--- title: "Cates Fine Homes — General Contractors | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cates-fine-homes-pfvwus-pf~377669560 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~377669560.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Cates Fine Homes" category: ["General Contractors"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/c633d53c00a41b7a_1816-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "2000 Industrial Blvd, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082, United States" latitude: 45.0614 longitude: -92.8474 phone: "(651) 439-2844" website: http://www.catesfinehomes.com rating: 5 review_count: 1 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 54 last_updated: 2026-09-26 --- # Cates Fine Homes Original Houzz profile: [Cates Fine Homes](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cates-fine-homes-pfvwus-pf~377669560) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** General Contractors - **Location:** Stillwater, MN - **Serves:** Metro Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (1 review) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2018), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Cates Fine Homes is an honorable family owned builder with a long history of craftsmanship beginning in 1970. Because Cates Fine Homes has been building homes since 1970 they have an unequaled reputation of trust, responsiveness and graciousness. ### Services Provided - New - Renovate - Add-on - Kitchens - Baths - Lower Levels - Specialties (porches - exercise room - theater room) ### Areas Served - Metro Minneapolis and St. Paul - Minnesota ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Cates Fine Homes | | Address | 2000 Industrial Blvd, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082, United States | | Phone | (651) 439-2844 | | Website | http://www.catesfinehomes.com | | License Number | 20533260 | | Followers on Houzz | 54 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Catesfinehomes/ - Blog — http://catesfinehomes.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Cates Fine Homes](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cates-fine-homes-pfvwus-pf~377669560) - **Website:** http://www.catesfinehomes.com - **Phone:** (651) 439-2844 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2018), for Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 1 review** ### All 1 review **★★★★★ — Sawbill Companies, Inc., March 2019** > My wife and I are about 60-70% through the construction of our new custom home with Cates. So far, our experience has been top notch, professional and simply amazing in every way. We spent a lot of time interviewing builders, and frankly Cates was not the cheapest option. We went with them based on their track record and the confidence they instilled in the initial meetings. > > Our interactions are mostly with Jennifer and Jeff, and they have been outstanding to work with in every way. We couldn't be more pleased. We are hoping the project will be completed in May or June and can't wait for our custom home. > > We approached Cates with a pretty well developed concept of the home we wanted to build. They helped us find the right architect to solidify the concept into a set of working drawings and plans, and are executing to perfection on all aspects of the project so far. > > You can sometimes judge professionals by how they react when things don't go exactly right. We have had a couple of those. Nothing major, and nothing unfixable. We have been really happy with how Cates has addressed our concerns and issues when those rare instances have occurred. > > Finally, I would say they have done a great job of adjusting to who we are as clients. I rehab foreclosed houses for a living, and thus have contacts and knowledge in the industry. I assume this isn't always the best scenario for a custom builder, but it has worked so far and we are confident it will in the end. > > We aren't done with our custom home yet, but are really confident that Cates will bring our home to completion and execute our vision in every way. ## Selected projects - [Lake Carnelian, Stillwater](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-carnelian-stillwater-pj-vj~161896) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Julep](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/julep-pj-vj~1352297) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Holly Ridge Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/holly-ridge-farmhouse-pj-vj~1091114) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: The Holly Ridge Farmhouse looks like it belongs right where it is – peaceful and natural. It is picturesque and practical, calming and invigorating. Tailored to the farm site, the home takes advantage of great vistas. It is the perfect home for a small family, empty nesters, or as the meeting space for large groups of family and friends. Built to a higher standard – healthy, durable, and sensitive to the local and global eco system – the home has earned the Wisconsin Green Built Home certificati… - [Tapestry](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tapestry-pj-vj~1799360) - Location: Oakdale, MN - Photos: 5 - [Barn Doors](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/barn-doors-pj-vj~1518170) - Location: Stillwater, MN - Photos: 1 - [Kismet Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kismet-contemporary-pj-vj~1474538) - Location: Stillwater, MN - Photos: 6 - [Scandia Lakefront Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/scandia-lakefront-cottage-pj-vj~1474328) - Location: Stillwater, MN - Photos: 10 - [North Oaks](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-oaks-pj-vj~1352394) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Inspiration \#1](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/inspiration-1-pj-vj~1352338) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Melville Copper Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/melville-copper-kitchen-pj-vj~1352319) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Lansing Farm House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lansing-farm-house-pj-vj~1352311) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Lily Pond](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lily-pond-pj-vj~1352295) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Dellwood Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dellwood-residence-pj-vj~118298) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Indian Trails](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/indian-trails-pj-vj~1350238) - Location: Stillwater, MN - Photos: 8 - [White Bear Lake](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/white-bear-lake-pj-vj~443510) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Stonehenge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stonehenge-pj-vj~248793) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Marine on St. Croix](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/marine-on-st-croix-pj-vj~231939) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [MacGroveland, St Paul](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/macgroveland-st-paul-pj-vj~173650) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Jackson Meadow \#2, Marine on St Croix](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/jackson-meadow-2-marine-on-st-croix-pj-vj~161899) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Inpiration \#2, Bayport](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/inpiration-2-bayport-pj-vj~161904) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 26 [See all 22 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cates-fine-homes-pfvwus-pf~377669560) ## Ideabooks - [HOUSESFORSTILLWATER](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57841578/list/housesforstillwater) — 2 ideas - [Decks & Porches](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52294345/list/decks-porches) — 7 ideas - [Kitchens and more kitchens!](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/50088744/list/kitchens-and-more-kitchens) — 8 ideas - [Great Home Exteriors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/48284619/list/great-home-exteriors) — 8 ideas [See all 4 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/jennifercates) ## Community Q&A **Q: can you tell me please the paint colors used on the walls and trim?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The color is Sherwin Williams 'Snowbound' **Q: Floor plan** *(in Photo Questions)* This is a lovely home. I have a plot on a slope much similar to this one in the picture and would love to look at yours for ideas A: This was a custom designed home and the floor plans belong to the homeowner. **Q: Where did you get those beautiful stolls?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: the homeowner said: http://www.findahls.dk/, We bought them at SCANDESIGN in Fargo **Q: Table** *(in Photo Questions)* Where can I buy this table? A: Wall color - we think its Davenport Tan (BM) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-26.*