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Residential Remodeling

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APEX Earns Top 2021 Guildmaster Award for Customer Satisfaction

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APEX Construction Management LLC has received the 2021 Guildmaster with Highest Distinction Award from GuildQuality for demonstrating exceptional customer service within the residential construction industry.

2021 Guildmaster Award

To encourage the highest level of customer service, GuildQuality offers two levels of distinction in addition to the baseline Guildmaster Award. Members who receive a recommendation rate between 95.0  and 97.9 percent receive Guildmaster with Distinction. Members who receive a recommendation rate between 98  and 100 percent  receive Guildmaster with Highest Distinction. APEX has an overall satisfaction rating of 99 percent.

The Atlanta-based customer satisfaction survey company has offered the Guildmaster Award  since 2005 to recognize and celebrate home building, remodeling, and contracting professionals who  have demonstrated the highest level of customer service within the U.S. and Canada.

APEX was chosen out of nearly 2,000 residential construction industry businesses in North America who use the Atlanta-based service to survey their clients. GuildQuality considered two metrics in the satisfaction surveys that thousands of its members’ customers submitted: the percentage of customers stating they would recommend the business to a friend and the percentage of customers who responded. To be eligible for the award, APEX needed to achieve a recommendation rate of 90 percent or higher.

APEX President John Biancini accepts award

APEX President John Biancini noted that APEX’s mission is to deliver great client experiences one project at a time and to enhance its clients’ quality of life at home. He cited the award as evidence that the APEX team is delivering on that promise. JB commended Project Manager Matt Grudzielanek, Designer Lisa Stoll, Engineer John Wardell and APEX’s dedicated trade partners for making the award possible.

Contact APEX to arrange a 15-minute  video consultation to discuss your own project needs.

 

Neighborly Porch Addition

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Bonnie and Torey literally couldn’t wait to enjoy their new front porch and engage with neighbors after a year of COVID lock down. Long before the snow melted and the crocuses began to sprout, they were spending time out there with their dogs, warmed by mugs of coffee and greetings from neighbors passing by.

Front porch
Torey and Bonnie

The couple had never had a home with a front porch. “We wanted to be able to enjoy the friendly neighborhood atmosphere of St. Louis Park. Our house faces East so we were excited to have coffee and enjoy the sunrise together on the porch before work,” Torey explained.

They also think the project makes the whole house look nicer. “It completely changed our home’s curb appeal for the better. When we bought it a couple of years ago,  house looked unfinished. With the porch, it now looks like it was meant to be,” Bonnie volunteered.

When warm weather returns (and stays) they plan to plant a pretty pollinator garden in the front yard and erect bird feeders to enhance the outdoor experience even more.

Before front porch addition
Before porch addition
After porch addition
Hello neighbors!

COVID turned priorities inside out

Bonnie and Torey first contacted APEX about adding a dormer to expand the upstairs living space when they bought the house in the summer of 2019. But they put those plans on hold. “It was a bigger financial commitment than we initially expected, and we decided to take some time to refine our budget and confirm our priorities,” Torey explained.  Then came COVID.

“COVID shifted us both to working from home. That gave us more time to optimize our existing space. We also spent more time outside with our dogs than ever before in the spring/summer of 2020,” Torey said.  

Bonnie agreed. “After living in the house a while and settling in, our idea of what we really wanted changed. Priority shifted from creating more space inside the house to optimizing the space we already had inside the house and creating a better place to spend more time outside,” she said. That’s when they re-engaged APEX.

Welcoming entry

“While a low-maintenance backyard deck or patio are great for private relaxation and entertaining, a nice front porch creates an entirely different experience. To see and be seen by neighbors is what many people crave right now,” APEX President John Biancini observed.

Ultimately, APEX did remove a closet to open up the home’s upper level and installed spray foam insulation, drywall and recessed lighting  for comfort.  It also built a small roof to shelter the home’s side entry. By eliminating the dormer, Bonnie and Torey got their front porch.

Good experience, happy ending

The couple couldn’t be happier. “We love the way everything turned out. The porch is classic and our upstairs finally matches the rest of the house,” Torey said. “We wouldn’t change a thing.”

