Black Forest Design and Build

I’ll begin by saying that the first thing I did before writing this review was to read the lone one-star review. Notably, it was absent any detail and - as typical with one-star, negative reviews - only contained words that will click with emotions. My experience could not be farther from that. From the moment we began exploring Black Forest Design & Build as an option to complete our Kitchen and Living Room renovation, we were impressed. Responsive. Detailed. Thorough. We were hosted at their office in Lancaster to receive a formal presentation on the options that they had prepared for us. Full conference room spread of considered finishes - knobs, paint colors, tile samples, fabric swatches. They considered and understood that this was a home - our home - not a job. That care continued throughout the design and finalization process. We were presented with options, if those weren’t to our preference we were provided other options (or, even, our own design suggestions accepted). The final design and detail were a collaboration between BFD&B and us. This is all BEFORE they came on-site to our home. The experience only continued to be amazing from there. Our Project Manager was a dream. Asked questions, kept the work space immaculate - not because it was their work space, but because it was our home. As work progressed and we visited the site (which I did daily), we were asked our thoughts on progress, if we had any items we wanted to change - we were always given the option to make adjustments until the very last moment. Don’t want this outlet there anymore? Great, we’ll scrap it. Want a new outlet here - now’s your last chance before we have to have this wrapped. Every human with whom we interacted at BFD&B was professional, caring, and considerate of us and our home. As our renovation progressed, we’d have neighbors asking us “how’s it going? What surprises did they throw at you?” Those questions were asked based upon their past experiences with lesser teams than BFD&B - they had a conclusion in mind based upon their experience. Our experience was a breeze and a dream. Never once did I have a complaint. We’re eager for Black Forest Design & Build to complete more work at our home - perhaps a laundry/mudroom refresh? We’re not sure, but there’s only one choice in our mind - Black Forest Design & Build.

Our kitchen is breathtaking and the experience was absolutely wonderful. Beth, Joel and Caleb and the rest of the Black Forest team are incredibly talented, creating, efficient and so kind and generous. Design, budget, schedule, right through to the punch list (that had only 1 or 2 things on it anyhow), we were so impressed. They were on top of everything. They listened, guided us and just did an excellent job. We bought our home about 10 years ago - a true fixer-upper. In fact, this is the second kitchen renovation, so suffice to say we’d worked with lots of firms / contractors and none can come close. We’re not done with the renovations, but we are definitely done picking contractors! We are sticking with Beth, Joel, Caleb and the rest of the Black Forest team for as long as they will have us! I can hardly wait for the next project.

What a pleasure and peace of mind to work with Black Forest. From beginning of design to completion of construction, the whole team has been the best company we have worked with. Beth, Chelsea, Jenn, Caleb, Joel and all other employees pay lots of attention to details, give you multiple options, and they execute everything on time. Black Forest provided us with design photos and drawings. Provided us a schedule that they followed and constantly communicated any concerns. The best E2E construction company we have worked with. Thanks to all Black Forest employees!

Black Forest designed and built our kitchen in fall of 2021. From the moment we met with the design team, Beth and Chelsea, to the time our kitchen was completed in October, Black Forest exceeded our expectations. Beth and Chelsea completely grasped our vision for the renovation from the start. Black Forest is also full service so my husband and I did not have to do any work in finding subcontractors, selecting paint colors, lighting, furniture and decor elements. Our project started and completed on time and our on site project manager, Caleb, was meticulously detailed and thorough. Chelsea, our Lead Designer, was also patient and flexible as we worked through every detail. We are 100% satisfied with our project and highly recommend.

