We first discussed a kitchen remodel with Model Remodel during the Pandemic. After exploring the project in some depth, we decided we weren't yet ready to make the plunge. Model Remodel was very understanding and told us to reach back out any time. Fast forward a few years and we were ready to go. We reached back out to Model Remodel and invited them, along with a handful of other contractors, to bid on the project. Model Remodel had kept our file from several years previous and was able to immediately jump into the bidding process. They submitted far and away the best bid and we selected them on that basis. Every part of the kitchen remodel, which was quite extensive, and involved moving windows, knocking down walls, and resurfacing our entire first floor, went perfectly. The design process gave us exactly what we wanted, despite some limitations to our house. The construction process was surprising painless. There were two modest hiccups, one a design/construction issue MRM could not have foreseen and one an administrative issue. MRM worked with us to fix both issues without any reduction in quality or project delay. Even better, they completed the project three weeks earlier than projected, an almost unheard of feat in the world of Seattle home renovations. My friends still don't believe me when I tell them it happened. Most importantly, the kitchen turned out spectacularly. We got everything we wanted, and the end result exceeded our expectations. Having now used the kitchen for several months, I can say it is everything I hoped for and more. All of our guests are extremely impressed, and we have recommended MRM to a number of acquaintances. On top of all this, the MRM personnel with whom we worked were excellent, from the designers to the salespeople to the foreman to the project managers. When the project ended, we actually missed seeing the team every week and our weekly project meeting. I can say without reserve that MRM was fantastic and I would recommend them to anyone.

The MRM team put together a nice finished product. We have mixed feelings about it due to it being difficult to reconcile the final cost with the scope of work completed and our experience with some elements of how the project was managed. We are however able to take away some positives that we are building from.

Megan did a great job through design and helped us through our decision making. She also came up with some cool ideas that we love like instant filtered cold water and wood vents. The craftsmanship and quality of work completed by Joe and the crew he managed (Brian and folks) was amazing. Everything just feels really well built. He went above and beyond wherever he could and treated our place like it was his own. It seemed like he could find a way to make anything we asked for happen. MRM has a large team of experts that really know their stuff.

The fundamental problems and disappointment that we ran into was with leadership and project management. We would not have agreed to the things we did if we knew then what we know now. At times MRM did not hold themselves or some of their subcontractors accountable. This resulted in costs passed to us which could have been the responsibility of MRM or a subcontractor. They marketed themselves as not a budget builder but we ran into budget related issues constantly throughout the project. We had to descope some of our must-haves like painting the exterior of the addition without lowering the budget and then finance that elsewhere. We included the owner in our correspondence to the team asking for help and he ignored us.

Things that weren’t in the contract that we called out and were expecting to pay for and were told we would work through later felt like a trick and turned out to be completely cost prohibitive. On one item I asked for that we had discussed previously I ended up getting three other bids that were each 1/5 the cost. They quoted us nearly the same amount to paint three small bedrooms as what we ended up paying for painting the entire exterior of our addition, main house, and DADU elsewhere. We ended up painting the bedrooms and handling exterior painting ourselves. When we asked questions to help us understand cost we were told that they don’t share that information. There were other things that we brought up maybe once early in the project that were forgotten and we never brought up again because we lost confidence that they would be able to provide an option that we could consider.

We’re over 2 months past moving back in and still working through some final finish work. We are still finding some things (weird spots in hardwoods, lines in countertop) and ending up having to reach out to their subs ourselves to handle them. There is still stuff in my driveway and garage. They started the one year warranty as soon as they could. Never got a survey to provide this feedback and I asked for one from their project manager over a month ago now and he is no longer in touch. They have all the money we were never late on any payments and we made the final payment in advance.

We like the finished product, hopeful time will help with some of the disappointments, and wish the experience would have been different. The final cost is higher than we ever expected. Their pictures are great and MRM is a good option for an extremely healthy budget with a very large overage allowance.

Every commitment made at the start of our discussions with them were met. They (Brian and Joe) showed up every day, on time and worked the entire day for the duration of the project. They were highly skilled craftspeople and very pleasant to have in our home everyday. MRM came in on time and on budget. They were just wonderful.

Communication was amazing throughout the entire project and Model Remodel was transparent with the process.

It was a great experience working with Model Remodel. Everyone we worked with was very professional and had great communication. The entire team were very respectful of our space and kept the work site very clean. We would definitely work with them again in the future.

I loved working with the whole MRM team, and I am extremely happy with the results!

I would be willing to recommend Model Remodel without hesitation and I have already told friends how pleased we are with their work.