The homeowners said they will recommend APEX to family and friends. “Every level of the experience was good from planning through project completion. Everyone we dealt with was friendly and all of the work is very well done.”

Grateful for on time delivery

Matt’s ability to stay on schedule was a major plus.  Some material delays due to COVID postponed the start of the project. Otherwise, everything was very much on schedule. “Issues that arose were handled quickly. And the project was completed within days of the initial estimate,” Torey said.

With warmer weather approaching and COVID vaccinations up, the porch is going to get plenty of use this summer.  We can’t want to see it when the landscaping is done!  

Contact APEX President John Biancini here to discuss your own front porch addition.

APEX Earns 2020 Angie’s List Super Service Award

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APEX Construction Management has once again earned the Angie’s List Super Service Award. The 2020 award honors excellence among home service professionals who maintained superior service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List last year. The 22-year-old award is a prestigious distinction that recognizes best-in-class providers. Angie’s said winners demonstrate consistently high levels of customer service from the past year and overall.

2020 Super Service Award

APEX just missed the 2019 Super Service Award because a few of its five-star reviews were not recorded until a few days after the cut off.  APEX currently has 50 client reviews on Angie’s List, 47 of which are top-rated  “A’s.”

“We are grateful to the many clients who share their APEX remodeling experiences on Angie’s List, Guild Quality, Houzz, Google and our own website. No one knows us better. This is a wonderful service to other homeowners who are searching for a reputable contractor,” said APEX President John “JB” Biancini.

Promote for exposure, Perform for recognition

Full disclosure – APEX Construction Management pays Angie’s List a monthly fee to obtain preferred exposure on the platform. This means that more homeowners are likely to consider APEX. However, the fee has no bearing on how clients rate the remodeling experience, which is the basis of the Super Service Award.

APEX promotes  its remodeling services on Angie’s List and Houzz.com. They are popular destinations among homeowners who are gathering remodeling ideas and researching contractors. Many new opportunities come from repeat clients and direct client referrals. APEX offers clients a 1 percent bonus when referred projects are completed.

APEX does not purchase leads from Angie’s List’s sister company HomeAdvisor.

“HomeAdvisor charges by contractors by the lead so it overloads consumers with contractors referrals. This wastes everyone’s time,” Biancini remarked. “It’s fine to get a second opinion, but no one needs to be hounded by five contractors for the same job.”

He said the most important thing is to choose a contractor you can trust. “If there is mutual trust, you can solve any problem,” he said. Positive online review are one way to evaluate a contractor’s integrity. You also can get a sense of a person when you meet or video conference during the selection process.

A good fit is as important to APEX as to its clients. “We evaluate clients as much as they evaluate us. In most cases we would rate APEX clients every bit as high as they score us, Biancini said. “We have been blessed with the best clients.”

Please contact APEX to discuss your own remodeling plans.

JB and Matt

APEX Project Manager Matt Grudzielanek and President John Biancini

 

Design Solutions

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With a third child on the way, Carlos and Britt knew they were destined to outgrow their St. Paul home. They desperately needed another full bath and bedroom. They contacted APEX to squeeze both into their home’s already tight second floor,  preferably without adding a dormer.  As soon as designer Lisa Stoll saw the space, she went hunting for an alternative that would satisfy building codes and meet their needs.

Carlos and Britt

Carlos and Britt

It was not possible to add a code compliant shower to the second level without a dormer and that would have exceeded their budget. Rather, she suggested creating three-quarter bath and bedroom in the basement. Matt’s production crews substantially finished the project just before baby #3 arrived.

 

The project involved cutting into the foundation to install a large egress window and partitioning the area for the new bedroom. [St. Paul requires addition of an egress window whenever a basement with no secondary emergency escape is finished or remodeled.] APEX also demolished an interior masonry wall to make room for the bedroom closet and preserve bedroom space. The bathroom features a large tile shower with a hinged glass door and low curb. The lounge area received Marvin windows and built-in storage. 

