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As 2021 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on some of our favorite moments and milestones of the year. Our team is grateful to report that it was another busy year filled with many exciting projects!

Before we celebrate the holidays and jump into all that 2022 will bring, we want to stop and say thank you. Thanks to our talented team for their dedication and incredible work, and of course, thank you to our wonderful clients for supporting us. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!

Want a glimpse of what we were up to in 2021? Scroll below for our favorite highlights!

Spring Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase

Thank you to everyone who visited us during the Spring Remodelers Showcase! We loved sharing this stunning lower-level remodel. These clients were such a joy to work with; they collaborated on many unique design elements with our team, making the project so fun! Explore the entire final project: Blog link

Bright Transitional Kitchen Remodel

Remodeling remained popular as ever in the spring, which meant our team was hard at work completing projects for our clients! In May, we shared this bright transitional kitchen. It’s so fun to collaborate with clients who make distinctive design choices, and this kitchen is absolutely unique. The room strikes a delicate balance between classic elements and playful surprises. Blog link

Stunning Main Level Update

Our team completed this beautiful main level update over the summer, and we cannot get enough of the results! The space is filled with thoughtful design details, from the soft white tones to the warm wood textures to the accent lights to the cozy built-in seating – every finish is unique! Blog link

Celebrating 12 Years in Business!

The GNB team was humbled and proud to celebrate 12 years in business in August! Thank you to our clients, trade-partners, families, and friends who continue to support us year after year – we are so grateful for each of you. Blog link

Fall Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase

Thanks to everyone who stopped out to visit our team during the Fall Remodelers Showcase – we loved chatting with friends old and new! Built in the late 1980s, the main level of this Woodbury home was due for an update; we refreshed the bathroom, great room, and parts of the kitchen. Our crew worked to seamlessly blend each area of the main level, resulting in a genuinely stunning remodel. Blog link

GNB Wins 2021 ROMA Award

In October, Great Northern Builders attended Housing First Minnesota’s BIG Night and took home the 2021 Remodeler of Merit Award (ROMA) for Kitchen Remodel under $65,000! Our team was honored to receive this award — to be recognized for your work is truly a humbling experience. Blog link

GNB Wins 3 NARI COTY Awards

GNB finished the year by winning three Contractor of the Year (COtY) awards from NARI-MN! This year, 60 entries totaled more than $15 million in remodeling projects. Great Northern Builders is thrilled to have been recognized and singled out among many talented remodeling professionals! We can’t thank our fantastic team enough for their hard work and dedication. And of course, thank you to the wonderful clients who have welcomed us into their homes and trusted us to create spaces they adore! Blog link

We recently shared that Great Northern Builders took home Housing First Minnesota’s 2021 Remodeler of Merit Award (ROMA) for Kitchen Remodel under $65,000. Now, we have more exciting news! Great Northern Builders has also been won three Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards from NARI-MN!

Each year, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) presents CotY Awards to members that have demonstrated outstanding work in their remodeling projects. Receiving a CotY Award is an incredible honor, as it is the highest form of recognition from industry leaders and peers.

This year, 60 entries totaled more than $15 million in remodeling projects. Great Northern Builders is thrilled to have been recognized and singled out among many talented remodeling professionals! We can’t thank our fantastic team enough for their hard work and dedication. And of course, thank you to the wonderful clients who have welcomed us into their homes and trusted us to create spaces they adore!

Take a peek at the stunning projects that secured three Coty Awards below!

CotY Gold – Residential Detached Structure

This modern, playful man shed features natural finishes, reclaimed wood, plenty of windows, and a commercial-style garage door that brings the outdoors inside. See more of this project.

CotY Gold – Residential Exterior $50,000-$100,000

With a reclaimed timber gable truss, durable Trex decking, and new siding, this rustic front porch added much-needed curb appeal to this late 80s home. Take a closer look at this porch exterior.

CotY Silver – Basement Under $100,000

Beauty meets function in this finished basement remodel featuring a spacious gathering area, wet bar, laundry room, and plenty of storage. View the project gallery.

Thanks to everyone who stopped out to visit our team during the Fall Remodelers Showcase – we loved chatting with friends old and new!  

Built in the late 1980s, the main level of this Woodbury home was due for an update; we refreshed the bathroom, great room, and parts of the kitchen. Our crew worked to seamlessly blend each area of the main level, resulting in a genuinely stunning remodel.

