Just over 2 months ago...

we didn't know Jim and Jim didn't know us. That all changed when he found us on Angie's List and gave us a call. He was fairly new to the area and therefore didn't have any recommendations or experience with contractors and wanted to finish his basement. Here is an email quote from him on October 9, "By the way, I am really impressed with the level of workmanship and professionalism your team has shown at the house. I looked at the work and it is all top notch."  And followed up with this the next day, "We are very happy with the level of workmanship and professionalism shown by your guys and would like to bring them in a lunch at some point. Will the same guys be here for drywall or is that a new crew?" Well, yesterday he, his wife & mother-in-law brought a pile of pizzas to our shop/office to express his appreciation. It is always great to hear from our customers how much they appreciate our hard-working employees. Thanks Jim!

Entertainment Surround & Bar

We've done many fireplace surrounds with bookcases, mantels, etc. This happens to be one of my favorites (although I have many). Perhaps it's because I love natural wood (especially cherry & walnut), or the balanced asymmetry or maybe just the tremendous transformation this small job had on this lower level family room.

Open House 2012

It was a little chilly, but ended up sunny for our 3rd annual Meyer Brothers & Sons Open House. We are very thankful to all our family, friends, subcontractors, previous & potential clients that came out to make this the biggest one yet! Here are some images that captured the day:

 Dick & Joey's father-in-law

 Rick with his mom

 Vern & Family

 Drew, Jess & Andy

 Bri, Luke, Felicia & Barb

 Great food, thanks Alex!

 Our heating contractor, Joe Sackenheim with his daughter, Greg in the background

 Marty the plumber with his son

 The pregnant wives! Growing the company one baby at a time.

Interior Transformation

As our architect, I am involved on the front end of each project with the design, material selections, etc., and I usually don't see the job until it is completed. This one, even though I was involved with all the details throughout and created 3D drawings depicting the final outcome, my jaw dropped when I saw the finished product. And the beauty of this project, like many others, is the combination of the clients style & vision with our experience & expertise. I was reminded how much of a difference removing walls makes, even partial ones, and how using 1 floor material throughout the space really opens things up. Below are some before & after pictures, featuring our custom cabinets in both the kitchen & family room: (scroll to bottom to see clients review on Angie's List)

Here is an excerpt from the review we received from this client, who found us originally using Angie's List:

"Meyer Bros performed a large remodel on our home.  They did everything from drawing up the initial plans to demoing all rooms, floors, walls to removing and moving appliances.  They do most work themselves but sub out plumbing, drywall, floors, HVAC, and tile (their subs have worked with Meyer Bros for 10-20 years -- top notch folks).

Top notch organization -- from start to finish!  They are a family owned business and aside from the subs, everyone is family.  They are extremely easy to work with and make you feel like you're part of the family as well.  Their prices aren't the cheapest in the biz but their work is some of the best.  They are extremely trustworthy and we had no issues with them being in our house for the 2 months it took to do the renovation.  They got their start in carpentry and wood working and it shows.  Their ability to make cabinets and fine trim is absolutely amazing.  They were able to work with us right from the start.  We didn't know exactly what we wanted but their architect was able to work with us and change the drawings several times as we changed our minds.  As the work progressed we reviewed with them every morning what had been done and what was to be done that day.  They were always prompt arriving at 730 sharp every day and working until 5.  If, during the course of the day they had questions, they would call and talk things over with us first.  
Simply put, they are the best contractor we've ever worked with and we will be using them again in the near future (we have several more projects for them).  You absolutely cannot go wrong by employing their services.  They are a wonderful group of folks and their work is outstanding!!"

Remodeling your kitchen?

Here is an article I came across and thought it was good advice for people remodeling their kitchen. When we remodel a kitchen, which typically takes 4 weeks, we do all we can to set people up for continued use of some kind of kitchen, for we know what it is like to live without the "heart" of your home, especially for families:
http://kitchens.com/planning/surviving-a-remodel/temporary-kitchen.aspx

Setting Up a Temporary Kitchen

When good-enough is as good as it gets

It might be a shell of your actual kitchen, but a temporary kitchen is a must during a remodel.

If you frequently prepare meals in your kitchen, a kitchen remodel will pose you with many culinary conundrums. It will be imperative for you to set up a temporary kitchen, which may not provide you the ability to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for 30 guests, but will at least help you cook an edible meal instead of eating out every day of the week. Here are a few tips for setting up your temporary kitchen:

• Keep essential items handy: microwave meals and non-perishables like soup; condiments; cereal; microwave-safe dishes and utensils; dishcloths; dishwasher soap; paper plates and cups; coffee; coffee pot and sugar/creamer; paper towels; napkins; and garbage bags.

• You’ll be without water in the kitchen for a time, so plan to do the dishes in another sink or the bathtub. Or stock up on disposable plates and cups, paper towels and a disinfectant cleanser.

• Move your old refrigerator or a small mini-fridge to a convenient space close to a water source. Add a table with a microwave above and a trash can below.

Obviously, small appliances such as microwaves, toasters or toaster ovens, hot plates, and small electric grills will be immensely helpful in preparing home-cooked meals. Just remember, the area where you set up your temporary kitchen might not be able to support multiple appliances running at the same time, not to mention any other electronic items typically used in that room. You might need to have only one thing plugged in at a time to prevent blown fuses.

Master Bath Designs

I've recently been designing master bathrooms. Two in the same week and they happen to be within a stones throw of each other. They have different needs, sets of constraints and client wants which is evidenced in the unique designs.

Master Bathroom A

Master Bathroom B

34 Years Ago Today...

2 young men, with a small but solid foundation of carpentry skills and entrepreneurial spirits...

 decided to leave their current employer and go out on their own.

There skills and spirit have paid off and here is the current company...

which employees a total of 3 brothers, 1 brother-in-law, 5 sons and 2 others that are close enough to being family. Thanks Dick & Joe and may we continue to add to the solid foundation you built in the generations to come.