Bluestem Remodeling

We hired Bluestem for a full condo renovation (kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, flooring, electrical, painting) that kicked off August 28, 2025. At the initial meeting, three Bluestem representatives told us this would be a "perfect" project to fit in before two larger jobs, and estimated 6-8 weeks to completion. We terminated the contract on February 26, 2026 — over 25 weeks later — with the project still incomplete. Some specifics from our experience: - The wrong tub was installed in the primary bathroom - The kitchen island cabinet was measured incorrectly. Their onsite project lead used the word "scrap" to describe the plywood used to finish it. - A towel holder was installed incorrectly and came loose from the wall; their fix was to caulk it in place rather than properly re-anchor it. - A "definitive" punch list was in Bluestem's hands as of December 17, 2025; by mid-February we were still being told a meeting was needed for "clarity" on the same items. - We experienced repeated stretches of no on-site progress and delayed responses to calls and emails. - A plumbing subcontractor's installation error (a missing tub strainer, per the property management company's investigation) caused water damage to the unit below ours (we ended up paying for those repairs, not Bluestem). We were left to coordinate with multiple subcontractors and property management directly on issues that should have been managed by our general contractor. If you're considering Bluestem for a project, ask hard questions about their current workload and get a realistic timeline in writing. Our experience was six months of delays, miscommunication, and rework we didn't budget for. If we could give Bluestem 0 stars, we would.

Bluestem completed a whole basement transformation (remodel) for me. After consulting other architects and contractors, they provided me with amazing design options within my budget. The results are fantastic and have changed the way I feel about my space. The Bluestem team and their partners were fantastic to work with. I worked from home (with two cats) and the team took care to make sure I had very minimal interruptions and mess. Each and every member of the Bluestem team has been fantastic! - All the carpenters were fantastic at their craft and enjoyable to have in my home each day. In fact, it felt like having handy friends coming in each day. - Stefanie, the designer was a joy to work with. She came in midway into the project and took little crumbs of thoughts I shared and turned them into a cohesive theme. Stefanie didn't miss a beat in turning the few unexpected impediments into opportunities - making the changes seem intentional. There were some staffing transitions during the project that caused some misalignment in our expectations and assumptions, but the team quickly worked to ensure that my needs were met. In fact, I always felt they were doing everything they could to make sure I was delighted. I would absolutely recommend Bluestem to others looking to do a small or large project.

Maybe they used to be better. Somehow, they have won some awards. The owners sold their house in MN and moved to Canada, I think. They are not very hands-on anymore. Bluestem did not communicate well with me, with their subcontractors, or even with each other! They have a 1-year warranty period during which they are supposed to fix things. They did some but not others. Their subcontractors who do the drywall mudding and painting are horrible. I found their project management software to be kludgy. Their carpenters are over-scheduled so that they are unable to do good work. The 1st photo is part of the damage to my entryway from the demolition. They said they would fix it but did not. The 2nd photo is of a grout gap they said they would fix, but did not. The 3rd photo is of some chipped tile they said they would touch up, but did not. The 4th photo is of the edges of a door that they never finished. It is just raw plywood. The 5th photo is the corner of a new door they installed. The 6th photo is a new cabinet pull where the screw was too long or tightened too much. They did not replace the pull. They had to order more tile three times, which caused delays. They ordered the wrong size of closet doors and didn't realize it until the doors had been finished and they were trying to hang them and then they basically made the opening to the closet smaller by adding little pieces of wood, which looks bad. They had the plumber rough-in the shower water supply in the wrong place and then tried to gaslight me about it.

We had a great experience with Bluestem. We have an old house with a tricky basement that needed a full remodel. We met with a great design team to plan out the layout in a way that works best for functionality and with how it looks. The project managers were great at answering questions and fixing any problems as they came up. We were given great choices for the entire project, which really helped us decide on options quickly and efficiently. We LOVE our basement and are so glad we completed the project with the team. Thanks again!

Bluestem did an amazing job on our kitchen. They respected our mid-century modern aesthetic and created a chef’s dream kitchen. This was our second large project with Bluestem after they designed our award-winning master bathroom. Highly recommend!

