Home 10 Best Companies to Watch 2025 Building Dreams, Putting People First

Building Dreams, Putting People First

Building Dreams, Putting People First

People Come First Construction Group (PCF Group) stands as a shining example of what happens when craftsmanship meets compassion. Founded in 2007, this Washington-based company has grown from a small family operation into a nationally recognized leader in custom outdoor living. Guided by Robert and Lisa Greaves, PCF lives by its name — putting people first in every project, decision, and design. With a steadfast commitment to quality, integrity, and community, the company continues to raise the standard for how construction should be done: with heart, precision, and purpose.

What is the origin story of PCF Group and how have you evolved since founding?

PCF Group’s story began in 2007 when its founder made a defining choice—to stop building someone else’s dream and start his own. What started in a garage installing Undercover Systems for Seattle homeowners quickly grew as demand soared. Customers began asking if the team could build the decks themselves, sparking a transformation into full-scale outdoor living design and construction. By the time the pandemic arrived, PCF had expanded to over 50 employees, delivering complete outdoor solutions across the region.

The turning point came when a branding discussion led to the company’s redefinition as People Come First Construction Group. This wasn’t just a new name—it reflected the company’s core belief that people matter most. Even during financial challenges, rising costs, and long backlogs, PCF refused to lay off staff or raise prices unfairly. Today, with more than 70 employees, PCF continues to uphold its founding promise: building with integrity, putting people before profit, and creating outdoor spaces that embody trust, craftsmanship, and community.

Can you describe your vision for becoming “the nation’s leading builder of custom outdoor living spaces”?

Our vision for becoming the nation’s leading builder of custom outdoor living spaces goes beyond construction—it’s about redefining what “doing it right” truly means. At PCF Group, we want to be the first name that comes to mind when homeowners or builders seek trusted expertise in outdoor living. We’re not just building decks and patios; we’re building credibility, craftsmanship, and community trust.

To achieve this, we’re expanding our presence beyond projects and into education. Through our YouTube channel, @pcfgroup, we create tutorials and insights that teach the standards of safe, high-quality work—showing the process behind the craftsmanship. This transparency reflects our belief that integrity should guide every project, from start to finish.

Our commitment has earned us more than 50 national and regional honors, including National Remodeler of the Year and Guildmaster Service Excellence Awards. For us, leadership isn’t about size—it’s about setting a new benchmark for excellence, accountability, and people-first building.

Robert Greaves, Owner

How do customers engage with the Design Center, and why is it important for them to “see it before you build it”?

Our Design Center is built around one core idea—helping customers see it before they build it. Unlike most construction projects, outdoor living spaces can’t be easily changed once complete, so we want homeowners to experience their design before the first nail is driven. Using advanced rendering and virtual reality technology, we create immersive walk-throughs that allow customers to explore their future decks, patios, or outdoor kitchens in real time—mapped precisely to their actual backyard dimensions. This eliminates uncertainty and ensures every design decision feels right.

But the Design Center experience goes beyond the digital. Customers can test the same grills, heaters, and appliances we install, feel the textures of materials, and visualize how everything comes together. This hands-on process builds confidence and excitement. We’re not focused on selling—we’re focused on helping customers make informed, inspired choices. When homeowners can see, feel, and experience their design, they gain complete trust in both the process and the final result.

How is PCF adapting to trends like sustainability, outdoor electrification, or smart-home integration?

At PCF Group, we view sustainability and technology as essential pillars of modern outdoor living. Homeowners today expect spaces that are not only beautiful but also intelligent, efficient, and environmentally responsible. Through our partnership with Wipliance, we’ve extended smart-home innovation beyond the indoors and into the backyard—creating connected, sustainable outdoor environments that blend comfort with cutting-edge technology.

Our designs now feature energy-efficient lighting systems, fully controllable through apps or voice commands, allowing for customized ambience and reduced energy use. We integrate smart heaters, motorized screens, hidden TVs, and outdoor audio systems, all optimized for performance and sustainability. By combining craftsmanship with technology, we deliver outdoor spaces that are as functional as they are forward-thinking.

This approach reflects our broader commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. Whether it’s minimizing waste in construction or maximizing efficiency in energy use, PCF is building the future of outdoor living—spaces that are smarter, greener, and built to last.

Lisa Greaves, Co-Owner

How do you measure success beyond revenue?

At People Come First Construction Group, success is defined by impact, not income. While revenue reflects growth, our true measure of achievement lies in the satisfaction and well-being of our people—both employees and customers. We consistently track engagement and happiness through quarterly internal surveys, ensuring every voice is heard and every concern addressed. Externally, we rely on transparent third-party benchmarks like GuildQuality, Google reviews, and Better Business Bureau ratings to evaluate our performance and accountability.

This people-first philosophy has earned recognition across the industry. Inc. named PCF Construction Group one of the 2025 Best Workplaces—the only construction company in Washington to receive that honor—and the Puget Sound Business Journal has also recognized us for our outstanding culture.

Ultimately, our success comes from building trust, integrity, and care into everything we do. When our employees feel valued and our customers feel supported, financial success becomes a natural result, not the end goal.

Please share us about the leadership who steers the PCF successfully.

People Come First Construction Group is guided by its founders, Robert and Lisa Greaves, who balance family and business with complementary expertise. Robert oversees operations, ensuring projects meet PCF’s high standards, while Lisa manages accounting and human resources, keeping the company organized and sustainable. With Robert’s Business Administration degree from the University of Louisville and Lisa’s Accounting degrees from the University of Washington, they tag-team leadership seamlessly.

Early on, running the business together meant navigating challenges, sometimes heatedly, but over time, they’ve built stronger work-home boundaries while raising three sons. They share responsibilities with a nanny and an executive assistant to manage the demands of a growing company.

As the company expands, leadership focus remains clear: Lisa ensures administrative precision, and Robert ensures every project aligns with the quality and integrity PCF Construction Group promises its customers.

“Where craftsmanship meets compassion—putting people first in every project.”

“From backyard dreams to national standards, PCF Group builds more than spaces—it builds trust.”

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