Remodeling lessons

This project demonstrates the importance of consulting a designer early in one’s remodeling journey, preferably one who is associated with a design-build contractor.  “Most people know their wants and needs. But they don’t necessarily see the best solutions, anticipate building code obstacles or grasp costs, Lisa observed. “My job is to listen, bring fresh eyes and draw plans that will look beautiful and work for their lifestyles.”

This project also illustrates the common question: Is it better to remodel my existing home to gain living space or to move to a bigger home?  While both remodeling and moving can be costly and disruptive, consider what is possible before planting a For Sale sign on the lawn.

“Our experience is that we can almost always find ways to make better use of space through remodeling and improve our clients’ quality of life at home,” APEX President JB Biancini said. “The real question is whether it will be worth the investment.”

“I pride myself on being straight with people, Biancini continued. “If it really makes more sense to move than to remodel, that’s what I will recommend.”

basement floor plan

Basement Plan

Carlos and Britt say they love the way their project turned out. They already have recommended APEX to two neighbors and friends who are considering interior and exterior remodeling projects of their own.

“JB and Matt were great partners throughout the project! We really enjoyed working with them both. Matt especially was involved in a lot of our decision making and helped us move through a couple of bumps on the project. We appreciated their commitment to getting tasks done the right way!” Carlos said. “We would highly recommend APEX to anyone thinking of having some home remodeling done. We were most impressed with how accurate their schedule with regards to when tasks would get done, and how quickly it went once we had agreed on the scope of the project / had a start date. They have a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, which we appreciated!”

Contact  JB and Lisa to discuss  your own remodeling goals.

 
 
 

 

 

 

Contemporary Kitchen for Forest Lake Chalet

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Chris is from Switzerland, an old-world carpenter’s daughter accustomed to being surrounded by natural wood and clean design. The Forest Lake chalet she and husband Brian bought in 2019 offered big rustic beams and soaring wood ceilings and walls. But the kitchen failed them both aesthetically and functionally.

The range hood was not vented to the outside. Appliances were nearing their end. The island only seated three comfortably. And the cathedral cabinets were dated. Chris imagined a clean, contemporary kitchen where she could cook more efficiently and their three-generation household could gather. But  she and Brian also wanted to work within a budget that would include higher end appliances. 

APEX Construction Management and designer Lisa Stoll teamed with Chris to create the bright, easy clean, high-function kitchen she envisioned. It features a 9-foot island that seats six, whitewashed wood cabinets with perfectly matched horizontal grain and hardware, dual wall ovens, a vented range hood, granite tops and luxury vinyl tile flooring.

End of Project Snapshots

These are snapshots taken after APEX completed the project. APEX will commission professional photos when Minnesota’s COVID guidelines allow. Stay healthy and safe!

Budget tradeoffs

High-end laminate cabinets would have delivered the clean euro look Chris liked and a contrasting wood “rug” could have purposefully filled the gap in the main level hardwood flooring that emerged after the old island  and peninsula were removed. Chris and Lisa agreed on custom wood cabinets and LVT flooring to control costs. This tempered the impact of splurges on distinctive lighting fixtures, cabinet hardware and hard-working appliances.

Horizontal lines

Chris specified that all  cabinet woodgrain and pulls run horizontally for a more contemporary look. Although the upper cabinet doors look like they swing up, they actually are hinged from the side. “I wanted horizontal lines everywhere,” Chris explained.

Lisa designed the island cabinet with inverted corners to accommodate stools on both ends and increase elbow room for those in the middle. The big island is Chris’s favorite feature.

“I love it. We have a  big family and everyone is able to sit in the kitchen together. We have breakfast and lunch and sometimes dinner at the island,” she said.

Chris also appreciates the double ovens whose height Lisa set for her personal comfort. “I use the ovens a lot and I didn’t want  to bend when moving heavy pans in and out,” she explained.

The ceiling posed an unusual challenge because the kitchen extends beyond the upper mezzanine into the towering cathedral area that overlooks the lake. The design features a long, slender LED light bar over the island that is suspended from the two ceiling heights with black cables that virtually disappear. This was important to the couple because they did not want the lake view from the mezzanine to be disrupted.

