Where the Outside of Your Home Reflects the Life You Love
Outdoor Living & Exterior Remodeling in Minnesota & Western Wisconsin | Designed to Change How Your Home Looks and Lives
Your Home's First Impression Should Feel Like You
Picture the moment you turn onto your street and your home comes into view. A welcoming front porch. Fresh siding and rooflines that finally match the home you always pictured. Out back, a deck made for slow summer mornings, a patio set for long dinners with friends, and a fire feature that stretches a warm Midwest evening well past sunset. This is your home, looking and living the way you always hoped it would.
Outdoor & Exterior Projects We Are Proud Of
What outdoor living and exterior remodeling looks like at Knollwood Builders:
Our outdoor living and exterior work covers everything beyond your four walls. On the living side, that means decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, and fire features built for the way Midwest families gather. On the exterior side, it means new siding, updated rooflines, a new front porch, and full transformations that change how your home looks from the outside.
Some projects begin and end with a single deck. Others grow into a complete reimagining of the entire outside of your home. Whatever the scale, we start with your vision and shape a plan made to fit your home and how you live.
Why Families Choose Us for Their Outdoor & Exterior Projects
Promises from Our Family to Yours
Every exterior holds more opportunities than you may imagine, and every family has a unique vision for their outdoor space. Here is what stays the same on every project:
Design and Construction, Together From the Beginning
At Knollwood, your designer and your builder are the same team, and on the outside of a home that unity carries real weight. Every detail has to look right and hold up at the same time, from a roofline meeting a porch to siding wrapping a corner to a deck tying into the house. Because those conversations happen side by side from day one, the exterior we design with you is the exterior we know we can build.
A Vision Beyond What You Pictured
Tell us what inspires you, and we will dream right alongside you. Picture a front entry that welcomes you home, with fresh rooflines, a porch, and siding that reshapes its whole character. We take what you love and explore the possibilities with you, shaping the plan around what matters most to you and layering in the details that make it feel like yours. By the time it comes together, most homeowners say the same thing: their home turned out even better than they had imagined.
Your Home, Extended Into the Open Air
Imagine a warm evening that begins in the kitchen and drifts out to the deck, dinner around a table under the open sky, and the glow of a fire as the night settles in. That is what outdoor living becomes when the space beyond your back door is designed as a true part of your home, sharing its materials, its character, and its flow. We shape decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, and fire features into rooms that feel like a natural extension of the house, the kind of place your family is drawn to all season long.
Beauty That Holds Up for Years
We build every exterior to look stunning and to stay that way, which means getting it right all the way through. Often, flaws like peeling paint, soft spots, and stains that keep coming back are the first signs of deeper issues. Paint jobs and fresh siding only hide these problems temporarily. When we work on an exterior, we trace each issue back to its source and solve it there, so the problem is gone for good and your home looks its best for years to come.
A First Impression That Adds Value
A thoughtful exterior transformation makes a striking first impression and adds real, lasting value to your home. For anyone who may sell one day, a refreshed exterior often delivers a strong return. And if you plan to stay, the reward is one you feel every day. Time and again, homeowners tell us their finished exterior turned out better than they ever imagined.
Family at the Core of Every Project
Knollwood Builders is a family business, and that shapes everything about how we work. You will always reach us directly, always know who is making decisions about your home, and always feel like a priority. We care about the families we work with as much as the work itself, and you will feel that from the first conversation.
Trusted Brands & Associations
How Your Outdoor & Exterior Project Comes Together
Our Proven Design-Build Process
From the first conversation to the moment your finished exterior comes into view, we shape the entire experience around you. We guide you with honest communication, an eye for possibility, and hands-on care, so nothing is left to guesswork. You will always know what is happening and what comes next. Here's what that looks like:
Discovery Call
Everything starts with a conversation. We want to understand what you would love the outside of your home to become and how you want to use your outdoor space. We talk through your goals, your property, and the look you have in mind. It is also a chance for both of us to make sure we are the right fit for each other.
