Built on Family Values, Delivered Through Superior Craftsmanship
Minnesota & Western Wisconsin's Family-Run Design-Build Firm
Our Story
The name Knollwood isn't just our business. It’s our family’s home. Our design-build company was born on Knollwood Farm in Hugo, Minnesota, on land that represents everything we believe in: roots, craftsmanship, family, and building something that lasts. Today, we bring that same commitment to families across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin through custom homes, whole-home renovations, and thoughtful remodeling.
Co-owner Josh Chouinard grew up knowing exactly what he wanted to do: build. With decades of hands-on experience behind him, he's worked at every level of construction, from swinging a hammer to running job sites. He's learned what matters most on projects by being in the trenches with crews and installers, and he carries that knowledge into everything we do today.
For Sara Chouinard, the path was different but just as intentional. As a kid, Sara didn't just play house; she redesigned them. After marrying Josh, she found herself captivated by his construction projects and knew she wanted to be a part of them. She returned to school in 2015 to complete a Kitchen and Bath program, earning her NKBA certification before working in residential design, commercial space planning, sales, and project management. She now brings her experience and passion for beautiful, functional design to every custom home and remodeling project across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.
When we started Knollwood Builders together in 2021, it wasn't a question of "should we do this?" It was simply, "it's time." As we've grown, so has our family's involvement: one son works as a full-time carpenter on our projects, another followed his own path into construction as a heavy equipment operator and site work specialist, and our daughter is learning the business alongside us. The fact that our kids have all found their way into the trades, in their own way, tells you everything about what this family believes in. From day one, our goal was to build a company that could include as much family as possible, and now we're living that dream. We're still the same two people who started this journey: hands-on, invested, and committed to treating every client like family.
The Owners Behind Every Project
Sara Chouinard
Owner, Designer
Sara brings the design vision and organizational precision that keep every project running smoothly. A certified Kitchen and Bath designer through the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), she combines her passion for space planning with years of experience in residential design, commercial space planning, and project management. Sara excels at creating integrated, livable designs: spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful. She's the one who will walk you through showrooms, bring samples to your home, and ensure every detail is thoughtfully considered.
For Sara, it's about optimizing your home to work perfectly for how you actually live. She guides each project with calm confidence, expert communication, and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring budgets, timelines, and quality stay on track from concept to completion.
Josh Chouinard
Owner, Builder & Carpenter
Josh is the master builder behind every design-build project we create. With nearly 3 decades of hands-on construction and remodeling experience, from framing and concrete to project supervision and field operations, there's virtually no challenge Josh hasn't solved. He grew up on a dairy farm, learning the value of hard work, and that work ethic shows in every project. Josh's strength is his ability to truly listen to homeowners, problem-solve on the fly, and manage projects of any scale with precision and care.
For Josh, construction isn't just about building; it's about sharing knowledge and creating something special. His philosophy is simple: do the right thing, get it done, and make it happen, no matter what.
Our Mission
To build exceptional spaces and lasting relationships by treating every client like family, delivering superior craftsmanship, and standing behind our work. No matter what.
The Knollwood Approach: Built for How You Live
We believe great design starts with one question: How do you actually live? Our integrated design-build approach means we have both the design vision and construction expertise under one roof, ensuring what we envision on paper is executed flawlessly during construction. We create spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful, optimizing floor plans, storage, and traffic flow so your home works perfectly for your lifestyle.
Our mission shows up in everything we do. We provide a positive experience by listening and caring about your family as much as the project itself, understanding your routines, your concerns, and what home truly means to you. We communicate transparently with detailed project schedules, regular updates throughout construction, and honest conversations when challenges arise. We deliver meticulous craftsmanship backed by nearly three decades of experience, treat clients like family through genuine relationships built over months of collaboration, and stand behind our work long after construction ends. At Knollwood Builders, we show up when we say we will, do the right thing even when it's hard, and honor every commitment.
Ready to work with a team that treats you like family?
Visit Our Design Studio in White Bear Lake
We're excited to invite you to our Design Studio, located in the White Bear Lake community. Serving Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, our studio is the perfect place to begin your custom home or remodeling project. This isn't just an office. It's an actual home transformed into a hands-on design experience where you can see, touch, and envision your project coming to life.
Our Design Studio features a fully-functioning kitchen, bathroom, and living space, showcasing real materials and vendor products installed and in use. You'll experience how finishes look in natural light, how cabinetry feels when you open it, and how our craftsmanship translates from concept to reality. Experience everything you need to make confident design decisions, all in one place.