The team at Black Forest was phenomenal to work with!!! They took on our large 2nd floor addition, which included adding a dormer to our attic with 3 bedrooms + a primary bath and 1st floor dining room/bath reno during the winter and the pandemic. It was not a project for the faint of heart but from the start, they were professional, timely and realistic about what was needed to make our vision come to life. We had no surprises to our budget, and we really feel like the planning on Joel’s part for unexpected incidentals was fantastic. We appreciated it so much. They also accommodated last minute changes and upgrades to our project. Nearly any of the delays we faced were out of our hands, and either township/permit or pandemic driven. The team of workers that was at our house daily was respectful not only to our property, and family, but also our neighbors. Messes were cleaned up, and the teams attention to detail went above and beyond what we would have thought. If you’re thinking of a house reno, you’re crazy not to work with Black Forest. Our expectations were exceeded - thank you guys!!!

If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Our project with Black Forest began with the idea of freshening up our home with new baseboards, shiplap, wainscotting, paint and light fixtures. After hearing wonderful reviews from many neighbors who had worked with Black Forest, we decided to also have 2 bathrooms and our fireplace updated. We could not be happier with our decision. Joel was totally transparent about all details of the project and was so easy to work with. From start to finish, the entire team at Black Forest was professional, incredibly skilled, reliable, and just a pleasure to have at our home. From our first meeting, Beth quickly got an understanding of our style and offered a variety of beautiful selection options within our budget. She was patient with all of my questions and I had no doubt that she would steer us in the right direction on our choices. Beth is extremely talented and has a great eye for design - she helped with every detail of the project from fixtures to finishes to wall art. We have come to truly appreciate the quality craftsmanship and professionalism that Black Forest delivers. We look forward to working with them in the future. In the meantime, I enjoy checking out their work for design inspiration!

I wholeheartedly recommend Black Forest Design and Build. They did a complete overhaul on our main floor through 8 weeks in the summer of 2019, taking down 3 walls, moving the kitchen location, flipping position of the powder room, and building a beautiful new kitchen and powder room. The designers guided me on the selection of every detail in order to fit the style and budget, but always let us make the final decision wirh respect. They are a small firm with major talent and professionalism. Even finished earlier than expected when everyone told me to beware that contractors always take longer. They gave us multiple design options on budget. Beautiful work!

To say we picked a fine time to start a reno is an understatement. The day after the world pandemic was called we started. Throughout shutdowns and waivers the Blackforest team was honest, responsive and dedicated to getting our home functional. From the translation of our desired function into a beautiful design, to assisting with selection of finishes, the BF team listened and delivered. We couldn’t be happier with the amazing results. The craftsmanship is exquisite.

Black Forest design renovated our 20 year-old kitchen for us. They were efficient, respectful and professional. They provided us with a day-by-day schedule for each step of the process. Both their employees and their sub contractors were skilled craftsmen and carpenters. The entire process from design to completion was seamless.

We enjoy our project EVERYDAY! It has been about a year and half since completion and everything still feels new and refreshing. Our Building Permit states that we had "Interior alterations to enlarge and remodel the guest bathroom. Complete gut remodel of the master bathroom including structural modification for the installation of a (very large) window in an exterior wall." This means that a quadrangle in our home was completely redesigned and rebuilt. New everything. This also included alterations to adjacent rooms.. We appreciate Beth's design. We worked collaboratively to choose many high end products which were expertly installed by Joel and his team.

Black Forest Design & Build is a top notch company from top to bottom. We decided on BFD for a major kitchen renovation project to our 100-year-old home and couldn't be happier with our decision. BFD makes everything seamless and comfortable. From the first consult, to the design, to the selection process, through the build, and finish, BFD was professional, courteous, friendly, respectful, responsive, and engaged. Not only are we thrilled with the quality craftsmanship, we were delighted with the customer service. Beth and Betsy were pleasant, understanding and helpful. Caleb was skillful, diligent, careful, and easy to work with. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and the end product. Even though our house is very old with a lot of challenges, we were always confident that BFD would handle the many curveballs with skill and honesty. Indeed, we plan to use them again for our other projects. Thank you, guys. Sincerely. Joe Nguyen

I can't say enough good things about Black Forest. Beth has exceptional taste and was able to come up with a design that fit our space perfectly. Ideas that I thought would be impossible were made into a reality. Caleb was an excellent foreman for the project, keeping us informed and accommodating our little changes here and there. Every step of the project was done according to the project timeline and all of the trades they hired were of the highest quality. The job was completed in 6 weeks, as promised. Absolutely worth every penny! We'll be hiring them again when we are ready to renovate our bathrooms!

