Project gallery

The Britton family had a choice to make: attempt to fix up the cabin that had been in the family for years or tear it down and build a new cabin. They pulled the grandparents, parents and kids all together and had a family meeting. The consensus? Fix it up! The thought of tearing down the cabin that held so many memories of summer get-togethers was not an option. They began to contact contractor after contractor and every time the words were spoken, "Tear it down and rebuild new".

One last attempt put them in touch with us at IHS Building Company. After meeting with the Brittons it was clear that their hearts were forever tied to this cabin, this old worn down cabin. We knew we had to somehow restore, repair, rebuild this cabin to "new" but yet keep the heart of the cabin. How would that be possible with its crooked walls, its rough uneven log siding, and its faulty foundation? Simple, one step at a time.

First we began by adding a 12' x 24' addition to the back of the existing cabin and added a new screened-in front porch. We repaired the roof system where needed and re-shingled the entire roof. Then installed new soffit and fascia and repaired the foundation and brought it up to current building code requirements. Then the challenge; install cedar siding over the existing walls that were made from what appeared to be random trees you'd find while walking in the forest. There was absolutely no flat surface and the logs were all different shapes and sizes (check out the before photos!). Slowly we leveled each wall and installed the proper nailers to attach the cedar siding. Wall by wall it began to come together. The Britton's provided some helping hands on the inside remodel and we assisted as needed. On any given day you would find several boats out on the lake parked in front of the Britton's cabin literally watching the transformation that was taking place.

One thing we learned while working for the Britton family is that the heart of the cabin really wasn't the cabin itself but the heart of the family that lived their lives in that cabin. It was an absolute pleasure to work for them and an honor to be allowed to be a part of their annual family summer get-together.

Remember all things are possible with a little faith, hope and love!

Mary had grown up spending her summers at her grandparent's cabin on the Dead River Basin. Now years and years later (and a grandparent herself) she chose to start her own tradition with her kids and grandkids. She decided to tear down the old family cabin and build a new custom summer home that the family could gather at and not only enjoy the beautiful Upper Peninsula summers but also enjoy the fellowship of family. Mary and her husband had been involved in several building projects over the years and knew that each one had its own challenges but this custom home would present a whole new challenge itself. Mary lived in Utah and her custom summer home was being built in Ishpeming, Michigan approximately 2,000 miles away. Listen to what Mary had to say:

"My situation was unique (and it scared me) because I was building from 2,000 miles away. It was a project I hesitated to begin because I thought the stress would kill me. It turned out to be a better experience than any building I have done and visited daily.'

The home consists of a finished walk-out basement with a family room, bedroom, full bathroom and a laundry room. The main floor consists of the master suite, living room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen, half bath, sunroom and a huge covered deck that can be accessed through the dining room or the master suite. The second floor consists of two large bedrooms each with its own full bathroom and a beautiful view of the water. The home qualified as an Energy Star Rated Home due to the attention to detail, quality products and proper air sealing and insulating techniques.

This home sits on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan. After purchasing this summer vacation home the homeowners knew they would need to update the old home and add some additional space for their kids and grandkids.

First, we started by removing an old front porch and adding a 24' x 16' 2-story addition with vaulted ceilings. This addition would serve as the dining room and a comfy area to relax, drink your morning coffee, and watch the sunrise over Lake Superior. The inside was completed with tongue and groove on the walls & ceiling and a custom built wood staircase up to the newly remodeled second floor.

Second, we gutted the existing kitchen and installed new rustic hardwood flooring along with new cabinets and countertops.

Third, we gutted the existing living room and install tongue and groove on the walls, rough-sawn plywood on the ceiling, and carpet on the floor.

Fourth, we converted a hallway area and bathroom into two full bathrooms. One bathroom became the bathroom for the master bedroom and the other became the secondary bathroom.

Fifth, we remodeled and expanded the small second floor to include two bedrooms and a full bathroom.

Sixth, we converted the outside patio to an indoor study/den and remodeled the laundry room to keep with the tongue and groove theme.

Seventh, we remodeled both first floor bedrooms by adding new rustic hardwood flooring.

Eighth, we re-roofed the entire home, installed new aluminum soffit & fascia, installed two new exterior doors, and installed new half log siding on the new additions.

What an amazing transformation! Once again we found ourselves working for a great couple; The Hoffman's are fantastic people and were such a pleasure to work for and become friends with.

OH NO! That's what the Loukinen's said when they discovered a water line had burst in their house causing damage to the entire main floor. After removing all the damaged flooring and additional items we began to put everything back together. We repaired the damaged drywall; installed new laminate flooring in the kitchen; new carpeting in the living room, hallway and bedrooms; installed vinyl tile in the bathroom; installed a new vanity and sink in the bathroom; and repainted several affected areas. In the end the house's interior received quite a face-lift and looked great. The Loukinen's were pleasantly surprised and pleased by the repairs and transformation.