Your Home. Designed Around Your Family. Built for What Comes Next.
Whole Home Remodels in Minnesota & Western Wisconsin | Designed Around How Your Family Lives
A Remodel That Changes More Than Your Home
There is a certain feeling that comes from being in a home that was built around the way you actually live. Where everything has its place. And where there is space to gather as a family and space for each person to do what they love most. We believe the way your family gathers, moves, works, and unwinds should be built into the bones of the house, not just for today, but for the next phases of life ahead. That is what a whole-home remodel makes possible, and it is the kind of transformation we build our work around.
Whole-Home Remodels We Are Proud Of
What a whole-home remodel looks like at Knollwood Builders:
A whole-home remodel goes beyond a single room to rethink how your entire home works. It might mean opening up a floor plan that has always felt closed off so the cook is never separated from the rest of the house. Converting a formal dining room that nobody uses into the home office your family actually needs. Updating the kitchen and bathrooms as part of a larger vision rather than tackling them one at a time. Sometimes walls move. Sometimes the footprint stays exactly the same, but everything inside it changes. The scope is shaped entirely by your family, your goals, and the home you are starting with.
What drives most whole-home remodel is not that something broke. It is that the house stopped fitting. The way people live today is different from the way most homes were built. Together, we design something more open, more connected, and more intentional about giving every person and every activity the right space. At Knollwood Builders, we help Minnesota and Western Wisconsin families find that vision and build it in a way that lasts through every phase of life still ahead.
Why Families Choose Us for Their Whole-Home Remodel
Promises from Our Family to Yours
Every whole-home remodel is different because every family is different. But here is what you can always count on when you work with us:
Design and Construction Under One Roof
A whole-home remodel involves decisions that ripple across every room and every system of your house. When your designer and builder are the same team, nothing gets lost in translation. What we plan together, we build together, catching potential issues early and delivering a finished home that looks exactly like the vision we created with you.
Construction Expertise That Expands What Is Possible
Opening a floor plan, removing a load-bearing wall, maximising an opening between rooms: these are the moves that transform how a whole home feels, and they require deep construction expertise to execute well. With nearly 30 years of hands-on experience across virtually every trade, we take on structural challenges that other contractors refer out or turn away entirely, giving you more possibilities and confident answers from the very beginning.
A Process Built Around You
We start with questions about how your family actually lives, how each person spends their time, and what has quietly stopped working. Those answers shape every decision we make across every room. We guide you through every selection at our design studio in White Bear Lake, where you can see real materials in use before anything is built.
A Remodel Built to Last
Every material we specify and every finish we recommend is one we would put in our own home. We work exclusively with brands we trust, and as certified installers through select pro-line programs, our clients benefit from extended manufacturer warranties as a result. Timeless design, quality materials, and details that give your home character without ever dating it.
Honest Numbers Before Any Commitment
After our on-site meeting, we put together a transparent preliminary budget based on your vision and what we found in your home. Clear numbers before you commit, refined as selections come together. No surprises and no pressure to move forward before you are ready.
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 rather than a project. We care about the families we work with as much as we care about the work itself, and that is something you will feel from the very first conversation.
Trusted Brands & Associations
How Your Whole-Home Remodel Comes Together
Our Proven Design-Build Process
From first call to final walkthrough, our process is built around honest communication, detailed planning, and hands-on care. You will always know what is happening, what is coming next, and that the work being done in your home meets a standard we would be proud of in our own.
Discovery Call
The first step in our whole-home remodeling process is a discovery call where we get to know you and your project. Everything starts with a conversation. Before we ever set foot in your home, we want to understand your family, your goals, and what you are hoping this remodel will make possible. We talk through what is working and what is not, how your needs have shifted, and what the next chapter looks like for your family. It is also a chance for us to make sure we are the right fit for each other. When we take on a project, we are fully committed.
On-Site Meeting
Next, we schedule an on-site meeting to walk through your home together. At the on-site meeting, we walk through your home together. We listen for your goals, your vision, and how you use each room day to day, while taking in what is structurally possible and where the real opportunities are. Design and construction in the same conversation, at the same time. We leave with everything we need to put honest numbers together.