Our second project with Bluestem, a basement gut job, was great. Supply chain issues and Covid affect everything these days and they managed the intricacies well!

We wanted a 3-season porch addition that was an extension of our outside space (not our inside) that looked like it was part of the original house design. In our initial meeting with Bluestem we knew they were the right team for us to work with. They listened to our needs and came up with a design solution that met those needs and exceeded our expectations. Though they have a focus on schedule and customer communication it is their dedication to quality and doing the job right that impressed us the most. They made some key design changes during the project that really made the addition look it was part of the original house design. The entire team was very professional and easy to work with.

We have used several companies for remodeling projects in our home and Bluestem was by far the best. From design to completion, the whole process was smooth and transparent which was especially important to us since our remodel was during the pandemic and while we had a newborn. We needed a lot of design help for a large basement and Bluestem presented several ideas that we hadn't even thought of. We were able to combine aspects of a couple designs into our perfect basement. We love how it turned out!

We loved working with the team at Bluestem. They turned a weird patio with a pergola into a gorgeous screened porch, and turned the unfinished area of our basement into a laundry room, 3/4 bath, and amazing office/guest room. Their ideas were innovative and efficient, pricing and communication was fair and completely transparent, and we felt -- from start to finish -- that every single person working on our project was 100% professional, but also hard-working and fun and easy to have around. If we do any additional work on our house, we won't do any shopping around but will go straight back to Timothy, Tamatha and the rest of the crew.

We have zero, zip, nada horror stories regarding the extensive remodeling of the first floor of our house. Not one. Bluestem Remodeling were wonderful to work with. Their communication and attention to detail were stellar as was the creativity of design and quality of workmanship. We cannot recommend them highly enough.

Bluestem was wonderful. Super conscientious about respecting our hone and our privacy. They cleaned up really well after each day’s work and they stuck closely to their timeline. There were no delays at all! They were finished with our project within 3 days of their original finish date. Amazing. They have also been very responsive post project as well. The couple of times we have had to call them for minor fixes they have been very prompt on getting the work done.

I would highly recommend Bluestem Remodeling. They are very courteous of your time and property. The Bluestem team is ease to work with as well as fun. The whole team is very professional, easy to work with. You never have to worry about what, when or who was working in your home. They have an app that is very easy to use, it keeps you up to date on coast, materials, design changes, and delivery's. Great commutation, very patient and kind to all of our ideas and changes. Was a joy to work with, and we were blown a way by the end results. Bluestem well be our first call in the future for all of our remolding jobs.

We hired Bluestem Remodeling to renovate our entire two bedroom condominium in the lakes area. We were just going to do some pieces of it and Timothy suggested it would be more efficient and less costly to do everything all at once. We are so glad that we took his advice. The whole team was professional and responsive and a lot of fun to work with. The project was done in budget with good communication and excellent problem-solving when needed. The craftsmanship was excellent. Their design ideas added so much more to our home. This was so different from other remodeling experiences. We love the outcome, my partner calling it luxurious. It was finished right before the pandemic started and we were so glad to be so comfortable in our home this past year. Such nice people, we even missed them when they were gone!

We had an excellent working relationship with Bluestem and its entire team. They were responsive to all our inquiries and did an a great job in follow up. Their co-construct site made it easy to communicate daily which was very helpful as the work was done during COVID. Without hesitation, we have recommended Bluestem to other homeowners in our condo building.

