Clean Build Studio
Clean Build Studio
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About Us

Clean Build Studio

At Clean Build Studio, we specialize in internal tool development, helping non-technical organizations clean up messy code, replace patchwork no-code setups, and finally build software architectures they can trust and scale.


Our clients aren’t tech startups—they’re schools, fintech companies, engineering firms, and service-based businesses whose operations depend on reliable systems. Over time, many of these systems accumulate technical debt, grow clunky, break under pressure, or become impossible to maintain. That’s where we come in.


Whether it’s stabilizing a legacy Rails app, migrating away from spreadsheets, or building an internal tool to streamline HR or reporting—we bring order to technical chaos.


Clean Build Studio is led by senior software engineer Kristen Albrecht, who works directly on every project. For larger engagements, we collaborate with a trusted network of developers and designers. But no matter the size of the team, every solution we deliver is grounded in:


- Clean, testable architecture


- Thoughtful planning and clear communication


-  A hands-on, collaborative approach


Our goal is simple: build software foundations that help you move forward with confidence—not duct-tape things together until they break.

Core Values

Technical Stewardship

Technical Stewardship

Technical Stewardship

Person typing code on a laptop with a wooden table background.

Committed to writing clean, maintainable, and scalable code that facilitates internal tool development, supports robust software architecture, and aids in technical debt cleanup for long-term business growth.

Integrity

Technical Stewardship

Technical Stewardship

Two people shaking hands, both wearing silver bracelets.

Honesty, transparency, and empathy in every client interaction are essential as we focus on our work. We build trust through clear communication and reliable execution, ensuring our software architecture is robust while also addressing technical debt cleanup.

Growth Mindset

Technical Stewardship

Growth Mindset

A young green plant growing in a brown pot with soil.

Embracing challenges as opportunities to evolve — continually enhancing our software architecture and addressing technical debt cleanup to improve systems, processes, and skills.

Respect

Excellence Over Speed

Growth Mindset

Group sitting on the floor with laptop, notebooks, and papers discussing.

Treating others — and myself — with fairness and consideration is essential, especially when it comes to software architecture, and addressing technical debt cleanup.

Excellence Over Speed

Excellence Over Speed

Excellence Over Speed

Person coding at a desk with multiple screens and laptops.

Prioritizing thoughtful software architecture and lasting solutions over shortcuts, we focus on development that delivers high-quality code while ensuring effective technical debt cleanup.

Simplicity & Clarity

Excellence Over Speed

Excellence Over Speed

Minimalist workspace with a blank notepad, smartphone, and a small vase of flowers.

Cutting through complexity in software development to build streamlined systems that are easy to use, understand, and scale, while also addressing software architecture and performing technical debt cleanup.

Mission Statement

My mission is to assist growing startups with clean up technical debt and establish solid foundations for scalable software. I bring integrity, clarity, and craftsmanship to every project—prioritizing clean software architecture, sustainable growth, and thoughtful solutions. With a commitment to excellence and a growth mindset, I partner with teams to transform messy codebases into reliable, future-ready systems.

Brand Story & Color Meaning

🌿 Mint — The Signal of Renewal & Modernization

Symbolizes: Fresh starts, clarity, and modern thinking. 


Mint reflects the 'clean build' aspect — a fresh codebase, a new foundation, and a software architecture that’s elegant and sustainable. It is about tackling what previously felt chaotic or outdated, including technical debt cleanup.

⚫ Charcoal — The Anchor of Experience & Stability

Symbolizes: Trust, structure, maturity, and technical confidence. 


Charcoal reinforces depth of expertise in software l development. I’m not just trendy or surface-level; I offer solid engineering and thoughtful software architecture. It’s the foundation under the clean build — strong, serious, and reliable, especially when tackling technical debt cleanup.

⚪ White — The Space for Simplicity & Transparency

Symbolizes: Openness, simplicity, and space to breathe. 


White reflects the decluttering process my clients experience during a code cleanup. It supports the idea of stripping away bloated code, addressing technical debt cleanup, fixing systems, and leaving room for future growth in software architecture.

The way of the Essentialist means living by design, not by default

About Kristen

Smiling woman in a maroon dress with green foliage background.

Cleaning Up the Code That Keeps Your Operations Running

I’m Kristen Alford, senior software engineer and founder of Clean Build Studio. Over the past 10 years, I’ve assisted schools, engineering firms, fintech companies, and service-based teams in internal tool development, fixing broken systems, cleaning up fragile codebases, and addressing technical debt cleanup to build reliable internal tools. Whether it’s a no-code setup that’s spiraled out of control, a Rails app that’s barely holding together, or an Excel-based 'platform' that powers critical workflows—I’ve encountered it all. And I’ve successfully fixed it.

My Superpower: Transforming Chaos into Clean Code

Most of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed. Their tech stack is slowing them down, and the accumulation of technical debt makes it hard to implement new features quickly. Bugs never seem to stay gone, and hiring new developers becomes a nightmare because no one wants to tackle the existing code.  


Here’s what I do instead:  


- Perform technical debt cleanup by refactoring legacy code to ensure it’s stable, test-covered, and readable.  

- Rebuild backend systems with modern, scalable software architecture.  

- Replace messy no-code tools with effective internal tool development that actually meets your needs.  

- Help startups feel confident in their foundation so they can grow without fear.

Companies I’ve Worked With

A Bit More About Me

Outside of coding and consulting, I’m a mom—which means I know a thing or two about multitasking, patience, and creative problem-solving. Those same skills show up every day in my development work, especially when it comes to internal tool development and software architecture. 


I love spending time in nature, reading about personal growth, and hanging out with my family and our two dogs. On weekends, you’ll often find me working on DIY home projects with my husband or enjoying a quiet morning yoga and meditation practice. I’m drawn to mindfulness and intentional living, and I bring that same grounded, focused energy into the way I build software while also addressing technical debt cleanup to ensure smooth operations.


I started Clean Build Studio not just because I love to code—but because I believe small businesses deserve tech that works with them, not against them. My goal is always the same: to create stable, scalable systems that give you clarity, not complexity.

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