Behind the Build

Under promise and over deliver. This is our mantra here are Restore and Renovate Homes. We’re intentional about only promising what we’re 100% sure we can make happen. However, we do our best to provide more than that. We want to surprise our clients with better than expected results! It truly is the heartbeat of our company. 

Our Mission

Restore and Renovate Homes wants to overcome the stigma of the remodeling industry that every contractor is out for their own gain to give homeowners an ability to let their guard down so that we can set the standard of what a contractor should be. We strive to change how remodeling and construction is viewed. To bring hope to homeowners. To bring an expectation back similar to that of going to the gas station and expecting to get gas, or the grocery store expecting to pick up eggs and milk. Hiring someone to work on your home should feel like hiring a trusted uncle, grandpa, or dad—the kind of person you wouldn’t think twice about letting in the front door, because you know they’ve got your best interest at heart.

Our Beginnings

At the beginning, we were small. Just a couple of guys ready to get some work done, with the intention of trying to make some waves in an industry we knew really well. We wanted (and continue to want) to help people to stand up for truth, integrity, and quality in the industry instead of letting things continue to just be acceptable. To rise up against the corruption of our industry.

The Challenges

The industry is currently filled with companies who are cutting corners and ripping people off. It seems as though these companies fall into a few categories: either they charge too little and have to sacrifice on quality to get paid enough, or they charge a lot of money and use cheap products and/or cheap labor so they can make a bigger profit. The reason? It’s easier. It’s much easier to cut corners and sacrifice quality and integrity than it is to put in the hard work of doing things the right way- charging the right amount of money and using the best products and the right laborers.

Another problem in the industry is thieves- the mantra of a thief is to take advantage of uneducated or unsuspecting people. There are bound to be thieves in almost every industry, and unfortunately in remodeling, it is easy to make yourself look like you are an actual legitimate business. When a homeowner sets out to hire a contractor, they find themselves in a bit of a vulnerable spot- they have to trust people with their time, their money, and their home. But how can you trust anyone when you don’t know if you’re being ripped off, swindled, or deceived? In an industry where trust is a huge component, thieves have made this industry pretty difficult for those of us that are trying to do it right.

The Solution

So what can you, as a homeowner do? Do your homework! There are a few ways you can verify the legitimacy of a contractor. 

1. Reviews

A simple test is to get reviews from three or more of the business’ previous customers. If a contractor claims to have been in business for a few years, they should easily have at least 3 customers! Get the names and phone numbers and actually call them- don’t just assume what they have given you is legit.

2. Licensing

If you are hiring someone for more than one trade, they need to be licensed as a contractor. If you need a kitchen remodeled, a basement finished, or you are updating more than one thing, (i.e. painting, trim, and flooring) whoever you hire should be a licensed contractor. Ask them for proof. Get a copy of their license and their insurance- they should have no problems providing this information. 

Another way to confirm the contractor’s legitimacy is to check if they have registered with the state. If they are, you will be able to find them on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s website. In order for a contractor (or any type of construction or remodeling company) to be considered legitimate, they are required to register here. This gives homeowners the safety net they need when trying to find trustworthy help.

You can also do some online research, including looking them up on Better Business Bureau. Don’t just go to their website or social media pages. Look them up and do your homework.  

3. Down Payment

One other indicator is how much money you are required to pay up front. A good rule of thumb is that a down payment should be between 10-15% of the total cost of the project. Some unique cases may require more, but you should never pay more than 30% down. There just is no reason or need to pay half the total of a project when nothing has even happened yet!

Final Thoughts

Communication is key! As I (Nic) have continued to grow in my career, I just assumed communication is what people did. (It is in fact, not what everybody does!) It has always been a part of me and I have always been open and communicative with those around me. So obviously, it has become a large part of our company. Open communication allows us to be honest, build trust, and develop character- things that make truly great people. For our crew, it creates a safe space to work. We don’t have to remember the half-truth story or guess on what things we can and cannot say. In this industry, you have to expect the unexpected. Things will almost never go exactly according to plan, so we can’t promise that your renovation will be stress free or void of problems. What we can promise is doing our best to communicate about what is happening and what you can expect!

If you’d like to watch the podcast episode that inspired this post, head over to our YouTube and check out Episode 1!