From too much rain to too much sun

After 32 years providing quality service in the Greater Phoenix area, Bill George Demolition & Grading is handing the reigns over to Ryatt. We’re thrilled to bring our one-stop-shop services in demolition, excavation, and utilities to the Southwest. From too much rain to too much sun, why not have both extremes?

An interview with ryan and matt, owners of ryatt

When did you first start thinking about expanding?
We started thinking about expanding prior to the pandemic. Surprisingly during a time of such uncertainty, our resolve only grew stronger that expanding into Phoenix was the right move at the right time.

Did you look into locating in any other cities/states other than Phoenix, AZ?
We looked at five states and it came down to Arizona because of contacts we already knew there—we have several clients who are working in both the Seattle area and in Phoenix. Both regions are routinely listed as two of the hottest housing markets in the U.S, and we want to be where the need is. Engrained in our mission is to be a part of delivering much-needed housing in growing cities. Plus, we’re just really excited about going from too much rain to too much heat. Why not have both extremes. Go big or go home!

What made BGD the right choice?
Bill George D&G has built a great reputation based on the quality of work and service to their clients—which we pride ourselves on, as well. Also, the type of work he’s known for is virtually identical to some of our offerings. We see the potential to expand those offerings to the full, comprehensive scope of services that Ryatt has become known for. This will be natural and easy to do for existing clients in Phoenix and we’re confident that new clients will be excited to have a ‘one-stop-shop’ that they can go to for all their site readiness needs.

As your companies merge, what would you most like the Phoenix employees to know?
We want the staff to know that there’s not going to be a whole lot of changes. It won’t be a scary thing for them. Obviously, they’ve built a great company and have done it very successfully. Our goal is to blend what has made them successful with what has worked so well for us in the Northwest. By expanding on services not previously offered, there are going to be many opportunities to learn new skills and grow professionally. 

What are you most excited about as you open your second office?
We’re proud of the company and reputation we’ve built and now is the right time for Ryatt to grow. Entering a new market is exciting. It’s also challenging and requires a lot of thought and hard work. We’re looking forward to proving that we will be a valuable member of the Phoenix building community. As we do that, we will be taking notes, as our ultimate goal is to learn to do this well so we can jump into other markets and continue to grow the business.  

What do you think is the most important aspect of what you do? Why does the work you do matter?
We all need shelter. And we need a lot more homes built in this country than we currently have. The work we do is the first step in that process once the shovels hit the ground. We’re also proud of the builders we choose to work with—valuing those that take pride in construction and make great homes at fair prices. 

What would you most like to tell your future clients?
We’re joining two companies with a huge depth of knowledge and experience. We’re new to town, but not the industry. We intend to leverage the local skills and relationships that Bill George D&G has developed while making our own meaningful ties into the community. We want our future clients to know that the Ryatt way of doing business means we’re there to help throughout the process—scheduling with multiple trades, navigating permitting, building strong relationships with local jurisdictions. We clear the way to getting things built—both in terms of the dirt and the paperwork. 

Any parting words for Bill George?
Mr. George should be proud of what he’s created. He’s obviously got a great reputation and that doesn’t happen by accident. He and his crew have served this community well for decades. We’re looking forward to honoring that legacy and making him proud by taking care of what he’s created and growing it to a new level.