Contemporary selections

Selections included Mayfair White granite countertop and island top, Fossil Piombo Hexagon ceramic tile backsplash, Mannington Adura Baltic Stone Storm LVT flooring, Blanco double bowl metallic gray undermount sink, and Delta Essa faucet. Chris chose appliances from KitchenAid and Zephyr.

Although APEX tackled the project during COVID, Chris said she felt crews kept her family safe, cleaned up well and showed respect.

 

Bittersweet APEX Remodel

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Val had scheduled her initial APEX consult for just after the 2019 Minnesota State Fair because her partner, David, would be too busy parking cars to meet during the event. With thoughts of aging in place together, they wanted to add an accessible main level bath to the St. Paul home.

home addition

As planned, APEX would demolish the deteriorating double-decker deck. Then we would build a small addition off the 1916 home for the new bathroom with a curb-free shower, a small mudroom and an expanded basement with an egress window. It was reminiscent of another St. Paul remodel that had earned APEX the 2017 NARI Regional Contractor of the Year Award for additions under $250,000.

APEX completed Val’s addition in June and her stamped concrete patio in July, but David didn’t get to enjoy either. Sadly, he died on May 9. Today, the project stands as a beautiful reminder of a good man. Val loves it.

“There is hardly a day that I’m outside in my yard, when a neighbor doesn’t give me a compliment on the addition or even ask to come in to see it,” Val said.

Interior Designer Lisa Stoll says the project also serves as a poignant reminder that universal design benefits everyone and can look beautiful — and that we never know what tomorrow may bring.

“You don’t have to be older or disabled to appreciate an adjustable hand shower, large curbless shower, shelves that are rated as grab bars, a comfort height toilet and better lighting,” she observed.

John Wardell drew the plans for this APEX addition as he did the award-winning project. A door replaces a window off the back of the house and the sheltered landing is served by dual stairs.  Val originally hoped for a little second floor balcony where she could “shake a mop,” but she got a good-sized deck over a flat EPDM roof.

Read Val’s full review here.

  • Before
  • Before

Simple 3-Season Solution

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When Nancy bought her St. Paul home last fall the three-season porch with its old storm windows was rotting away.  She loved the natural light and the natural plank ceiling, and the roof was fine. But she knew she needed to do something about the vertical surfaces.  APEX replaced the walls, windows and door this spring, and she recruited her brother to repaint the floor. Now it is her favorite space in the house.

The AZEK difference

The key to the project’s success was the choice of  materials, windows and doors. APEX finished the porch with AZEK panels and trim. The cellular PVC material contains no wood fibers so it can’t absorb moisture, rot or suffer insect damage like the old porch. The shell provides UV and scratch resistance. It will never need to be painted.

Versatile Eze-Breeze

The windows are triple hung units from Eze-Breeze. The Cabana door also is from Eze-Breeze. They use clear, 10-mil memory vinyl in place of glass. The three panels nest so two-thirds of the the space can be opened for ventilation. Meanwhile, integral screens keep insects out.

After the project, Nancy wrote APEX, “I’m just so pleased. I walked out on the porch on a 37-degree morning after you finished.  What a difference the new windows and a door make. I could have a cup of coffee and read the paper with just a tiny electric heater. Unbelievable!  Of course, I had to send pictures to my 10 brothers and sisters and got nothing but favorable responses. Matt was so skilled!”  Summer was even better. 

Small project, big improvement

It is not common for APEX to take on small projects like this, but it made a big impression on this very nice client. At APEX, it’s all about improving your quality of life at home. Contact APEX if we can enlarge or improve your home to help you get through Covid more comfortably. 

APEX is sensitive to Covid protocols. Initial consults typically are via video conference after receiving phone photos of the existing space.

Maplewood Master Bath Plus

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Ken and Cindy had served as their own general contractors and did much of the work themselves when they built their Mankato home years ago. But when they moved to Maplewood  last year to be closer to their sons, they chose APEX Construction Management to handle the remodel.

