We bought a fairly
common Milwaukee bungalow in the summer of 2007, and CBR
has helped us make it into an uncommonly wonderful place.The
most dramatic work was a full gut kitchen and full bath
remodel, a huge project that we initially found daunting
given its scope and expense, and even thought about putting
off. However, a colleague of mine raved about the new porch
and kitchen remodel that CBR had done on her turn of the
century home, so we went ahead and called.
From the very first
consultation, I knew that Erik and Todd, and Marie from
Kitchens by Marie, were ideal partners and craftsmen for
the project. They were very communicative, straightforward,
and responsive. No question we asked was too inane or bothersome.
At all stages, we were consulted to make sure we understood
exactly what was happening and we were continually asked
for our input. For example, when it was time to attach the
cabinet pulls, placing the pull on the pantry door in a
similar place as the rest of the cabinets would have meant
that we would have to bend slightly to open the door. Todd
left a note asking what mattered most to us: symmetry or
practicality? There were hundreds of such moments all throughout
the process: it was clear they wanted us happy, and believed
that we knew best just what it would take to make that happen.
All of the contractors
were careful to keep the house as clean as they could, and
they took care to lay out all of our options in a clear,
easy-to-understand format when inevitable challenges were
encountered. Most people think of a big remodeling project
as a big headache, but one of my notes to Erik and Todd
during the project reads: "I'd like to send you guys off
to the Caribbean on a fully staffed yacht. I cannot believe
everything you've done in a few mere days. The sheer scope
of the transformation that takes place from when we leave
in the morning to when we come home at night is impressive
in both the volume and quality of work. Thank you. You guys
rock!" And now, months after the completion, in every detail
of our new kitchen and bath--from carefully set tile to
absolutely level cabinet doors to little miracles of functionality
throughout--we are incredibly satisfied.
The phrase "thoughtful craftsmen" could
not be more accurate to describe their work. Because it
was so obvious they care deeply about doing a job well,
thoroughly, efficiently, and with the nature of the home
firmly in mind, it was a no-brainer to call them to take
care of less glamorous fix-it jobs too: repatching masonry
on our porch posts, fixing loose siding, repairing a rapidly
ailing garage wall. Just as we have our own physicians,
our house has its own experts too, and we wouldn't trust
it to anyone else.
We love the work CBR does!
Ben and Susan Zarwell
Shorewood, WI
CBR has been a wonderful
resource for me through the years when it comes to my old
East side Milwaukee home. When I need any kind of help I
always start with Erik Lindberg and Todd Hill at CBR.
If they know how to do it I hire them, even for small
projects where they will bill me by the hour. If they don't
have the expertise to handle the matter they will refer
me to someone who has the requisite expertise (e.g.
masonry work). The quality of their work is excellent,
and if something is not just right they will make it so.
My experience is that they really care about getting things
just right. They're not the cheapest but they're the
best. Funny how those two things almost always go together.
Steven R. Duback
Quarles & Brady LLP
We love our new walk in closet and full bathroom! It is nice to have a whole new space. People are shocked when they see pictures that this is in our basement. The walls you made are so nice that now we even have a family room - on the opposite side of the bathroom that was unexpected. We have art up and real wood trim and it is just beautiful. I love having a heated floor in my basement. It is toasty and a place of refuge in what was an unused space.
It was even nicer to have those that work for you have something intelligent to say. The staff at Community Building & Restoration really are Thoughtful Craftsmen. They are smart people doing quality work. I appreciated that when Todd was at my house he listens to NPR rather than punk metal like most contractors.
Denise Cawley & Anne Hefter
West Milwaukee, WI
