Read this before you sign anything with Creative Homes…read more First, no matter which builder you choose, bring your own realtor. Do not rely on the builder to "look out for you." We worked with Vic Wittgenstein at Coldwell Banker Burnet (Crocus Hill) and he was excellent, but that representation was critical. Now, the hard truth: Just moments before handing over our first $5,000 earnest money check (with another $10,000 due shortly after), we were informed that Creative Homes only uses flat paint (a non-negotiable). This was disclosed after hours of selections and decisions had already been made. Flat paint. In a $400,000+ brand-new home. With young children. Flat paint cannot be cleaned without damaging it. The walls now look terrible, and repainting will be inevitable far sooner than it should be. The timing of this disclosure felt intentional (and gross). It didn't stop there. We paid $250 per room to paint our kids' bedrooms different colors. Total: $500. They didn't even paint the closets. Quality issues were constant. Their "thorough inspection" missed multiple electrical outlets and a pot filler. When we pointed out a missing outlet, it was slapped in at the last minute in the wrong location. When we raised concerns, we were told, "You got an outlet." Plans be damned. Selections are another trap. Any faucet or fixture that isn't their cheap default is wildly marked up, often 2-3x the retail price. Even worse, the defaults don't match other finishes. We ended up with antique silver cabinet hardware and ugly chrome faucets. Our kitchen faucet was quite literally half plastic. We chose to replace fixtures ourselves because it was cheaper than their "upgrade." Then came the windows. They don't use local manufacturers like Andersen because Pella is cheaper for them. While cleaning, we discovered the windows were only caulked where visible. The top edges weren't caulked at all. That sums up their approach perfectly: If it's hidden, skipped, or the bare minimum- they'll do it. Anything to save a dollar, at the homeowner's expense. My advice: Do your homework. Talk to real homeowners. And don't be fooled by a polished model home, as it does not reflect the quality behind the walls.

We closed on a new home from Creative Homes in May 2025. We reported an issue in June 2025 with…read morethe sidewalk for a warranty repair. It appears the concrete was poured when it was raining and was never covered, causing the surface to have water damage from the roof runoff. They came back and said this is just fine, they weren't going to cover this because it's only cosmetic. Really? I don't think this is acceptable for a new home and should not be like this. This is clearly shoddy workmanship. They don't stand behind their work or warranty. See photo.

After searching Chicagoland for a creative and outstanding design/architect studio I found David…read moreHeide in Minneapolis. We were and are so impressed with his work that we commuted to Minneapolis, and they commuted to us in Lake Forest, IL. Our older home project (Kitchen, small addition, new bathroom, and family room) is nearing completion. From the builder, to the cabinet maker to the other major subs...they have all commented on what an "incredible" project this is. I am so proud of what we (my husband and I) with David, and Brad have created. It exceeds what I hoped for. So much design where we live is predictable, not very creative, and frankly...oversized...for an older home. David Heide, and Brad Belka are masters of restoration, updating, and renovation of older homes and also building from scratch. They understand human scale, materials, practical details, and fine craftspersonship. And, they know that all these elements count in the big picture. While not "cheap", we feel their services are a bargain when I think of what we might have ended up with without their guidance. Check out their portfolio...pictures are worth 1000 words. Also, they have won so many awards. Thank you David, Michael (superb, tasteful interior design), and the always patient Brad.

David Heide Design is a top tier design firm. We had them design an addition to our Stillwater…read morehome. Their attention to detail and creativity is amazing. They always had our interests in mind. They walk you through the process and match you with a builder they trust. They pointed us to Next Level Renovation. It was a perfect recommendation. We highly recommend David Heide for your next project! Friends and family continue to marvel as to their great work!

Existing home need a face lift, or remodel? Cory is creative, professional, timely, and thorough…read morein his approach to home design. He will provide you with virtual renderings of what your home looks like now, and what it will look like after.

From the owner: We offer Residential Design Services for Builders, Remodeler's and Private Residence's. With over…read more15 years of design experience in the residential field, you can be assured we have the knowledge to work with you and help bring your ideas to life. Customer satisfaction is our #1 priority!

