Dave Hendrickson, Contractor for Life

“Contractor for life” has a nice ring. Many remodelers claim it. Some, such as Dave Hendrickson, actually fit the bill. Think of it like having a friend in the business. Got a construction or remodeling need or just a question? Dave is the first guy you call. Maybe even the last.

Take IBM executive Jim Bertelsen of Eagan and Gary Haanpaa, owner of Mendota Heights-based King & I Thai.

Trust built over multiple projects

Jim and Joan Bertelsen first recruited Dave just a couple of years after building their Eagan home in 1989. “It was the third house we had built. You’d think we would know what we wanted, but Joan hated the combination mudroom/laundry from the garage. So Dave bumped the space out into the garage, moved the door and tiled the floor,” Jim recalled.

Next, the Bertelsens hired Dave to convert their screened porch to a three-season room with French pocket doors. Later, Dave replaced most of the original windows with Marvin windows. Then he remodeled the master bath with a larger tile shower, soaker tub and custom cabinets.

“When he remodeled the master bath, I watched him go up and down the stairs three or four times to cut a little piece of tile before it went in. That’s when I realized this guy is an artiiiiiiist,” Jim said.

When the Bertelsens decided it was time to knock down a wall and update their kitchen, they didn’t even bother to get competitive bids. They simply called Dave.

“I knew it would be expensive, but I wanted everything done right and that’s what we got,” Jim explained. “He’s meticulous.”

Dave personally installed the kitchen’s custom tile backsplash and patched the oak floor where he removed the wall between the dining area and the family room. “Look at that floor. You can’t even tell where the new wood meets the old. It’s perfect,” Jim observed.

One reason why Dave is able to fill the contractor for life role is his broad skills. In the fall of 2015, he framed a 4,500 home, gutted and rebuilt the Thai restaurant and remodeled the Bertelsen kitchen. Custom woodworking, intricate tile work, structural framing, signature ambience? No problem.

Perhaps Jim Bertelsen summed it up best. “I enjoy working with Dave. He’s a true craftsman,” he said. Besides, it’s nice to have a friend in the remodeling business.

Royal treatment for King & I Thai

Gary Haanpaa has been in the restaurant business many years. Over this time, “The King” has reigned over three successive Twin Cities metro locations. As Gary laid claim to each new space, he called on Dave to create his signature Thai environment while making it efficient and safe.

For the latest makeover, Dave moved walls, added lighted art glass partitions, handcrafted bamboo tables and installed new lighting and wainscoting.

“Adapting a space for a new restaurant is a complex process. You must meet new code requirements and create the right atmosphere for customers, all within a challenging timeframe. Dave is flexible so I know we can count on him to make it work,” Gary said.

If you need a remodeling lifeline, contact Dave.