Last Updated on August 31, 2026 by DYM Builders Group
Women make up only 10.9 percent of all people working in the construction industry. Even fewer women work on the front lines of active job sites.
Despite these low numbers, women are paving their way in this male-dominated field. One of these leaders is Jade Malka, the co-founder of DYM Builders Group in California. This full-service contractor handles both remodeling and new construction throughout Southern California, and the company has seen great growth in recent years.
Jade Malka’s Career Path to Construction
Jade Malka comes from a long line of entrepreneurs and real estate investors. Her father was an engineer, her uncle was a real estate agent, and her grandparents owned real estate and flipped properties.
Before starting her construction work, Jade built experience in real estate and law:
- Real Estate Attorney: She served as a real estate attorney in Israel for one year.
- Real Estate Agent: She worked as a real estate agent in Florida for two years.
- Managing Construction: In Florida, she worked with foreign investors who bought properties to fix and flip or fix and rent.
Managing those renovation projects made Jade realize that she cared more about the construction process than selling property.
“I worked with a lot of foreign investment that basically purchased properties in order to fix and flip or fix and rent. And since they were foreign and lived out of state, or out of town, I had to manage the construction for them. So that’s when I realized I wanted to do construction.”
Working as a House Doctor in Remodeling
Jade Malka loves acting as a house doctor for her clients. She enjoys diagnosing the problems homeowners have with their houses and fixing them.
While DYM Builders Group handles both remodeling and new construction, Jade prefers remodeling projects. During COVID, when more homeowners spent time at home and wanted to change their living spaces, remodeling felt especially rewarding to her.
“We do both remodeling and new construction, but I like the part with the remodeling better, because you really change people’s lives.”
Overcoming Doubts on the Job Site
After starting her own company, Jade found that people in the industry were often surprised when she showed up on a job site alone or ordered materials from vendors. People frequently assumed she was an assistant or the wife of a contractor.
When walking onto job sites, people often tested her authority and knowledge.
“I’d be walking into the house and they wouldn’t close the door behind me, because they didn’t understand that I’m here by myself. They always thought that I was waiting for somebody because I’m the assistant, or that I’m the designer. And even when they hired me, they always tested me.”
Jade learned not to take those comments personally. She stayed focused and remained confident in her work. As a result, clients and contractors stopped questioning her authority.
“Slowly, slowly, because I was so focused and I had such a strong belief in what I do, they don’t ask me those questions anymore.”
Why Working with Women Benefits Clients
Jade does not get to work with other women in construction very often, but she loves when she gets the opportunity. She has worked with her friend, Hila Hemo, who is a contractor at Construction by Maya in Calabasas, on several projects.
Key Benefits of Having Women on Construction Sites:
- Attention to Detail: Female contractors pay close attention to small details across the job site.
- Active Listening: Women take time to listen carefully when clients explain what they want.
- Client Comfort: Many female homeowners feel much more comfortable sharing their opinions or pointing out mistakes when another woman is present.
“Working with a woman is amazing because we have attention to detail. We listen to the client when he talks, we hear what he has to say. We find that a lot of women feel a lot more comfortable when we are in the area to say their opinion, to express their opinion, to say something is wrong or not as they planned.”
DYM Builders Group employs several women in both office and field roles. The team quality controller, who handles communication between different teams and crews, is also a woman. David Malka, co-founder of DYM Builders, notes that women often make better supervisors than men on job sites.
Addressing the Industry Gap
It is hard to pinpoint exactly why there are so few women in construction. Breaking out of the stereotype that construction is a male-dominated field can be difficult.
Additionally, construction is a very time-consuming job. Women who carry more responsibility for managing the home and family may not have the time to enter such a demanding field. Jade notes that she is married to her work, which is something not all women are able to do.
Tips for Women Looking to Enter the Construction Industry
Breaking into a male-dominated field can feel challenging at first, but having the right mindset helps you build a lasting career. Based on Jade Malka’s path, here are key strategies for women entering the construction industry:
- Build Strong Product Knowledge: Learn the technical details of engineering, materials, and local building codes so you can speak with authority on job sites.
- Stand Firm in Your Skills: Do not let initial doubts or assumptions from others shake your belief in your work.
- Find Female Peers: Partner with other female professionals, contractors, and project managers whenever possible to build a supportive professional network.
- Focus on Client Service: Use strong listening skills and clear communication to solve your clients’ real home problems.
Work With DYM Builders Group
Whether you are planning a full home remodel or a new build, working with a team that listens to your needs makes all the difference. DYM Builders Group provides full-service building and remodeling services across Los Angeles, Orange County, and Dallas, Texas.
Ready to transform your space?
Call us today at 800-396-6773 or visit our website to book your consultation with our team!
