A New Foundation in Las Vegas

From carpentry roots in Chicago to a thriving handyman business in Nevada, Chris Huber is building more than homes—he’s building trust.

The desert heat presses down on Las Vegas, but inside a modest home on the east side of town, there is relief. A brand-new water heater hums quietly, installed not because of profit, but because one man decided a struggling resident deserved hot water without worry. “I just knew she couldn’t afford it,” says Chris Huber, founder of Clean Slate Construction. “So I covered it. Sometimes giving back means more than any paycheck.”

This moment, like many others, defines the way Chris has chosen to grow his business. His company may fix leaky faucets, build custom decks, or remodel basements, but the real foundation he is laying in Las Vegas is one of community care.

From Basements to Big Dreams

Chris has been in construction nearly his entire life, though the beginning was far from ordinary. He met his father, a general contractor, at age 15. The reunion was also the start of his career. “Basically, I started off with him as a laborer, and I just loved it,” Chris recalls. “Going into a basement that was just concrete walls, and when I was done, there was a movie theater and a kitchen. Seeing the satisfaction on clients’ faces, being able to help them put their vision into reality—that hooked me.”

That first spark grew quickly. Chris entered a carpentry apprenticeship, framing high-rise buildings, movie theaters, and large-scale projects across Chicago. His skills carried him into project management and superintendent roles, where he ran teams of dozens. At one point, he oversaw more than 40 workers, with his company’s name spread widely across job sites. By most measures, he had made it.

But life had other plans.

A Breaking Point, Then a Breakthrough

In 2020, a car accident changed everything. Chris broke his back and spent months recovering in a body brace. The company he worked for could not accommodate the time he needed to heal. Faced with uncertainty, he chose a new path.

“That’s when I took the opportunity to start my own business,” he says. “I have never looked back, and I will never look back.”

Starting over was not easy. He relocated to Las Vegas, where strict licensing laws limited what he could do as a general contractor. Rather than stall, he adapted, creating a handyman division that allowed him to take on projects under $1,000 while he worked through licensing requirements. What began as a stopgap became a thriving branch of his company.

Today, Clean Slate Construction serves families across the valley, especially those who often feel overlooked. “A bigger portion of our business here in Vegas has been helping middle-income to low-income families with stuff they need around the house,” Chris says. “It feels good to know we’re meeting real needs.”

Built on Second Chances

Chris is candid about his past. Growing up without strong role models, he admits to making choices in his youth that still cast long shadows. “My upbringing wasn’t the best,” he says. “I’ve made a lot of poor choices in my life when I was younger. Even now, I feel judgment gets passed based on who I was versus who I am today.”

Securing a contractor’s license was harder because of that history. Yet, instead of hiding from it, Chris uses his story to remind younger entrepreneurs that decisions carry weight. “Think about things seriously before you do them,” he advises. “It’s so easy in the moment to say it doesn’t matter, but it does, even ten years down the line.”

This honesty, paired with a relentless drive, has shaped his business philosophy. He is no longer chasing ego or sheer scale. He is chasing impact.

Craftsmanship with Accountability

In a city where home services can be hit or miss, Clean Slate Construction has carved out a unique space. Chris emphasizes professionalism in an industry where fly-by-night operators sometimes tarnish the reputation of skilled trades.

“For handyman work, it’s hard to find a quality company, not just a quality individual,” Chris explains. “We have different members who play different roles, and the organizational structure you’d expect from a custom home builder. But we still keep prices competitive with the one-man shows.”

Customers get the benefit of a full company that stands behind its work, with the added reassurance of clear communication, proper materials sourcing, and professional expertise. “We’re online, we’re on Google and Facebook, and we’re being held accountable,” Chris says. “That helps customers feel more comfortable, like they’re getting that special level of service.”

Giving Back, One Project at a Time

As his business grows, Chris has shifted his priorities from expansion to generosity. Revenue has climbed steadily since launching in Las Vegas, but rather than chasing large crews and bigger offices, he has chosen a different focus. “At one point, I wanted 40 guys and my business name everywhere,” he says. “Now I just want to help people.”

To put action behind those words, Clean Slate Construction donates 10 percent of its profits to free projects for families in need. Whether it is installing a water heater for a senior on a fixed income or donating labor to help a struggling family, Chris sees these acts as the true measure of his success.

“My goal now is giving back to the community,” he says simply.

The Secret to Success

Chris attributes his rapid growth to something deceptively simple: refusing to quit. “Most of my success has come from saying, ‘I’m going to do this thing,’ no matter how unrealistic it seemed,” he says. “I just didn’t quit. No matter what anyone said, no matter what roadblocks I faced—financial, mental, anything. I had the goal, and I just beelined toward it.”

For him, the lesson is universal. “Anybody can do it. People get discouraged after the first failure or the first obstacle, and then they change tactics. But if you put a goal in mind and commit to it, it is possible. Anything is possible.”

Why Las Vegas Neighbors Trust Him

The heart of Clean Slate Construction is trust. Too many homeowners in Las Vegas have been burned by unreliable contractors, and Chris has built his reputation on reversing that narrative. “Nine times out of ten, the people we’re helping were screwed over by someone else,” he says. “All they had to do was ask for one reference. Most scammers don’t have a single person who will vouch for them, while a legitimate contractor has hundreds.”

By combining competitive pricing, professional accountability, and a community-first mindset, Chris has earned a growing base of loyal customers who see Clean Slate Construction not just as a service provider but as a partner in caring for their homes.

Looking Ahead, Staying Grounded

In less than a year, Clean Slate Construction went from earning $300 in its first month to steady monthly revenues of $50,000. Still, Chris does not want an empire. He wants balance. “I don’t think I want 30 or 40 people anymore,” he says. “I don’t want to manage at that scale. I have a family that I want to focus my attention on more.”

The business will grow, but not at the cost of what matters most. For Chris, success is no longer about building the biggest company. It is about building the kind of life and community worth calling home.

For homeowners in Las Vegas looking for reliability, integrity, and a team that treats every project like it matters, Clean Slate Construction is proof that a clean slate is always possible.

Visit Clean Slate Construction online at www.cleanslateconstruction.net or connect with them on Facebook at Clean Slate Construction to explore their services, request a quote, or follow along with their community projects.

This feature is part of The Business View Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.