(Photo by Jeremy Bittermann)
The Art of Building a Home
Founded in 1990 in Sunriver, Buckingham Resources was the dream of Tom Buckingham, former general manager for a national telecommunications company who had a passion for art and management. Tom’s previous experience in building custom homes was entirely as a client, after having two homes built for him and his wife. Needless to say, his journey to become a successful general contractor, a title that feels impersonal to him and his creative nature, was not entirely conventional.
Tom began by hiring himself, for free, to work as a framer on his first project. Learning the steps by working under the other framer on the job, Tom spent the entire first week carrying lumber and sweeping the construction site! Over the years, Tom would go on to lead Buckingham Resources to become a highly sought after building firm. His diverse portfolio helped define the beauty and quality of neighborhoods like Broken Top (as one of seven original Featured Builders), Awbrey Butte, Widgi Creek, Sunriver and Awbrey Glen.
“I never liked the word ‘contractor,’ because what we do is build homes. We build sanctuary, safety, and security. It’s so much more than just a structure,” said Tom. The firm relocated to Portland in 1996 to build a large generational estate. Since then, they’ve completed a variety of projects — from panoramic-view penthouses in Portland, estates in Southwest Washington and the Willamette Valley, to nationally recognized equestrian facilities, and modern homes along the Oregon Coast. Most recently, one of their projects was selected as a finalist for 2024 Archello’s House of the Year — Large Rural category, one of only five honored worldwide.
Buckingham Resources recently moved back to Central Oregon, choosing Bend as their homebase. The firm was founded when Bend still felt like a small town, and now that they’ve come back, they are ready to embrace the growth and help people experience what is now a bustling small city.
Buckingham Resources has broadened its services with the launch of Refresh by B|R, a remodeling division led by Britt Porter. Focused on meeting the growing demand for renovations in Bend, Refresh by B|R helps homeowners reimagine their spaces. “In recent years, homes have become more of a sanctuary than ever,” Porter said, “People are spending more time at home — especially with the rise of remote work — and the home’s role in our daily lives continues to expand.”
Understanding the importance of feeling the comfort and safety of being at home, Buckingham Resources’ passion shines through during the build in the way they value not only the build itself, but also the subcontractors. “I want every craftsman on the job to understand that this is
the client’s home, just like when you go home after work, you’re walking into a space where your family eats, sleeps and makes memories with one another,” Tom said. “To have that understanding on our jobsite is paramount to the higher level of quality that we produce.”
Tom, having been the guy who sweeps the jobsite and carries lumber, makes sure that every person on a Buckingham Resources jobsite is a valued member of the team. From top to bottom, he acknowledges the important role that every person plays, and ensures that every level of their subcontractors are treated with dignity and respect. Ultimately helping elevate the overall quality of the build and making the construction process more stress-free for all.
Simply put, happy workers do better work. This guiding principle connects each person working on the site to the notion that this home will mean everything to a family. The fact that most of the firm’s projects primarily come from word-of-mouth and references from satisfied clients is emblematic of the quality that Buckingham Resources produces.
Trust is a key part of their work. “The clients trust us to provide them value and more than anything, they are trusting us with shaping a new chapter of their life,” Tom said. “To have trust from a client means the world, and it helps the entire process run as smoothly as possible.”
This level of trust is evident in the firm’s repeat clients over the years. One of Buckingham Resources clients for example has built six projects with the firm. Their returning clients often remark on not only the quality of the build, but also on the artistry and creativity behind every home.
At the end of it all, Buckingham Resources stands out among other builders in the area. Tom considers the often overused verbiage, “attention to detail,” to be a bare-minimum expectation. He instead strives to raise the bar and help clients create something truly special, all while making sure his subcontractors are excited to be working somewhere they are respected and valued. The Buckingham Resources team is excited to have returned to their founding roots in Central Oregon, helping Bend become a special place for their clients and contributing to the beauty and style of our growing city.
