Attics to Basements Building & Renovations, Inc - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Shari H.

I’m sorry, but this is a mixed review. I contracted with David to rebuild my dining room, kitchen, and some Sheetrock repair in 2 rooms of my basement after a fire on my deck. He had been recommended by my siding company and his reviews were good. I had already hired another company to do the mitigation. I started our conversation with the plan to upgrade my cabinets even if insurance didn’t consider them damaged. I’d been planning it for years. I knew I wanted butcher block countertops finished with epoxy and some glass doors in the cabinets. Everything was fine until I signed the contract. He gave me the name of his cabinet people. I called right away so we could get started designing them. Unbeknownst to me, he told them to hold off until the insurance company said what they’d cover. 6 weeks later, they finally submitted their first plan, which was nothing like what I wanted. It ended up taking 5 more weeks and 6 revisions to get something acceptable. Since I wanted lights in the glass cabinets, we couldn’t have electricians or sheet rockers get started until the cabinets were designed. And I was advised it could take 8 weeks to make them. Keep in mind, the kitchen is gutted. We set up a cooking area in the living room and washed dishes in the laundry tub. Yes, we switched to paper supplies for most things. In the end, they got them done in 6 weeks and were ready to install, but David didn’t have the subfloor ready. It was another 2 weeks before they could reschedule. In discussions with the cabinet people, I’m starting to hear that I can’t have butcher block. The cabinet people don’t have time to make it. I’ll find my own supplier. He’s not sure anyone will install it. No one knows how to do epoxy. I’ll apply it myself, if needed. Even after I purchased the butcher block, he asked me to check Cambria. $14,000 for something I didn’t want. I said, no, I’m sticking with butcher block. His subcontractor Ben and his son, Jackson did a beautiful job installing the butcher block and the 3 of us (Ben, Jackson, and I) applied the epoxy. It’s gorgeous and I love it. I shouldn’t have had to fight David to get it. In the end, it took 7 months of battle to rebuild my kitchen. I had to insist he install 1/4 round with the baseboards, which is standard in the industry and the rest of the house. He mismeasured the distance between my previously installed tile backsplash and the new exhaust fan. He advised I should have Ben remove my tile, use my dining room tile instead…which would have been my responsibility to pay for and would have messed up the color scheme for the kitchen. I installed an extra row of the same tile to extend the backsplash. Turns out, the cabinet people measured correctly and no modifications were needed. During that time, David “shared” his opinion that kids should be kicked out at 18, gave unrequested gardening advice (use poison), and that “all kids should be bullied so they toughen up to handle on the job instructions.” I wanted to fire him many times, but I would have lost my deposit. I mistakenly thought that if I made a large downpayment, I’d get faster repair. In the end, all the subcontractors were great to work with, but David made it a nightmare. He didn’t hide his disgust toward my son for accidentally starting the fire (cigarette). If you look at his pic, he looks angry. He’s getting an award and he’s angry. He needs an attitude adjustment. Would I hire him again. No.

Scott T.

While starting with specific ideas and wants with, I greatly appreciated Dave's guidance and ideas with how to take my ideas to create an addition that I will truly enjoy.

This project consisted of tearing down the existing garage and rebuilding the garage with a carport which was the best way to maintain the character of the mid-60's rambler and the uniqueness of the .25 acre odd-shaped lot that limited garage expansion.

The house had a half-bath off of the master bedroom which there was no way to add a shower. By expanding out, a shower was added, a good size walk-in closet, screened in porch with a deck to create a master suite.

I was thankful for each of Dave's suggestions such as the use of cedar in the screened-in porch which gives the space a cabin feel. It is a space that I will definitely enjoy.

When I Iook at the rear of the house and the carport, while I know it is new, the design all blends in together and has the appearance of being intentional and designed as one, rather than an addition on the back of the house.