Built on Expertise
Knollwood Builders is a proud member of:
Why Choose Knollwood Builders
Family-Run Business with Hands-On Owners
Design-Build Expertise Under One Roof
Space Planning That Works for Your Life
Communication & Project Management You Can Count On
We Make It Happen. No Matter What
Our Hands-On, Design-Build Process
Discovery Call
On-Site Meeting
Preliminary Budget & Specs
Design
Project Schedule & Procurement
Production & Construction
Project Completion
Frequently Asked Questions About Knollwood Builders
What is design-build remodeling, and how is it different from hiring a contractor?
With design-build, your designer and builder work as one team from day one. This means no miscommunication between separate companies, fewer delays, and a smoother experience from concept to completion. At Knollwood Builders, Sara and Josh work together from your first conversation through your final walkthrough, so what gets designed is exactly what gets built.
What makes you different from other Minnesota remodeling contractors?
We're a family-run design-build firm where you work directly with the owners, Sara and Josh, on every project. We combine Sara's certified NKBA design expertise with Josh's decades of hands-on construction experience, treating every client like family throughout the entire process. Unlike traditional contractors who hand off between designers and builders, our integrated approach means seamless execution from concept to completion, with the same two people guiding you the whole way.
Which areas do you serve?
We serve Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, including Hugo, White Bear Lake, Dellwood, St. Paul, Scandia, Stillwater, and the St. Croix Valley. If you're outside our typical service area but have a project you're passionate about, reach out. We'd love to talk.
Do you charge for initial consultations?
No, the initial Discovery Call and On-Site Meeting are complimentary. These conversations help us both determine if we're the right fit for your project. Once we move into the design phase with detailed plans, drawings, and specifications, we require a design retainer.
What professional credentials do you have?
Sara is a certified Kitchen and Bath designer through the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). Josh brings decades of hands-on construction experience across every aspect of building, from framing to project management. We're proud members of NKBA and Housing First Minnesota, keeping us connected to industry best practices and continuing education.
Do you offer a warranty?
Yes, we stand behind the quality of our work with a one-year warranty on our craftsmanship, covering any issues that may arise. Many of the products and materials we install also come with their own manufacturer warranties, which we'll help you understand and manage. And at Knollwood, our relationship doesn't end at project completion. We stay in touch long after the final walkthrough, and our door is always open if questions come up down the road. Every project also concludes with a thorough final construction cleaning so your space is move-in ready from day one.
What Our Clients Say
We couldn’t be happier with our experience working with Knollwood Builders! They recently completed a porch build-out and deck for our home, and the results exceeded our expectations in every way.
From the start, their communication was outstanding—they took the time to walk us through the plan, timeline, and what to expect throughout the project. Once things got underway, we were kept informed every step of the way, which gave us great peace of mind.
The craftsmanship is top-notch. Every detail, from the structure to the finishing touches, reflects a level of care and quality that’s hard to find. It’s clear they take great pride in their work.
Pricing was also more than fair for the level of professionalism and quality delivered. There were no surprises, and we truly feel we received excellent value.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for reliable, skilled, and communicative builders. We’re thrilled with the finished product! We will reach out to them when we have our next project (master bathroom).
We cannot say enough great things about Knollwood Builders! From the very first consultation to the final touches, they transformed our outdated kitchen into an absolute dream space. The design process was smooth and collaborative, with Sara and Josh taking the time to listen to our needs and preferences. The attention to detail and quality of craftsmanship is unmatched. Every part of the project was handled with professionalism, meticulous details, and they kept us informed every step of the way.
What really stood out was their commitment to delivering exactly what we wanted while staying within our budget and timeline. Our kitchen (main living area) is stunning – it’s stylish, functional, and now the heart of our home. The whole team worked efficiently, and they left the space spotless once everything was finished (and during the process). If you're looking for the best remodeler and designer around, we highly recommend Knollwood Builders!
Knollwood Builders constructed a new garage for us a year ago. We highly recommend them!! Do yourself a favor and reach out to Josh and Sara for your next project. We contacted a couple of other construction companies on the project, those companies were medium-sized. There is an obvious advantage to working with a small, family-owned business like Knollwood Builders. The planning, communication, and execution aspects were absolutely seamless. Pride in a job well done, as promised and on time is obviously very important to them.
Thank you for the great experience!!
Knollwood Builders just completed a master bath remodel for us. We could not be more impressed with Sarah and Josh. From the introductory meeting through the design, planning, and work stages the project was as stress-free as could be. Their professionalism, knowledge, experience, quality work and attention to detail, care for and cleanliness to our home, responsiveness to questions, and the daily progress updates by Sarah, Josh and/or their excellent subcontractors created an atmosphere of total confidence in our decision to contract with them. As important, Sarah and Josh were personally courteous, genuine friendly people, as were their subs, which created a comfortable atmosphere of familiarity for a first-time partnership. All of this was seamless even when we had to be out of town for two and a half weeks in the middle of the project. We are very pleased with our beautiful new bathroom and highly recommend Sarah and Josh for your design/build dreams.
