WHO IS JAMES GREY?

BRIT PORTREY

Justin PORTREY

OUR STORY:

When co-founders Brit and Justin Portrey were pregnant with what would have been their second child, they envisioned giving the child a name referencing people from both of their families. When that child was never born, and when Brit and Justin founded their enterprise — one that focuses on creating homes, experiences, and memories for families of all shapes and sizes — it was christened James Grey in tribute, and to remind us all remember that home is where so much life happens — the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the  what-could-have-been.

WE’RE A BOWERBIRD.

Bowerbirds are resourceful Australian birds known for their obsessive collecting of supplies. Once they've gathered everything they need, they sort the materials by color or type, and use these tools to create elaborate archways — bowers — to attract a mate with whom to build a family. The bower then becomes part of the home the birds build together.

A pen and ink illustration over an egg-shaped sage green background. The illustration is of a bower bird in its nest standing on top of a bed of forget-me-nots. This is the primary symbol of James Grey.

5 pillars

of a Jobsite

All work must precisely follow the provided architectural and design plans. Any changes or deviations must be reviewed and approved by the client, designer, and project manager before proceeding. Project Managers must be flexible and responsive to design or scope changes during any project. Adjustments must be made efficiently without compromising quality.
All JGH staff assigned to the project should have detailed knowledge of the project’s construction documents and be prepared to consult with the project manager on any relevant issues that arise.
The quality of work should meet or exceed industry standards. Attention to detail is paramount, and all finishes should be precise, level, and clean.
All installations, measurements, and alignments should be completed with accuracy and attention to detail to prevent errors and rework.
Before considering any phase of the project complete, the contractor should go through a detailed checklist to ensure all work meets the required quality standards and specifications.
The job site should remain safe, clean and organized throughout the project. Supervisors are on jobsites daily and project manager conduct weekly inspections to ensure the work is progressing according to plan and that quality standards are being met. Please refer to our “Jobsite Cleanliness and Expectations” policy for more details.
We document work progress through daily project videos to clients, including any issues, delays, or modifications to the original plan. This video is sent to homeowners at the end of each work day and are a key mark of our organization structure. These videos act as a brief progress report outlining completed tasks, upcoming challenges, and any changes to the schedule or budget.
All staff should strictly adhere to a project’s schedule and timeline. If delays are anticipated, these should be communicated to the rest of the team as soon as possible with the latest being at the weekly team meeting. Team will discuss how to make up for the delay and how to communicate the delay to the client(s).
When delays occur due to material shortages or unforeseen conditions, project manager and interior designer must propose solutions to keep the project on track.
With subcontractors - Construction staff should work collaboratively with other trades or team members to ensure smooth transitions between job phases.
With clients - Construction staff should be prepared to meet client expectations and communicate regularly about progress and any potential concerns. The goal is to achieve a high level of client satisfaction.
With each other - All staff should demonstrate initiative in collaboration with each other, resolving issues that arise on-site, whether it's a material problem or a construction challenge, without compromising quality or safety.

A pen and ink illustration of Brit Portrey, CEO of James Grey Homes, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a sledge hammer in the other.

A NOTE FROM BRIT PORTREY

— CO-FOUNDER, JAMES GREY —

I AM A HOMEMAKER.

After 10 years in home-building, renovations, and operations, one can learn a lot about how to do things wrong, learning the good old ways from good old boys who have made a good living doing things the same way for generations. But look where that's gotten us — homes that, while “good enough,” lack personality and charm, that were built by machines and software, not people, templates made for expediency and profitability rather than personalization and humanity. I worked in that world long enough to know better, then I started James Grey.

Our experience as builders and renovators is valuable for you, absolutely: We know what to do and what not to do, best practices, codes and permitting, estimating and managing budgets and timelines. But when you hire James Grey Homes, you're hiring us to build your vision of home, not ours, complete with all the nice-to-haves, special touches, and quirks that make a home special. And when you hire James Grey Rentals, you're trusting us to take the home you've created and make it safe, desirable, and welcoming for guests.

In both cases, we're here to be your stand-in, to give you the comfort and peace of mind that your vision of home comes to fruition, and that this big responsibility is going to be handled with real care. We’re here so you can be there — continuing your adventures while we see this one through.

I AM A HOME-MAKER.

I never understood how a "traditional woman" was considered the "homemaker" while all the homes were actually made by men — around 96% of them, in fact. I love my husband, Justin, and there's nothing at all wrong with being a good man, but as a wife and a mother, I can't help but think a woman knows how to make a home, too. I know what my family needs, but I also know that it would be wrong to dictate that to anyone else. Instead, as a builder, it's my privilege to listen to and learn from you, and to help make the home you envision for your family.

A former employer once asked me, "Can you really do this work while taking care of your family?" Well, I can, and I do, and here's why: Taking care of your family is how I choose to take care of mine.  I understand the importance of creating a joyful and special place to house a lifetime of memories.  I've done it for myself, I've done it for so many others, and I'm eager to do it for you, too.