Ohana Home & Design

Designer created a good overall first draft design. Design elements were solid. On-site visit was professional. The designer listened and asked very good questions.The result was a computer generated floor plan and kitchen views from multiple angles which were really helpful. Final written estimated was consistent with the on-site verbal estimate which was reassuring. The designer gave us a clear up-front indication that the cost of our "wants," would be greater than the budget we articulated. The design was based on wants and the cost was very close to the verbal estimate. The designer knew this was a long term decision (2013) at the start of the process and still came through with no delay. No surprises & pleased with the work.This would be a great option for people needing a fast track build / project completion date if the construction company performs as well as the designer / Shawn.

We contracted with Ohana after a fairly extensive bid process, using only Angies List vendors. Of the two finalists, we chose Ohana. Summary :Let's start with the finish: they were within 3% of estimated budget and within a week of their projected completion time, on a 7-week long project that saw no small number of changes and adjustments along the way. I strongly recommend Ohana for any remodeling project; they are trustworthy, open to discussion, and highly professional. Bid Process: We wound up chosing them not because they were the cheapest, but by the thorough and meticulous nature of the bid. Every single item that you would think to need in a remodel was itemized with an appropriate allowance that gave you a feel for what "nice but not ostentatious" would be. This was a level of detail missing from other bids, and I felt it would save a lot of arguments over scope creep later in the project (this proved to be true; I pretty much instigated all scope creep). Ryan and Shawn (Ryan's cabinet guy) came in, and in discussions recommended against my original plan - they felt they could make me happier with a modification of the existing layout, rather than the much more radical teardown I'd wanted to do. They turned out to be right; we're thrilled with the new work. If you are willing to engage in give-and-take with them and rely on their advice, you will not go wrong. That being said, they will execute your decisions faithfully, but the final design decisions are left to the customer. Design: We spent a LOT of time iterating on the design. Both my wife and I are managers and engineers, so we were sticklers for drawings and blueprints, which they were happy to provide. I even did some rendering using Home Designer Suite 2012 to help visualize the project, and they likewise provided drawings, some AutoCad renderings, and examples of finished construction to help guide our choices. The final project looked very similar to my rendering - we got what we asked for. Construction: Materials Choices: We were directed to a team of subcontractors for selection of cabinetry, sinks, toilets, appliances, faucets, etc. We were favorably impressed with the team Ryan and Maggie chose to work with, and did not feel our choices were improperly constrained. They let us know, more or less real-time (they're real believers in email, which worked great for us) how our choices would impact the bids. Maggie in particular was a real champ at helping us move money between allowances (see "On The Fly" below), allowing some really nice modifications. Construction: The actual construction process went incredibly well. Each week, we would get an email containing exactly what was going to be done, who'd be doing it, what time they'd arrive, and when they'd leave. They were able and willing to work through our toddler (age 2) napping, and did a marvelous job ensuring that debris and dust were cleaned up at day's end. Our house remained usable for the entire seven weeks of the project, with one excecption: we voluntarily vacated when they refinised the floors (varnish). On the Fly: The most impressive part of how Ohana managed the project were the adjustments he made on the fly. When they ripped off the drywall of our home, they found that the main structural member had been built in sections (and built badly at that). I found this out because when I got home, I found they'd jacked up the ceiling, removed a ten-foot section of the load-beam, and replaced it with PROPER construction, rather than the poor job that had been in place previously. No charge, no mention, just "do it right." Another case was when Maggie realized that by going with a drop-in tub instead of top mount, we'd solve several design challenges due to the small size of the bathroom. It was an upgrade in cost (but remember, the entire project came in within 3% of budget) but a huge improvement in the look and usable space. Finally, I sprung my desire to use columns on the half-wall to separate the kitchen from the family room; Ryan found an expert finish carpenter and added them to the project towards the end. Problem-Solving Strategy: We noticed an issue with some tile that didn't look quite right; the subcontractors had taken a short-cut. Ryan just ripped the offending pieces off the wall, which saved time the next day when he instructed his team the proper way to execute that without cutting corners. The subs were annoyed, but they did it the right way that time. Ohana has little patience for poor craftsmanship, and it showed in the final result. Overall: The end of the project was a welcome experience, with a fantastic new kitchen and bathroom.. We enjoyed working with Ohana, and would eagerly do so again. They were helpful, friendly, and never made a statement or promise they couldn't fulfill, and were very, very proactive in communication and planning.

pleasure to work with ryan and maggie and their subs.our letter grades tell the story better than i can. a few glitches as you will encounter on any major project that were solved satisfactorily. ohana does very good work and ryan and maggie care.

Overall this was a smooth project, once again. We are extremely pleased and will definitely be using Ryan and Maggie in the future!

We were very happy with the end results. We'd definitely recommend them if you're considering a project in your home, no matter how small or large it may be.