Preliminary Budget
After the on-site meeting, we get to work on a preliminary budget built from your vision and what we observed in your home. Real numbers, drawn from real project knowledge, delivered before any commitment is made. We give you time to sit with it and ask every question you have. No pressure to move forward before you are ready and confident.
Design
Once you decide to move forward, the design work begins. We translate everything we have learned about your family into floor plans, structural plans, and material selections tailored to your home and your life. We guide you through every selection at our design studio in the White Bear Lake community, where you can see real materials installed and in use before anything is built. Every decision is made together.
Project Schedule and Procurement
Before construction begins, we establish a final contract price based on actual materials and confirmed labor. Materials are ordered before construction begins. Then we build a detailed construction schedule and put a copy in your hands so you know exactly what is happening in your home and when. No vague timelines, no wondering who shows up when, no surprises waiting for you when you get home.
Production and Construction
This is where your whole-home remodel moves from plans to reality. We are on site regularly throughout the build, managing our long-standing team of subcontractors who handle specialty trades. From day one, we set up protection and containment to minimize disruption to your family as much as possible while we work. We stay in close contact throughout construction, with regular updates, so you always know what is happening. If something unexpected comes up, you hear about it from us directly and right away.
Project Completion
We finish your project the way we started it, with care and attention to every detail. The final step is a walkthrough of your completed home and project handover. It’s our chance to celebrate your completed home together. Every project includes a professional construction cleaning, so your home is move-in ready from day one. We take enormous pride in this work, and it shows in every finish, every fit, and every detail we leave behind. We stand behind it all with a warranty on craftsmanship, and our door stays open long after the project ends.
Preferred Installer Partnerships
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole-Home Remodeling
What does a whole-home remodel actually include?
A whole-home remodel can span multiple rooms, levels, or the full footprint of your home. It often includes opening floor plans, kitchen and bathroom updates, structural changes such as load-bearing wall removal, basement finishing, room conversions, and exterior improvements. The scope is entirely shaped by your family's goals and how you live. No two projects are the same.
How much does a whole-home remodel cost?
Every whole-home remodel is different, and cost varies widely based on scope, structural complexity, and material selections. After our on-site meeting, we put together a transparent preliminary budget built around your specific home and vision, so you have honest numbers before any commitment is made.
How long does a whole-home remodel take?
Timelines vary based on the scope of your project, but we will give you a clear, detailed schedule before construction begins and keep you updated every step of the way. You will always know what is happening in your home and what comes next.
Do I have to complete the remodel all at once, or can it be done in stages?
Staged remodels are common and welcome at Knollwood. Many families chip away at a whole-home vision over time, completing one level or area as budget and life allow. We can help you build a long-term remodeling roadmap so each phase connects intentionally to the next and every dollar moves you closer to the finished vision.
What is design-build remodeling, and how is it different from hiring a contractor separately?
With a design-build firm, your design expertise and construction expertise live under one roof. There is no handoff between a separate designer and a separate contractor who may interpret plans differently. Because we handle both, decisions made in the design phase are built with full knowledge of how they will be executed. Fewer miscommunications, more efficient problem-solving, and a remodel that gets built exactly as it was envisioned.
Will we be working directly with the owners, or will we be handed off to someone else?
You work directly with us on every project, start to finish. We are both involved from the first conversation through the final walkthrough, one of us focused on design and selections, the other on structural assessment and construction management. That does not change as we grow. When you call, you reach us.
Can I stay in my home during a whole-home remodel?
It depends on the scope and phase of the project. We talk through the best approach during planning so your family can prepare, and from day one we set up protection and containment to minimize disruption as much as possible. We communicate throughout the build so you always know what to expect.
Do you do all of the work yourselves?
We lead every project personally and are on site regularly throughout the build. Specialty trades like plumbing and electrical are handled by a vetted, long-standing team of subcontractors we have worked with for years, some of them longer than Knollwood has been in business. You get one point of contact and a team we trust completely.
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 Start Your Whole Home Remodel Together
Your home should fit the life you are living right now. It is time to make sure it does.