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Some Work to Help Out The Kids

By Staff
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018

We get requests that come from a lot of different motivations. Generally, when we are working as a basement remodeler in Chanhassen, we are usually finishing or redoing the space to make it more comfortable. However, we got two distinct requests from a homeowner that turned out to be a really interesting project for us. Their basement was semi-finished at the start, but afterwards we had transformed the space into a really useful area of the house. 

Unique Basement Remodeling Request

The parents had two boys, and both really liked to play musical instruments. It seems they had saved up enough to buy a really high-powered amplifier. This was great for live performances, but was such a powerful speaker that even playing it at a low level could cause some serious disturbance in the neighborhood. They needed a small room in the basement to be as soundproofed as possible, which was mostly a matter of insulation. The second part of their request was pretty typical – they wanted a half bathroom finished along with a room that could be used as a home theater or rec room. 

We told the parents that we could get the job done for the music practice room, which the kids were thrilled about. One of the big advantages of this, they said, was that they could possibly get a drum kit in the room. This would apparently be the beginnings of a band! We were very glad they mentioned this before the plans were finalized, as we slightly modified our original designs to accommodate for this. It was definitely not a problem, but certainly good to know that they had plans for even more sound generation beyond their large amplifiers. 

We got to work setting up the roof to be finished and soundproofed. We used some very high quality materials in order to achieve this, and also installed some permanent soundproofing insulation on the inside. The biggest issue with this project was the ventilation. Without properly insulated ducting, the room would either turn into a giant oven (especially with all of those heavy electronics on) or would not actually be soundproof. We took this into consideration with the client, and they absolutely agreed that it was necessary.

Once we were finished with that room, the kids couldn’t wait to try it out. It was an interesting moment, as we don’t often get to test out some of the things we build as completely as someone living there. However, the room was a complete success. We could barely hear anything just outside the door, and the rest of the house was very quiet when they were playing. There was absolutely no danger of disturbing the neighbors either! 

We then went ahead and finished the rest of the basement, which was more routine than the rest of this project. We put in the same dedication to quality as we do with all of our projects, and the results showed in a really great entertainment space. The parents were very glad that they could encourage their kids’ creativity without creating any problems in the community, and we were satisfied with another job well done.

Categories : Chanhassen

Adding Entertainment Space Downstairs

By Staff
Sunday, October 15th, 2017

We got a call from a family that had finally decided to put their downstairs basement area to good use. They called us to do some work as their basement remodeler in Minnetonka. We were more than happy to help them out! The first thing they mentioned during their initial meeting was that they wanted to be able to entertain in the basement. The kids in the family, a brother and sister, had just entered high school and middle school, so it was important for the parents to have a space for them to be able to have their friends over (where they could also keep an eye on them). It was equally important for the parents to be able to relax in this space as well. 

The basement and bathroom remodeling begins!

After taking a look at the basement, including examining the existing plumbing infrastructure, we made quite a few suggestions to the family. One thing that seemed to cause a lot of controversy was the choice of whether to have a full or half bathroom in the basement.  A full bathroom with a shower would take up more space and require some more work on our end, but of course it was possible! In the end, the kids had a bit of a victory here, since they argued it would allow them to have sleepovers or allow guests to stay in the basement without having to go up two stories to bathe in the morning. 

The silver lining, which the dad of the house really liked, is that it would be much easier to connect a wet bar on the other side of the bathroom, in the main room of the basement. While he adamantly maintained that any adult beverages would be locked up in the basement, he was definitely pleased at the idea of being able to have ice at hand along with a fully equipped bar. We agreed that this would go along well with the main purpose of the room, which would be a viewing and recreational room. They had decided that besides the bathroom and minibar, about 80% of the basement should be devoted to one room where everyone could get together.

We had briefly discussed setting aside some space for a home gym or office, but the family ultimately decided against both those things together. Having our work cut out for us, we went in to the unfinished space fully equipped to ensure a smooth process. The build only ended up taking a few weeks, and was actually finished about two days ahead of schedule. This was very impressive to the the man of the house especially, who told us that he would be sure to pass a recommendation along to any of his neighbors looking to get work done at their home. We were very grateful for the praise, and glad that we could deliver such a useful space that everyone in the family can enjoy.

