What Was It Like Working With Remodeling Journey?
“I’m always focused on transparency and encourage all my past clients to share their Remodeling Journey experience with others. I’m thankful for all the feedback I receive.
If you’ve worked with me in the past, please consider leaving your review by clicking the button bellow. Your valuable opinion may help someone choose their new contractor!
If you’re new to our website, check out what other homeowners like you say about us.“
- Justin Pagel, owner of Remodeling Journey
Reviews from clients
See how we helped others with their remodels, from when we started under the name of Rust and Sawdust Renos, to where we are now, after our rebrand to Remodeling Journey.
P
Pao Vang
Working with Justin and his team has been an amazing experience. I’m in the middle of facelifting my old kitchen. I started off by repainting my cabinets; however the missing touch to a completed kitchen is my outdated countertop and backsplash. I was afraid that Justin might decline the project that I had to offer because my project was too minimal. Justin surprised me by accepting my project, provided me with ideas, and created a 3D rendering of my finished kitchen.
Even though my project was small and only lasted 4 days from demolition to finished product, Justin treated it as if it was a large and important project. He provided me with proposals, 3D rendering, and a schedule that they all met. He kept me updated on a daily basis regarding the progression of the project. Working with Justin has been a positive experience and I am sure that we’ll be calling him for future projects.
R
Ruth Lietz
I wanted a larger shower and contacted Justin at Remodeling Journey. I couldn’t have made a better choice. He came to the house, discussed what I wanted, gave me a quote and a timeline when the work would be done. His crew removed the bathtub and made that a shower and where the shower was, put built in cupboards.
His workers were polite and cleaned up the site at the end of every day. Justin kept in contact with progress reports. You always knew what was going on. Quality of work is excellent and the work was completed to the day it was estimated. I am very happy with the finished bathroom and would highly recommend Remodeling Journey for any project you have!
R
Rebecca Blonsky
We wanted to update our bathroom and it was so hard to find someone to even return a email or phone call. That was until I reached out to remodeling journey. Justin and his team were very easy to work with. After reaching out for an initial quote he got back to me very quickly. He was able to understand what we were looking for and give us an expected cost and timeline. He then was able to create a 3D rendering and helped with design along with his team. The timeline was available online and was very accurate.
Everyone was very professional. In addition, the mess/dust was significantly less than I expected, which was wonderful. Our bathroom turned out exactly how we were hoping and was even finished ahead of schedule and right on budget. Justin was available every step of the way and was extremely responsive. I would absolutely recommend Justin and remodeling journey and look forward to future projects with Justin and his team.
Elizabeth Reisner
I was referred to Justin and his company Remodeling Journey by a mutual friend who knew I had been wanting to update my kitchen for a long time. I was new to the process of home renovations, and was nervous about finding the right company who I could rely on to complete the project. I am so glad I reached out to Justin, because now I have my dream kitchen! My kitchen before was dark and dated, but now it’s beautiful, bright, and exactly to my taste!
The entire process was extremely well scheduled, and my kitchen was completed in less than a month. Everyone on Justin’s team was extremely professional and respectful, and they did amazing work! I love my new kitchen, and I am excited to work with Justin and Remodeling Journey on future renovation projects around my home!
S
Susan Woods
Justin and Remodeling Journey completed my kitchen refresh about a month ago. I was thrilled with the work then…and I’m still thrilled every time I walk into my beautiful kitchen. I had put off the project for quite a while for a number of reasons. But when I met with Justin he explained the process and made me feel completely at ease. We scheduled the job and actually stuck to the schedule.
We set a budget and came so close to hitting that too! (All my fault that we went over budget…and I knew it every time…there were no surprises.) Justin works with a great design team, so tile, sink and granite selection was a breeze. And each of the individuals coming to my house to do the work was professional and respectful. I’m so glad I chose Justin and his team for my Remodeling Journey. I’d recommend him to you too!
L
Lori Hoelter
I can’t emphasize enough how thankful we are for Remodeling Journey. We were dealing with a nightmare before we had the privilege of working with Justin. Our air conditioning unit decided to turn our home into a watery nightmare causing significant damage to our living room, hallway, and even two of our kids’ bedrooms. The stress of the situation was exacerbated by the fact that we couldn’t get any other contractors to call us back.
Enter Justin and Remodeling Journey, and our entire experience was transformed. He was not only responsive but also incredibly proactive. Justin skillfully negotiated with our insurance company, ensuring that we could start the restoration work ASAP. That in and of itself was a massive relief.
Working with Justin and his team was fantastic. Their professionalism was evident from day one. They were not only respectful and friendly but also maintained a level of cleanliness that we truly appreciated. It was evident that they took great pride in their work, and it showed in their tireless effort and dedication to getting the job done right. The exceptional quality of their work is something that sets them apart.
Fast forward to now, and our space is nothing short of a dream come true. Thanks to Remodeling Journey, it’s not just beautiful; it’s perfect. The transformation they brought about is awe-inspiring. This is one journey we would highly recommend to anyone in need of a top-notch contractor. Five stars just don’t seem like enough to express our gratitude. Thank you, Justin, for turning our unfortunate incident into a positive experience!
