K Squared Design + Build

About Us

Meet the Team

Rusty Krouse

Owner / Builder

Rusty's construction career began in the mid-1990s with a structural steel company specializing in the fabrication and construction of low- to mid-rise commercial buildings. In the early 2000s, he moved into residential construction, working primarily for two prominent local home builders. He eventually led the custom home division of a long-standing community builder, where he managed the construction of numerous multi-million-dollar homes, including residences for the company's owners and senior leadership.

In 2006, Rusty obtained his general contractor's license and launched R.E. Krouse Construction. In 2011, he and his wife Brenna incorporated and rebranded the business as K Squared Construction.

Twenty years later, what began as a small, home-based business has grown into a full-scale design-build firm focused on luxury remodels and custom homes. With more than 30 years in the trades, Rusty built the company around a paid pre-construction process designed to eliminate surprises before a single wall comes down. He is also the author of You Can't Find Me: Why Process-Driven Contractors Are Rare and How to Identify Them, a straightforward guide for homeowners on finding the right builder. Rusty, Brenna, and several members of the K Squared crew have been featured on HGTV and DIY Network shows as both designers and builders.

Outside of work, Rusty enjoys time with his family, including his adult daughter and his son, who now plays junior hockey. He can often be found at the local ice rink, where he works as a USA Hockey-certified coach.

Brenna Krouse

Owner / Interior Designer

Brenna is a California Certified Interior Designer, accredited through the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC). She began her career as a design consultant for some of the Sacramento area's top home builders and was instrumental in opening the multi-million-dollar design center for Richmond American Homes in 2003. Her work has been featured on HGTV and DIY Network shows, and she was named Style Magazine's Best Interior Designer in 2020 and 2021, with a third-place finish in 2019.

In 2006, Brenna left production homebuilding to help launch R.E. Krouse Construction alongside her husband, Rusty. Drawing on her deep industry knowledge and passion for design, she later earned her general contractor's license, bringing technical expertise and creative vision under one roof. The company was incorporated and rebranded as K Squared Construction in 2011.

Twenty years later, Brenna leads design on every K Squared project, guiding clients from the first concept through final selections. Her favorite part of every project is discovering the hidden potential in a space. She sees each home as a unique puzzle and thrives on finding the solution where aesthetics and function align.

Outside of K Squared Construction, Brenna enjoys traveling and playing ice hockey with her husband, Rusty, at the local rink.

Jordan Traynor

Vice President of Construction Operations

Jordan brings a strong background in both property management and construction, which continues to shape the client-focused approach he brings to K Squared Construction. After several years managing large-scale apartment communities, Jordan transitioned into a Project Manager role with a real estate investment company, where he deepened his construction knowledge and refined his scheduling and site management skills.

Since joining K Squared Construction in 2022, Jordan has grown into his current role as Vice President of Construction Operations. In this position, he oversees day-to-day field operations, supports project teams, and ensures projects run efficiently and effectively. With a continued emphasis on client satisfaction, Jordan helps bridge a gap that is often overlooked in construction but is, in our opinion, one of the most important: client communication.

In his free time, Jordan can be found spending time with his wife and three children. He also enjoys days out on the boat and on the golf course.

Derrick Doty

Superintendent

Derrick brings over two decades of construction expertise to the K Squared Construction team, with a career journey that spans from commercial construction to luxury residential remodeling. His passion for craftsmanship and attention to detail make him an invaluable leader in bringing our clients' visions to life.

Derrick's construction career began early—at just 15 years old, he started as a laborer for a commercial construction company in Arkansas, where he helped build schools and developed his foundational construction skills. After moving back to California, he joined a maintenance and remodeling company where he discovered his love for kitchen remodeling and quickly developed expertise in the full remodeling process.

His natural talent and dedication to quality craftsmanship led him to specialize in cabinet installation, where he truly found his passion. Derrick's exceptional skills earned him a promotion to Lead Cabinet Installer for one of Northern California's largest cabinet companies. After more than 15 years perfecting his craft in cabinet installation, Derrick expanded his expertise back into whole-home remodeling, advancing to Superintendent before joining our team.

With over 20 years in the trades, Derrick combines technical expertise with strong leadership skills, ensuring every project meets K Squared's high standards for quality and client satisfaction.

When he's not on the job site, Derrick enjoys fishing, woodworking, and furniture making hobbies that showcase his continued passion for craftsmanship. He treasures spending quality time with his girlfriend and son. Fun fact: Derrick is also a fantastic baker, bringing the same precision and creativity to the kitchen that he applies to every construction project!

Justin Achanzar

Media / Content

Justin's career in marketing began in 2017 at a major media company in the entertainment industry, where his work spanned websites, mobile apps, and content production.

Over the following years, he turned his focus to video and content marketing, coming to see it as one of the most effective tools for growing brands. With seven years of marketing experience behind him, Justin joined K Squared Construction as Content Manager in August 2026. He brings that background in content and video production to us and is leading our social presence, content production, and lead generation.

Outside of work, Justin is newly married to his wife Monique, an avid videographer and active member of Sacramento's creative community. You’ll most likely see him at a coffee shop working on a creative project, cheering for the Niners, hanging with his friends or sitting at a piano.

Coming soon · A book by Rusty KrouseYou Can't Find MeWhy process-driven contractors are rare, and how to identify them.Join the wait list →

Full Service Company

Brenna and Rusty Krouse founded K Squared Construction in 2006. Brenna is a licensed interior designer with a natural creative gift of creating exceptional spaces that reflect your personality and an eye for balancing space and mixing color. Rusty Krouse is a licensed general contractor with superior craftsmanship, expert knowledge, and the finest attention to detail. It's no wonder Brenna and Rusty have designed and built one-of-a-kind homes for 20 years around the Sacramento area.

