With every project comes those vendors, brands, and other folks that you have found and would recommend to others. This is even more important for a project that is deep in the northwoods. There are plenty of folks out there, but some won’t call you back, some don’t carry the things you need, and some quote outrageous prices. The folks listed below have been instrumental in helping with the cabin restoration and we would highly recommend them to others.
General Contractor, Carpenter, Tile Work, Everything!
Bob Hagen, Bob Hagen Construction
Conover, WI
Bob has been a great person to work with and is “The Man” for this project overall and been up for the challenge. At every turn, there have been some new surprises and Bob has worked through them. Without Bob and Dan, this would not be possible.
Log Refinishing and Restoration
Weatherwize, Nate Demers
Engadine, MI
Nate is the top “log guy” in the WI and UP and Michigan. Nate and crew will be media blasting the full logs to remove prior finishes, fixing any issues, cleaning, re-staining, and resealing the full logs both inside and out and will also be staining and sealing all of the log siding.
Logs and Related Materials
Northern Log Supply– Daryl Smith
Mayville, MI
We sourced white cedar log siding, trim, interior log paneling, and more from Daryl and Northern Log. Located in lower Michigan, they delivered 4 huge skids of great white cedar and pine lumber for the project.
HVAC
Badger Heating & Cooling, Chad Piotrowski
Boulder Junction, WI
Badger was tasked with not only tuning up the existing boiler, but also installing the new in-floor, hydronic heat and the concealed duct split A/C system in the remodeled area inside. Chad and crew have been great to work with and very responsive to our needs.
Stonework and Masonry
Willie Otterpohl
Land O Lakes, WI
Willie is described by most to be the best stone mason in Northern Wisconsin, if not the entire state. We have the added benefit that he and his family live down the road and his family owned this cabin and the resort. So, Willie and crew are working literally feet from where he slept and grew up! Great stone work!
Stain, Paint, and Everything in Between
The Paint Bucket, Barb
Eagle River, WI
When you have 100 year old pine logs that need to be matched up to new white cedar siding along with trim, interior boards, and more, look no further than the “Stain Queen”, Barb at the Paint Bucket in Eagle River. Take her your boards, pieces, colors, and more and she will do a great job matching things up and not giving up until you are happy.
Andersen Windows and Other Supplies
ABC Supply, Mike Koester
Hartland, WI
Getting windows and a lot of them was no small feat. We went with Andersen Woodwright windows as while they cost an arm and a leg, they retain the look that the cabin has had over the past 100 years, combined with maintenance free exteriors and real wood interiors. Mike was great to work in getting all of the windows configured and ordered and had all 28 windows delivered right to the cabin without issue.
Cabinets, Lockers, and More
Peterson Custom Cabinets, Scott Peterson
Oconomowoc, WI
Scott is a true craftsman and has designed the kitchen and laundry room cabinets and related storage. Top notch design and workmanship.
Appliances
Jan 2021 Update- It is now January and we are still waiting on items from the order placed way back in May. Impossible to get “real” updates from Grand Appliance and Jeff and I am constantly asking about the status of where our remaining items are. Would NOT recommend them going forward.
Grand Appliance, Jeff Voyer
Brookfield, WI
Needing a full kitchen and laundry room of appliances that looked the part in a historic log cabin, we worked with Jeff to outfit the cabin with GE Cafe in the kitchen and GE laundry as well.
Ice Dam Prevention & Gutter Guard Systems
Edge Melt Systems, Gregory Bublitz
Nashotah, WI
Winters are not kind when you are in the snow belt near the UP border. Even with proper insulation, ventilation, and roofing materials, we wanted to be sure that ice dams wouldn’t cause problems. Greg and company supplied us with their Edge Melt and heated gutter guard system to put our minds at ease.
Wood Floor Refinishing
Silver Maple Flooring, Brad Korinek
Grafton, WI & Conover, WI
With the original wood floors in four rooms needing some love, Bob Hagen referred us to Brad. Lucky for us, Brad has a cabin nearby and does great work on refinishing the hardwood floors back to their original look.
Bent’s Camp
Land O Lakes, WI
With the kitchen at the cabin not quite usable, a trip to Bents has been a lifesaver for some good food and good drinks. The crew there (Rick, Jack, Val, Josh, and Corey among others) have been great. If you are hitting the Northwoods, you need to check this place out for a look back into history and a damn good Old Fashioned. Be sure to ask for what has become my go-to dish: poutine from the menu, but with pulled pork and their spicy BBQ sauce on top!