If you missed out on visiting this lovely home in person, explore the complete transformation in the photos below! 

The GNB team is humbled and proud to celebrate 12 years in business this month! Each time we pass a significant company milestone, we cannot help but reflect on how fortunate we are to do this work we love every day.

Did you know GNB’s founder, Chris, was raised in the building and construction industry? His grandfather started a custom millwork company in the early 1970s. Eventually, Chris’ father and uncles took over the family business themselves.

In 2009, Chris established Great Northern Builders. He is honored to further his family’s business tradition and collaborate with so many talented and hard-working professionals. GNB will always be a family business legacy; to this day, many of his brothers and other family members still work for the company.

Thank you to our clients, trade-partners, families, and friends who continue to support us year after year – we are grateful for each of you. We hope to continue serving you all for many years to come!

Our homes worked hard for us this past year. During the height of the pandemic, most of us were doing everything from schooling to working to playing to exercising at home. It’s no wonder so many homeowners are interested in remodeling after spending all that time cooped up inside!

As the costs of building, material shortages, labor demands, and rising prices are on everyone’s mind, how do you know what move is right for your home and your finances? Today, we’re going to weigh out the benefits of remodeling vs. building a new home. Keep reading for the four reasons why we think remodeling is the better option!

1. Resale Value Remains High
   As we face a low inventory of available homes, the value of housing continues to rise. Whether you decide to move or build from the ground up, you will face significant costs. However, remodeling means saving yourself the trouble of navigating this wild market! Skip the stress of moving, and reinvest that money in your current home. It will pay off when you are ready to sell your home further down the road!
2. Low Interest Rates
   Another advantage to staying put and remodeling? Interest rates are historically low right now. From taking out a personal loan to home equity loans to home equity lines of credit, there are plenty of financing options to choose from! Get in touch with your lender to learn more about your local resources.
3. Bigger Builders Can Limit Options
   When working with a big builder, there’s often a big difference between fully and semi-custom homes. Unless your budget allows for a completely custom home, you may find your material and finish options fairly limited and lower in quality. Remodeling allows you to select whichever products and materials you love instead of starting over with builder-grade finishes.
4. Shortened Timeline
   There is no denying that planning and executing a remodel takes far less time than building an entirely new home. Instead of waiting months or up to a year to get into a new home, you could spend half that time perfecting the one you already own! Not to mention, duking it out in this competitive housing market could mean making countless offers over asking price before you’re lucky enough to succeed.
5. More Cost Effective
   When you get down to it, remodeling is more cost effective than starting from scratch. There is simply no comparison between building a new home versus working within your original footprint or adding a small addition. Material prices may be higher than usual, but remodeling still requires less of them than creating an entirely new home!

Are you ready to start planning your own remodel? Reach out to our team anytime; we’d love to help you get the ball rolling! 

Our team recently completed this beautiful main level update, and we cannot get enough of the lovely results!

The space is filled with thoughtful design details throughout. From the soft white tones to the warm wood textures to the accent lights to the cozy built-in seating to the spacious walk-in pantry to the classic built-in bookcases, every finish is unique.

Scroll below to explore photos of this warm and sophisticated home. Are you planning your own remodel? Feel free to connect with our team anytime; we would love to help you get started!

Remodeling remains popular as ever this spring, which means our team has been hard at work completing projects for our clients! We recently finished this bright transitional kitchen. It’s so fun to collaborate with clients who make distinctive design choices, and this kitchen is absolutely unique. The room strikes a delicate balance between classic elements and playful surprises.

There are so many features and finishes we love throughout the space, but the star of this kitchen is clearly the center statement light. Floating above the soft blue island, the ethereal beaded strands sparkle and shine while bringing a touch of glamor to everyday life. The new dining room light also elevates the space with its diamond-style finish. Both lights are truly the jewelry of each room!

Ready to explore more of this beautiful kitchen remodel? Scroll below for more photos and design highlights. Ready to begin your own remodeling project? Please, connect with our team anytime; we would love to help!