The Model Remodel team were amazing partners on our renovation journey. From the first meeting with Jason and through the entire project, they were deeply invested in helping unlock our vision for major updates to our home. The entire team worked relentlessly to deliver a beautiful outcome while working within our project constraints. We highly recommend working with MRM.

The bottom line: They were receptive to our needs, the cost estimate was accurate, and they finished exactly on schedule.

Yes. Very good work and good attitudes. Travis especially. We were very comfortable with him and his management of the project

Yes, for sure! The particular team model they have, where each member has a well-delineated role (including the homeowners) made for an overall smooth process during our whole-house remodel. We always knew where to turn for answers to our questions, or for any problems that arose, and the response was always prompt. This was true during both the design planning and construction phases of the project. We received weekly updates, on site, throughout the project, so that we stayed informed and saw progress in the making; at each meeting we learned what was expected to happen in the coming two weeks as well. MRM was budget conscious, and helped guide us in the financial aspects of what we could afford. Regular cost projection reports were given to us. The unflappable project manager was great at seeing the big picture and keeping everyone moving forward according to plan. The interior designers knew their stuff, and planned spaces that both improved use and flow. They were good listeners, and were key to helping us choose materials and style details that would be in keeping with our vision. Very importantly, we could not have asked for a more skilled field crew. Both the construction phase supervisor and the lead carpenter had problem-solving abilities and carpentry skills that were excellent. When they uncovered some faulty aspects in the original 1970s construction, they offered solid solutions to rectify those. The supervisor was also great at coordinating all of the subcontractors coming into the home to do their parts of the project (electrical, painting, tile installation, etc) and their work was also top-notch.

They are considerate and great at problem solving.

We have used MRM multiple times. On our own home and on our rental property. MRM is the ONLY company I trust with my vision and their quality of work.

Model Remodel generally provided excellent workmanship with clear communications. They promptly addressed concerns and all interactions with them were courteous and respectful. They had some difficulty with subcontractors, particularly the tile and floor, which required significant repairs or re-installation. Managing the punch list of items needed to complete the project also was difficult, possibly due to lack of manpower and control over subcontractors. The project is still not complete four months after the substantial completion date.

Word of mouth is probably the most likely and most effective way to recommend a contractor like this. All I simply have to do is invite them over to see how well done our home was. It's an easy referral :-)

Very happy with the finished product

Design Process

Design Process - Certainly ended up being a highlight of the whole process. Cat did a fantastic job coming up with concepts that were both functional and fit aesthetically with the house. She also excellent at working with us through the interior options, helping push us where it made sense, but also find middle ground between different view points

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - Working with MRM was a great experience, we're looking forward to future projects with them!

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Achieved what we set out to do. Very happy with the workmanship and identifying small needs that did not add to the cost of the project.

MRM was great to work with, their workmanship was excellent, they were conscientious about the budget and they stayed close to the schedule. What’s not to like?!

We had a very positive experience with Model Remodel for our addition. We had a vague idea of what we wanted, but our designer came up with some great options that made the most of our available space while keeping in mind our budget limitations. The team stayed in communication with us throughout the project and kept us on budget and on schedule. We really appreciated all the due diligence they did before starting the project (for example, identifying the exact location of a decommissioned oil tank) to avoid expensive surprises mid-project.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - We didn’t expect to enjoy any aspect of this process, and only hoped to weather the various inconveniences. To our delight, we had fun! Bryan was a pleasure to work with. He had a great sense of humor, took challenges in stride, and kept the project humming along at a steady clip. We enjoyed seeing it all come together!

MRM is committed to doing quality work. The entire team from sales to design to daily/weekly project managers was available and responsive to questions or concerns. The provided regular status and worked creatively through issues.

For complete design + build, yes.

Yes, we would recommend MRM because we feel confident that the company is capable of delivering projects with high construction quality and with strong project management skills to keep time and budget under control. We would however caution that the initial cost estimates during the design phase may underestimate the true project cost.

Model Remodel was on budget and on time. They created a beautiful, functional new living space. There were very few hiccups during the remodel and when issues arose they were very responsive to our concerns and found solutions that worked for us.

From start to project completion we were immensely pleased. Design-Creative, visionary and sensitive to our lifestyle. Construction-Professional, personable, painstakingly detailed and elegantly executed.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Project managers were amazingly committed, professional and expert, Sub-contractor selection was superb. Every person who came into our home as part of the project was professional, personable and immensely gracious.

Having your kitchen completely demolished & remodeled while you are living in the home is rough! Thank goodness we had such a professional, respectful & kind company on our project! Model Remodel did everything they could to make it a positive experience for us!

