About Us
Built by Builders, Not Just Managers
We started Built Different Contracting because we saw too many projects go wrong — not from bad workers, but from GCs who don't understand what they're managing. We do.
Our Story
How We Got Here
Built Different Contracting was founded on a simple idea: the people managing your construction project should actually understand how buildings go together — not just how spreadsheets work.
Between our two founders, we bring over two decades of field experience across commercial interiors, laboratory construction, industrial facilities, and civil infrastructure. We've seen what happens when contractors cut corners, when designs don't account for real-world conditions, and when project managers can't tell the difference between a change order that's necessary and one that's padding.
We built this company to be the contractor we'd want to hire: technically deep, directly accountable, competitively priced, and committed to delivering exactly what we promise. Every project is managed by an owner. Every estimate is honest. Every timeline is real.
Leadership
Meet the Founders
Branden Aitken
Co-Founder
Branden has spent over a decade in commercial construction, with deep expertise in MEP systems, HVAC design, and laboratory construction. He's managed design-build projects from concept through completion, including complex lab environments requiring specialty gas piping, controlled air handling, and chemical-resistant materials. His approach: understand the building at a systems level, not just a management level.
Dylan Richard
Co-Founder
Dylan brings over a decade of experience in civil construction, structural design, and industrial building. His background in concrete, structural steel, and industrial facility construction provides the foundational expertise that complements BDC's technical capabilities. From chemical plants to commercial buildouts, Dylan brings the structural backbone to every project.
Core Values
What We Stand For
We Do What We Say
No hidden fees. No inflated change orders. No disappearing acts. We give you a price, a timeline, and our word — and we deliver on all three.
Technical Depth, Not Just Management
Our founders don't just manage projects — they've built them. With hands-on expertise in MEP systems, HVAC design, structural work, and lab-grade construction, we bring knowledge to the table that most GCs simply don't have.
Principal on Every Project
You're not handed off to a junior PM. When you hire Built Different, you work directly with the people who own the company and stake their reputation on every job.
Lean and Competitive
We keep overhead low so you get competitive pricing without compromising quality.
Let's Talk About Your Project
Whether you're planning a new buildout or exploring your options, we're happy to talk through it — no pressure, no obligation.