Categories : Minnetonka

Renovation Creates More Space and Comfort

By Staff
Monday, September 25th, 2017

We recently received a call from a homeowner who had been considering a Wayzata bathroom remodeling project for about three years. They were finally in a good position to get this done a year ago, but strongly considered doing a lot of the job themselves. Because they didn’t have any DIY experience, especially in things like replacing plumbing or demolition, they gave us a call. It seems they had done their research, which we could tell when they asked us about a thousand questions during our initial consultation! This was, of course, absolutely no bother to us. We know that part of the job is making sure each client is completely comfortable with the entire process when the contracting process begins.

We Arrive for the Bathroom Remodeling Consultation

We came to their home and were shown a very dated, 90’s era master bathroom. There was a lot of tile, brass on the shower door frame, and a separate bathtub with a small space for a sink and mirror. The homeowner wanted to combine the bathtub and shower, and wanted to see if adding a clawfoot tub would be possible. We took measurements, went over several products (along with matching design options), and settled on a general aesthetic. After the initial consultation we were able to provide a rough estimate of what the job would entail. 

After the initial meeting, the homeowner told us they needed to consult with a couple of other companies. Just a day later, we received the call to start the process. We went back to the home to help the owner make some final decisions, then it was time to set a start date and get to work! The first thing that needed to happen was pulling out all of the stuff that wouldn’t be kept in the new bathroom. Just about everything except for the toilet (which had been replaced just a few years prior) had to go! Removing the shower stall to make room for a slightly larger tub was a really excellent idea. Not only did it make room for a much more enjoyable bathing experience, but it also opened up room around the tub. This gave a greater sense of space in the bathroom, making it appear much larger than it actually was. 

Sitting at the toilet before the renovation was definitely quite cramped, but now it was truly a king’s throne. Also, the clearance from the edge of the tub to the sink increased, so more space was created to be able to get ready in the morning, or wind down from a long day at night. The old tile was replaced with some very classy and understated stone, which would also feel a lot less cold. This, along with some new lighting made the whole space much more warm and inviting, and a fantastic place to relax on cold winter nights! 

Once we were finished, the owner was very pleased. They told us that we had completed the project in very impressive fashion, and they couldn’t wait to light some candles and unwind in their new huge tub!

 

Categories : Wayzata

Returning Customer Needs Work in the Basement

By Staff
Monday, September 11th, 2017

We got a call from a past customer whom we had done kitchen remodeling in Dellwood for. They wanted us to remodel a small room in their basement while finishing the rest of it. We talked them through the process and made sure to ask what they wanted to use their basement for. They wanted a nice rumpus room and home theater area for kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying family time.

The Basement Remodeler Project Began

Our professional designers met with the homeowners to go over their vision of the basement remodeling, and we wanted to measure the space, provide options, and give the homeowners an actual estimate that can’t be done over the phone. The homeowners showed us the basement and we asked them if the basement gets moist or wet, because we didn’t want to remodel the basement without repairing a problem before we started. The homeowners assured us that the basement never got wet or moist, which was a great sign. We measured, got all of the important things added that the homeowners wanted, then we gave them an estimate that they were happy with, so they hired us again, and our crew was scheduled to start in two days, which was enough time for the homeowners to remove all the furnishings in the basement. 

The crew arrived the first day and began building the frames for the basement walls and the added room. Once all the frames and walls were built, the crew added the electrical outlets for the basement. The drywall was added, then the crew applied the mudding, performed the sanding, and then began painting the walls to the colors that the homeowners requested. A new door was installed to the new room in the basement, then the flooring was installed. In the theater area of the basement the homeowners wanted carpeting, which our team installed the carpet of their choice, and in the added room space the homeowners selected hardwood flooring, so once the carpeting was installed the crew installed the hardwood floors. Within ten days from start to finish, the crew worked on the Dellwood basement remodel to not only to meet the deadline but to please the homeowners who were anxiously awaiting the reveal of their new spaces that we created. 

On the final day, all the crew had to do was to install crown molding, run the vacuum, and just dust off and tidy up, so the space looked great for the homeowners. One of the crewmembers knocked on the front door to ask the couple to come downstairs to see their space. When the couple came downstairs they walked through the space and the new room and said: “You guys did a great job”!

Categories : Dellwood

His and Her Sinks are a Hit

By Staff
Thursday, August 10th, 2017

We recently worked on a house doing some bathroom remodeling in Eden Prairie for a family that needed just a bit more space. The main problem the homeowners had was that there was only one sink in the bathroom. This had been fine when the couple had first bought the house, but now they were on very similar schedules and had children! They hadn’t realized how much it was affecting their daily lives until they had literally knocked heads one morning. During our initial consultation where we discussed their options for the renovation, they joked about how it was affecting their marriage. We assured them that our priority throughout the process would be to leave them with a newly renovated bathroom that would be functional, comfortable, and serve their needs.

