We are a Leading Home Builder Worker-Owned Cooperative
As one of the proud home builders in Bellingham structured as a worker-owned cooperative, A1DesignBuild is equally owned and democratically governed by the people who build your home. Every worker-owner shares a voice in company decisions, shares in the profits, and shares responsibility for the quality of every project we take on. When we converted to this model in 2017, we started with five worker-owners, and today ownership remains open to all employees as they meet our eligibility requirements.
We made this shift because we believe it produces better outcomes — not just for our team, but for the homeowners and communities we build for. When the people swinging hammers and managing your project also own a stake in the company, they're invested in getting your job right the first time. That accountability shows up in the craftsmanship, the communication, and the long-term relationships we build with clients across Bellingham and the surrounding area.
Why the Cooperative Model Matters for Our Clients
Most contractors in Whatcom County operate as conventional, top-down businesses. A1DesignBuild is different. As a worker cooperative, our team members aren't just employees waiting to be told what to do - they're often real owners with a direct stake in the reputation and quality of every home we design and build. That structure tends to reduce turnover, keep experienced crews on the job from start to finish, and align everyone's incentives around doing durable, high-performance work.
Here in this page, we are sharing the internal governance documents that make our cooperative function — the same documents many other home builders in Bellingham and contractors in Whatcom County have reached out to us about when exploring worker ownership for their own businesses.
Refined by Nearly a Decade of Collective Work
These documents below are the product of almost ten years of refinement. They form the operational backbone of our coop — how we make decisions, compensate our worker-owners, train new members, and hold each other accountable to shared values. If you're a contractor, builder, or business owner in Whatcom County considering a transition to a worker-owned model, we hope these resources make that path a little smoother.
We're glad to support fellow cooperatives and businesses exploring this structure. If you have questions or want to talk through your own coop transition, reach out through our contact page.
Articles of Incorporation
WOC Operating Policies
Employee Compensation
Employee Operating Policies
Corporate By-Laws
Member Training Manual
Coop Values Statement
Want to learn how you can become a co-op? Contact us below.