When Chris Williams started Williams Contracting in 2007, he wasn’t just thinking about blueprints and building codes — he was thinking about people.
“I’ve always wanted to be more than just a builder,” Chris says. “I wanted to be a partner to my clients — someone who could help them feel confident in every decision they made about their home.”
That vision has fueled Williams Contracting’s growth from a small local contractor into a premier architectural design-build firm serving Olympia and Western Washington. Known for their blend of high-end craftsmanship and a collaborative, client-first approach, Chris and his team manage everything—from initial design concepts to final finishes. With over 15 years of experience and a refined, end-to-end process, they bring each client’s vision to life with creativity, precision, and care.
Today, with a talented in-house team and a reputation for meticulous planning and craftsmanship, Chris is doing exactly what he set out to do, only now, he has Digs in his corner to help bring that vision to life.
From Frustration to Flow
Despite years of building custom homes, Chris found that one challenge kept coming up over and over again: communication breakdowns.
Even with carefully prepared drawings and finish schedules, problems and surprises caused by miscommunication still happened, especially during the build phase.
“The worst thing a client can say is, ‘I didn’t know it was going to look like that,’” Chris explains. “That usually means someone didn’t have the right information at the right time — and now we’re doing something twice.”
Prior to implementing Digs, Chris and his team already went above and beyond: creating 3D models, printing miniature houses for clients to hold, building detailed cost sheets, and providing endless support during selection. But they were still relying on scattered tools and too much back-and-forth.
Then they found Digs — a visual collaboration platform designed specifically for builders.
A Single Source of Truth (and Clarity)
Chris and his team began integrating Digs into their workflow to bring all their visual documentation into one shared, accessible space. Drawings, specs, 3D views, PDFs, appliance details — all of it lives in Digs now.
“We’re already doing the legwork. Digs just puts it all in one place so the team can find exactly what they need — fast.”
Chris highlights the AskDigs AI Chat feature as a particular game-changer. “Being able to instantly search and find exact specifications through AskDigs is huge. No more scrolling through emails or texts; answers are immediate, accurate, and clear.”
Now, when a question comes up on sites about things like the exact faucet spec or cabinet centerline, the superintendent doesn’t need to scroll through texts or email chains. They open Digs, see the drawing, and get the answer.
“The ability to see each other’s cursors on the plan? That changed everything,” Chris says. “I can be at the office, my super is on site, and we’re literally pointing to the same spot on the same plan in real time.”
Saving Hours (and Headaches) on Every Job
It’s not just clarity — it’s efficiency.
Chris estimates that for every project, there are 20–25 small but important field decisions that need real-time clarification - things like fixture placement, finish alignment, or layout adjustments. Before Digs, each of those could eat up one to two hours or more between phone calls, site visits, and updated drawings.
“Now, most of those conversations take five minutes. We can make the decision, document it, and move on.”
That’s a realistic savings of 40 to 50 hours per project, time that can be spent keeping the job on schedule and done right the first time.
Across multiple jobs, Williams Contracting typically has 6–8 projects under construction at once. The time savings are substantial, but more than that, it’s the confidence that’s changed.
“We’re not guessing. We’re not wondering if everyone’s on the same page. We know.”
Better Planning = Fewer Reworks
Chris recalls a time when a delivery of interior doors arrived, was installed, and then had to be torn out because the product didn’t match what the client had selected.
The paperwork had all the right specs but the wrong door was delivered and the person doing the install didn’t have the visual reference to double-check.
“Now with Digs, you can pull up the door approval sheet on your phone. Does it look right? Yes or no. That alone has saved us from errors.”
Whether it's verifying flooring, confirming a fireplace layout, or ensuring plumbing rough-ins align with the finished cabinet plan, the visibility Digs provides in the field has helped Williams Contracting reduce mistakes and costly rework.
A Better Experience — and a Stronger Business
The impact isn’t just internal. Clients notice the difference.
Chris shares a recent story of a homeowner walking into her nearly finished house, looking around at the tile, cabinets, and flooring and saying, “You guys made this so easy. I wish my neighbor had built with you.”
“That’s what we want. Not just a beautiful home but also a smooth process.”
In fact, referrals are on the rise, and Chris says Digs is part of the story he tells every new client.
“We actually show Digs during the sales process now. We want them to see what we’re using to make the build happen. It gives them confidence.”
What’s Next?
Chris and his team are gearing up to start using Digs for post-construction handoffs, giving homeowners searchable access to every plan, spec, and finish selection after the job is done.
“The handoff piece is big. Being able to say, ‘Here’s your house and here’s every detail, forever,’ that’s just good service.”
If you’re a builder still relying on email threads, file folders, or tools not built for construction, Chris has some advice:
“Digs helps us be more profitable. We have fewer mistakes, clearer plans, and happier clients. That’s the whole game.”
Ready to Build Better?
Williams Contracting is proof that when communication improves, so does everything else - your efficiency, your reputation, your profitability, and your clients’ peace of mind.