We Started The Bathroom Remodeler Project

After discussing several option with the couple, they agreed that they simply needed separate sinks. Currently, the single sink was set into a long countertop at the center of a large vanity mirror. We knew from the get-go that it would be a simple task to install a new counter with room for two sinks. Our first task was removing the old sink, counter and cabinet. This was not a problem at all for our experienced team, and they were glad to be able to get into that area and do some re-sealing to protect from water damage.  

Once we were finished with that, our next task was to install new cabinets and counters with room for the two sinks. This did involve a bit of intensive plumbing work, but it was nothing we haven’t been able to handle before. One thing that our experience compelled us to raise to the customer was the lighting. They were very happy we though of this, because the current lighting would only illuminate half of each of the new sinks. We installed matching lights above each sink, with separate switches that each person could use. At this point it was only a matter of whose sink belonged to whom!

This was a straightforward job that really helped a family out, which is always a great thing to be a part of. The parents were really happy with out work the whole way through, and told us that they were considering getting a new shower installed in the bathroom. They also mentioned that they might need to have the same treatment done once their kids became teenagers. We told them that we would be able to help them with design and product ideas the next time they were thinking of getting work done. As usual, we were very happy to have delivered a great finished product to our client without exceeding the budget or getting behind schedule.

Categories : Eden Prairie

Huge Overhaul for Old House

By Staff
Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

We got a call from a homeowner moving into a fixer-upper, who needed some heavy-duty kitchen remodeling in Edina. They wanted to have a lot of work done in the home before they moved into it. We spent quite some time discussing the best strategy of how to get all the work done. Their plan was to get most of the kitchen done before going after the flooring, so that there wouldn’t be any needless traffic across a brand new floor. Before we got to work, the kitchen looked as if it had been originally from the 70’s. It had linoleum floors and lots of cabinet space at eye level. We were able to get rid of most of that and install some more space saving cabinets, along with an island with a sink in it. One of the things that stood out for this job was that there were exterior renovations happening at the same time. When we were notified that this would be the case, we could tell this homeowner meant business!

Our kitchen remodeler project had begun

We first went to work gutting the kitchen. We removed just about everything but some pipes in that space, then rebuilt about 30% of it, with the rest of it being some really great cabinets with racks inside. This would help a lot with storing lots of cooking tools, tabletop appliances and dishes. This really helped maximize the space, and with that opened up we were able to install a small walk-in pantry near the new space we were carving out for the refrigerator. 

 

Once we had removed everything unnecessary and unwanted in the old kitchen, we got to work constructing the island. This was a very straightforward part of the project, as we have done many of these in the past. The homeowner would periodically check in on our work, and was very relieved that everything was going smoothly with both sides of the renovation. 

The last parts of the job also went off without a hitch. Although this was one of our more intensive projects, it was no problem for us. After installing cabinets and plumbing, all that was left was to install the appliances and check for safety and fit. The client was very adamant on being able to fit a custom, professional grade range in place of the old, 4-burner electric one. She had made some really wise design choices during that stage of the process, as this cooking surface really became a handsome centerpiece for the kitchen. The homeowner was surprised that we had finished well before the crew doing the exterior of the home, as we had started a few days after them. We understand that different projects can be a completely different beast, but we were also glad to please a client with high expectations. The homeowner told us that she wanted to get most of the bathrooms and the basement completely redone. She also told us that she would definitely be calling us first for her future plans, and we certainly are looking forward to it! 

 

Categories : Edina

House Improvements Beat Out New Cabin Purchase

By Staff
Thursday, May 25th, 2017

A couple called us asking for all sorts of different estimates for home additions, renovations, and basement finishing options. It seems they had been agonizing over buying a cabin for the last year, but decided it may be better to invest in improving their own home. We met with the couple and we helped them decide on a nice home addition in White Bear Lake that could support further recreation. After discussing everything from basement remodeling to updating their kitchens and bathrooms, they settled on one home remodeling project that made them really excited. We gave them some design options, and they settled on something rustic while still matching the rest of their existing home.

The Home Addition Build Begins

After they accepted our estimate for the whole project, we came out to their home again to begin the home addition. Our crew arrived the day the project was scheduled to begin. The crew started pouring a concrete slab where the new room would be located. The peripheral base was poured, and as soon as the concrete was cured the crew started building the exterior walls and framing the addition. The wall panels were installed and the crew then applied a house wrap on the outside of the wall panels. The crew then returned to start installing a roof on the addition. The electricity was installed, then the crew installed new windows. 

