Brett in Marlin Grove

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation for Steve Shinn and his team at Homework Remodels. Steve recently completed a major remodel of my Ralph Haver-designed home in the Marlen Grove neighborhood and his performance was outstanding. His positive attitude, integrity and work ethic are second to none. I am an architect with personal home remodel experience with contractors who lived up to some common stereotypes: hidden costs, shoddy work, unwillingness to listen, and ignoring the schedule after being hired. Anyone who has renovated a home knows that contractors are notorious for disappearing for days on end and getting calls returned can be a challenge. As a result, I dreaded the process of interviewing contractors for this latest renovation, but when I first met Steve it was apparent that I had found an exceptional contractor. I quickly learned that we spoke the same language and he has a passion for mid-century modern architecture. We began working together immediately. Steve worked closely with me to evaluate my design drawings and develop a comprehensive estimate. Steve patiently presented cost control options to retain – and even enhance – my design intent. As a design-builder, Steve has vast construction knowledge with a great eye for design. He was sensitive to maintaining the classic Haver details and was always committed to honoring the architecture. Once construction began, Steve’s crew never missed a day of work and I had regular progress updates from Steve. The Homework Remodels crew consistently went “above and beyond” without hesitation. They understood that midcentury architecture can provide unique challenges that require special attention to construction means and methods. Steve’s crew welcomed the challenges and took great pride in thinking outside the box and doing things right. The experience with Steve and Homework Remodels was exceptional. They listened, valued the design intent, and provided high quality workmanship and excellent communication. The project was completed on schedule and exceeded my expectations. I am proud to name Homework Remodels as my contractor, and strongly recommend Steve Shinn’s team – especially to mid-century modern homeowners. Sincerely, Brett A. Hobza, AIA Principal in the Firm DLR Group