Client Testimonials
Our mission is deliver excellent service to our Ann Arbor area design build clients, building relationships that go beyond the duration of their design project. Here are a few generous words we've received about projects we were a part of.
Nature Home Retreat, Custom Home Design and Build | Ann Arbor, MI
The Meadows fell in love with the natural surroundings of their location and wanted to maximize views - while creating a modern open concept home for entertaining. They enjoyed each stage of our design-build process, and we enjoyed working with them to create their beautiful nature home retreat!
“There is not a night that we don’t take our dog for a walk, and as we’re coming up to the home, and we don’t do it out of tradition, it’s truly out of just a feeling of, wow, we say, can you believe we live here?”
- Randy & Linda
Modern Open Concept Home Remodel | Ann Arbor, MI
The Bells loved their home, but were tired of the inefficient first floor. The goal was to create an open concept floor plan that improved the flow, and made entertaining easier. They wanted to enlarge a small kitchen and open the space into the living area, and create a modern and fun space.
Our team delivered with this modern open concept design, that allows the Bells to spend more quality time together as a family and has become the go-to home for gatherings!
“Working with the designer was incredible because they just streamlined the process in such a way that it made it so simple to pick out materials. They automatically had such a good sense of what we wanted and really matched what our vision was.”
- Chris & Andrea
Classic Kitchen Redesign, Kitchen Remodel | Plymouth, MI
Chris and Danielle came to us wanting an updated kitchen that would better function for their daily life with two young children. We planned on a full kitchen remodel for this project.
Our goal was to increase the working triangle and amount of work surfaces, lighten the space with more lighting and brighter finishes, and expand the circulation between rooms.
"I honestly don't see how you could go wrong with hiring Forward. I truly don't believe that any other run of the mill construction company we would have gone with would have provided us with the level of service and attention to detail, and just their general attitude quite frankly the same that Forward did."
- Danielle & Chris
Creating Cohesion, First Floor and Bathroom Remodel | Ann Arbor, MI
Kim and her husband wanted an open concept first floor living area, and then later worked with us again for transforming two upstairs bathrooms. This video shows Kim's remodeling journey, and living in a home remodeled by us!
"I think it was one of the best decisions we ever made."
- Kim
Clean & Contemporary, Interior Remodel | Dexter, MI
In 2008, we worked with Dan and Marie for the first time to remodel the first floor of their home. Fast forward to 2020, and we were able to work with them again! Check out this video to learn more about why they chose to work with us again, and how this project turned out!
"We’ve been very pleased with the results. There’s always quality workmanship and they will follow up.”
- Dan & Marie
The Tuscan Kitchen, Kitchen and Basement Remodel | Ann Arbor, MI
We first worked with Doug and Nancy in 2004, when they decided they were ready to finish their basement. They wanted a place that they could host friends and family for events, and to spend more time together as a family.
Fast forward to over 10 years later, and they were ready to update their kitchen as well. Hear more from Doug and Nancy in this video about their remodeling journey!
"Forward Designers & Builders exceeded our high expectations in all aspects of their service from creative conceptualization through superior construction. We had many ideas to incorporate in the design and no details were overlooked. The project moved in accordance with our agreed upon timeline with minimal disruption to our daily household activities. Every member of the team, including their partnering subcontractors, was a skilled professional and dedicated to the highest quality of work and created an enjoyable build experience."
- Doug & Nancy
Cohesive Mid-Century Modern Remodel | Ann Arbor, MI
"We never doubted that Forward had our project under control.”
“We had a great experience working with Forward Design Build for our extensive remodel. Our project was broad in scope and because of two prior additions and redos posed challenges. We never doubted that Forward had our project under control.”
- John & Anne
Traditional Home Addition and Interior Remodel | Ann Arbor, MI
"Our house is so much more livable now! I would highly recommend Forward for their quality design and workmanship, reliability, and management of sub-contractors.”
“My husband and I are absolutely delighted by the work that Forward Design and has done for us! We have lived in our 1924 bungalow for more than 40 years now, and last year decided to address the laundry list of problems that annoyed us during that time. We had a leaky basement with crumbling floor, a garage rotted beyond repair, a gravel driveway that would be much nicer if paved, icy back porch stairs in the winter, knob and tube wiring, and no first-floor bathroom! We contacted Forward to help us address these issues with an integrated design, and to manage the legions of sub-contractors.
