Posted by Bradley Chazin on Mon, Mar 01, 2010
Some Of The Nicest Cars In Town Live In Western Garages
This is a slogan my father came up with over 60 years ago for his MN Garage Building business Western Construction. Its as true today as it was then.
In fact, Western Construction was started in a Detached Garage in Minneapolis, MN. So I started to think, what other great American Companies started in a garage?
It didn't take long to learn that the Garage, has long been at the forefront of great American Companies.
HP-Hewlett Packard Started In A Garage
Did you know that William Hewlett and David Packard Started their company in a garage. This garage was located in Palo Alto, California and is considered to be the birthplace of Silicon Valley.
Google, Inc. Had Its Start In A Garage
Sergey Brin and Larry Malseed together raised enough money to rent a garage in Menlo Park and started a company called Google, Inc.
Apple Computer Started In A Garage
Steve Jobs moved his fathers car restoration equipment out of their families garage and put in a large wooden work bench. That work bench served as Apple's first manufacturing base. That is the garage where Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs built the original Apple Computer.
I think the new slogan for Western Construction, Inc. should be,
Some Of The Largest Companies In The World Started In A Garage, Let Western Garage build One For You!
Or
Want To succeed In Business? Build A New Western Garage
Or
Want to be the next Google, HP or Apple Computer? Build A New Western Garage
I guess I need some help with my new Western Garage Builders slogan. If you have any fresh idea's I can use please reply to this post.
If you know of other Great American Companies that started in a Garage please respond to this post.
Thanks
Bradley ChazinPresidentWestern Construction, Inc. Family Owned Since 1949
Posted by Bradley Chazin on Sun, Sep 27, 2009
Designing a one of a kind Minnesota Room Addition.
When I met with the owners of this one of a kind sun room addition in Deephaven Minnesota they asked me for a wall of windows that no one else had.
I told them it was possible but would be expensive.
The customer was a very successful Twin Cities accountant. Accountants are known for being, well lets just say a little cheap!
The market was in the tank so Gene replied, “I’d rather sit on my assets than watch them loose any more value”. There is a obvious pun here but also the wise accountant knows that a Western Construction room addition adds immediate value to their home and appreciates for many years to come.
Marvin windows is known for their beauty and quality products so Marvin Window was the only choice for this Minnesota Room Addition.
Let Western Construction, Inc build your Custom Room Addition.
Fill out our contact form or give us a call at Mpls 952-920-8888 or St Paul 651-644-6900
Posted by Bradley Chazin on Thu, Sep 10, 2009
What Would You Do If You Found $7,000.00?
One Minnesota Builder Did The Right Thing!
In 1974 there was s sign that hung on the wall in the principal’s office at the St Louis Park High School (so I was told) that read;
The true character of a man is based on what he would do if he would not be found out.
I have thought about that sign often thru the years and recently I had a chance to apply it first hand.
I built a custom detached garage and screen porch in South Minneapolis. The owner was a elderly gentleman who had numerous health issues so his daughter moved in with him. They decided to build their dream garage and screen porch so they could sit in their back yard and enjoy each others company with out the Minnesota state bird, the mosquito bothering them.
We finished the garage and they couldn’t have been happier. They even paid for the garage before we had a chance to bill them.
Several months later as I was balancing the books and I noticed a $7,000 discrepancy. The good news was I had $7,000 more than I thought I should have. However, everything needs to tie out so after hours of going over several months of bank statements I discovered the error.
Those wonderful people in South Mpls. with the garage and porch had over paid. I couldn’t believe it. In the 60 years Western Construction has been in business no one has ever overpaid nearly that much.
Now, here is when the sign comes in.
I thought to my self, what should I do with the extra money? I could keep it and no one would ever know (remember the sign) or I could do the right thing and return it. My father always taught his children to do the right thing so returning the money was the obvious choice. And then that sign came to mind and I started laughing. My diving coach and principal Mr. Wanio would be so proud that 30 years later his favorite student (I’d like to think so) is still thinking about that sign.
I had a 4′ replica check made up and presented it to the homeowners.
They had tears in their eyes. They were so happy and appreciative that anyone, especially a contractor would return that much money. All you hear about in the media these days is about the contractor’s that take advantage of the elderly. You never hear about the honest Minnesota builders that protect the elderly. Western Construction, Inc. is definitely one of those good MN Builders.
Click here to read their Thank You Letter and to see a picture of the $7,000.00 presentation.
Posted by Bradley Chazin on Sat, Sep 05, 2009
Golden Valley, MN
Master Bedroom Suite, Family Room and Attached Garage.
This Golden Valley home had a very unique problem.
It was owned by a famous Minneapolis musician, song writer and music producer. He and had a full recording studio built off the side of his home with a flat Spancrete roof. It was fantastic for his band to record some of his hit songs but for resale, how many people need a recording studio in their home?
Click here for the rest of the story.
Posted by Bradley Chazin on Sun, Aug 16, 2009
Earlier this spring I had a customer in Minnetonka Minnesota who was trying to sell her home, have me out for a free garage estimate.
She explained to me that she had several open houses and not one offer. Her Realtor told her it was because of the old dilapidated detached garage. Her Realtor told her several cars pulled into the driveway and after looking at the garage backed out of the drive and drove away. Leslie couldn’t believe no one wanted her beautiful Minnetonka home because of a garage.
I told her I hear that all the time and I believed a new garage would help. Leslie thought I was just trying to sell another garage. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, I wanted to sell a garage but if it doesn’t benefit the customer I’ll tell them the truth. The Realtor was the person pushing for the new garage. He was tired of hosting open houses and not getting any offers.
Leslie and her husband Mike talked it over and decided to give it a try and build the new garage. We removed their old 22×22 detached garage. After the building permit was approved we built them a new 24×24 detached garage. That’s a good size garage for a suburb like Minnetonka. We matched the cedar siding of the home with JamesHardy cement board siding, a gable roof with 12″ overhang on all 4 sides wrapped in cedar. For added curb appeal we used a carriage style overhead door with glass in the top section to match the windows on their home. It was a very attractive garage with lots of curb appeal.
We had a very tight time line because there was all ready another open house scheduled. The garage was finished on Friday the owners painted the garage on Saturday and the open house was on Sunday.
Believe it or not there was a signed purchase agreement on Monday. Leslie called to tell me the great news and thanked Western Garage Builders for a job well done.
I don’t want to take all the credit for this home being sold BUT!
Before the new Western Garage: Not sold
After the new Western Garage: Sold
You be the judge.
How can we help you!