Thank you to each of you who stopped out to visit us during the Spring Remodelers Showcase! We loved sharing this stunning lower-level remodel. The Showcase may be finished, but we still want to shine a spotlight on this Lakeville home! We thought it would be fun to share a few of our favorite elements from this renovation; they include: 

• The incredible clients – we loved working with them!
• Custom cabinets at the new wet bar and entertainment area 
• Unique Turkish stone backsplash – a product flown in from Turkey! Sourced by local business: Chateau Global
• Stunning HansStone Quartz countertops 
• Cozy custom created three-sided fireplace by Twin City Fireplace
• New durable LVP flooring by Lawrence Interiors

These clients were such a joy to work with; they collaborated on many unique design elements with our team, making the project so fun! Explore the full final project photos below.

This project was a collaboration between GNB and Velinda Neinow (our preferred designer) at Vee Marie Designs.

The snow is melting, and warm temps have arrived in the Twin Cities, which means it’s almost time for the Parade of Homes Spring Remodelers Showcase. We are so excited to share this fun project with you at the end of the month!

Spring Remodelers Showcase
Entry R4 – 16768 Falkirk Trail, Lakeville
Open three days only: March 26-28, from 12-6 PM 

This lower level was lackluster at best. Between distance learning, working from home, everyday family needs, this space was being stretched thin. Our team helped this family create a multipurpose, personalized area they will be able to enjoy for years to come.

A few of our favorite features include: 

• Custom cabinets at the new wet bar and entertainment area 
• Turkish brick, quartz countertops 
• A custom three-sided fireplace  
• Durable new LVP flooring  

We would love to give you a tour of this incredible Lakeville lower-level remodel – we hope to see you there!

Our most successful client bathroom remodels are often a mix of good organization, fun trends, and smart design. Unlike some rooms, your bathroom gets used every single day. This busy space needs not just to be beautiful but practical too!

We love creating bathroom designs that are equally efficient and interesting and have remodeled countless spaces for our clients over the years. Scroll below to explore a few of our favorite bathrooms and four fun trends!

Stunning Showers
Showers are the perfect place to start the morning fresh or wash away a stressful day. Never underestimate the value of a really nice shower! They’re an excellent place to invest your resources because showers get used so frequently.

Bold Powder Rooms
Powder rooms are an ideal opportunity to make a statement! A smaller space like this allows for more character and fun that could be overwhelming in a larger space. Chose a vibrant countertop or a strong wallpaper to add a playful element to a room that’s often overlooked!

Playful Tile
One of our favorite ways to create a beautiful bathroom is by playing with tile. From bold patterns to bright colors to unique shapes, tile lends itself well to expressing your distinct design personality!

All-Out Organization
The unsung hero in any home’s design: storage! Organized, well-planned storage is the secret weapon that makes any bathroom look beautiful and feel peaceful. There are countless ways to customize your bathroom around your lifestyle and storage needs.

Ready to freshen up your bathroom’s style? Give us call – we’d love to help!

The Great Northern Builders team has been lucky enough to work with many great clients over the years. We’re always excited when our long-time clients reach out with new project ideas. This garage teardown and rebuild in Highland Park, Minnesota, is no exception — especially because it had a fun twist!

Our team has helped this family with an array of interior and exterior renovation projects in the past. Some of these projects include a new main level addition, kitchen remodel, new windows and siding, a basement remodel, and bathroom remodels. The owners have been so great to work with, and we were thrilled when they contacted us about this new project! In addition to tearing down their existing garage and rebuilding, they wanted to add an attached outdoor sport court.

Both the homeowners and our team couldn’t be happier with how this project turned out! The new sport court spans 22 x 38 feet with custom rebound netting on three sides. The fourth side of the court butts up to the garage and features a custom-built rebound wall. The wall will soon feature custom decals and graphics, which will pair nicely with the court’s specially-licensed MN United banners.

Ready to see all the cool details of this sport court? Scroll below for a peek — and be sure to reach out to Great Northern Builders when you’re ready to start your next home remodeling project!

As people spend more time at home in 2020, remodeling has become more popular than ever right now. If you’re considering remodeling, you might be wondering, is it a good time to start a project?

Our short answer: yes! Home financing rates are at an all-time low; it’s a great time to invest in your home. From offices to play spaces to workout rooms to areas for virtual schooling, there are countless ways to make your home work better for you!

To help demystify the process, we’re answering our most common client remodeling questions below. Want to learn more about renovating with our team? We’d love to chat!

