Every company that builds homes has a narrative, much as every home does. Martanne Construction was not born in a boardroom; it grew from late-night renovation talks between newlyweds Jake and Alex. Like 61% of American homeowners (2023 Houzz Renovation Study), they struggled to find contractors who combined excellent work with open communication. Their response? Becoming the kind of renovation company they wished to interact with. This is about how human values can shape the industry, not merely a business founding story. Whether you're considering a remodel or just like a good underdog story, here is how one couple built something incredible.

Meet the Owners

Every great business is built by individuals who make it unique. At Martanne, that's Jake Roach and Alex Knight - a husband-wife pair whose complementary talents form the ideal remodeling collaboration. They're not only business owners, but past clients who know precisely what you are going through. Let's get to know the people behind your potential dream house.

1. Jacob Roach: The Problem-Solving Builder

Jake tackles every task as though it were his own house– since that's really how all this began. Though his translating abilities truly distinguish him, as a NARI Certified Remodeler he speaks the language of building codes and construction schedules. He simplifies difficult processes into straightforward choices. Clients value how he saves time and stress by foreseeing problems before they turn into difficulties. His toolkit includes both power tools and patience.

2. Alex Knight: The Detail-Oriented Designer

Alex possesses what she terms "spatial empathy"—the capacity to picture how individuals would really inhabit a location. She'll inquire about things many designers overlook, including "Where will you put grocery bags when unloading them?" or "Is anyone in your family left-handed?" Her design talks feature no ambiguous computer representations; rather, they feature touchable, testable samples.

3. Their Complementary Strengths

While Jake sees load-bearing walls, Alex sees movement and function. Their weekly "construction meetings" guarantee that every project strikes a balance between beauty and utility. Clients appreciate how Jake manages the technical hard lifting while Alex emphasizes the human factors. It's like having one team with both designer and contractor who really enjoy one another.

4. The Team They've Built

Originally a two-person business, this currently has twelve full-time employees who reflect their beliefs. Everyone at Martanne, from project managers sending weekly photo updates, to carpenters cleaning up as if they were never there, knows they are not only creating spaces but also cultivating trust.

5. Why Clients Keep Coming Back

Of Martanne's projects, 87% originate from recurring customers or referrals (their 2023 client survey). What for? Since they recall birthdays. One year later, they repair that one creaky cabinet door free of charge. They know a house changes and wish to be included in that process. That's care, not customer service.

How We Got Started

Every successful company addresses an issue; Martanne was created from a very personal suffering point. Jake and Alex became first-time parents in 2017 and required extra room. They did not anticipate how difficult it would be to locate someone to assist in its creation. Frustration ignited invention in this manner.

1. The House Hunt Dilemma

Like many young families, they struggled with the "fixer-upper vs. move-in ready" argument. They settled on a home with good bones needing total renovation after months of hunting.

2. The Contractor Search

They spoke with several contractors to help them create their dream home before they realized they were never going to find the perfect fit for them. Studies indicate this is typical; a Porch.com poll from 2023 revealed 68% of homeowners had difficulty locating trustworthy contractors. Jake and Alex were turning into a statistic. They decided to take on the renovations themselves as Jake had learned handiness from his father.

3. The Accidental Business

Friends began seeking assistance with their own initiatives. A kitchen there, a bathroom here. Jake quit his accounting job and decided to take on renovating homes full time. After some time and more workload, he realized he could not do this himself and needed the help of Alex and a team. They founded in 2019 with a straightforward aim: to become the contractors they were looking for for other homeowners.

The Meaning Behind "Martanne"

"Martanne" has generations of meaning. When customers inquire about it (and they always do), the response exposes all about the heart of this business. This is legacy, not only branding.

A Wartime Connection

Jake's grandfather was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. His grandma, pregnant with their first child, flew to join him. She befriended her neighbors, a lovely German couple with the last name of Martanne. This couple helped her throughout the pregnancy since Jake’s grandfather could not be present often, and they developed a close relationship.

Following the war conflict, Jake's grandparents went back to Missouri but kept visiting across the Atlantic for many years. To honor the relationship with the Martannes’, Jake’s grandparents named their second son (Jake’s father) after them with the middle name of Martanne. Jake decided to keep this family name when having his two daughters. As Jake and Alex were developing their remodeling business, they were thinking of company names, and they kept coming back to Martanne.

More Than Letters

"Martanne" represents so much more than just a family tradition. It represents caring for people, strong bonds, and community. Jake and Alex chose this for their company name to remind themselves of what they want to represent and bring to other families.

The Martanne Method

What sets their approach apart? It's conscious decisions honed with experience, not hidden methods. Here's how they produce outcomes when others make corners.

Why This Matters for Your Renovation

You are most likely reading this as you think about a renovation. Here's how Martanne's tale relates to yours and why their unconventional method produces superior outcomes.

The worry over picking the appropriate contractor? Jake and Alex have experienced it themselves. The Martanne Construction goal is to provide clients with exceptional service and communication. We know how important your home is to you and your family, so we want to make sure that you’re getting everything you need.

Martanne designs for today and plans for tomorrow, setting your space up so it can be enjoyed for many years to come with your growing family.

Conclusion

Martanne Remodeling shows that the greatest companies really care and address actual issues. From Jake's grandfather's wartime relationship to today's meticulously designed kitchens, this is more than construction; it's about building environments where life unfolds wonderfully. Whether you pick them or another team, consider this lesson from their narrative: your home merits people who respect it with the same affection you do. Houses are made of wood and stone; residences are formed from tales like this.

From Dream to Reality: The Martanne Remodeling Story