All Around received a call from Andy Prasky of RE/MAX Advantage Plus mentioning he had clients that were purchasing a historic home on Summit Ave in St. Paul, and were looking to renovate the property to make it their own. All Around was excited and honored to be a prospect for the job. We set up an initial consultation on site with our top group of tradesmen. The initial meeting with the clients was to establish their wants and needs for the home. The clients had a general idea of what they wanted, however they were open to suggestions from All Around for design and schematics.

Once we had the design layout in place, All Around came up with a detailed line by line estimate. It was a complex and in depth plan of action honed by many detail oriented meetings with the clients, to ensure they would be left with the home of their dreams. Once there was a signed agreement, All Around went to work on getting everything in order to complete the renovations. The first step was to procure permits from the Historical Preservation Committee of St. Paul.

After all permits were provided the real work began. There was a large amount of demolition that needed to be done, but the demolition needed to be done with grace and skill so that the original character and assets of the home were not ruined. Before the aesthetics could be tended to, an overhaul of the electrical system, boiler system, AC upgrades and plumbing to 2 of the bathrooms needed to be done.

For the electrical multiple outlets were changed to GFCI’s (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter), and an in floor heating system for two of the bathrooms was installed. The bathrooms needed new pipes, and plumbing systems, and a new wet bar area off the kitchen. The HVAC system received new gas lines, 2 variable flame gas log fireplaces, and multiple Fujitsu heat mini air conditioning systems were installed throughout the home.

This home, in typical fashion of the time it was built, has a large amount of antique wood work. The clients wished to upgrade the look of the hard wood floors as they were dated and worn, but keep the original character and feel of the home. All Around refinished all of the hard wood floors, custom built ins, and trim. After all the wood work was finished it was time to paint the interior of the home. There was old outdated wallpaper on a majority of the walls that needed to be removed and prepped for paint. Specific colors were chosen by the clients for each room.

The master on-suite is where the most astounding changes and renovations were made. By removing the existing wall separating the bathroom to the closet and reallocating that space, the master bedroom and bathroom was redesigned into a magnificent space. Heated marble floors, a double marble vanity, a smoked window in the shower area, and a glass shower remarkably improved the space. The clients hand picked out a specialty tub to showcase in this bathroom. There is a separate closet and seating area and a large bedding section as well with original refinished wood floors. The space is extraordinary.

Another large part of the renovation was the kitchen. With the help of one our designer we were able to create a kitchen that is both modern and elegant. The kitchen includes custom cabinets, new granite counter tops with a center island, new cabinetry in the pantry with a double oven, a water fountain over the range, new lighting, and stainless steel appliances. Off the kitchen All Around was able to create a new wet bar area that the clients can utilize to entertain guests, complete with cabinets, granite counter tops and the original functioning plate warmer of the property.

As with any renovation job of this size, change orders did happen along the way. The sunroom happened to be the first major change order for the job. All Around needed to create more support for the flooring system as it was not safe the way it was. New support beams were installed and jacks were used to raise up the floor in order to have a level sub floor. Once the new subfloor was in, the clients chose a beautiful tile for the room. A fun fact about the house is that, All Around was able to salvage some of the tiles that were originally used in the sun room, and installed them in the back entry way of the home.

Because this project was so involved it did cover a longer time span than normal, beginning in June once the permits were obtained and finishing just in time for the clients to celebrate Thanksgiving in their new home. Even though the restoration came with challenges and change orders, All Around was able to complete the remodel on time and on budget. The clients said they chose our company because we are known for punctuality and availability for communication. To date this is the largest project All Around has ever completed.

Contacting a St Paul general contractor is highly recommended to ensure you’re choosing the best option for your home. Get in touch with a Minnesota remodeling specialist at All Around for a free consultation.