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Delivering Great Client Experiences...

...One Project At A Time

COVID-19

Neighborly Porch Addition

March 11, 2021 By Tom Sweeney

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.

Filed Under: Home additions, Residential Remodeling Tagged With: COVID-19, front porch addition

New Basement for COVID-19 Stay Home

April 21, 2020 By Tom Sweeney Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: basement remodel Tagged With: COVID-19

COVID-19 Guidelines

March 24, 2020 By John Biancini Leave a Comment

Dear APEX Clients,

  1. Projects in production – We are monitoring the health of our workers, our clients, and ourselves daily and will not go to work if anyone is not feeling well. When we do go to work we are taking extra precautions to keep our distance via additional containment barriers on the jobsites and asking clients to respect the new social distancing norms. We will also ask clients on a regular basis if they are comfortable with us continuing our work in their homes.
  2. Projects in design  – Aside from the physical on-site need to take measurements, we are/will be using technology for all communications: email, teleconferencing, and when possible, video teleconferencing via Webex with presentation/whiteboard capability.
  3. Future projects – When possible, we are replacing on-site project previews with client “before” photos, sketches, and emails to assemble a general scope of work and render a ballpark budget range.

 I expect projects currently in the design phase to continue into construction if essential services continue to be allowed to work.

JB Biancini,
President
APEX Construction Management

 

Filed Under: health and safety, News, Uncategorized Tagged With: COVID-19

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From the APEX Blog

APEX Earns Top 2021 Guildmaster Award for Customer Satisfaction

2021 Guildmaster Award

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. 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…

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APEX Construction Management, LLC.
3711 Pineview Drive
St. Paul, MN 55127
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