There was conversation about what I wanted to do. One of the conversations that stands out to me had to do with the thought of adding a bathroom in the basement. As we discussed the idea, Dave stated, "you won't use it enough to make it worth spending the money on it...." Throughout the process Dave worked to ensure that everything would be completed with the utmost attention to detail yet was also very clear about what he didn't think would be worth the money. I felt as though he was watching out for my best interest.

I am very pleased with the way the entire project turned out, and look forward to finishing the landscape around the new front and backyard patios.

I have received many compliments from neighbors who have watched the entire project as well as those who walk by the house and have watched the project take shape.

Tanna H.

In 2017, we engaged David in a building project, a beautiful 3 car garage. We were delighted that this project was an unqualified success. The building came in on-time, on-spec, and on-budget, which is both the “gold standard” for what you want in a contractor and a relatively scarce outcome! The real test of David’s business came on February 5 of 2018 when we were greeted by the horror of a smoke-filled kitchen. We called David and within 15 minutes he was standing in our kitchen assessing the damage. Within 30 minutes he had plumbers and electricians securing the house. David immediately began working with our insurance company, and the clean-up process began the very next day. Over the next 10 months our home was completely rebuilt with great sensitivity to its age and style, and it is now a beautiful and fully up-to-date home ready to serve for the next 100 years! This was truly an “attic to basement” project. He expertly handled all the often complex and difficult insurance processes that are involved in any project like this. He managed the gigantic task of juggling sub-contractors and inspectors and suppliers. He was on-site every day, often all day, to ensure that what was supposed to happen did indeed happen. But wait, there’s more! In July 2018 we suffered a major flood incident at our business, and so, in the midst of our house project, we called on Attics to Basements to do emergency flood remediation on two levels of a secured building. Once again, David grabbed hold of the project and made it happen, and the result is beautiful. So that’s three times that I have been a client of David’s in the course of about 20 months. A “normal” project, a “crisis” project, and a “business” project, and David has scored 3 out of three on-time, on-spec, and on-budget results. Three quality outcomes. Three great experiences.
David’s current and future success is a result of his ‘character’. He is a person of high integrity, honest, decent, and a man of his word. He stands behind his work not because he is contractually obligated to do so, but because he has personally promised to do so, and his word counts. Attics to Basements was awarded the Elk River Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Small Business of the Year, deservedly so. We are forever grateful for the service, quality, timeliness, and personal attention David has shown us.

Kristin L.

Attics to Basements did a great job when the main level of our townhome flooded. David was very professional and made the process of dealing with our insurance company to correcting the damage in our home seamless. Attics to Basements completely restored the main level of our townhome in a timely fashion and the work was flawless. I would highly recommend Attics to Basements for anyone who has experienced water damage in their home.

Chris C.

Endured a Tornado and the damage they always cause. ATB and team were more than patient with my difficult insurance company, fighting to get was right and fair, without attempting to pad their pocket. They did the work in the time frame specified, were professional at all times, and really did an outstanding job. Rebuilt our garage completely and to the specs I asked for. Made several upgrades along the way, at no additional cost to me or the insurance.

Additionally, everyone there is excellent to work with, friendly, courteous, professional. I can't recommend Attics to Basements enough. You will not go wrong hiring them for all your home project needs.

Travel A. W. H.

We worked with Attics to Basements last summer and they did a 2nd level addition to our 1.5 story home. They did a full kitchen remodel, added all new windows, furnace, electrical update, water heater, air conditioner. We are now a 5 bedroom 2 bath with 2nd story washer and dryer. David and his team were amazing. They worked with us every step of the way and always made sure we knew what was going on.

jen A.

David and his crew rebuilt our house after a fire in 2019. He walked us thru the angst of insurance companies and made our house wonderful again. although I wouldn't wish a fire on anyone's family - We highly recommend David, Jesse and their crew for your family's home!

Lynne S.

David and the Attics to Basements team were there for us in designing a building our new deck in our backyard. The combination of decking and stamped concrete has been perfect for us and our time spent out back with our kids. We look forward to working with Attics to Basements on our front porch this spring.