Each day the crew had a list of things that had to be done on that day, so the project would be completed on time for the homeowners. The crew added insulation between the studs in each of the walls, then they began to hang the drywall. The mudding was applied to the seams of the drywall, then the crew sanded down the seams, so the walls could be painted. Once all the painting was done, the crew installed new hardwood flooring. The final steps to the addition were adding the trim and the crown molding along with lights. It seems like the crew had the addition done in a couple of days, but it took the crew approximately two weeks to complete the project. Still, the whole thing was completed a week ahead of schedule.

The final step was the reveal to the homeowners. The crew had packed up all the tools and supplies and had the new addition spic and span. The homeowners arrived home at 4:30 pm and the crew walked them to the new room. The couple walked in and they said the room was absolutely beautiful. The couple said they couldn’t believe that their vision came to life in the room and they were very happy and pleased with the work that we had provided for them. The customers told us that our work was excellent, and gave many thanks to the crew. We tried out best to go above and beyond for our customer, and were very happy to be able to deliver a brand new space for them to enjoy.

Categories : White Bear Lake

Building on Quality Past Work!

By Staff
Tuesday, May 16th, 2017

Recently, we got a call from a former customer that we had helped with a home addition. We had planned on working with them as a bathroom remodeler when we were installing piping for the add-on to their home, but it became clear that it was not within their budget at the time. Now, the customers had gotten some extra income that they wanted to reinvest it in their home for added enjoyment and an increase in the overall value of their property. We were glad that they called us back for their North Oaks bathroom remodeling. We gave them a quote to change the look of the showers, bath, sinks, and the floors without much trouble, and they were very happy with our initial estimate.

The Bathroom Remodeling Estimate Process

We met with the homeowners to look over the bathroom spaces and to provide them with showers, bathtubs, and sink options. Once the homeowners selected the products that they wanted for their bathrooms, we gave them the estimate. It seemed that they were comfortable with the price, so then they scheduled the home remodeling project to begin on Monday morning. 

Our professional home remodeling crew arrived first thing Monday morning to start the bathroom demolition. The team removed the current bath and shower combo, sinks, and cabinets. The crew then removed all the floor tiles. The first step was to install the new shower and bathtub combo that the homeowners selected, then install the new vanity and cabinets for the bathrooms. The team returned each day and worked throughout the entire day.

The team installed the new floor tiles, then began to hang new drywall to start painting the walls. Once the painting was completed, the team installed the new sink and faucet, then added the mirror and all the trim in the bathroom. The team did this process with each bathroom until all the bathrooms in the home were remodeled. Once the last bathroom was finished and the team had the dumpster picked up, the crew let the homeowners know that all the remodeling was completed at their home and if they ran into any problems to just give us a call and we would be right out.

A few days later the customer called the office just to let us know that they were 100% thrilled with the bathroom remodeling that was performed by our courteous crew. The couple said that they couldn’t get over the added space and beauty that had been created, and the attention to detail that was provided made the couple very happy. They were glad that they had called our company to do further remodeling at their home. Our team went above and beyond to make sure the bathrooms were exactly like what they had requested in our first initial consultation, which is something we always strive to do.

Categories : North Oaks

We Finished this Project Ahead of Schedule!

By Staff
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017

We got a call from a schoolteacher who taught consumer science and some cooking classes in a nearby high school. She was experimenting with some new recipes and realized she wanted more space in her kitchen and an island installed. She decided to call us to be her kitchen remodeler in Mahtomedi, and we were able to work within her budget to have her kitchen updated just as she wanted.

Our professional design team met with the homeowner at her home, so we could get her home remodeling vision along with seeing the space. Our team gave her different options along with some advice to go along with her budget. She had a specific budget and we also make sure to provide the best products and services to match our customers budget.

The Kitchen Remodeling Estimate was Accepted

The customer wanted to have new cabinets and hardwood floors installed in the space, then a center island. Her current appliances were fairly new and would match perfectly with the new décor. We gave the customer an estimate and she was pleased with it, so we scheduled a date for us to start the project. She also asked about bathroom remodeling, and we told her all that we could. In the end, she just went with working on the kitchen for now.

