--- title: "1st Choice Builders LLC — General Contractors | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/1st-choice-builders-llc-pfvwus-pf~1922536778 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1922536778.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "1st Choice Builders LLC" category: ["General Contractors"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/f3c3fcb60535019e_5013-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "157 St Croix Trail North, Lakeland, Minnesota 55043, United States" latitude: 44.9394 longitude: -92.7716 phone: "(651) 342-0973" website: http://1stChoiceBuildersMN.com rating: 5 review_count: 10 followers: 28 last_updated: 2026-09-22 --- # 1st Choice Builders LLC Original Houzz profile: [1st Choice Builders LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/1st-choice-builders-llc-pfvwus-pf~1922536778) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** General Contractors - **Location:** Lakeland, MN - **Serves:** Woodbury, Oakdale, White Bear Lake, Stillwater, Hugo, Saint Paul, Lake Elmo, Mahtomedi, Grant, Bayport, Lakeland, Dellwood, Houlton, Hudson, North Hudson, Roberts, Somerset - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (10 reviews) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 250 Ideabook Saves - Locally owned - Offers Custom Work - 17 years in business \*Authorized DuraSupreme Cabinetry Dealer\* 1st Choice Builders LLC is a quality-focused, customer service driven general contractor specializing in custom remodeling and new home builds in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin – including Woodbury, Stillwater, St. Paul, Hudson, and surrounding areas. We are proud to be a locally owned small business serving the communities that we live in. When it’s time to work on your home, you need to make sure that you have the right people to help you. That is where we come in! We realize that time and budget are your primary concern and we pride ourselves in being effective communicators and aggressive schedulers. At 1st Choice, our client’s priorities are most important to us. We work closely to learn about client’s wants and needs to find a way to make it happen. Our process is transparent and flexible, allowing our clients to see budget breakdown in order to make vital project decisions. We don’t limit our customers to pre-selected choices. Instead we have the flexibility to customize selections to provide our customers with what they want. If you’re looking for the best builder, you’ve come to the right place. ### Services Provided - Home Remodeling - Bathroom Remodeling - Kitchen Remodeling - General Contracting - Home Additions - Custom Homes - New Home Construction - Home Extensions - Deck Building - Basement Remodeling - Garage Building - Porch Design & Construction - Roof Replacement - House Framing - Window Replacement - Cabinets ### Areas Served - Woodbury - Oakdale - White Bear Lake - Stillwater - Hugo - Saint Paul - Lake Elmo - Mahtomedi - Grant - Bayport - Lakeland - Dellwood - Houlton - Hudson - North Hudson - Roberts - Somerset ### Typical Job Cost $50,000 - 1 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | 1st Choice Builders LLC | | Address | 157 St Croix Trail North, Lakeland, Minnesota 55043, United States | | Phone | (651) 342-0973 | | Website | http://1stChoiceBuildersMN.com | | License Number | BC596004 | | Followers on Houzz | 28 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/1stChoiceBuildersLLC/ - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/1st-choice-builders-llc-minnesota - Blog — https://1stChoiceBuildersMN.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [1st Choice Builders LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/1st-choice-builders-llc-pfvwus-pf~1922536778) - **Website:** http://1stChoiceBuildersMN.com - **Phone:** (651) 342-0973 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Housing First Minnesota - MN License \#BC596004 - WI License \#972276 **Affiliations** - [Housing First Minnesota](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/housing-first-minnesota-pfvwus-pf~344190101) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 10 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 10 reviews **★★★★★ — The McCabes, June 2021** > 1st Choice Builders updated and remodeled our kitchen in 2019. We were so pleased with the result, we asked them to redo two of our bathrooms a year later. We recommend them highly to anyone who is looking to update their homes. They are honest and true with their bid and their craftsmanship is definitely 5 star! **★★★★★ — Kelly Bray, April 2021** > We absolutely loved our experience with Chris and everyone at 1st Choice. At our first meeting with Chris he was so open to listening to exactly what it was we were looking for and rather than telling us everything we couldn't or shouldn't do, he was great at explaining everything we COULD do. Once our bid came in, they worked with us in tweeking it to be the 3 season porch that we were looking for within the budget we were looking to be in. The building process took place during the pandemic and while we experienced a couple of delays, they always communicated these ahead of time to us and kept us informed along the way. All of the contractors working on the project were so respectful and informative and were always willing to hear our thoughts and answer our questions. The final product is amazing and exactly what we were looking for. We've already referred 1st Choice to neighbors and friends and will continue to do so! **★★★★★ — Steve Warren, March 2020** > We started bidding the project with 3 different high quality builders from our area. We ended up going with 1st Choice and it ended up being the best decision we made. 1st Choice was an excellent contractor through out the entire process. Chris and his team worked closely with us from the final design phase until successful completion. We hit them up for changes along the way and they were very fair and prompt on addressing the changes. Quality of work was top notch. They did not take any short cuts to meet a very demanding schedule. Would highly recommend Chris, his excellent team of craftsman and interior designer staff. **★★★★★ — Steve Kocmoud, March 2020** > Chris and his team helped us through the daunting task of building our new home from scratch. 