Kurt Gough provided us an in home visit and initial design drawing for our home redesign. He…read morelistened carefully to our ideas, provided innovative recommendations and gave us clear instructions for our next steps. Due to zoning restrictions, we are unable to do our project. Definitely would have used Shelter and Kurt had we been able to go forward.

From the owner: Shelter | Architecture+Interior Design is an award winning architecture and interior design firm…read more We design homes and creative commercial and hospitality spaces. We work with passionate folks to develop cutting-edge building solutions and sustainable systems. Shelter projects are approachable, livable, responsible, and of course beautiful environments in which to live and work better.

We had a new fireplace installed and a current fireplace serviced by Twin City Fireplace & Stone,…read moreout of their Woodbury, Minnesota location. Jim and Tony who managed the job were great to work with, timely and professional. Andy and Derick who completed the work at our home in Afton where polite, took pride in ensuring the work was completed to our satisfaction and worked into the evening past 6pm. Thank you for our great new fireplace! We love it!!

From the owner: Our mission is simple: "To be the best, most detailed and knowledgeable installing fireplace…read morecontractor and brick & stone masons in the Twin Cities. We will create a company culture that emulates a close family atmosphere; a place where team members & their families, friends and customers are welcome." Twin City Fireplace & Stone Company is a family owned corporation committed to excellence and customer satisfaction. With the customer in mind we approach every project as though we were working in our own home and we were founded with the intention of providing homeowners, builders, designers & architects in Minnesota with the highest quality hearth products & brick and stone installations available.

No value. No vision. No organization. No ethics. I hope…read moresomeone reads this review before going through the hell my husband and I went through for 18 months.

Where do I even start on the house from hell we had built by Mark Erickson of Landsted, Hudson, WI…read more  First the house was started in March of 2017 and was suppose to be finished by October 3, 2017.  It took until the day before Christmas for us to move in.  The reason was because the utilities were not brought into this new neighborhood as the excavating contractor was not paid.  So our house sat with no ac and no heat from March thru December.  Two and a half months after we moved in, all of the woodwork and cabinet doors started cracking.  Over 200 cracks...yes over 200.  I have pictures of every crack!  There were many other problems... the garage floor was flaking, the fireplace surround wasn't finished, the floor warps, one pocked door doesn't open and the other one won't stay closed.  NONE of these problems were fixed by Mark Erickson and he took responsibility for none of the problems.  We finally paid to have the problems fixed ourselves.  After putting a sign up on our lawn telling people to stop by, Mark finally paid us for a few items we had fixed ourselves. He didn't like our sign!!!   He paid us about $1,600 which he had to make in two payments because he didn't have enough money to pay us.  WE finally had all of the cracks in the house fixed and he said that his guy could have done it for less.  Why didn't he get over and do it then? It has been 2 1/2 years we have been asking Mark to fix the problems.  Then he had the guts to say that we were past our warranty.  Even though we have been asking him to fix them since 3 months after we moved in.    There have been 6 'project managers' within the past two years.  Brian, Dan, Chris, Steve (who was really his architect), Joe and Andre'.  No one knew what was going on from one day to the next because he changed project managers so often.  And Mark had no clue on any of it.  He even said that 'his guy' could fix the cupboard door cracks by adding grout. GROUT...are you kidding me!!!  Beware people!!! Also we were suppose to get matching mailboxes...Didn't happen There was suppose to be a center garden w/ trees in the middle of our cul-de-sac...Didn't happen Each yard was suppose to get some trees...Didn't happen We were suppose to have a path down to the lake and have a dock area...Didn't happen This man/company has been unethical, dishonest, deceiving, and unorganized while working with us. I would run!  There are many reputable companies out there....This is not one of them. Shellie 893 Bluebird Court North Hudson, WI

We requested a structural evaluation for our kitchen remodeling on Thursday and they scheduled a…read morevisit for Monday. The engineer Steve stopped by at the scheduled time, very friendly, and very approachable. We are very happy that we found them online.

From the owner: Criterium-Twin Cities Engineers is a Minnesota engineering consulting firm that specializes in all…read moreaspects of inspection, evaluation, and design services for residential, homeowner association, commercial, and industrial properties. We have established a professional reputation of integrity, honesty, thoroughness, and a commitment to successful project completion that is unmatched.