We would like to take the opportunity, to introduce Dustin Edler, owner, and founder of Fireside Masonry & Construction, Inc.
A native to Colorado, Dustin lives in beautiful Larkspur, Colorado with his wife and two young daughters. Dustin started Fireside back in 2009 after the great recession. However, he has been in the Masonry field and around construction his whole life. Dustin is a third-generation mason, and as of 2017 he will have 25 years of experience in the trade!
His Grandfather Jerry started his Masonry business back in 1967, and finally retired in 2004. Dustin’s father Gary, started working for Jerry (his step-father) when he was 17, and Gary branched out on his own in 1982 till present. Dustin’s father Gary, has always focused his core work-load around residential track homes / large production builders. Dustin started working for his father in the summers, and seasonal breaks, throughout High School and College. Dustin was just 15 when he started as a Hod-Carrier and “cubed” laying brick and stone along the way. Dustin worked in the field when he could, but also took on a managerial role when he started driving. Dustin was in charge of moving equipment trailers, hauling materials, and setting up jobs, for Gary’s then four crews.
Dustin continued to work in the trade and whatever else construction related he could find for most of 2008 and all of 2009 on his by himself. Falling back on not only Dustin’s Masonry skills, but also his diverse general construction skills helped him get by. By the end of 2009, Dustin felt the urge and readiness to create his own company known as Fireside Masonry & Construction, Inc. He knew he had to adapt and change to make it in the down turn of the economy. Not knowing how long the economy would stay recessed; Dustin knew that carrying a single trade name as a “Mason” was not going to be enough. He started to fine tune his general construction skills, understanding, and knowledge for the different trades. Dustin started learning and working with other skilled trades from anyone who would teach him. He mostly found himself learning from his cousin, a Licensed General Contractor. Also, Dustin learned from his best friend’s dad Don, who know happens to be Fireside’s current Project Manager; and in the field “Specialty Craftsman” as of 2017! In late 2010 Dustin was finally ready to bring on his now main Foreman Mike. Mike had worked for Dustin’s father, Gary, for 15 years.
Dustin has also been self-taught on a wide variety of trades and skill sets. He learned by hands on in the field experience to reading and studying books. To Dustin’s surprise (sadly in many ways) he found that he, and his now team can outperform guys that have been doing a particular trade for most of their lives. How we ask? “We take our time” quite simply said Dustin. “By no means may we be even close to the speed of some skilled trades” laughs Dustin. “However, we have proven time and time again, that we can do just as good, if not a better job, given some extra time! I would rather double my time on something, do it right, and do it once! Instead of having to pay someone “who is in the trade” to rush through something; just to make a fast buck. Having a mentality of “well it looks pretty good” just doesn’t cut it for me. It’s not just about the money. A sense of pride, self-worth, and maintaining a good name for myself and my business is far more important to me”.
Dustin’s philosophy on his business must prove true. Probably instilled from his father, both companies have ZERO complaints on the BBB from any customer or Sub-contractors. Not just as of recently either, but for the entire length that their companies have been in business! Fireside is an accredited member of the BBB with an A+ rating. Fireside maintains zero complaints since inception, earning them a “Gold Star Award” for four years running! With now hundreds of successfully completed jobs and projects under the Fireside way of doing things, many customers become repeat customers. Better yet many customers give Fireside the highest compliment they can receive in the industry . . . by simply referring their friends or family members for their projects!
“As hard as it was to leave my Father’s side and business, I knew Fireside would be my new path and new beginning in the construction world. It gives me the joy and freedom of something new and different every day. No longer am I bound by the Corporate America giants of track housing! I have met some wonderful people, that allow me to shape and mold their homes into something they love and dream of. Fireside takes great pride in taking “Ordinary into Extraordinary”. It’s always such a joy to come into homes, many in which I sometimes helped build initially, and finally give them the customization it and its owners have always longed for!”
Fireside is now a team! Dustin currently averages four to seven Employees. Several “float” between his father’s company and Fireside, while 4 remain the core. Dustin raves that “Bar-none, my employees are my greatest asset.” Almost all of Fireside’s employees have worked with his father Gary at one time. Several started teaching Dustin the trade when he started at 15! “I am truly blessed to have a team of guys that take just as much pride in their work as I do. Who treat my customers and their homes as well as I do. I have been the student and the teacher. I have watched my team of almost all masons, evolve to confident and well-rounded construction experts. We pay attention to the details, and at the end of the day it’s all in the details! Between myself, project manager, and main foreman we have over 120 years of construction experience. Let us build something great for you!”