“I Don’t Just Want Your Job. I Want All Of Your Friends’ Jobs”: The High Pace Construction Difference

Chris Tenaglia and I sat across from each other in the brand new headquarters of High Pace Construction and, just by absorbing the environment, I immediately got a sense of what’s most important to the company. Surrounding me were clean lines, gigantic glass panels, sharp finishes and a purposeful design, symbolic of how Chris views construction.
 
Reared in Norwood, a short distance from where the headquarters is located on Day Street, Chris spent hours of his youth on job sites with his father, who owned a commercial painting company.
 
“He was always the last person in and the last person out of every job,” said Chris, “We got to see the finished product, but we also saw the mistakes that could happen before the last step, which is why I knew things could be done more efficiently, with more organization and intention.”
 
Chris knew there was a better way, and years later, his commitment to a more streamlined process is focused on communication, timing and execution.
 
While he’s fully committed to building a powerful and impactful development business, Chris did not jump straight into construction. He spent nearly a decade in the finance industry. On paper, it made sense and provided stability, but something was missing.
 
“I wanted to build something,” he said. “Not just move money around.”
 
That realization led him to pivot and when Massachusetts began opening the door to the cannabis industry around 2015, he saw an opportunity few others understood.
 
The challenges associated with working in the cannabis industry are both regulatory and technical. Taking a plant that traditionally grows outdoors and recreating that environment indoors in New England’s extreme climate required a level of precision and innovation that pushed the boundaries of construction especially when speed-to-market was the most important factor to the cannabis clients. Chris stepped into that challenge head-on, building some of the largest cultivation facilities in the state, a process that demanded speed, adaptability, and problem-solving at a high level.
 
The many experiences would ultimately define the philosophy behind High Pace Construction, where speed and systems matter.
 
At a time when many general contractors rely heavily on subcontractors for nearly every aspect of a project, the High Pace model prioritizes in-house capability. The team includes a growing roster of full-time carpenters, allowing the company to move quickly without waiting on the availability of unaffiliated trade experts.
 
If something needs to get done, the High Pace team gets it done.
 
This approach accelerates timelines, creates accountability and – here’s the big key – ultimately saves you money because streamlining the system controls costs. As always, an attractive bottom line is attention-grabbing, but simply offering a good rate doesn’t get a job done efficiently. That comes down to straightforward and intelligent communication.
 
Anyone who has taken on a home renovation is likely familiar with the frustrations of missed messages, delays and miscommunications that can set a project back by days, if not weeks. Chris and his team have developed a process to eliminate those pain points, featuring detailed project-tracking systems and real-time updates that include photos and videos.
 
Clients are never left guessing about what’s happening in their homes. He even takes it a step further by introducing clients to the people who will be working on their projects before the work begins and providing photos so they’ll know exactly who’s coming in and out of their house every day, and everyone wears a High Pace Construction work attire.
 
“When you see our guys on your job site, you know who they are,” he explains.
 
His organization has also helped Chris forge key partnerships in the year since he’s been Westwood Living’s Expert Contributor in Construction, most notably with Roula Bakis and her team at Artemis Realty & Design. By aligning their visions and talents, Chris and Roula have produced a number of standout projects in Westwood in the 12 months.
 
When I asked if he prefers commercial or residential projects, Chris didn’t hesitate.
 
“Residential. It’s just more rewarding,” he said. “In commercial construction, much of the work disappears behind walls and ceilings. The scale may be larger, but the emotional connection isn’t there. With residential, we can take a home that feels dated and transform it into something that reflects the people who live there. It’s more personal.”
 
The High Pace philosophy can be summed up in one statement Chris shared when I asked for his “elevator pitch.”
 
“I don’t just want your job,” he said. “I want you and all of your friends’ jobs. However big your job is, however small your job is. I’m fair with my pricing. You see what my markup is at the end. I’m transparent with everything. I want you to have a good product for a good price, and then I want all of your friends to come and see it. Then, I want you to recommend me to everybody else so they all get the exact same experience. And… we’re going to get it done faster than anybody.”