Great Lakes Builders Inc

This is easily the best interaction I’ve had with a contractor. They were professional, prompt and finished in exactly the time frame given. They also checked in every step of the way and followed up after the work was finished. If I ever need builders again, I will co tact them and have recommended them to everyone I know.

They kept me informed, did exactly what they said they would do, when they said they would do it, they came up with some ideas to save me money, their workmanship and technical skill were amazing, and they left everything very clean at the end of each workday. I highly recommend this company for structural and foundation work!

Martin and Great Lakes are consummate professionals. They are incredibly knowledgable about structures and the factors and variables that can affect them -- both internal and external. For our work, they excavated along the foundation to allow us to analyze our foundation. We highly recommend them to preserve the structure of your facilities new and old.

Great Lakes Builders were amazing. They were fantastic problem solvers and partners, collaborating every step of the way with our structural engineer and us. It was apparent that completing quality work within the timeframe and estimate really mattered to them. We were even out of town for part of our project, and they zoomed with us daily to show us exactly what was being done. They were helpful in connecting us to outside contractors (dry wall, electrician, etc) so that by the time the project was completed, it was REALLY completed. They were meticulous, methodical, helpful AND friendly.

Martin and Jake are the absolute best to work with. They were thorough, efficient, professional and so easy to work with for our basement structural work. They took time to explain what needed to be done, coordinated with different contractors (plumbing, electrical), and were able to complete our project on time while we were out of town for just a week(!!). I can't recommend Great Lakes Builders more - they were a pleasure to work with and we will absolutely be using them again for any future work we need. 5+ stars!

It was a pleasure to work with this firm. Everyone was courteous, conscientious, helpful and reliable. The president of the firm kept me informed at every stage and explained what was being done. Meticulous care was taken to preserve the safety and integrity of the premises, and the work was started and completed within the timeframe outlined. The house was left very clean. I could not have asked for a more professional or cooperative contractor.

We noticed the front door was having a hard time closing. Upon further inspection, we found the major support beam holding up our 2nd floor had shifted and was pressing down on the door frame. Martin from great lakes came out and immediately had a crew respond to install temporary bracing. Upon receiving the structural engineer's report, Great Lakes came out the next day to begin repairs, which they completed three days. Can't say enough about their prompt response and workmanship.

Mike was extremely helpful when I approached him for an open-ended bid to repair and restore the ceiling joists on a very old property that has seen some severe water damage over a few decades. He answered my questions, providing useful information about the construction methods of 100-year-old (and older) homes, probable costs, and things to watch out for during construction. While I haven't hired Mike and his team yet, I am confident that when I do the work will be top-notch, I will be treated with respect by everyone on his team, and I will come away with finished work that more than pays for itself.

Talked to Mike on the phone concerning a foundation repair on our residence, and although his company did not deal with that particular work he graciously supplied me with leads for companies that would handle my project.

Exactly as promised, efficiently and with obvious expertise. They admire older houses and are well versed in techniques, resources, and overcoming challenges to satisfy today's homeowners. Highly recommend!

Great Lakes is the team you want to work with! Great Lakes takes pride in providing a proper, long term solution and it really showed in how they always took the time to answer any of my questions or concerns and ensured that I (your standard home owner) had a clear understanding of the scope of the project at all times. I can’t begin to emphasize how important it is to have a company that is upfront and honest about every aspect of your project. My project manager, Martin, was amazing. He was in constant communication with me running up to the start and during the week of construction to ensure that everything was running smoothly. He was always available to listen to my concerns and to provide solid resolutions to alleviate them. The construction crew was professional and courteous at all times, willing to answer my questions as I (probably annoyingly) hovered over them. I was honestly really interested in how these jobs were done! While I hope to never be in need of their type of service again, I would not hesitate at all to call them again for another job. I would gladly recommend them to anyone who is looking to repair a structural issue to their home or building. Thank you Great Lakes for taking what was a very stressful problem and giving me the confidence that it was in good hands! Thank you Martin, for treating my house and my project as if it were your own!