We used Bluestem Construction design and build services to remodel our 1950 ranch house in Southeast Minneapolis. Our goal was to make this home the place where we could age in place. To do that, we wanted to get laundry on the main floor (out of the basement) and to remodel the dysfunctional kitchen. We were impressed with the way Bluestem worked with us to realize our goals, going through an extensive design process to arrive at a set of layout options. We decided to not increase the footprint and the clever work by the design team resulted in meeting our goals and not giving up a space for short-term guests. Once construction started, we grew even more impressed. The minimal amount of demolition that was needed was accomplished with no impact on the rest of the house. I continued to live in the house while work was going on (using the finished basement space for the later stages of the project) and was no inconvenienced in the least. I marveled at watching the construction team sweating over sixteenths of inches when installing cabinets and putting in extra effort to ensure things were level and plumb. That dedication to precision is evident in all the work they did for us. Communication is the Bluestem strong suit. Every day I received an email from the construction lead letting me know what was scheduled for the next day as well as what was accomplished on the day. In addition, working with Tamatha on finding and acquiring the fixtures, hardware, and other elements needed to complete the project was highlighted by communication. We made selections, she cataloged them for our confirmation, and after we confirmed, purchases were made. Overall, the project organization and communication made the project stress-free for us. We always knew what was going on and when things would be happening. I've heard horror stories from friends about contractors that disappear for weeks at a time, or the schedule being delayed due to a subcontractor being booked for other work. None of that kind of thing happened for us. The major portions of the project took about three months to complete and the projected finish date slipped by only about one week over that time. (Finishing touches took a bit longer, but that was largely due to some items we selected being back-ordered and out of Bluestem's control.) We have every intention of working with Bluestem again should we need additional work done.

I hired Bluestem to build an upstairs addition. They had to tear off about 2/3 of the top of my house and then built a full second story. The addition was nicely integrated into the rest of the house. Bluestem used high quality materials and the workmanship was excellent. They were virtually always on time with their projections, they are excellent communicators, and they were extremely clean. For example, at one point they had to tear out a huge section of wall in my downstairs to allow for ductwork and when I came home that night it took me over an hour to even notice the gaping hole because they had cleaned up so well and put the furniture back where it was. I highly recommend Bluestem.

Bluestem partnered every step of the way during our porch addition. They provided great solutions to finish the house we remodeled 10 years ago. The design process was a lot of fun and they allowed us to take a break when a family event was happening. We were really impressed with everyone we worked with during the 8 weeks. Our neighbors only had the best things to say about how kind and conscientious the workers were. We love our porch!

Bluestem did a complete remodel on our kitchen/dining space, plus some work on other areas of the house. Mike came up with a plan for the space that would never have occurred to us, and it works beautifully. The whole team took the time to listen to us and get to know what we needed and wanted. Communication was excellent throughout the project. It was easy to track the budget and schedule. When one of the subcontractors messed up, the Bluestem team worked very hard to make sure the problem was completely corrected to our satisfaction. These are great people to work with. Highly recommended.

Bluestem finished our basement. It was a very collaborative project because they kept involve with the whole planning process and gave us a lot of options when deciding fixtures and cabinets. They put in a bathroom, two bedrooms and a great room which included a wet bar setup complete with a gas fireplace. They did a great job and we truly enjoy the space they've created for us. Do include them when considering contractors!

We had a great experience with Bluestem. Mike, designer, Tamitha, project manager, and Ron, construction manager, were all fabulous. They started by listening to what we wanted, giving us ideas and suggestions, and then coming in on time and on budget. Their website with back and forth questions, answers, and confirming money spent was easy to use and their emails were easy to reply to. They responded quickly if we had an issue during construction - even late on a Friday night. We have a one year warranty and know that we can call them anytime if we need them. Highly recommended!!

Bluestem has a great team that works very well together. They do quality work and use quality materials. They do an excellent job of listening to a homeowner’s needs and coming up with ideas that work for the space.

We were introduced to Bluestem thru our community home improvement show. Right from the start, the staff was knowledgeable, approachable, and willing to listen to our ideas, wants, and needs. Bluestem is a design/build firm and worked with us every step of the way. Timothy and Tamatha are very personable with a great work ethic. When something wasn't quite right, they were quick to investigate and resolve the issue satisfactorily. They were also very patient as new ideas came up during the planning and build process. Tamatha's designer eye was invaluable in helping us pick out colors, materials, and fixtures. We are so grateful to have worked with her. Our project started in May and finished in late September, just about the timeframe estimated by Bluestem. We couldn't be happier with the results of our newly updated home. We added a shed dormer across the back half of our 1.5 story home, adding a new master bath, walk-in closet, and office. Everything feels so spacious and full of light.

Bluestem Construction was great to work with from the estimate, to the design, and finally the finished product. We are thrilled with our new space and can't imagine it any other way.

The Bluestem Team was really great to work with. Starting with the design process all the way through the final nitpicks on the punch list. Tamatha really "got" our vision. Our project was a major kitchen gut-job, adding lighting throughout our main level/ basement and other large projects. Bluestem's communication software during the project was great. We are going to hire them for our upcoming bathroom reno/ remodel.