Wow! I can’t say enough about our experience with Black Forest Design. Definitely a company you can TRUST! They committed to completing our renovations in 7 weeks and did exactly that. Now we have a brand new kitchen, mud room, floors, and a new love for our home. This isn’t just a great company they’re truly great people as well. They took care of every last detail for us and took away any stress that comes with remodeling your home. I would use them again in a heartbeat if we have anything else done to our home. Simply the best and living proof that you get what you pay for. Thank you Beth, Joel, and Caleb for a job well done!

We had a significant 4+ month project including new living space and kitchen addition. This team was attractive to us as they would be dedicated solely to our project as the scale and scope warranted full time attention. Despite a very challenging start due to several storms the project finished on schedule. All phases of the project met and exceeded expectations. The attention to detail was tremendous. Due to their experience they are very methodical and coordinated with all aspects down to color coordination and appliance/product selection. We would highly recommend BFDB from the foundations up.(Including the foundations) They are very good at what they do and as such are in very high demand. If you are lucky enough to get them for your project you will not be disappointed. We are so happy enjoying our new space. Thank you BFDB team!

I hired this company to renovate my kitchen with an open floor plan. The work done by black forest design and build is not quality craftsmanship. I have requested the repair or replacement of cracked crown molding, flooring planks that have separated and Cabinetry that needs touch up painting among other things. I have been told in a letter from the owner of this company that my expectation is unrealistic and not in line with industry standards. The owner of this company also stated that at this point my project is complete. He feels his work is well above industry standard. Seperated flooring planks, cracked crown molding and bowed walls do not sound like an industry standard. Why then won't you return to correct what you have created? You have been reported to Better Business Bureau.

This is our second project with Black Forest Design & Build. Our first was 3 years ago and was much smaller, but the attention to detail was enough for us to call on them again to redo our kitchen. I put all my trust in Beth and her top-notch design skills and was not disappointed. She designed the perfect kitchen to meet all of our families needs, and did not miss a single detail. Beth spent a lot of time with my husband and I to make sure she captured exactly what we were looking for. I also have to mention their lead carpenter, Caleb. He spent about a month in our home putting together our kitchen and I cannot say enough great things about him. He was polite, professional, great with our kids, patient with us when we asked a million questions, and always did exactly what he promised. Caleb made sure our kitchen was PERFECT and we greatly appreciated his work ethic. We have had many contractors come and go on various projects, but I've never met one as good as him. Black Forest is so lucky to have him! Thank you so much, Beth, Caleb & everyone who came to work on this project! I still can't believe it's my kitchen!!!!!! Can't wait to have you work on our next project!

From our initial meeting with Beth until the last detail was completed, the folks at Black Forest Design & Build were a pleasure to work with. Beth helped us to discover and describe what we wanted and then Joel, John and team made it happen. We have never taken on a project of this magnitude and Beth really guided us from design through material selection. She understood our vision and our style and helped us piece everything together to make it a reality. Everyone from Black Forest listened to all our ideas, gave us recommendations along the way and willingly answered all our questions. The project was on schedule and on budget. We truly love our new master bathroom!!

Our Master Bathroom renovation was absolutely amazing! We would not hesitate to highly recommend Black Forest Design, as they have been the best designer/contractor we have ever hired. Not only were they very professional during the entire process, but they listened to our ideas for the bathroom and took it to a whole new level! We could not be more happy with the results and will definitely be using you for our next project, the kitchen remodel. Thanks Beth and Joel, you made our dream bathroom a reality!

