Klassen Remodeling Wins Two “Remodeler of the Year” Awards

Butler, Wis. – Klassen Remodeling & Design, southeast Wisconsin’s leader in fulfilling homeowners’ dreams through innovative remodeling, has won two Silver 2018 Remodeler of the Year awards from the Milwaukee chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

The awards mark consecutive years of NARI honors, after Klassen Remodeling & Design won two NARI Silver awards for 2017 projects. The firm also received a prestigious 2018 Guildmaster Award for service excellence, based on customer surveys by an independent rating agency.

“We are thrilled and honored by these newest NARI awards, as they reflect the judgment and expertise of our industry peers,” said Ron Klassen, CAPS, CKBR, and Lead Designer of Klassen Remodeling & Design. “Our goal with every project is to achieve results worthy of winning an award, but most of all create a new living environment that our clients are excited to call home.”

The 2018 Remodeler of the Year honors recognized projects at two homes in Elm Grove.

In the category “Residential Kitchen $60,001 to $100,000,” the homeowner wanted their original kitchen of 30 years updated with expanded storage space, counter area, and a roomier overall environment to accommodate multiple cooks and entertaining.

Creating the additional space required removing most of a load-bearing wall. Consequently, a new header was added to carry the second-floor and roof loads, a task complicated by having to work around existing plumbing for a second-floor master bathroom. New first floor support was also needed, which entailed removing part of an outdoor brick paver porch to install cantilevered laminated veneer lumber.

The new storage space incorporated many elements: wide (30” to 36”) drawers, full-depth rollouts in a pantry cabinet, upper- and lower-corner lazy Susans, four full-height tray storage units, and tilt-out trays added to the sink base.

In the category “Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration Under $250,000,” Klassen Remodeling & Design updated a living room and sunroom in a 76-year-old home, using sustainable materials to create warm, inviting spaces.

The fireplace was a focal point. A used mantel of nearly the correct size was located, then stripped and refinished after adding some architecturally-correct Tuscan elements.

New wood features give the room a warm, welcoming air. Hard maple floors were laid and finished in golden pecan, coordinating with new birch trim (stained red mahogany color) that runs along the walls’ bases. Colonial casing around doors and windows matches the bases.

An original plaster of Paris cove ceiling in the living room was recreated with new wood moldings. Five pieces – three visible, two hidden – were placed on the walls and ceiling to achieve the look.

The sunroom was significantly upgraded. A new heated floor, with porcelain tiles resembling terra cotta, was installed. Natural light streams in through new windows and a French door. The room’s ceiling was raised above eight feet, enhancing its open feel.

“Both these award-winning projects posed significant challenges that tested the ingenuity of our team and our remodeling partners,” Klassen said. “The real rewards come not from the honors themselves, but rather from our clients who were so appreciative of their new living spaces.”

Founded in 1975 as Wallner Builders, Klassen Remodeling & Design offers professional, innovative home remodeling and design services for clients throughout Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. The firm is recognized as a “Best of Houzz” recipient by Houzz, the leading online platform for home remodeling and design.

More information is available by calling (262) 754-3770, visiting www.KlassenRemodeling.com, or following the company on Facebook.