Upon the recommendation of a friend who used Great Lakes Builders (GLB) and was extremely satisfied and my own review of their experience and glowing reviews on Angie's List, I initially contacted GLB to help me answer questions concerning a home built in 1933 with foundation issues that I was thinking of purchasing. While I did not purchase the home, I did purchase another (built in 1929) also with foundation issues. Based on the knowledge and helpfulness shown by Mike Lewandowski, Director of Business Operations, regarding my first call, coupled with my friend's and others' reviews, I hired GLB to remedy the foundation. The company's history also hit close to home; and, not only did I feel confident in their ability to do the job right, I also felt comfortable with and trusting in them. The Problem: One foundation wall (back to front of house) was bowed 3" and required stabilizing using six equally spaced steel beams. The Work Performed: A 2-foot-wide trench was dug along the foundation wall in which the beams were inserted and new concrete poured and reinforced with rebar. The job took 1 1/2 weeks. Everything I read in the reviews proved right. Martin Lewandowski, President, kept me informed of the project timeline throughout and of any deviations from the initial scope-of-work, which there was. Initially, the solution called for five equally spaced steel beams, but that would have placed two beams in front of two basement windows. Martin brought this to my attention and I agreed that the use of six beams was better. From start to finish, the project was executed seamlessly, efficiently and professionally, as if they’ve done this hundreds of times—and they have. Setting expectations at the beginning of the project, Martin told me it could create a lot of dust possibly throughout the house, but I didn’t see any. The team was immaculate and exacting in its work, leaving the basement cleaner than when work began. (I felt like I needed to keep my house clean based on the cleanliness of the basement!) The work crew was also friendly and happy. They sang while they worked, which I think says a lot about a company. I couldn’t be happier with the result. I would definitely hire GLB again. Thank you all for a job well done.

We took lots of quotes when we determined we needed a new steel structural beam for our 2 flat. Great Lakes came in at the best price, and most personal service. Martin was engaged and responsive every step of the way, be it on a phone call, or in person to walk us through the work. With something as important as structural integrity of a home, it was nice to have someone I trusted to talk us through every step of the process.

My husband and I were very happy with the work completed by Great Lakes Builders. What could have been a nightmare was handled so skillfully, that we were left with a sense of relief and gratitude. The GLB's owner, Martin Lewandowski, did a great job explaining the steps needed to make our home safe and sound again. His conscientious oversight of the work in progress, the daily clean up, and his communication with us added much to our final sense of satisfaction. All in all, Great Lakes Builder's work exceeded our expectations.

Great Lakes Builders saved my home! After extensively researching the issue, I was referred to Great Lakes by a colleague in the insurance industry. I contacted the firm, met with Martin and Mike and instantly felt confident in their ability to do the work. It was not an easy project, the home had to be raised and supported, a new foundation dug and poured. The foundation walls were replaced and the house was set back on the foundation. The home is 120 years old with all plaster walls. What amazed me was how carefully they worked and when it was finished, not one crack! They are true craftsmen and experts in this field. They are punctual, the work site was kept neat and clean and they kept me informed every step of the way. Most importantly, they are concerned with safety. They don’t take short cuts and their structural engineer was terrific. In an old home there are always projects. I am going to use them again for some foundation work on an addition that was done to the home in the 70’s. I highly recommend this company to handle foundation and structural issues with homes.