For those that would like the cliff notes version, we provided some bullets, for the rest, you can continue below the bullets: -Organized -Professional -Clean -High quality -Thoughtful design -Patient -Great communication -Will hire again We hired Black Forest to redo our kitchen, dining room, powder room, flooring on the first floor, rec room, and build some cubbies and lockers in the foyer. It was a massive (to us) project that we were a bit terrified of after having a not so great experience with another contractor who did some smaller jobs before we moved in to the house. Luckily Joel, Beth, and the entire Black Forest team were beyond exceptional. They were extremely organized, stuck to their schedule, professional (and a lot of fun), and helpful throughout the project. And the (nearly) finished project is so nice that we are actually having them redo some little things the previous contractor just did not do up to the level of quality that Black Forest provides. As far as the process went, the only disappointing thing was that we could not get on their schedule soon enough to hire them for the work we wanted done before we moved in too. Beth is fantastic up front with the design, communicating what might work and might not, and more importantly, the whys. She is extremely patient with people who can't make a decision (like us), and she does a great job of putting you at ease with decisions and keeping you on track and on budget. When the meat of the work starts and you are turned over to Joel, the excellent service continues. We were extremely impressed with how clean the worksite was after every single day, and I'm not sure I can stress this enough because it's almost unbelievable. When issues arose the team communicated them right away and worked with you to find the best solution. Joel and his team are extremely thorough and detail oriented as well. Their organization level is exceptional to the point where we did not have to worry or stress over anything during the project. On top of that, the work is exceptional. At the end of the project, not only did we get what we wanted and more from the renovations, we felt like we got to work with and know some really great people. The best recommendation we can give is that we are already saving up to hire them for the next project; we'll never have to look for anyone else for home improvements again.

Our kitchen renovation turned out better than we could have ever imagined! The design was meticulously planned for us based on our input and Beth's superior ability to visualize the details. We really appreciated her assistance in material selection. Once the project started, Joel and his team systematically tackled the renovation. They were organized and attentive to every detail. We were given a schedule of what work would be done each day. The communication put us at ease in knowing what to expect and the timeline for completion. Everyone who worked on our project was quick to respond to questions or concerns. We truly love the end result!

Black Forest Design and Build just completed our master bathroom renovation and we are delighted with the results. Every step of the remodeling process, from the initial design consultation with Beth through project completion with Joel and his crew was impeccably managed, executed and completed within our budget. Beth's design captured exactly what we wanted to achieve and her guidance and suggestions with materials ensured a beautiful result. The quality of Joel and his crew's craftsmanship was demonstrated daily during the remodel and is evident in the finished project. I strongly recommend Black Forest Design and would definitely hire them again. .

After interviewing company’s for many months I found Black Forest Design and Build. The price was fair and within my budget, and having a designer was a bonus. Beth was always professional, full of ideals, and gave great input while being considerate of my own taste. It was a relief to have someone else to support all the details of remodeling a kitchen. I highly recommend if you are remodeling a room to use a designer like Beth to organize and assist in the whole process. Joel’s hands on project management along with his superb craftsmanship made the whole process smooth and easy. Schedules were on time and mindful of the least disruptions as possible. The staff was friendly and warm and had a real appreciation for customer service. My kitchen turned out beautiful and was exactly what I had in mind. I would use Black Forest Design and Build again for any future projects. You will not regret using this great team. Not only do they provide a top-notch service, but also they are great people.

The unusual space we presented to Beth and Joel was quite a design dilemma. The final space design was ultimately practical and beautiful. The other issue is our home is 90 years old requiring skill and expertise; the crew worked hard to overcome many obstacles. Customized cherry cabinets, a corner shower design and use of porcelain were selected to enhance the space. We would highly recommend Black Forest Design.

The entire BFD&B team makes the magic happen. Beth's talent was not only helping us choose materials that came together in an awesome design-but we stayed on budget (not so easily done). Joel and the team were very professional and gave great attention to all the details. In the finished product it is easy to see how all the little items and details and decisions created a fantastic end result. Everyone was very conscious of the impact of renovation work and the disruptions to the household were minimal. We love not only the gorgeous design but also the workmanship in our new bath. We would absolutely work with BFD&B again!!