1st Choice's attention to detail was incredible. Chris was always available and responsive to our needs. The craftsmanship was first-rate. 1st Choice adhered to the timeline and cost projections so there were no surprises.. We were able to make changes as needed and Chris always presented us with options for every conceivable detail. We felt that 1st Choice always had our best interests in mind because they are such an honest and thoughtful bunch of people. If we were ever going to build or remodel another home, we would definitely have 1st Choice do the work! **★★★★★ — Jen Levenhagen, March 2020** > This was our 2nd first-floor remodel (on two houses) in the course of 4 years! We had intended to stay in our first house, so we remodeled. Then, we found a new home that had almost everything we wanted - but it was outdated. Enter - 1st Choice Builders. Given we had just done a similar scale project, we knew what we were looking for in a contractor (note: our initial contractor was no longer available for remodel \#2): 1) excellent quality, 2) adherence to timelines, 3) stay within stated budget, 4) reliable, trustworthy team. I interviewed several contractors, and chose 1st Choice because we had the confidence that they checked all these boxes. Chad & Chris (owners) were both extremely honest & great to work with. They advised appropriately, but let us bring ideas of our own via our personal designer to the table. We couldn't be happier with the results of our remodel. We have since had them back for a small add-on project, and will undoubtedly use them for any future work. Cannot say enough good things about this team! **★★★★★ — M & J Williamson, Feb. 2020** > We hired 1st Choice for the initial phase of our project in the Fall of 2018 which included a complete upper level remodel & addition - we decided to convert our attached garage into living space and gut the entire main floor to open things up for more seamless living & entertaining. We have experience doing the work ourselves and Chris and the team were great at being flexible with us and allowing us to do the work we wanted to take on. > > For Phase 2 of our project in the Fall of 2019 - which was a complete basement remodel and finish, we decided to hire them for almost the entire thing - we really wanted the project done before Christmas, and we were confident that they could deliver. We were living in our house during this part of the project and we were very confident of the work they were doing and recommendations they were making. > > We were very grateful for their knowledge and expertise - they were able to help us find a little more space by strategically moving a support beam, and their finishing detail really tied everything together and makes the house feel complete. > > Timeliness, Expertise, and Trustworthy - along with simply being great people - are all words we would use to describe the team at 1st Choice. We'd hire them again in a second! **★★★★★ — Carrie Pettit, Feb. 2020** > Amazing team. We remodeled our kitchen, torn down walls, added 800+ sq/ft. Very professional, great communication, amazing designers, trustworthy, talented team. They hire the best for your budget and delivered on the timeline. Highly recommend. **★★★★★ — Sue Wenthin, Feb. 2020** > I would highly recommend 1st Choice Builders. They completed a master bath remodel for us and the experience was fabulous. The designer was great to work with and she offered us choices we loved within our budget. Everything was completed on time and within budget. All of the people that worked on our project were professional and were very respectful and careful of our home while walking through and carrying materials through the house to get to the master bath construction zone. I have recommended 1st Choice Builders to friends and coworkers because I feel they were great to work with from the first meeting to the final punch list items at the end of the job. **★★★★★ — HU-613052835, Feb. 2020** > We hired first choice for a major kitchen and living room remodel. They removed a wall, installed a large hidden beam n the ceiling, reconfigured the kitchen and demo’d a fireplace and installed a new one. Chris was excellent to work with. I’m a professional project manager and have very high expectations and first choice met them all. > There are always unexpected issues that come up remodeling homes and ours was no exception but Chris worked with me on all of them and resolved them in a timely manner. His crew was always respectful. The final results were awesome. > I will definitely reach out to them again for any future work or possibly even a new house build. **★★★★★ — Vermeland Architects, Nov. 2017** > 1st Choice Builders recently completed the construction of a new house that I designed. From the very start, Chris (owner of 1st Choice) the homeowners, and I worked together on the project as it morphed from a remodeling project to a teardown/new house. Chris was responsive to the needs of the homeowners and communication was excellent throughout the entire process. All of the employees and subcontractors that I worked with cared about the quality of their work and were also responsive and easy to deal with. The project was completed on schedule and the homeowners were very pleased with their new house and working with 1st Choice. > > 1st Choice Builders lands in the sweet spot of general contractors – the combination of an excellent product for a fair price. I plan to recommend 1st Choice to future clients and look forward to working with them again. > > Feel free to contact me with any questions. > > Tom Vermeland > Vermeland Architects ## Selected projects - [Modern Home Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-home-renovation-pj-vj~6033420) - Location: Afton, MN - Photos: 28 - [Downtown Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/downtown-renovation-pj-vj~6539540) - Location: Hudson, WI - Photos: 29 - [Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-pj-vj~6035150) - Location: Hudson, WI - Photos: 46 - [Traditional Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-kitchen-pj-vj~6556196) - Location: Saint Paul, MN - Photos: 22 - [3-Season Porch Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/3-season-porch-addition-pj-vj~6556115) - Location: North Oaks, MN - Photos: 13 - [Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-pj-vj~6033473) - Location: Stillwater, MN - Photos: 42 - [Master Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/master-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~6033463) - Location: Stillwater, MN - Photos: 16 - [Victorian Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/victorian-renovation-pj-vj~1060766) - Location: Hudson, WI - Photos: 24 - Description: Renovation and addition on 3rd Street in Historic Hudson, WI - [Main Floor Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/main-floor-remodel-pj-vj~6033373) - Location: Mahtomedi, MN - Photos: 18 - [Bathroom Refresh](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bathroom-refresh-pj-vj~6556049) - Location: Stillwater, MN - Photos: 18 - [Lakeside Home Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lakeside-home-renovation-pj-vj~6540175) - Location: White Bear Lake, MN - Photos: 31 - [Spacious Kitchen Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/spacious-kitchen-remodel-pj-vj~6539837) - Location: Woodbury, MN - Photos: 23 - [Lake Retreat Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-retreat-home-pj-vj~6752570) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 24 - [Basement Finish](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/basement-finish-pj-vj~6578435) - Location: Woodbury, MN - Photos: 18 - [Porch Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/porch-addition-pj-vj~6578325) - Location: Stillwater, MN - Photos: 17 [See all 15 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/1st-choice-builders-llc-pfvwus-pf~1922536778) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-22.*