Twenty-six years later, the same pair of hands is still on every job site — and still building like it matters.
Some builders learn the trade. Chris Christianson grew up in it.
On his family's ranch outside Tumalo, a young Chris spent his days turning timber into tree forts — and, as he grew, into barns. The dreamer's hands became a craftsman's. At twenty, he turned that instinct into a livelihood, founding Sunrise in 2000 with a framing crew and a simple belief: that how a thing is built matters as much as how it looks when it's done.
What began with framing grew into light custom homes, and in time into the bespoke residences Sunrise is known for today — homes that have earned a place among Central Oregon's finest. Through every step, one thing never changed: Chris on site, hands on, answerable for the work.
Twenty-six years on, Sunrise is a premier Central Oregon builder. But ask Chris and he'll tell you the company still carries the soul of the boy on the ranch — the one who understood that building was never just about wood and nails, but about creating something beautiful and lasting.
"Make sure you're doing it right when no one is looking."
Sunrise is intentionally selective about the number of homes we build each year. That allows Chris to stay closely involved with each client and each project — without leaving the work dependent on one person.
Behind every Sunrise home is a coordinated team of project managers, superintendents, bookkeeping support, interior designers, lighting design, site protection, cleanup crews, trusted trades, and long-standing vendor relationships. The client relationship still runs directly through Chris, but the day-to-day execution is supported by the systems, staff, and buying power of an established builder.
"I stay personally involved because that's where the trust is built. But the reason our projects run well is the team behind them — the people, systems, trades, and details working together every day."
Behind every Sunrise home is a management team with more than a century and a half of combined building experience, and craftsmen who genuinely care about the project in front of them. We choose our subcontractors as carefully as our clients choose us — for skill, for honesty, and for the ability to get to "yes."
Your home starts with your vision, your life, and your budget — not our portfolio. Being chosen as your builder is a privilege we don't take lightly.
Clear numbers, steady updates, and honest answers — before, during, and long after the build. You always know where things stand.
When others say it can't be done, we find the way. The reward is a home built right, down to the details no one but us would ever see.
Twenty-six years of experience, and the same hands-on care from the very first conversation.