APEX clients

Their goal was to annex one of three bedrooms to create a master bath. They also wanted to move the laundry from the basement to the main level. With the limited space available, Designer Lisa Stoll combined the requirements. The former bedroom now pairs a three-quarter bath and side by side washer and dryer.

“The challenge was that the new bathroom would be on the front of the house and they wanted to retain the large window,  so wall space was limited,” Lisa recalled.

The new space features a shower with an adjustable-height hand shower. The custom vanity has one sink and a makeup desk. Both the rod for the hand shower and the toilet paper holder double as grab bars.

Suite door features stained glass

While the bedroom itself remained the same size, APEX moved the closet and the door. Ken had a hand in the the project’s most special element. He made the stained-glass panels APEX’s cabinetmaker fitted into the bedroom door.

“I had made the three stained glass panels for a china cabinet in our old house,  but I replaced them with clear glass before we left,” Ken explained. “APEX did a beautiful job incorporating them into the master suite door.”

After APEX completed the master suite remodel, the couple had them back to install a backyard patio, just in time for their son’s September wedding.

Kind words for the entire APEX team

The couple had high praise for the entire APEX team. “Lisa understood what we liked. She brought tile and carpet samples. She hit the nail on the head,” Ken recalled.

They credited Project Manager Matt Grudzielanek with keeping the project on schedule and had kind words for his trade partners. “Everyone was friendly and they cleaned up,” he said.

Cindy noted that when JB learned her father had died from COVID during the project, he brought roses to the door. “JB and Matt are good guys,” Ken remarked. “We had a great experience. We wouldn’t have changed a thing.”

National magazine features APEX project on July cover

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Old House Journal, a national magazine geared to people who own and remodel older homes, is featuring an APEX Construction Management project as its July cover and feature story. The publication, which is on newsstands now, covers the Laurel Ave., St. Paul addition, that earned APEX the 2018 NARI Regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award and the 2017 NARI Minnesota Contractor of the Year Award. Both were for additions costing less than $250,000 category.

Old House Online feature on APEX project

https://www.oldhouseonline.com/house-tours/1912-foursquare

The unique remodel enlarged the kitchen and added a main level bathroom, mudroom and covered entry to the back of a 1912 Four Square. Designer Carmin Meyer themed the cabinets and finishes around the homeowners’ antique appliances and fixtures. Modern Design built the cabinetry and the distinctive table.

New Basement for COVID-19 Stay Home

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Do you wish you had improved or enlarged your home before COVID-19 made social distancing and staying home the new normal? The quickest and most cost-effective solution now may be to finish or update your basement.

remodeled basement photo

APEX will continue to design kitchens and bath remodels this summer using video calls, screen sharing and email. But our near-term production focus has shifted to basements, side additions and exterior exteriors. These projects will keep construction crews and clients safely apart.  Contact APEX President JB Biancini today to discuss your project.

When all materials are on hand before demolition begins, APEX’s production speed is hard to beat. If you approve a basic basement design and selections in two weeks, APEX will employ its refined construction management process and loyal trade partners to substantially complete your full basement remodel in just 6 to 8 weeks.

Imagine gaining a safe and comfortable new bathroom, laundry, kitchenette, bedrooms and recreation area downstairs before the dog days of summer arrive. You will appreciate the bonus space whether family members must quarantine or just need some alone time from the rest of the clan.

APEX finished this Lake Elmo basement just before COVID-19 struck Minnesota. Lisa Stoll from Sparrow & Stoll designed it. Matt Grudzielanek was project manager. Photos illustrate the transformation better than words. The remodeled space features new windows overlooking the backyard. The design includes a bathroom with a large tile shower, a laundry room, two bedrooms and a big, bright recreation area with a gas fireplace.

Basement after remodel

  • Large shower
  • Double vanity
  • Laundry
  • Code-compliant bedroom
  • back bedroom
  • Family room with gas fireplace

This project would have been ideal during the COVID shut down because crews had direct access from the backyard. If your basement lacks a door to outdoors, we will seal off the entry route with plastic so crews are isolated from your family and pets.

Demolition day

  • Demolition day
  • Walkout basement
  • Original bedroom
  • Existing egress window