The finished product is fantastic. With a small addition we now have a fine first-floor bath, new kitchen, mudroom with breezeway to the new garage. Our basement is dry with a smooth floor. These changes are nicely integrated and retain the character of the house. The Forward team really opened our eyes to design possibilities that we had not considered. They were spot-on with advice and recommendations. The design process was interesting, and the team very accommodating and easy to work with, particularly when making hardware selections.
Our building phase was not without a few bumps in the road – one large one being the Covid-19 shutdown of several months. Still we were very confident that Forward would provide us a quality build and address any issues. Our site manager, Rob W., did an outstanding job of moving progress ahead, working magic with scheduling sub-contractors, and keeping us informed. The sub-contractors all did superior work. (The excavator was particularly impressive). The Forward carpenters saw to all the rest. I was pleased that all the workers on site, were pleasant to be around as well as respectful of our home.”
To summarize: Forward Design and Build company did an outstanding job for us, meeting all our requirements. Their work meets high standards, is attentive to details, and Forward is very responsive when issues arise. The actual cost was quite close to the contracted amount. Our house is so much more livable now! I would highly recommend Forward for their quality design and workmanship, reliability, and management of sub-contractors. I felt very comfortable working with them - they made it easy for us to undertake this project.”
- Jill
Textured Craftsman Custom Home | Dexter, MI
"we decided to choose Forward to build our custom home based on the quality of their previous work and their professionalism, and we are very glad that we chose them!”
“Our experience with Forward Design Build was excellent from start to finish. After meeting with several design build firms and construction companies, we decided to choose Forward to build our custom home based on the quality of their previous work and their professionalism, and we are very glad that we chose them! During the design phase, they listened to our needs and wants, worked with us to create a functional yet stylish home, took into account and worked with us on our budget, and ultimately were able to design a home that met all our expectations. Forward then exceeded expectations during the building phase of our project. Their construction manager kept us abreast of all work that was going on at the site and made sure that the work done by the subs was top quality. In addition, the project was done essentially on time (less than ten days past the initial finish date during an 11 months build) and on budget (literally less than a tenth of one percent off our initial budget).
The quality of the finished home is excellent, and we would strongly encourage anyone looking for a custom home builder in the Ann Arbor area consider Jef and his crew.”
- Alex & Sara
Major Bathroom Remodel | Ann Arbor, MI
"I am very picky and the quality of the work is excellent"
"We used Forward Design Build for both a minor kitchen remodel, and a major bathroom remodel in a 1930's house. Jef and his team did a fantastic job and the results are wonderful.
What I like best about working with Jef is his attention to detail. I am very picky and the quality of the work is excellent. If there is anything I don't like, they take care of it until I am satisfied.
We had our bathroom and two closets completely torn out, all the plaster, tile and flooring, then rebuilt into a larger master bath. The jobsite was left clean each day, and they sealed the rooms to keep dust out of the rest of the house. We are extremely pleased with the results, and will use Forward again on our next project."
- David & Charlotte
Fresh Home Redesign | Ann Arbor, MI
"As first time remodelers, we appreciated how thorough the Forward team was in describing the entire process so that we had no surprises from start to finish.”
"We had an excellent experience with Forward Design Build Remodel. Our project included finishing the basement, full kitchen remodel, new mudroom, powder room remodel, and wood floors throughout the first floor and staircase. As first time remodelers, we appreciated how thorough the Forward team was in describing the entire process so that we had no surprises from start to finish. It was a pleasure working with Ashley leading the design team and Rob leading the construction team.
Ashley and the design team listened carefully to our wants and needs to come up with creative solutions that worked for us. She would quickly CAD up 3D designs and even render in patterns and fabrics to give us an idea of how things would look. She kept the process going at a good pace for us to stay on schedule.
Due to the scope of our project, we moved out during the renovations, but Rob kept us well informed about the status during our weekly meetings at the house. He regularly updated and sent out a calendar to track the progress and give us a look ahead. Despite our not being there day to day, the construction team kept the house as tidy as could be expected - and did an excellent job sealing off the rest of the house from dust and debris. We had a hard deadline for the project completion and the Forward team kept right on schedule.
The quality of work and the materials used are well worth the investment. We love our new home and would not hesitate to hire Forward again in the future.
- Ellen & Michael
Lake Front Cottage, Custom Home Design and Build | Pinckney, MI
"We especially appreciated his willingness to listen to our ideas and desires"
"Our experience with Jef Forward and Forward Design Build was very positive. Jef designed and built a lake home for us. We especially appreciated his willingness to listen to our ideas and desires and then produce a home that incorporated those in a very liveable and beautiful way.