Customer Testimonials
“We are writing a sincere letter of recommendation for DeFrell Builders. We have been using them since 1973 when we did our first project with Jack DeFrell, the founder…….their work was top notch and working with them was a real pleasure. Currently….we have been dealing with (Jack’s son-in-law) Woody Steketee. Woody is very easy to work with; he acts in a professional manner; he answers our phone calls promptly; comes when he says he will; and following the (DeFrell) tradition, he does excellent and careful work. He has also helped out some of our friends and they report good things about him.”
Patty and Dick Ratcliff
“Woody Steketee and DeFrell builders were recommended to us when we were considering a rooftop deck on our condo in downtown Grand Rapids. It was a great recommendation. We were so satisfied……our inconvenience was at a minimum during construction….our deck is a source of pride. We are proud to show it off whenever possible. DeFrell Builders carefully followed our wishes into the plan, but (they) also made suggestions that we incorporated into the finished product, including some built-in flower boxes and a window in the cupulo……we were so pleased that when we got ready for our next home improvement project —removing a wall (and) re-designing a bathroom—we did not call around for estimates. We called DeFrell.”
Scott and Judy Scholten
“Woody, Larry and Bob have completed many projects for us, including the initial building of our residence. They have also done several remodels, additions, and various other miscellaneous projects around our home. It is because of their quality workmanship, promptness, attention to detail, and fair pricing that we have been using the services of DeFrell Builders since 1996…and we will continue to do so for any future project we have. Therefore we highly recommend DeFrell Builders, without hesitation, for any building project needs you may have.”
Toby and Jodi Van Ess
“I felt it was time to thank you for your workmanship and friendship. From the time you and your crew started the major second floor addition on our home you proved what a superior team can get done; being honest; coming in on budget and on time. Your input on some of the design was time and cost savings which was greatly appreciated. Through the years there have been many smaller projects and you always found the time to help me out. The project up North…. where I needed help to meet with the subs on how the job needed to be done, you went beyond the call of duty….I never could have done it without you. You and your team are very professional and I would recommend DeFrell Builders for any new home or home improvement project.”
Joan Stagg Gallagher / Interior Designer
“(When) my wife and I started a lake house rehab project in Pullman Michigan….. we expected it to be a fairly routine project with the exception of trying to manage it from 135 miles away (over the years I have acted as my own general contractor on a number of new homes, rehabs and commercial build-outs). We started the project using a carpenter contractor….(who) turned out to be of dubious character, had limited management skills, and no particular concern for quality. Consequently he was dismissed. One of the other contractors….. recommended DeFrell Builders. From our first meeting, Woody (Steketee) was a breath of fresh air….every step of the way was professional. On the job, carpenters Larry and Bob were a pleasure to work with. They were always prepared, arriving promptly each morning….they set about each day’s work as though they had actually thought about it before they got there. Other contractors could do themselves well to take a chapter from the DeFrell playbook. From detailed billing, quality craftsmanship, job site housekeeping, to job site manners and more, DeFrell’s approach to business is exemplary.”
Ronald M. Barrett
“As a homeowner of a 76 year old house we intend to keep into our retirement….it is comforting to have made your acquaintance and know we have someone we can call upon for large and small projects. Three years ago the addition of two large dormers…to our second story, has resulted in an expansion of useable living space by over 800 square feet. Your evaluations were all greatly appreciated concerning the architectural stability to accommodate the roof modifications; the suggestions to install double hung windows to accommodate supplemental air conditioning to our central system, and the fine carpentry of built-in book shelves to reduce costs. Of course it was the kitchen remodeling you coordinated with our kitchen subcontractor that resulted in a space (my wife) Terri still loves to decorate. The built-in appliances were certainly space savers in the small area which you had to work with. When I mentioned this letter today to our neighbor we recommended you to two years ago for their large indoor/outdoor remodeling, they advised me they have asked you to do a window replacement job for them this summer. This repeat business from both of us just echoes satisfaction for jobs well done! Woody, it has obviously been a pleasure working with you over the last three years. It is so satisfying in this day and age when one needs to be careful with decisions of this type. Your company and your associates, Bob and Larry, are so professional and capable.”
William S. Holden
“I am writing to let you know how happy we are with the results of the bathroom remodels you have done on our South Haven home. Both bathrooms turned out exactly as I had envisioned, which is amazing since we weren’t even present to see the work unfold! The quality of your workmanship is outstanding. Not a single detail was overlooked. We are both so pleased. Living so far away from our summer home meant we had to place our trust in you completely…trust that was not misspent. After the first bathroom was finished I had complete confidence to move forward with the second bathroom. You are responsible, professional and trustworthy, which is a refreshing change of pace from other contractors we have dealt with in the past. I would definitely recommend DeFrell Builders to anyone. It has been a pleasure working with you.”