I was initially nervous to have any kind of extensive remodeling work done on our home. Everyone at MRM excelled in explaining the process and what to expect, and the quality of the work is impeccable.

Why Model Remodel

Why Model Remodel - I get the impression that Model Remodel takes a long-term view of their projects and relationship with clients. I felt I could trust their recommendations, and really appreciated their work style, patience, and understanding of budget constraints etc. Everyone at MRM really went the extra mile to make for a good working relationship.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - I'd definitely recommend model remodel to friends and family.

Yes, with a couple of caveats.

Model Remodel was a great remodel contractor to work with for our kitchen remodel. We've previously worked with MRM for a bedroom remodel and window replacement project. They were able to maintain schedule of the project throughout, even with the severe supply chain issue. They were able to support adhoc changes due to late window and appliance deliveries, work with us throughout several scope changes, and were quick to respond to issues found during construction. I would highly recommend MRM for a remodeling project.

I'm not sure I would do any big home remodel projects without Model Remodel. They're the best.

Most of our friends probably couldn't afford Model Remodel.

Why Model Remodel

Why Model Remodel - Had good reviews, had availability within the next year, and I liked the support the design piece as I was unsure what to choose.

They provide excellent quality and communication, and I felt they really made every effort to keep things moving along and adhere to the schedule. I really appreciated those things, I knew I was going to pay a high price for them. But wow, I didn't imagine it could possibly get as high as it did. I'd strongly recommend MRM to somebody for whom cost is no issue, but I wouldn't recommend them to anybody who has a budget they need to stick to.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - MRM kept things moving at a good pace and I was impressed with how they kept all the moving parts flowing, even in the face of supply and covid challenges. Communication was excellent and they accommodated various requests that I had, such as my need to access the house safely on weekends. Work was of high quality and problem-solving abilities were good.

Overall, yes I would recommend MRM to a friend. Some of the challenges that we experienced during our remodel project were not of any fault of MRM.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - All the people involved in our project were professional and did excellent work.

Overall we were very satisfied with our project results. Throughout the process, MRM communicated in a timely and professional manner and was transparent about costs. As with any large projects, there were a few minor issues, but they were quickly resolved to our satisfaction.

Working with MRM was a pleasure. They ensured the remodel was the least disruptive as possible, with the highest quality work. I am extremely happy with the process and the results.

We are thrilled with the results of our Model Remodel attic renovation. They created a beautiful space with unique touches, and their work was high-quality throughout the process, from framing to finishes. Communication was great with weekly meetings and lots of emails. Ken, Jeremy, Steve, and Cat were all fantastic to work with. We will definitely work with Model Remodel again!

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - A few areas of Model Remodel that exceeded my expectations were the site's cleanliness and the quality of the materials and work done. The onsite crew was also expectational. They were very effective and a pleasure to be with.

We had a wonderful experience with Model Remodel. They were thorough, detail-oriented, and very skilled at all aspects of the project, from communication to design to construction.

Why Model Remodel

Why Model Remodel - We knew Jason, and we were coming out of a situation where we weren't happy with a prior contractor, so we wanted to go with someone we already knew to be kind and communicative. The bid was higher than the prior contractor's bid for the remaining work, but we couldn't be happier with the result.

MRM helped us create a new and beautiful space in our home. They were great communicators, responsive, friendly, and willing to take the time to answer our questions, address our concerns, and explain the process. When we had problems along the way, we trusted them to make it right.

Why Model Remodel

Why Model Remodel - MRM was very responsive, friendly, and willing to answer our questions and explain the process. Some other contractors ghosted us, were poor at communicating, reluctant to get permits, or were not able to provide detailed estimates.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Again, with all of the COVID restrictions and starting up again after the lockdown, MRM quickly picked up where they had left off and did so safely and in a timely and efficient manner. The design of the space was also something that was beyond what we had expected. We were very amazed at what MRM was able to accomplish in the existing space.

I already recommend Model Remodel when anyone asks about doing home projects.

Scheduling

Scheduling - They created a realistic schedule and stuck to it so I knew exactly when everything was going to happen. Even amidst a pandemic, they were very communicative and got things wrapped up as quickly as they could.

Manage Costs

Manage Costs - Yes! They always gave me a range of cost options to choose from and were upfront about new costs when I needed to add to the project along the way.

Construction Quality

Construction Quality - Model Remodel went above and beyond in quality. Everything they did was just prefect and they have a very high level of attention to detail.

Communication

Communication - The communication was great. I really appreciated the weekly site meetings so I knew what was happening that week and what was coming up.

Clean & Safe

Clean & Safe - The cleanest 5-month construction project I've ever seen.

