Photo by Meghan Doll Photography
How did you get started in remodeling?
Andy Michels, president and owner of Michels Homes, is a fourth-generation builder. The firm’s beginnings date back the 1920s when Andy’s great-grandfather worked as a homebuilder and as a craftsman in the lath and plaster industry. Post WWII, Andy’s grandfather started Michels Construction, specializing in building 3,000-square-foot homes throughout the Twin Cities. Bob Michels, Andy’s father, then joined the business in the early 1970s and eventually took over the firm in the early 1980s after his father retired. Andy joined Michels Homes full-time in 2007. Under Bob’s leadership, Andy gained a wealth of knowledge regarding the intricacies of building and remodeling.
What sets your company apart?
Following in the footsteps of past generations, the firm continues a legacy of providing exceptional workmanship, superior customer service, tailored designs, and a personalized building and remodeling experience. Uniquely, Andy supervises all remodels and new home builds. He works closely with each homeowner, walking them through each step of the design and building process to ensure every home is built to match their individual tastes and lifestyles. Michels Homes’ extensive experience and expertise in building and remodeling have gained industry recognition. Most notably, Remodeler of the Year in 2011 and 2018 from Housing First Minnesota.
How would you describe your team’s approach to a new project?
Our approach to a new project starts with developing a relationship with the client. Cultivating an understanding of their lifestyle and tastes allows us to build out a comprehensive package that includes detailed plans, a tailored design, and thorough specifications that accurately reflect our client’s vision and goals for the project. Once through the planning portion of the project, we pride ourselves on offering effective project management that is on budget and on time.
What inspires and influences your work?
Our team finds inspiration in developing innovative solutions to the challenges that accompany building and remodeling. Challenges motivate us to get creative, collaborate, and learn something new. We are experts at problem-solving and find that overcoming obstacles is rewarding, brings personal connection, and more often than not, fun.
How do you bring a client’s vision to life?
Continuous communication, inspired collaboration, personalized designs, comprehensive specifications, and a team of talented tradesmen allow us to successfully take our client’s vision and make it a reality.
What are the most important elements of a successful remodeling team?
A successful remodeling team is built on effective communication. Clear communication fosters an environment of trust and transparency, allows for creative teamwork, and forms a solid relationship between us and our clients, designers, vendors, and craftsmen on site. Communication is essential for our team to be a cohesive group that can easily navigate and overcome obstacles while providing our clients with an enjoyable remodeling experience.
What do you enjoy most about remodeling homes?
No two days are the same. We enjoy working on challenging projects and unique properties. We problem-solve from start to finish and have fun while doing it.
What are some of your favorite trends and styles in remodeling?
One of the best parts about being a boutique builder and remodeler is that all of our projects are distinctively different. Our clients, just like the styles of our projects, are unique and rarely ever the same. Current trends and styles can be ubiquitous which is generally the opposite of what our clientele requests. Here at Michels Homes, we lead with the most stylish trend of all—quality.