The 'kitchen designer' was slick as a used car sales person. The bids were full of errors. I constantly had to email him the errors. Looking back I should have walked away at this point. It was a view of the difficulty to come. There were so many bid because he kept coming in with a high priced kitchen that this small town house couldn't support. I even had him come back to the house to talk about why I didn't think such a high priced kitchen was appropriate for my space. But he kept coming up with high bids. So I kept removing things to get the price down. In the end, when I went to sign the contract it was higher than the bid. Again I should have walked away. I knew the contract was wrong. But I signed it & thought at least this would be a project that would run smoothly. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The project went down hill from there. I think they were as glad to be out of my kitchen as I was. Clearly this is a company that is not equipped to receive feedback from customers. As the project progressed it was one thing after another. I am so glad to have them gone & out of my home. They were awful to deal with & I would not recommend them to my worst enemy.

We have a 900 sq. Ft. Spanish 1920 stucco house that had 3 small bedrooms down one side of the house. We started a remodel 10 years ago by tearing out the two closets that separated the two front bedrooms intending to make a larger master bedroom. Instead it evolved into our entertainment room while we used the half finished basement as our bedroom without a closet. The one bedroom upstairs was the only closet in the house now and was narrow, deep, and unfriendly. Also the linen closet was so deep you had no idea what was in the back of it, more unfriendly. We had a long list of things we were unsatisfied with. The back of the house was unattractive, the roof needed work and new shingles, and we wanted to get out of the basement and desired CLOSETS! Two years ago I retired and started sketching what I thought we wanted for a remodel while searching for a contractor on Angies List. This went on for a year and Ohana always came out at the top of my list. Finally I gave them a call and Ryan stopped by. We didn't have the floor plan of the remodel and addition figured out yet, so Ryan brought in a designer for our next meeting to make a feasible floor plan. We had some brain storming sessions and compromises all around and the formal construction prints were drawn up and revised a couple of times, all in a very timely fashion. Mpls building codes also dictated some changes, but Ryan and the designer worked them into an acceptable layout. After the survey and getting the building permit the excavation started mid Dec for the foundation of the new addition downstairs approx 154 sq. ft., and the the tear off of the roof 242 sq. ft. for adding master bed and bath upstairs 416 sq. ft. This was all framed in within a week. Then came the house wrap, siding, roofing, and windows. Interior walls,Plumbing, HVAC, electrical, insulation, sheetrock, mud/tape,sand, and paint. Install hardwood floors and bath cabinets. Quite the orchestration, sub contractors said they like working for Ohana because there is no waiting around. There are too many details to mention, but one thing worth mentioning is the extra effort by Maggie and Ryan on the tile we picked out. It was a polished "Guatemala Verde" 12 in. x 24 in., we found out later it was discontinued. They worked with the tile supplier and found some in Italy, got it on a boat, no problem. Just one example of many that made this a rewarding experience. They estimated 3-5 months for the project, it took 3 1/2 months. I will let the pictures explain further.

Ryan called me back and after I told him my budget, he didn’t believe that he would be able to do anything on that budget. He also thought that it would be a waste of his time to come out and give me a bid. He obviously was not listening to me what I needed. It was very insulting to me.

Shawn Wilson, an Ohana employee, worked with us to design the layout of the kitchen cabinets and granite counter tops. He was great to work with and was very effective in developing details and suggesting ideas for improved function and appearance. He also developed the initial estimate and contract details. Ryan Sewell, co-owner of Ohana, served as the project manager and brought in the major subcontractors to confirm the scope of work and to refine the contract cost and schedule. Ryan was an excellent project manager, ensuring that all members of the work crews came on time and performed the work in accordance with the contract and to meet our expectations. Ohana works with the same major subcontractors on all of their projects and they enjoy working with Ryan because he communicates well and maintains the schedule. Ryan was on site every day when there was any significant work being done. Maggie Sewell, Ryan's wife and majority owner of Ohana, provided a weekly e-mail with the schedule for the upcoming week's work. She also met with us prior to the start of construction to provide assistance with our temporary kitchen (in our garage). Ohana provided a counter top microwave and water cooler to make these temporary arrangements work in the best way possible. Shawn visited the project at key points when the cabinets and counter top were being installed. He worked with us to resolve any unanticipated existing conditions and to continue to make refinements to the design and installation. The only revisions to the contract amount were the result of additional work that we authorized and approved prior to the work being done. The project was completed in five weeks - one week prior to the contract schedule! We are extremely pleased with the entire process of working with Ohana as well as the final result. We give our unqualified recommendation of Ohana Construction!

The project took roughly 6 weeks from start to finish and included additional work we asked for, such as refinishing our existing hardwood floors adjacent to the new kitchen and electrical lines for the basement. Expenditure budgets and payment terms were clearly defined and we were kept informed of the cost impact for changes we requested. Beginning with our personalized book outlining the phases to weekly emails detailing the schedule for the week, their attention to details and responsiveness to our questions and concerns was outstanding. Ryan was onsite almost daily to view the progress and responded immediately as questions or issues arose; everyone involved was courteous and professional. From electrical to tile to carpentry (and everything in between), Ryan and Maggie have outstanding suppliers and the quality of work was, in our estimation, exceptional. We are delighted with our new kitchen and the experience with Ohana. We would ABSOLUTELY contact them again as other projects come up and recommend them to others looking for their expertise.