We always enjoy working with Bluestem Construction! Their exceptional team has a great design ethic, works closely with customers to realize their vision, and creates a fun, dynamic experience for all involved. We highly recommend Bluestem for your next remodel!

When we bought our 1916 Prairie School home, the house was hot water-heated by an ancient asbestos-covered furnace -- the "octopus" -- and the old kitchen looked like appliances randomly arranged in a small shed. Bluestem transformed our basement, re-plumbing and installing a combination hot water heater/furnace that fit under the stairwell, creating a spacious workshop area for woodworking tools & projects. After gutting the kitchen to the studs, moving the stack, and tearing out the old chimney, Bluestem designed a beautiful kitchen for us, creating an excellent work space with beautifully designed fir cabinets & breakfast nook. They even rebuilt the laundry chute from the second floor to the basement! Every day we are happy that we chose Bluestem to transform our home.

On time. Under proposed budget. I'm not sure anyone wants to hear more, but there is more, and it's important. The people at Bluestem can THINK and they CARED--about us and about how we live our lives. 13 years later our lives are made more graceful, easier and more delightful by our singular 'Craftsman' style kitchen and the high-efficiency heating system that cut power bills in half and opened up the entire basement for shop and workspace. Mark had us keep a log of how we cooked: what we used most, how and when. He watched us move around in the old kitchen, and offered us a plan that's beautiful and easy--even thought the 100-year-old footprint was tiny. The cabinet makers built fine furniture, following the designs of the California Greene brothers from the last century. Everyone gathers in the kitchen because it's warm and welcoming. And--this matters--the Bluestem workers were consummately skilled and happy in their work. True craftsmen (one a craftswoman) who loved what they did and loved the company they worked for. Remodeling is typically a nightmare. Ours was a delight. It really doesn't get any better.

We worked with Bluestem on a total Master Bedroom remodel. We were very satisfied with the process and the outcome. The Bluestem staff was great to work with - owner, designer, carpenters, subcontractors and office manager. We were especially pleased to work with Tamatha who was our designer and oversaw the project. She pushed us to think outside the box - we really appreciated this. We have a better bathroom as a result of her help. The project did exceed our original budget, in large part because of some high end materials we chose. Bluestem did a good job of communicating and responded to questions and issues promptly. Their documentation and billing system was complete and professional. Despite some minor ups and downs, they completed the project on time.

Bluestem is always great to work with. Very professional. Timothy and Tamatha keep you informed on the status of the project. Projects are always on time. I would highly recommend Bluestem!

Full kitchen remodel within the existing footprint of the original 1924 kitchen. Family and friends can't believe what we packed into the small space -- a true transformation. With almost no structural changes, the kitchen jumped into modern living with custom cabinetry, thoughtful finishes, and expert details/craftsmanship that resulted in a new kitchen that is tiny, but mighty. Bluestem was on the same page with me every step of the way. If I had to sum up the process and end result, I can truly say that they turned my vision into reality and it was a fun and trusted collaboration from start to finish.

Bluestem did a complete renovation of our home, removing numerous walls entirely and all others down to the studs. The work was made particularly challenging by the nature of our space, a condo on the tenth floor of a former grain silo constructed of concrete. Bluestem was terrific in making suggestions, working with us to realize our vision. They were always available for questions, on budget, met deadlines, and were wonderful to deal with. Their team was able to come up with innovative solutions to unforeseen complications that arose (such as pipes exposed by removing walls), and we couldn't be more pleased with the final result. Among other things, they designed and built a custom lighting fixture for our kitchen ceiling and steered us to entry floor and kitchen back-splash tiles that worked better than our original choices. The color palette for the home that they came up with, and the "art wall" they helped us design are unique features that have brought us many compliments. They were prompt in resolving the "punch list" issues at the end of the project. We have recommended them to friends and family unreservedly.

Incredibly kind people to work with. They made the experience so non threatening for someone who's never worked with a construction company and crew before. Had some problems along the way as with any job but they always stepped up to fix the issues. So happy with their professionalism and high standard of work.