The crew arrived on time for the job and started the remodeling process by first removing the old cabinets, flooring, and appliances. The crew started doing the framing for the new cabinets and adding the electrical and plumbing, then they started taping the walls for painting. The new cabinets were hung, then the base cabinets were installed along with the new island. The crew then installed the new marble countertops and sink that the customer had requested, then the lighting was installed. The crew then brought back in the appliances, then wiped everything down as the kitchen was remodeled to the customer’s preferences. 

The customer came in from work later that week just as the crew was leaving for the day, and the crew let her know that her kitchen was done. She went into the kitchen and couldn’t get over the transformation. She said the kitchen looked better than she could have ever imagined. She said it looked absolutely beautiful. The customer opened each cabinet door and told us how much she loved the new island. The customer kept saying that she couldn’t believe this was her actual kitchen.

She thanked the crew for doing an outstanding job, staying within her budget, and having the project completed two days ahead of schedule. She said she was going to have a dinner party, so she could showcase her new kitchen, and she would be sure to let everyone know that Great Northern Builders was the Mahtomedi kitchen remodeler that did such a great job for her at her home.

Categories : Mahtomedi

Home Addition Leads to Renovation Project

By Staff
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017

We recently received a call from a woman looking to hire a home remodeling contractor in Eagan. Her husband had recently built a new sun porch for their house and the wife absolutely loved it. However, she now felt the need to update the surrounding rooms as well, namely their kitchen. The woman felt very strongly that the style of her kitchen must accommodate the style of her sunroom, which it currently did not. It was for this reason that she sought out our company’s services as a kitchen remodeler.

The next day, we sent someone out for a consultation. Her kitchen had already been remodeled since they bought the house, so while she did like the current style, it was really more about matching the sun porch. We discussed the design and threw some ideas around, until we finally settled on a plan. The customer couldn’t contain her excitement and asked us to get started as soon as possible.

A complete home remodeling in Eagan for this couple - Great Northern Builders

Our design was largely inspired by the “sun” aspect of their sun porch. We decided to keep everything in light tones and focus on making the room seem spacious, as well as drawing attention to the kitchen windows. The first thing we did was install new, larger windows to let in as much natural light as possible. We chose a cream-colored roman shade that would let in light while still maintaining privacy.

For the floors, we chose a light oak wood that brought warmth to the space. The cabinets were recycled from the previous kitchen, but were painted white and had molding details added to the tops and bottoms for an extra touch. We decided on a charcoal granite with flecks of white and silver throughout. We were also able to recycle all their old appliances, which in reality were fairly new. Both the sink and faucet were a bright, shiny, silver, while the light fixtures and knobs were a dark iron.

By the end of the project, the woman was thrilled. Not only because she loved the new design, but also because we were able to save so much time and money by reusing the old cabinets. We gave her some information on maintaining her new kitchen and she gave us a promise to give us a call next time she needed a remodeling contractor in Eagan. She’d been meaning to hire a bathroom remodeler for the en suite in their master bedroom, and someone to take care of the basement remodeling she’d been hoping for, and now she knew exactly who to call.

Categories : Eagan
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TESTIMONIALS
  • We are very happy customers.

    “We would like everyone to know that we found the Great Northern Builders team to be very professional, knowledgeable, and helpful during our project. We found their value to be competitive and all materials and labor were delivered to our home accurately and on time. Due to proper planning and expertise, final installation was completed in less than a day and the quality of workmanship and attention to detail was very commendable. We are very happy customers and are eager to start up some new projects with Great Northern Builders asap.”

    Jim & Jenna M.
  • We appreciate all they did for us and highly recommend them.

    “Great Northern Builders helped us to create our amazing basement remodel. We had a general idea of what we were looking for but with their help and great ideas we ended up with the perfect basement retreat. We appreciate their quick response time in answering all of our questions along the way along with their flexibility when changes were made. GNB kept our home very clean throughout the remodel and protected all of our flooring. The workers were all very pleasant to work with.
    We appreciate all they did for us and highly recommend them. Thank you!”

    Sarah S.
  • Thanks so much for the hard work!

    “This past September Great Northern Builders tore out and replaced our entire front porch. The job also came with a few surprises (no footing had been poured previously and a new beam overhead needed to be replaced). Although there were things that happened outside of what we originally planned, Great Northern Builders was great about notifying us and putting forth a plan to fix the problem. Overall we couldn’t be more pleased with the craftsmanship of GNB, the deck is beautiful! It’s clear that no corners were cut and that overall they did an amazing job. GNB’s price point is on the high end but we felt like they were well worth it. You get what you pay for. We would recommend them to anyone who wants a job well done.
    Thanks so much for the hard work!”

    Greg O.