My wife and I had worked with both Beth and Joel prior to their creation of Black Forest. The great experience we had with them before continued with Black Forest. We needed to do a master bath project on a house we just recently purchased, and we needed some help getting it done in a relatively short period of time. Beth and Joel figured out how to make it work. Beth was as helpful as always in picking out materials for the project, and Joel worked tirelessly to get it done in the promised timeframe. We are very happy with the quality of the work and the overall finished product.

Joel and his colleagues were personable and professional throughout all aspects of the job. They provided creative and thoughtful plans to satisfy the job requirements and executed the required work in a timely and expert manner, including meticulously cleaning up the job site after the work was through. Their pricing seemed reasonable and the work was excellent. I would recommend Black Forest Design and Build to anyone wanting to remodel his or her house and would definitely hire Joel and his company, again.

There is so much more to designing and building a beautiful kitchen than picking out cabinets, flooring and appliances. Black Forest Design are experts at their craft and will guide you every step of the way - from initial brainstorming , to site visits and design execution. The behind the scenes work of creating a project timeline, pulling permits, scheduling inspections demo and debris removal is also handled with the the utmost professionalism. If you can imagine it - BFD will design and create that look and it will be better than you thought possible (way beyond expectations!). Beth, Joel and their entire team are wonderful to work with, always reachable and deliver amazing - timely results. We look forward to working with them again on additional projects and would highly recommend them to anyone wanting to create a unique, beautiful, custom and functional space.

From the outset Beth handled the design with her usual professional relaxed approach. This was comforting since I'm a type "A" personality. She offered suggestions that were quite helpful. Her experience across the building trades showed she knew how to handle designing for the most difficult rooms in the home. Joel and Beth were in regular contact with each other. The "ball" didn't get dropped. Joel was refreshing to deal with on schedules, project details, and the coordination of some subcontractors. As the general contractor, he maintained very capable subcontractors which is critical as the project moves into different phases. The most difficult situation in a renovation can be the cleanliness of the work area. I never had a team so committed to containing the construction "dust and dirt" as Black Forest Design and Build. Communication between all parties was handled quickly and professionally. Our ultimate satisfaction was regularly their goal. That is the reason I will hire them again. You will do the same.

We recently had our master bath remodeled with the results exceeding my expectations. I walk in there every day and remark to myself how much I love that room. The suggestions that were made to us during the construction only accentuated the finished product. You can see the workmanship that went into each and every part of the job. I would recommend Black Forest to anyone who is looking for a reliable and meticulous contractor.

We hired Black Forest Design and Build for our large remodel that involved our kitchen, powder room, capturing space from the garage for a new pantry and low profile deck off the kitchen. Working with Joel and Beth was always a pleasure and extremely professional. Beth has impeccable design sense is always very creative with solving design issues. The time spent with her was always stress-free because of her depth of knowledge and her responsiveness. Joel was always professional, knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and an excellent craftsman. He is a true leader and worked very well with everyone on the project. He kept us informed of any and all issues and delivered the project on time and in budget. I will call them first for our next remodel project and also highly recommend to other potential clients. Black Forest Design and Build is a group of highly skilled professionals, that are respectful and trust worthy

We worked with Joel and Beth on a major kitchen remodel that included removing walls, closing off an exterior door, and replacing a small window with a much larger one. From start to finish, we were so happy with this team. Beth has impeccable design sense and training and is very creative with solving design problems. The time we spent with her selecting cabinet styles, countertops, backsplash tiles, and hardware was stress-free because of her recommendations and knowledge. Joel is a true professional - knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and an excellent craftsman. He kept us updated on project timelines and was incredibly considerate of the fact that a project such as this disrupts a family's life. We will be using this team again when we remodel our master bathroom! Highly recommended.