Denise and Alex McAllister
“We would like to thank you for your partnership with us in our building and remodeling process. The result is exceptional and we could not be more pleased. You and your team completed our project (on time) and kept us all on track and happy. There are many factors that contributed to the overwhelming success of our end result. One of the most important is the way you do business. We were at all times absolutely sure of your integrity and honesty. You even made some observations on work you did not think was done properly and corrected it at no additional cost, without our even raising an issue. You developed a personalized way to communicate with us. We appreciated that you were good listeners, but would also take our ideas and your excellent suggestions and recommendations and come up with a concrete plan. Instead of guessing what we wanted, you were always careful to discuss it with us. Being fairly fussy and detail oriented people, we found that your accuracy and attention to detail met our needs very well. Every one of the DeFrell team members was very cautious and careful resulting in a beautiful home. There is nothing we would have done differently or would do over. We have never been disappointed. We hired you…..because of an enthusiastic recommendation from a friend and we recommend you to others enthusiastically. DeFrell Builders is a great company and we would never consider hiring anyone else for our building needs.”
Jim and Marsha Vanderveen
“Just a short note to thank you for responding promptly for our request for help on another project at our home on the lake. Also wanted to let you know how impressed we were with your technical and engineering knowledge. Raising, leveling and stabilizing the foundation of the east corner of our garage/home, was a complicated undertaking. Your men accomplished the project in a timely manner. Everyone was prompt and careful with our personal property, the surrounding grounds, and they sealed up the garage and reframed the two garage doors. We feel confident that our home is now stabilized on the dune. Most important to us was your personal integrity and fairness. We will see you soon for our next project.”
Nancy Woulfe
Thanks for doing such a great job. We are really happy with the way it turned out! A special thanks to Larry and Randy who made the whole project enjoyable for me.
Paul and Cathy Scholten
Woody and Crew: Thank you very much for the wonderful job you and your men did on our house. We are so happy with it and continually receive compliments on it. We very often tell people what builder we had and how nice you were to work with. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year! God Bless!
Jay and Carolyn Schreur
Dear Woody. Thank you for the professional management and quality of craftsmanship you and your subcontractors brought to our project. Attached is our check (covering the work through May 16th) which completes the dormer addition project……We look forward to getting the second project underway shortly after Memorial Day.
William Holden
Dear Woody. Thank you so much for a beautiful job. You have been tremendous to work with, and we have recommended you highly to the many people who have asked about the good job. It would have been impossible to find someone of your integrity, skilled workmanship and honest values (in the area we have lived for 30 years). Thank your crew for us because they have done a super job!!! We are thrilled and want to continue our relationship with you and your company. Thanks again.
Jim and Mary Avery
Woody….I would like to thank you for everything that you have accomplished for my parents (and us). During a time when other builders were adding to the difficulties and distress we were undergoing, you and your employees provided the professional and courteous service that so many businesses lack. Consequently, if you ever need any references for another project, please don’t hesitate to call any one of us.
Mary Zych
Dear Woody: I wanted to let you know how extremely happy we are with the workmanship you and the guys have put into our home thus far. Thank you so much for your patience and hard work. It is very much appreciated……Jeff and I would like for you and Sandy to enjoy an evening at the Piper on us. We wanted to thank you again for the outstanding service you and your crew provided us during the entire project. We are so incredibly happy with the way everything turned out. You made an extra special and exciting time in our lives even better!! Please know that this comes to you with the deepest thanks. Fondly….
Jeff and Lori Klemm
P.S. As I expressed to you before…you are always more than welcome to show the house anytime.
Woody: Thanks as always….(for) a good job!! Dick said he’ll see you when he is ready for the screen porch behind the garage.
Richard and Mary Bennett
“Many thanks Woody. Here’s the check (enclosed). Thanks to you and the crew for jobs well done as always. (In regards to these latest jobs…) It’s great to have a nice fence. And, it’s great to have a stable toilet!”
Susan Tabor Wahman
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Stan Barnes and I am the CEO and Partner of Barnes & Barnes Consulting Group, a local, regional and national business, sales and marketing firm my wife and I began in 1983 and still operate to this day.
I recently was commissioned by Woody Steketee, president and owner of DeFrell Builders of Hamilton, Michigan, to perform among other things, a thorough marketing survey of a cross section of the many clients he has worked for over the years throughout greater West Michigan. I can state without question after having performed hundreds of these types of surveys in my tenure as a consultant, that Woody Steketee and the DeFrell Builders Team received the highest overall score levels of excellence I have ever experienced!
For this reason, and the many positive statements I accumulated in person and through telephone interviews from his extremely satisfied clients, I would have absolutely no reservation whatsoever in recommending Woody Steketee and the DeFrell Builder’s Team to be considered for your next building or remodeling project.
Woody and his Team communicate with their clients and function on a consistent and congruent basis, from project to project. These key factors epitomize what a person should be looking for in a builder they can trust. And the following generic statement repeated more than once in my survey sums it all up…. “We shopped around on the first project Woody ended up doing for us. But when it came to the second (or third, or fourth) project, we only called Woody.” One more note of interest; while Woody and his team got consistent 10’s in different categories (highest score possible), one couple insisted I make sure Woody knew they scored 11's on the entire survey.
Woody has many great references and testimonial letters I know he would gladly share with you when he presents to you. Take care and if you have any questions about Woody or DeFrell Builders that I can answer, please do not hesitate in contacting me.
Sincerely,
Stan Barnes
President and Owner
Barnes & Barnes Consulting Group