Knollwood Builders was nothing short of amazing from the first telephone call to the final inspection. They were professional, timely and did an amazing job. Not only did Josh listen to my ideas, but he gave me a couple of ideas that we brought into the final project and I couldn't be happier. The only downside is we are coming up on cold weather and I won't be able to use it again until spring!
I highly recommend Knollwood Builders and suggest that if you have a project in mind to reach out to them and get on their schedule. You won't be disappointed!
We connected with Knollwood Builders, LLC (Josh Chouinard) last October to provide us with a quote for a remodeling project. From the start my wife and I were impressed. Josh provided us with an initial timely estimate. He mentioned that his wife Sara and he partner on certain projects- he handles construction and she works on providing decorative design choices... paint color/tile, solid-surface style/fixtures. For us, their combination was very effective. We also liked the communication we received. Josh and Sara were both very responsive to our questions returning emails and voice mails. Once we had our selections made Knollwood provided us with a project plan and milestone/payment schedule that was easy to understand. House cleanliness during the project was important. Also we had previous plans to be away during part of the project. Both concerns were shared with Josh and he assured us that they spend time prepping the house before his team goes on site. They also cleaned up daily after project work before they left and did a full detailed cleanup at end of project. We had a very positive experience with Knollwood Builders, LLC. In fact, we already have started to discuss further projects in our home.
We would highly recommend giving them a call if you are considering projects in your home.
From the first meeting, we knew we had the contractor dream team with Josh and Sara. They did an amazing job of taking our basement finishing vision and marrying it with their own experience and creativity. Here are some of things we appreciated most.
📱 Excellent communication and updates throughout the project.
🕐 The construction process ran like clock-work and stayed on time.
🧹 A well organized and clean job-site.
💡 Josh & Sara had brilliant ideas on how we could make the space feel unique while also working towards our goals.
🌌 Sara understood our desired design aesthetic and offered amazing suggestions.
😌 When there was problem-solving required, Josh brought a sense of calm and understanding to those situations.
To sum up working with Knollwood, the process and the product were both top notch. We are planning on working with them again and highly recommend them to others.
We had Knollwood put in a new bay window and replace our old oak railing into updated, beautiful railings! We couldn’t be happier with the work. There was a bit of a delay with the leadtime on the windows, but we are extremely happy with the finished product! You can’t see a nail hole and everything was impeccably done!
We’ve had projects done by other contractors, and although we were also happy with them, Knollwood Builders went above and beyond, and The completed project was better than we ever expected! Josh and Sara clearly pay attention to every detail and it was great working with them!
Sara and Josh were great to work with. Great communication before and during the project. Our deck looks amazing! Great quality materials and craftsmanship. Thank you!
The bathroom remodel, replacement of outdated interior doors and replacement of the deck flooring and railings for my home turned out beautifully. Josh and Sarah were wonderful to work with. They provided helpful guidance with the details of the projects, stayed on schedule, and got everything completed to my satisfaction. I appreciated their attention to detail and care taken while working in my home.
Wow! It is extremely rare to find a company like Knollwood Builders who treat their clients like family.
Over the last 20 years, many of my clients come to me and ask for referrals to builders. I am so glad to have met Josh and Sara and to have a builder whom I can recommend with confidence.
When I think of Josh, Sara, and the team at Knollwood Builders, I see a team who can turn home dreams into reality. If you are looking for a company who treats their clients like family and who values integrity and hard work, feel confident that you will find that in Knollwood Builders.
Sara and Josh have creative ideas and provide lots of options for making a project work well for the needs of the clients. They both have easy to understand processes that complement one another when planning and implementing the project. Style, enthusiasm and commitment are the words that come to mind when I reflect on my experience with Knollwood Builders.
Unbelievable service and quality of work. Always extremely responsive with calls or texts, extremely professional, kind and very reasonable on all prices. Will trust them for all my home improvement needs and projects. Josh and his crew are so good. Have had several home improvement contractors and they are far and away the best. Very glad we found them!
Knollwood Builder is an amazing company. They work and help you design an amazing space. They listen to your ideas and what you want and give wonderful suggestions to make your project your vision. They are always on time and very honest! They are wonderful people and it shows in their dedication to your project. We highly recommend them to anyone that needs a contractor. We will be using them again for other project.