On-Site Meeting
We come out to walk your property and see your home from every angle. We take in the current exterior, the shape of your yard, and how the house sits on the land. From there, we start thinking through what it would take to bring each idea to life and talk about the details that will shape the plan, so we leave with everything we need to put honest numbers together.
Preliminary Budget
After the on-site visit, we build a preliminary budget from your vision and what we found at your property. Honest numbers, drawn from real project experience, come to you before any commitment is made. We give you time to sit with it and ask every question you have. There is no pressure to move forward before you feel ready and confident.
Design
Once you decide to move forward, the design work begins. We develop the plan for your exterior, whether that is an outdoor living space, a full facade transformation, or both, along with the materials, colors, and finish details that pull it together. Choosing exterior colors and materials can feel like a lot on your own, so we guide you through every selection at our design studio in White Bear Lake, where you can see real products in natural light before you commit.
Project Schedule and Procurement
We handle any permitting your project calls for, from rooflines to porches to structural changes, so you never have to navigate it yourself. With design complete and selections finalized, we lock in a final contract price based on actual materials and confirmed labor, order everything before work begins, and place a detailed construction schedule in your hands so you always know what is happening and when.
Production and Construction
This is where the new look of your home takes shape. We are on site throughout the build, managing our long-standing team of trusted subcontractors who handle specialty trades. We keep the work organized, protect your property and landscaping, and stay in close contact with regular updates.
Project Completion
We finish your project the same way we started it, with care and attention to every detail. The final step is a walkthrough of your transformed exterior together, a chance to take in how far your home has come. We clear away every trace of the work and leave your property clean and tidy, so your new space is ready to enjoy right away. We stand behind our work with a warranty on craftsmanship, and our door stays open long after the project is done.
Preferred Installer Partnerships
Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Living & Exterior Remodeling
What does outdoor living and exterior remodeling include at Knollwood Builders?
Everything from the back deck to the front facade. On the outdoor living side, we design and build decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, and fire features made for the way Midwest families gather through the warm months. On the exterior side, we take on new siding, updated rooflines, front porches, and full transformations that change how your home looks from the outside. Many projects blend the two into one vision for the entire outside of your home.
Can I build a deck or patio on its own?
Yes. A single deck or patio is a project we are glad to take on. Tell us what you have in mind, and we will shape it to fit your home and build it into a space you’ll love for years.
How do I get started on my outdoor living or exterior project?
Reach out and tell us a bit about your project. We will follow up to set up a time to walk your property together and talk through what you have in mind. That first conversation is complimentary, with no obligation, just a chance to explore what is possible and make sure we are the right fit. When you are ready, we are one message away.
Can updating my exterior really add value to my home?
Yes. The exterior is your home's first impression, and a thoughtful transformation tends to increase the value of your home. Clients are often surprised by how much better their home looks and how confident they feel about the investment.
What kind of exterior transformation can you take on?
Anything from one focused update to a complete exterior transformation. Thanks to Josh's decades of hands-on experience across virtually every trade, we can combine new siding, new rooflines, a front porch, and finish details into a single cohesive project that changes the character of your home. If your goal is to modernize your home’s exterior, we have the experience to explore every option and build it beautifully.
Do you handle permitting and city approvals?
Yes, all of it. Exterior projects that involve rooflines, porches, or structural changes often call for permits, and we manage the entire process for you. We do the homework upfront to confirm what your property allows, so you can move forward with confidence and skip the paperwork.
Does weather affect the timeline for an exterior project?
Weather can impact the timeline of outdoor projects, and we proactively plan for that. We sequence the weather-sensitive phases with care, build a detailed schedule before work begins, and keep you updated throughout, so you always know what to expect.
Will we work directly with the owners throughout the process?
Yes, always. Sara and Josh are present from the first conversation through the final walkthrough, with design and construction expertise working together on your project every step of the way. When you reach out, you reach us.
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.
Let's Transform the Outside of Your Home Together
From the exterior that welcomes you home to the outdoor spaces where you gather, there is more possibility here than you might imagine. Let us help you bring it to life.