Featured on HGTV and DIY network shows, including Kitchen Crashers, House Crashers, Yard Crashers, and America's Most Desperate Kitchens. Together Brenna and Rusty have built a solid foundation for K Squared Construction and the entire team to continue their promise of elegantly designed and exceptionally built homes for generations to come. Every home created is thoughtful, with personalized touches to compliment your design and build's fine details.

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What Makes Us Different

K Squared Construction is a home remodeling contractor in the Sacramento area specializing in full service design-build renovations. Our approach to home building and remodeling makes us different from other remodelers, general contractors, and construction companies.

Our Design + Build Process

How much will it cost to build a new home or remodel my home?

The cost of building a new home or remodeling an existing home is influenced by several factors. These include the size and layout of the house, the quality of materials used, the location of the property, and any customization or additional features you desire. To provide you with budgetary guidance, we offer a free consultation where we discuss your needs, assess the project requirements, and provide a range of costs based on our experience and the pricing of past projects.

How long does the construction process take?

The duration of the construction process varies depending on the complexity and scale of the project. Factors that influence the timeline include the size of the house, the weather conditions during construction, the availability of materials, and any unforeseen challenges that may arise. During our initial consultation, we evaluate your specific project and provide a more precise timeline based on its unique characteristics.

Can we live in our house during our remodeling project?

The answer is different for everyone. As we all know it is never Ideal to live in a home where work is constantly being performed. Not having a kitchen or bathroom really adds to the frustration. Every family must answer this question and it boils down to tolerance and budget. If you do have to live in a home during a remodel it is paramount that there is a high level of communication between the Contractor and homeowner and the Contractor and Subcontractors. Having a professionally managed project is a key to that communication process.

What is the first step in the construction process?

After we have had our first conversations and determine we are a “good fit” we enter into an agreement called the Preconstruction Services Agreement (PSA). That is the first step with starting your construction project.

What is preconstruction, and why is it an important part of the residential home construction process?

Preconstruction is the phase of a residential home construction project that takes place before actual construction begins. It encompasses all the planning and preparation work that is done in advance of the construction phase, such as site analysis, creating plans, making all selections, budgeting, and permitting. Preconstruction is important because it helps ensure that the project is planned and designed in the most efficient and effective way possible, minimizing risks and maximizing the chances of success. The Preconstruction process is one of the most important keystones that support “Our Process for Success”.

What are the goals of preconstruction, and how do they contribute to the overall success of the project?

The primary goals of preconstruction are to identify potential issues and challenges that could impact the construction project, to develop a comprehensive plan that outlines all aspects of the construction process, and to create a budget and schedule that align with the building owner's goals and objectives. By achieving these goals, the preconstruction phase can help ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the building owner's specifications.

How is budgeting conducted during the preconstruction phase, and what factors are considered in this process?

Budgeting during the preconstruction phase involves estimating all of the costs associated with the construction project. This includes identifying the costs of materials, labor, permits, and any other expenses that may arise during the construction process. Factors considered in this process typically include the size and complexity of the project, the site conditions, and any special features or materials that the building owner may want to include.

How is scheduling managed during the preconstruction phase, and what factors are considered in this process?

Scheduling during the preconstruction phase involves developing a timeline that outlines the various stages of the construction process and identifies the expected completion dates for each stage. Factors considered in this process typically include the availability of materials, equipment, and labor, as well as any potential delays that may arise due to weather or other external factors.

What is the timeline for the preconstruction phase, and how long does this process take typically?

The timeline for the preconstruction phase lays out all of the steps necessary to develop the project to the point of getting a Building Permit and a Construction Contract signed. Typically, the preconstruction phase can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete. It is important to allow sufficient time for the preconstruction phase to ensure that all necessary planning and preparation is completed prior to the start of construction.

What is the role of design during the preconstruction phase, and how is the design process managed?

Design plays a critical role in the preconstruction phase, as it helps to establish the overall look and feel of the construction project. During this phase, the construction team will work closely with the building owner and other stakeholders to develop a detailed design plan, which may include schematic drawings, 3D renderings, and other visual representations of the project.

What type of contract is used for your construction projects?

We use a Stipulated Sum Contract for all our projects. The Preconstruction process that we work on together allows us to clearly define all the costs of the project so we can give you a price for your completed project. This contract clearly describes who is responsible for all parts of the construction project and defines all the terms of our working relationship.

How are payments scheduled for the construction project?

Depending on the size of the project we will either request payments on the completion of specific milestones or we will bill twice per month based on a percentage of completion of each of the specific line items. These terms will be clearly specified in our Construction Agreement.

What kind of warranty do you offer on your construction work?

We believe in the quality and durability of our construction work. As a result, we offer a warranty on our residential construction projects. The specific warranty period may vary depending on the scope and nature of the project. During our initial consultation, we will provide you with the details of our warranty coverage, including what aspects are covered and for how long. This warranty ensures that you can have peace of mind knowing that any potential issues related to our work will be addressed promptly.

Can you provide references or examples of your previous work?

Absolutely! We take pride in our work and can provide you with a portfolio showcasing our previous residential construction projects. The portfolio will demonstrate the quality of our craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the range of designs and styles we have experience in. We are also happy to provide references from our satisfied clients who have worked with us in the past. These references can offer insights into their experience working with our company and the quality of our service.