B
Bonnie Goertz
We used Remodeling Journey for the remodeling of our main bathroom. We had lived with this outdated bathroom for a very long time, and the time had come to bring it “into” this century. I had followed this contractor for awhile on FB under their previous name—Rust and Sawdust— so I was familiar with their work through this and I was acquainted with the contractor’s wife through work. And as we read through why they changed the company name recently, we were even happier that we went with them!
Our tub surround was very yellowed, starting to crack in several places, too short really for my husband and myself, and the linoleum floor in the bathroom was old and dated. When I met with Justin, the owner of Remodeling Journey, I was very interested in his approach to the project. They narrow down choices/options of finishes, flooring, tiles, colors, etc…based on my/our responses and sharing of ideas as we talked. This was great for us, as my husband and I don’t always agree on things when we look by ourselves, and the help we received really made the process way less stressful. We did end up with a different flooring than what was first suggested, one that we preferred over the initial one, but it all worked out so well in the end.
The team working with Remodeling Journey was excellent. They were prompt, professional, cleaned up so well at the end of each day, and were responsive to our needs and time throughout the process. The bathroom was a small one, but this group worked to make it a warm and beautifully done space in our home. Thank you, Justin and team for all you did—we love it!❤️
Samuel Wessel
Our project involved new LVP flooring in the kitchen, dining, and living rooms, along with new quartz countertops and sink in the kitchen. It is hard to find reliable contractors with availability in this area. Our house is new enough that it wasn’t a full gut-and-remodel, but old enough that it really needed some updates. Justin was able to talk me through my list of ideas and identify which ones were feasible and worth the investment, and which ones were too time-consuming and expensive to make a noticeable difference. He also allowed me to save a considerable amount of money by letting me paint my own cabinets.
I wondered at times if it was worth paying someone to do something simple like flooring that I could have done myself, but because our subfloors had multiple heights and spots that needed to be leveled, it was worth having someone who could do it quickly and up to the floor’s specifications as it would have taken me too much time to figure out on my own. The finishes also are nicer than what you’d find in builder-grade new houses. Overall, there’s no way I could have coordinated all the steps it took to make sure everything fit together properly by myself. Justin also noticed some minor things like our toilet running while we were gone and got them fixed even though he wasn’t obligated to.
We were on vacation when the work was done so we appreciated the thorough communication and photos. We were worried about floors looking too “grainy” in the photos compared to the sample but Justin explained how much better they would look in person with the whole floor installed and they ended up looking even better than we could have imagined once we got home. Everything was on time and within budget, and Justin was able to find a different vendor when the countertops went up in price to keep us within budget.
The takeaway is that the whole process was transparent, easy to understand, and involved high quality materials. Now our main living space where we spend the most time looks like a brand new home even though it is 30 years old. Be sure to check out all the examples Remodeling Journey’s work! Time to start saving up for our bathrooms…
E
Elizabeth Bemke
Response from the owner
K
Keith Ende
We were in need of a bathroom remodel due to a leak in the ceiling below our bathroom as well as much needed updating. Justin and his team showed up when they said they would and performed the work they promised. Everyone was extremely professional and courteous. Justin communicated well and kept us updated as the project progressed.
We could not be happier with the completed project and enjoy it every day. The fact that things were on schedule and on budget was fantastic. Justin made sure that we were happy throughout the entirety of the project and worked diligently to deal with issues as they arose. You will not regret working with Justin and his team of subcontractors!
T
Tammy Kemnetz
I began my search for a contractor by following businesses on FaceBook. Rust and Sawdust caught my attention right away as he published remodels before, during and after the job. His personal involvement with the project really resonated with me and my personally. From our first meeting I could tell Justin saw my vision and heard my needs for my new kitchen space and bathroom. The communication never stopped.
He emailed daily and also kept the project software app up to date. My project finished 2 months ahead of schedule. He also worked VERY HARD to insure I had a functioning kitchen for the Christmas Holiday. I welcome you to review my projects before and after photos. You will be astonished. I would recommend Rust and Sawdust for any of your remodeling needs. It’s all about the details which Justin masters with ease.
Response from the owner
BW Gunner
Our projects are unique, and our expectations are high. We were pleased to find Justin was the right contractor to manage both. We asked for and received realistic schedules and budgets, and we all had a great time imagining what could be. Justin is a proactive communicator and he managed our expectations related to budgets and schedules. We started in March, and had finished two independent bathroom upgrades by mid November, including a flooring upgrade in an attached space nobody had anticipated.
The longest delays involved custom shower hardware and were unavoidable. We feel the whole team respected the home’s unique design standards, worked hard to minimize the mess, stayed late or arrived early to get things done, and worked communicated clearly as often as possible. He handled our projects with grace and patience. The results speak for themselves with accessible, durable and beautifully finished, well-lit spaces that cleanly integrate into the home’s design. We look forward to working with Justin again.
Response from the owner
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
B
Bill Shirer
We could not be happier with our bathroom renovation completed by Justin and his team. The quality of the work is excellent, and completion time was ahead of schedule.