Question 1: How long will my project take?
Answer: On average, after the design and permitting phase is complete, bathroom remodels take between 4-8 weeks, and kitchen construction typically lasts from 10-12 weeks. Please keep in mind, project length is also based on material availability. 

Question 2: How soon can you start my remodel?
Answer: The timing of your specific remodel all depends on the design process and permitting approval. Once we’ve dug in and started planning, then we can give you an informed, tentative project timeline!

Question 3: I’m ready to go; what’s the next step?
Answer: If you’re ready to get started, then get in touch with us ASAP. The influx of demand caused by COVID has slowed down the remodeling process, and many needed products (such as windows and siding) are on backorder right now. Give yourself enough time to plan your project and reach out to us sooner rather than later!

Parade of Homes Fall Remodelers Showcase
October 2-4, 2020
Open from noon to 6 PM
11401 Oakvale Road North, Hopkins, MN

Fall is a season marked by so many special events, heading back to school, football season, apple picking, etc., but our favorite fall tradition is the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase. Earlier this month, we shared a sneak peek of this modern, and playful man shed, and now it’s finally time to welcome you inside to explore for yourselves!

A few of our favorite features of this project include the natural finishes, reclaimed wood, and the commercial-style garage door that brings the outdoors inside. This build is also a smart solution for any family feeling tight on space after spending much of 2020 stuck at home. Creating an entirely new space on your lot opens up a whole new world of possibilities for entertaining, working, and playing.

Want to learn more about what we do together? We’d love to give you a tour of this charming Man Shed and discuss what ideas might inspire your own addition, remodel, or building project! Don’t feel comfortable visiting in person? Explore more photos from this project below, and feel free to connect with our team online or over the phone!

A kitchen remodel is one of the most significant projects a homeowner can take on. We can think of nothing more disappointing than investing in a kitchen renovation that doesn’t meet your expectations. So, how do you take your kitchen renovation to the next level? It’s all in the details!

Of course, elements like cabinetry, lighting, flooring, and appliances have a significant impact on your overall design. However, it’s often the little details that make the biggest difference and make a space feel uniquely your own. Our team loves helping clients pour over every detail to create kitchens that are perfect blends of beauty and function. From pot fillers above the stove to built-in spice racks, there’s no limit to modern kitchen customization! In the end, it’s about designing a kitchen that suits your specific needs and lifestyle.

Are you searching for some inspiration for an upcoming kitchen renovation? We’ve got you covered! Scroll below to take a peek at some of our favorite design details from past projects. When you’re ready to start planning, be sure to give our team a call!

Beautiful summer weather has arrived in the Twin Cities metro, which means we’re all spending as much time outside as possible! As we all hang out at home more because of modified COVID-19 restrictions, it’s easier to notice tasks for your to-do list. Whether your home’s exterior is looking dated, has been run-down by a few too many winters, or you’re just ready to upgrade, we can help! From roofing to siding to windows and doors to gutters to decks to landscaping – our team does it all. Scroll below to learn more about our exterior remodeling services!

Roof Replacement
A well-maintained roof not only protects your home from the elements, but it also makes a big impression. Whether you need to update an older roof or fix storm damage, our GAF certified installers are pros who will leave your home looking incredible!

Siding Services
Another sure-fire way to give your home a design refresh is by replacing your siding. We use quality siding brands with warranties you can count on, and provide in-house 3D renderings to help you visualize your home’s new look.

Windows and Doors
Installing new windows and doors can give your home an entirely new look, they’re also a smart investment. Modern building technology has made windows and doors more energy-efficient (and therefore cost-saving) than ever!

Gutters and Leaf Guards
We get it; new gutters aren’t the most exciting home purchase. However, we think they’re one of the most underrated heroes of any home’s exterior, protecting everything from your foundation to landscaping.

Decks, Patios, and Landscaping
There’s nothing like enjoying a perfect summer day on the deck, relaxing on the patio, playing in the yard, or hosting friends for a BBQ in your outdoor kitchen. We can help you entertain in style!

Insurance Restoration
Midwest summers are magical, that is until severe weather makes its annual appearance. No matter what kind of damage you’re dealing with, our team will help you navigate the repairs and insurance process!

Ready to Get Started?
We’d love to help you get the process rolling! Please, connect with our team to learn more about working with GNB.