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.
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.
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.
“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.
