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Scott Gabaree: Quality Comes First

By Caitlyn Stair, Diamond Certified Research Reporter

For Scott Gabaree, quality isn’t just a company slogan—it’s a promise. Throughout his 30-plus years in construction, he has built his reputation on the belief that homeowners should never have to pay twice for work that should have been done correctly the first time.

Scott began his career as a general contractor, building a business almost entirely through referrals. “I was booked out 90 days in advance and I didn’t even have business cards,” he recalls. While he enjoyed construction, he was drawn to the home improvement industry because it bridged the gap between quality products and professional installation. “I fell in love with the project management side of it. It gave homeowners a better experience.”

Scott was introduced to Quality First Home Improvement, Inc. in 2006, shortly after the company was founded. He officially joined the team in 2009, launching its solar division before taking on increasing operational responsibilities. Sharing the founders’ commitment to quality, he helped strengthen company systems while embracing their vision of doing every job right the first time. That dedication eventually led him to become president in 2024 and CEO in 2025.

Today, Scott oversees every aspect of Quality First Home Improvement’s operations. While he enjoys helping shape the company’s long-term vision, he says he’s most proud of the culture they’ve built. “Construction doesn’t usually have a culture, but we’ve created one where everyone understands that the customer comes first.”

Scott says that customer-first philosophy starts with training. He believes continual education is the key to delivering consistent results, which is why Quality First Home Improvement regularly brings its sales, operations, and leadership teams together to improve communication and refine the customer experience. “Training, training, training…that has always been embedded in my head. Every person in the company impacts the customer’s experience, so everyone has to understand how their role contributes to the final result.”

Scott lives on four peaceful acres in Grass Valley with his wife, Heather. Together, they’ve blended a family of eight children whose careers span healthcare, education and military service. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and doing activities like boating and jet skiing, but he says he has also come to value his daily 42-minute commute. “It gives me time to prepare for the day on the way in and prepare for my family on the way home.”

Scott is equally passionate about giving back to his community. Each year, Quality First Home Improvement hosts a charitable golf tournament benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project and Sutter Children’s Center, as well as company events that celebrate employees and reinforce the culture he has worked hard to build.

Whether he’s leading his team or serving customers, Scott believes success comes from refusing to take shortcuts. “If you don’t have time to do it once, you certainly don’t have time to do it twice,” he offers. It’s a philosophy that reflects both his leadership style and his company’s name: Quality comes first.

Ask Me Anything!

Q: If you could retire tomorrow, what’s the first thing you would do?
A: I’d take my RV and see more of the United States. My first destination would probably be Yellowstone.

Q: Would you rather be somewhere hot or somewhere cold?
A: Somewhere hot.

Q: If you could time-travel, would you visit the past or the future?
A: The past. Things felt simpler and I’d love to experience those moments again.

Q: What’s your favorite era of movies?
A: The ’80s and ’90s.