Both Martin and my structural engineer stated they were working together to come up with a plan for fixing the foundation. My structural engineer stated he had been working with Martin for a while and trusted his work. Martin also seems like a very nice, understated, and thoughtful person. I therefore trusted him as well since my structural engineer was very trustworthy. The plan as told to me by Martin and the structural engineer was to set up trenches of concrete that would then be used as a foundation to raise the foundation. I was told that this work could begin in the winter and the actual raising of the house would occur in the summer. This sounded like a big job but possibly overpriced at $25000. I agreed to it anyway since my structural engineer trusted him. I then felt rushed into signing the contract so that he could start the following day. It turns out that he just put jacks into the walls and raised the house on the third and fourth day he was there! I hadn’t even addressed the water issues that were causing the sinking in the first place! He in no way told me about the change in plans that saved him a lot of time and money and did not pass any of those savings onto me. There was likely greater risk to my home in the way he did it. I obviously felt ripped off and felt that I was told the job would entail a lot of work over the course of a lot of time and instead it was done in total of 5 – 6 days. It felt like a bait and switch. I discussed this with Martin and he agreed to discount some of the price but this was not nearly enough. It also turns out that he didn’t include anything about the structural engineering plans in the contract and did not discuss the changes with my engineer either. After the project was completed, I noticed a new and large gap under one of the window sills where they were working. I asked Martin if he could fill this but he said to stuff it with insulation and that he would fix it when I get future work done with him (as if that is ever going to happen).

Great Lakes Builders team is excellent. From starting to finish a true professional. There was not a time where I had to chase them for an answer. Prompt response to my calls, texts et all. Their quoting process was simple. The owners came out to look at the issue twice to ensure that's something they can do. Worked with their steel suppliers to give me a firm quote on the day they promised. After signing the contract when I asked why they were not starting right away they told me they have to finish the other projects they have already started. I greatly respected that answer because that gave me an assuring that once they start my work, they will start focused and finish quickly than starting everywhere to please everyone. During work they were very detail oriented. Did not cut any corners at all. Everything was done in a very organized fashion so that I don't end up with any other damages and the work is completed as per plan. Their routine of cleaning everyday won my family's heart. The one thing family hates most is construction debris, dust. Great Lakes team cleaned every day after work. Took the trash each day so there was no pile up either. On the last day when they completed work, some concrete flooring work required 30 min of curing time for the concrete before final touch. The 2 of their workers who stayed behind stayed 1-1/2 hour longer because cold weather took that long for concrete to settle. They could have cut corner there and leave early but they cared for my satisfaction more than their cost of 1 extra hour of overtime. All in all, I would recommend their services to anyone. Trust me. You will not regret. I just wish you don't run in to situations where you need their services because that means you have structural damages and having those is never fun :-)..

Absolutely great. We bought a fixer-upper, and have worked with a lot of different companies. They are the best we've worked with. There's a reason their ratings are so high. It took my wife and I a while to come to grips with the cost of our foundation and structural improvement project. Great Lakes' price was competitive, and the service was amazing. Next day responses to questions, every time. Showed up at 8am every day, right on time. Work was completely quickly and professionally. They were polite and kept us informed of the progress the entire time. I literally do not have a single critique. Would highly recommend them for any project. Scott

Went well. Bit of a slow start: getting permits, going back and forth with my engineer, getting the steel ready. But then it was done extremely quickly, as been rock solid since them. Easily passed inspection.

Great Lakes did a great job on structural work on my front porch. They recommended an engineer, and we were able to come up with a more-affordable plan that reinforced more of the porch. And they were able to do the work without losing the old wood trim, which initially seemed like it was going to have to come off. I really appreciated the attitude of all of the guys at Great Lakes: straightforward, honest, not trying to up-sell me. I'd definitely use them again for structural work.

No issues with service. Team was punctual, quick, and thorough.

Excellent. They were prompt, neat and took my desires into account

I can't really comment on price - I didn't get any other actual estimates. They seem to know what they're doing. I'm not a construction guy. They cleaned up after themselves and the work looks good. We had a little mis-understanding on the initial price - they told me it was $16k over the phone - or I misunderstood them - the price ended up being 6k. It's a lot of money - but what can you do. Had a crew of 4 for the day. They didn't lose money on the deal that's for sure. The house was built in 1895 so it's still settling after the work they performed. Now I have to have some doors adjusted, etc. but I guess that's to be expected. Cracking in the plaster was very very minimal which they warned me about ahead of time. Overall, I would hire them again for a job like this.

The work went very well. We were kept informed during the entire process. The work was completed in a timely and professional manner.

Just as they promised: In less tahn 10 days, fast and clean. Very good job. Just some little cracks in some walls as was expected.