; moving a light fixture and re-​working several faucets.
Our home looks like «us» for the first time since we purchased it eight years ago. I am still smiling every day that I drive up to our home.
Joshua has a great sense of design and we have nothing but great things to say about our experience working with Joshua.

Josh built a beautiful fence and gate for us recently. He was extremely professional during the whole process. He was easy to communicate with and designed exactly what we wanted. He gave us many choices in materials to fit our budget. He even provided computer generated images of the finished gate to see what it would look like. He worked quickly and independently. Josh even came back weeks later for me because I had a few questions. We couldn’t be happier with our new gate.

I very highly recommend Josh of Dialogue, Design, Build and his associate Guillermo. Josh built a beautiful gate and fence for us as well as converting a window to a French door. Both projects were executed in a timely manner and the results are far better than I ever envisioned. Josh has a true aesthetic sense and offers meticulous attention to detail: he is an artist and craftsman. I’m impressed! And Guillermo can do just about anything from handling electrical projects and plumbing issues to minor handyman-​type tasks. He is a real pleasure to work with and his work is excellent.
All of the work for both Josh and Guillermo was done as scheduled, and I always received emails or call backs quickly. Estimated costs were right on the money and fairly priced. Outstanding in every way, Dialogue, Design, Build is a great choice, and we will continue to work with them as projects arise.

Josh Tomlinson is an Artist. I actually found him on Berkeley Parent’s Network and hired him because I needed someone to build a fence around my property. Although I contracted him personally, he was happy to provide a bid that showed exactly what each of my 4 neighbor’s contribution to the fence should be calculated at, based on the linear footage, design and materials used.
Josh was great to work with. I essentially knew what I wanted to do, but I also wanted him to provide feedback as an artist to help create the space. I didn’t want anything generic, but I didn’t want to spend a fortune either. He worked with a design and budget that allowed me to reuse the redwood that I currently had so we didn’t have to waste it and throw it away. This was not a bargain solution, but definately cheaper than it could have been, since I wanted to keep my redwood fence.
I have a Japanese garden, with lots of Japanese Maples and river rocks. I wanted the fence to reflect that Japanese feel. After a very thorough consultation he came up with different designs to choose from that we talked about. He has an amazing library and collection of books of Japanese architecture and garden design. I showed him photos that interested me from these books and we came up with a design, not only for my fence but my front gate, a Pivacy screen, as well as a sitting bench that is museum gallery worthy!
Josh is a true Artist with amazing vision, but what I liked most about Josh was that he didn’t let his vision get in the way with what my vision was. He always worked with my needs and desires before his.
The quality of my gate is of a Master Craftsman. It took time and was worth every bit of the wait! I truly believe that I am the owner of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GATE in all of Berkeley, maybe even California?! My gate is pictured in the photos posted «Gate in reclaimed redwood and port orford cedar» He purchased the reclaimed redwood, it was from an old aquarium. The picture doesn’t show this, but the patina markings on it matched the bamboo detailing on my fence! The photo also neglets to show the amazing arbor framing it. He is so talented that I have commissioned him now to create a sliding ‘barn door’ at the base of my stairwell inside my home. We are currently creating that project as I write this review.
I can’t recommend Josh Tomlinson highly enough!

I don’t know if you have had the pleasure of trying to find a contractor who will not only call you back but actually show up to do work. I had tried for several months to get someone to come do some basic handyman work as well as give quotes on several bigger projects. It was an amazingly difficult task. I thought I had finally found someone. He had been scheduled for a month to come out the Tuesday before a big holiday party we were hosting that Saturday… Well, that didn’t pan out but he did refer me to Josh. Josh emailed on Thursday and said he could come out that Saturday! I would have been happy with almost anyone who could hang things (we were in a real crunch) but Josh went out of his way to accommodate us and make our house beautiful. I was impressed with his professionalism, his perfectionism, and his flexibility. I will absolutely use him again (and again and again).

Joshua clearly takes pride in his work and is a careful craftsman who is also conscientious, responsible, and versatile. He built us a deck and guardrail and throughout the process provided great suggestions to help us get to the design we wanted. His work is meticulous. Once the project was over, we were so happy with the result that we hired him again to create a custom wood sign for a small business – with beautiful results. Highly recommended.

Josh’s work has been very impressive. He combines technical know-​how with a wonderful sense of aesthetic. His estimates have been very accurate, and he has kept me in the loop on any increases or decreases. I have received several compliments from friends and neighbors about the work I’ve had done by Dialogue Design Build, and highly recommend them.

Josh, who is the owner of Dialogue Design-​Build, is a talented artist, builder, and craftsman with an unbelievable eye for extraordinary things. It is rare that you come along someone with such integrity in this business. He really cares about his clients, and about the quality of his work. One of Josh’s specialties is custom wood work with unique elements. Call him for decks, custom furniture, and more! You won’t be disappointed.

I found Josh Tomlinson of Dialogue Design-​Build through the
Berkeley Parents Network. The side gate at my house
desperately needed replacement. Josh submitted a well
planned and elegant solution, whilst being sensitive to my
budget. The removal and construction was done cleanly,
effectively, and on time. I am still impressed by the high
quality materials used and the artisanal approach to
building a structure that will be here well after we move to
another home. Is it frowned upon to take the gate with us
when we move?