Beth and Joel were fantastic throughout the entire bathroom remodel project. Every step of the way, we knew exactly what to expect. Beth amazingly understood the style we were going for, even with our abstract descriptions. From a form and finish perspective, her edited preselected options meant we were left to choose between the nice and the great. Beth worked unique ideas into the plans. She also was very knowledgable about the quality and durability of the different fixtures. Beth gave guidance for those places where it was worth splurging and those places where it was worth saving, and the entire design came together beautifully. Joel was meticulous when planning and completing and coordinating the construction aspects of the project. When it came to the finishing work, Joel has an eye for detail, and we were never left feeling that the craftsmanship was anything less than beautiful. The tilework is beautiful, and all accessories and features were placed in just the right spot. Joel took extra care to make sure the construction debris and dust were contained to the bathroom, and everything was cleaned up every day (as well as could be given it was a construction project). From a personal standpoint, we really like both Beth and Joel. They're thoughtful and Joel was easy to have in our home every day, even with young kids in the house. We'd be happy to have them complete future projects for us!

Black Forest Design Is one of those rare companies that A contractor like me is privileged to work closely with . I have known and worked closely with owner ( Joel Hess ) for many years . He is a master craftsman who you definitely want on your project ! Over the Past several years I have learned to Know Beth also , and have worked closely with her on many projects in the design of the electrical features . Beth is an incredible designer with an ability to look ahead for any issues we might encounter on each project . You will Not regret you decision to use them on your next remodel project ! I look forward to many more projects with them and hope to see you soon ! Ryan Martin ( Ryans Electrical Service

Black Forest Design and Build is an awesome company to work with. The quality of their work is second to no one , and their schedules are always kept which seems to be very rare in todays world !

Joel and Beth are a great team to work with! From a B2B standpoint; finding humble, open-minded and clear communicators in the home construction industry is a rare thing to find. We teamed up with this duo on a recent kitchen project to provide lighting and electrical installation and updates. The project went smooth & we can't wait to team up again.

We worked with Joel and Beth on the full remodel of multiple bathrooms. Bothe Joel an Beth are experts in their fields. Joel is a quality craftsman who managed our projects to meet the schedule while keeping a fine eye to all details. He is extremely customer focused and works well with everyone. We will definitely recommend Black Forrest Design and Build to all our friends and neighbors who are considering any type of home remodel.

We recently had the opportunity to work with Blackforest Design and Build during our kitchen and first floor renovation project. Beth and Joel both show a true commitment to their customers and the quality of their work. And as a result we couldn't be happier with our new space- it exceeds our expectations! Beth was patient and attentive throughout the design process. She took the time to understand our goals for the space and the design style we wanted to achieve. Beth made some great suggestions along the way and in the end created a design that we were truly excited about. Joel's attention to detail ensured the finished product was flawless. From a logistical standpoint, he also ensured the project ran smoothly- providing a schedule of work and staying in constant communication especially if there were changes in the schedule or decisions that needed to be made . We won't hesitate to contact Blackforest Design and Build for our next renovation project!

We worked with Joel and the designer Beth Schultz in 2015. Both were extremely confident and very knowledgeable. Beth had some great ideas and she welcomed our input. Together we designed an awesome kitchen. Her resources in the purchasing of products was extremely helpful. Joel's craftsmanship and work ethic was complimentary. He kept to a predetermine schedule and his concern for detail in building the project was greatly appreciated. His passion was evident in the final product. His follow up to insure total satisfaction after the job was respected. It confirmed to us we hired professionals. West Chester, PA

Complete kitchen, master bath and family room remodel We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have the experts at Black Forest Design and Build as our exclusive home 'transformation' experts. They have the artistic vision to see what could be, and the practical sense to respect budget constraints. This combination produces aesthetically-pleasing, high quality solutions at a great value. Award-winning designer, Beth Schulz, easily translates your 'must haves' and 'nice to haves' into realistic designs, and also offers creative suggestions that reflect the latest advances in design and decor treatments. It's clear that her first priority is to create spaces that reflect the lifestyle and taste of those who will be living in it. Master craftsman and project executive, Joel Hess, approaches each project as if he was developing it for his own family. His creativity, attention to the finest detail, and dedication to customer satisfaction throughout the course of any project, including after the work has been completed, distinguishes him from any competitor.