Areas For Improvement

Areas For Improvement - None. I wish I could think of something. I was so worried about the whole remodel process after having a few bad experiences and Model Remodel made it so easy and the result is unbelievably amazing. I was actually sad when we finished because I wasn't going to have the daily interactions with them.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Everything! I had some bad experiences with past remodel projects so was worried about the process but Model Remodel made it easy and completely enjoyable. I really liked the Model Remodel team that was on site everyday (Rohn and Steve are the BEST). The team in the office was so kind, patient and smart. The most important part was that they were all empathetic and funny humans. It wasn't just a transactional project. Plus the quality of the work still blows me away every time I use my new kitchen.

This company was extremely helpful in guiding a 72 year old novice from start to finish through my 1950’s house remodeling, From start to finish they met with me, patiently explaining the process, offering choices and creating the space I had dreamed of while working as a tight knit team to pull it off.

Communication

Communication - This is where this company shines. Weekly meetings with the team of Project Manager and Financial Manager and myself, in person or Face Time, with an agenda and open to keeping me on the same page with them.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The team approach, and the responsiveness of the team was outstanding. I feel like my dream was honored and improved upon rather than them just building their idea of what was needed.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - The entire team is amazing. GREAT customer service.

We will highly and enthusiastically recommend Model Remodel to everyone we know who is looking for a top-notch contractor.

Design Process

Design Process - Model Remodel provided expert design services and assisted us in the design process. They presented us with professional renderings and drawings that helped us visualize the final product. Their design team was incredibly skilled and creative.

Manage Costs

Manage Costs - Absolutely. Model Remodel did a fine job of managing our costs within our target budget. Some items/areas came in higher than initially expected, and some came in under. They did a nice job of communicating with us in order to help explain these areas of cost differences.

Why Model Remodel

Why Model Remodel - We got 3 bids for our project, and they landed in the middle in regards to cost. So, based on that, in addition to several positive referrals, we felt confident about their ability to deliver our project as stated. Also, their website does a fantastic job of showing beautifully completed projects, their staff is super professional, their office is sharp and organized (a reflection of their values, clearly), and the company is engaged in the local design-build community and has won many awards.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - Without reservation, we'd recommend using Model Remodel for any size design/build project. Overall professionalism, skilled work, and fantastic results are what you'll find when working with them.

I recommend Model Remodel every opportunity I can. We wanted a design/build firm to manage our process from beginning to end. They had creative solutions for our house and allowed us to view the space in a way we never could have imagined. They were on budget and completed our remodel on time. Communication was clear. We lived in our house for much of the remodel and we felt safe throughout the construction. Everyone from the project manager to the site supervisor to the contractors checked in our comfort and safety on a daily basis. All of the third-party contracts hired to complete work were extremely skilled. We have gotten many compliments on the carpentry work. It was relief working with a company so comfortable and fluent with the city of Seattle's permitting process. I enthusiastically recommend Model Remodel.

Manage Costs

Manage Costs - They were 100% transparent with cost and kept us up to date with budget from week-to-week.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The design and project management were outstanding. Brilliant, creative problem-solving and very efficient and effective job management. Every aspect of the remodel was made easier because they proactively anticipated and solved problems.

We wanted a high quality remodel for an important room in our house (main bathroom). We trusted MRM to do a high quality job that would last for many years, and that is exactly what they delivered. Highly recommend.

My husband and I had a dream of doing an expansion of our cramped 1950's home that to do right, was going to be a stretch for what we could afford. We picked Model Remodel because the moment we met Jason Legat (owner) and Cat Schmidt (designer) we could feel their warmth, care, and excitement to help us create our dream house. Our timing was horrible in choosing to remodel- as immediately after we agreed to move forward after getting our estimate we heard news that there was rising lumber/ sky rocketing sub contractor costs and horrible permit delays with the city. It seemed that we hit hurdle after hurdle that made the project near impossible. Each and every road block we hit- Jason Legat and his entire team (special shout out to Issac Woods estimator for tireless penny pinching and scrambling to keep to a budget we could do) BENT OVER BACKWARDS to make our project happen. Cat Schmidt held our hands through every aspect of picking out details, Kent Perry our project supervisor was a dream to work with, Ricky Bribiesca kept the budget on track, Leo/Shiloh/Art and all the other onsite workers did excellent work, and Kim/Kris helped keeping up with our difficult loan. To everyone at Model Remodel thank you for a challenging but amazing process. The end result was worth every moment! We love our new house.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Every single person we dealt with in this company was professional, warm, excited about our project and made every effort to make this process and smooth and successful one. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with them all.