He was very polite and courteous. We haven't decided which direction we are going to go in yet.

They were professional. I would consider using them in the future.

They were very organized, thorough and professional in their estimate. They got back to me quickly. They had a whole written out estimate that was broken down nicely.

Ohana provides a weekly update and schedule for what will happen each week.We would receive the e-mail Sunday evening and would know what would happen that coming week. Without question, this is most professional method of dealing with a customer we have ever experienced. We have had a great deal of work done this spring and when I de-briefed the other vendors I suggested they use this method of dealing with customers. We are going to have our master bath done in 2013 and I will not look for other bids. Ohana will have the work. We are now using the new bathroom much more than we have in the last four years. My only concern is that as they become bigger maintaining this level of customer service may?? be an issue. Anyone who needs a bathroom re-modeled use these organization.

Overall, we had a great experience. Ryan and Maggie are very, very organized and detailed, they outlined each phase of the project and provided updates for the week ahead and what to expect. Payment milestones were clearly laid out, sub-contractors were courteous and prompt, they even had a professional cleaning crew come out after the project to do a thorough cleaning of our house. Overall, a very impressive and positive experience. Thank you!

They do predominately do work on older homes. The quote just didn’t work out that well.

Ryan and his crew are very professional. The work was handled expertly and efficiently. I have worked with Ohana on a couple of different projects over the past 3 years and I simply could not be more pleased with the quality of the work and the helpfulness of Ryan and the guys. I highly recommend them.

We chose Ohana Construction based on their ratings on Angie's List, the plan they offered and on the personality of Ryan. We had two firm bids and talked to several companies over the phone, We asked ourselves who we would want as part of our lives for a couple of months. The choice was easy and we weren't disappointed. This not to say that everything went smoothly. The start date was delayed because of the strike by Mn state workers. (no electrical inspectors) The cabinets were delayed at the factory and the backsplash tile ended up coming a couple weeks later than promised. The bright side was the we were always kept informed of everything. We were told when the sub-contractors would be at the house and informed if there were any delays of any kind. Both Ryan and Maggie were great in helping us make the many decisions that had to be made. We highly recommend Ohana Construction. That being said, be aware that remodeling is expensive. We spent 60% more than our original budget. This was because of decisions we made, not Ohana contraction. Ryan and Maggie were very patient with us and kept us aware of the cost of the decisions were we making. There were no surprises. If you choose Ohana construction, you won't be disappointed.

They are sending me an estimate today. They have been accommodating, and answered all of my questions. They are responsive and I am still considering hiring them.

The project took longer to start than expected due to difficulties obtaining a permit from the city. Ryan was somewhat helpful during this phase. Once we got the permit, the work was completed quickly. The quality of the work is good. Ryan used currently accepted building methods and the platform and stars are both very solid. The cleanup after the work could have been better. We found a large number of the wood screws that were used on the ground under the stairs. The number of screws made it seem like an entire handful or small box of screws was dropped. Our overall experience was good, and we would consider using Ohana Construction again in the future.

Met with Ryan and the cabinet designer to come up with concepts for our kitchen and spare room we wanted to turn into a bar. Ohana used computer designs to come up with the bar and new cabinets. They continued to follow up as the work progressed giving us dates that would fit our schedule. All work was completed to their time lines. The contractors they used for cabinets, tile, electrical, and counter tops were first rate and on an individual basis would recommend them to anyone. I have to say the Ohana team are very honest and have a high degree of integrity that we found refreshing. Their follow through was very good and I will definitely use them again in any home remodeling projects we have in the future.

We actually had 5 quotes, out of which Ohana Construction Inc. and another company were the ones we explored further as theirs was the best value for our money. I thought that their quote was very reasonable. The man who came to talk to us, Ryan, really seemed to have his act together. He asked us what we had in mind without first telling us what he wanted to do. He came up with some ideas and suggestions about the job as well. We had 5 quotes from different companies, and they have to get back to me in time, as I will be worried about the work. I would use their services in the future also. It is an extremely tough choice for us to make as Ohana Construction Inc. and the other company are really good. We found Ohana Construction Inc. from Angie's List. Both of them are class act people.

The experience was terrific! Maggie does a lot of their designing work. You get a 2 for 1 service with them. You aren't paying for any additional planning or services. They do it all! They are very thorough and flexible.

As with all remodeling projects there were a few glitches but Ryan handled all issues promptly and professionally and got everything resolved. I am VERY happy with my new bathrooms. If you want a contractor you can trust who has integrity and the highest level of customer service I have ever experienced with a remodel -- call Ryan and Maggie to get the job done right. My husband and I are extremely nitpicky but everything we asked Ryan to do he did to our satisfaction.

We had got four strong bids and his was the second lowest. It seemed like the list of things he was going to do was pretty exhaustive and it wasn't like there would be a bunch of add-on costs. We liked Ryan because he gave costs for pretty much everything we needed in the base cost and the additional ones seemed like they were more reasonable margins like the margins he was keeping throughout. He also seemed to really know what he was doing and had a good overall plan for different options and things that could be done. He also had really high scores on Angie's List, but then, all the ones we talked to had quite high scores.