The cost of the project was exactly as quoted. The assistance given to us by Justin and his wife was much appreciated, and the two of them helped us narrow down the many choices we had.
Every team member in his staff was exceptionally talented. Justin sure knows how to select a great team. We look forward to working with Rust and Sawdust in the future. We give them our highest recommendation.
Response from the owner
J
Julie Waterman
We hired Justin and Adria to renovate our 70’s kitchen. They helped us design every aspect of the project.
We especially appreciated the selections they came up with, which saved us from the excruciating task of shopping for every item.
Justin and his subcontractors were always prompt and professional. Justin is a great communicator and always kept us in the loop.
Taking on this major project during a pandemic created unexpected hiccups. Justin went above and beyond to solve situations out of his control.
We give Rust and Sawdust a 5-star rating! We will certainly contact them with any future projects! Great people to work with!
Response from the owner
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Patti Shirer
Justin (Rust and Sawdust) has completed many handyman type jobs for us. He is extremely easy to work with, arrives exactly when he says he will, and does an excellent job start to finish.
We trust him completely and will certainly use his services to complete both large and small projects in the future.
We give Rust and Sawdust our highest recommendation.
Response from the owner
M
Marsha Fitzgerald
Justin totally transformed our 50 year old laundry room into a bright, beautiful space in just 5 days.
He used his expertise to offer us choices for flooring, doors, ceiling tile, shelving, and paint. Everything he suggested was “spot on”!
We highly recommend using his services.
Response from the owner
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
M
Mary Lou Krautkramer
Our Kitchen was in need of updating and a better flow from kitchen to dining room. The countertop, backsplash and cupboards were original from when the house was built in 1976. The Rust and Sawdust ad on Facebook caught our eye and had good reviews so we figured we would check them out.
We met with Justin and then with 2 other renovators, and decided Rust and Sawdust would be the best fit. It was a great choice! Really liked the way they worked with us on the design and the estimate. Very professional yet friendly and always on top of things. Helped us wade thru the many decisions and choices and offered some great options in addition to listening to what we wanted.
Gave us a schedule and kept us updated on the progress or any changes that came up. In working with them, we expanded our project to include resurfacing the cabinets and removing the peninsula and adding an island to brighten the room and improve flow from kitchen to dining room.
The team that worked on our kitchen did quality work and at the end of the day, our kitchen was left clean and orderly. We now have a beautiful kitchen that we absolutely love! We will be spending a lot of happy times with family and friends around our new island!! Color choices, product quality and the awesome island are better than we even imagined. Highly recommend them for any renovations you are considering.
Thank you Justin, Adria and the Rust and Sawdust team!!
Response from the owner
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
S
Sharon Kennedy
I cannot say enough good things about Rust and Sawdust Home Renovations. Justin was extremely prompt, getting back to me a few hours after initially contacting him and staying in contact during the entire project and then texting me a few days after finishing to see if we had any concerns or questions.
I appreciated all of his and Adria’s suggestions for my bath remodel and accent wall. He also completed several other repairs that needed to be taken care of.
I highly recommend Justin and am looking forward to him installing privacy panels for us in September.
Response from the owner
J
Jill Palecek
I’m not a writer so I’ll spare you a long story of bad writing and just tell you what you need to know about Justin at Rust and Sawdust Renovations!
*Justin is a fabulous communicator and very professional.
*Justin is meticulous in his work and it shows!
We are absolutely thrilled with our new floors and Justin’s work!
Response from the owner
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Bryce Widmark
Rust and Sawdust helped me with some handyman work.
They were very easy to work with, showed up at the scheduled time and Justin did exactly what he said he was going to do.
Very reasonable and knowledgeable, I am very happy with the work. I plan on working with Rust and Sawdust again in the future, would highly recommend
Response from the owner
Abby Thurber
Rust and Sawdust did a phenomenal job on our entertainment center as well as the updates to our mantle! We couldn’t be happier!
The couple work together to capture not only the decor feel of the built in but also functionality!
Would highly recommend for any project!
Response from the owner
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Miranda Merchant
Justin exceeded my expectations. Our shoe rack and window seat with storage turned out beautiful and the prices were very reasonable!
Thanks Justin and Adria! I will keep you in mind for future projects. I posted before and after photos on their Facebook page
Response from the owner
B
Beth Dimka
Rust and Sawdust installed a laminate hardwood floor in our sunroom and master bedroom.
From beginning to end they were easy to work with; helping to choose the right flooring for our needs, providing us with a detailed list of all the necessary supplies to get and efficiently installing the flooring.
We are beyond happy with their service and would highly recommend them.
Response from the owner
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
T
Terry & Jamie Kickbusch
Although we were unable to use Rust and Sawdust’s services, Justin went above and beyond for us by contacting another contractor who might be able to finish our project.
Very helpful and professional!
Response from the owner
Mariah Seiser
They helped us visualize our dream rooms and bring them to life! Professional and super personable! Highly recommended!
Response from the owner
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
E
Erica Nowak
Amazing!!! One of a kind! Keeps his word, promises delivered.
Response from the owner
M
Michelle Meyer
Skilled craftsmanship;, professional and personal!
Response from the owner
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
John Doe
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.