Hinsdale Magazine December 2020

Hinsdale Magazine the better the job will go, because we well-designed, well-constructed luxury recently reached out to are bringing their dreams to life. I also homes, remodels and additions, as Marcin Kawa, founder learned the importance of delivering well as baths and kitchens, all over the and owner of MK a job on-time and on-budget, and Chicagoland area. When you look at Construction our Web site, you will see the & Builders, to learn how quality of construction; you his company has been doing during the residential “Fortunately, we have been busy, but will see the quality of smart, modern design; you will see construction boom this year. we know that there are more customers the quality of the materials Q. We know there has been a residential construction that we can also take care of, especially we use. And you can read the testimonials of the work we boom since about April of this year. How has your firm in luxury residential construction.” have done and how we have worked with our customers. been doing? - MARCIN KAWA, founder and owner, MK Construction & Builders They speak better than I do— and that’s why most of our

A. Fortunately, we have work comes from referrals. been busy, but we know that there are more customers that we can also take care of, especially in luxury residential running the job from beginning to end. And most of all, I learned that I had an eye for design, which can lead Q. What trends do you see in new home construction? construction. to more luxury home projects. Along A. We build all over the area.

Q. What separates MK Construction the way, I got to know people in the Because we build in the city, where from other residential builders? industry who wanted to do the best job space and lot-size are at a premium, we A. I spent several years as a contractor, learning the business from the ground up, so to speak. I learned first-hand the best practices that go possible, like I did. And so, in 2004, I decided to start MK Construction & Builders, with a focus on quality, highend construction. have gotten to be very good at making efficient use of space. And while there is demand for large luxury residences, there are also trends away from "McMansions" and toward making into building a home that people really Now here I am 16 years later, more efficient use of outdoor space appreciate and which allow us to be thankfully, with a staff that has grown for more entertaining and family use. very price-competitive. I learned [that] with the business. I am still "handsthe better you listen to the customer, on," and together, we are building Continued on next page

Naturally, this is good for us and our expertise in making the most of space inside and out. We even have spec homes, where people can actually see some of our homes for the quality of design, quality of construction and use of top-quality materials.”

A. After living in a home for a while and wanting to stay in the home, people know what they want, or they are thinking about upcoming changes. The pandemic has more people working from home, and having their children "go to school at home." So, instead of having an entrance with a living room/family room, people are thinking of a front room that can serve as a home office for the family. They want that flexibility of the space. We are quite good at helping people decide on whether it is better to remodel or add on. It depends on how they see their future needs over the next 10 to 20 years. Above all, they want well-designed plans that are functional, meet their tastes and [are] cost-effective.

A. Customers are asking more about spas and tubs in bathrooms where people can relax, or designs with more walk-in showers and luxury appointments in finishing the bathroom areas.

Kitchens are already a place for people gathering. Today, they want them to be even more a place where people can gather and for space that is more multi-purpose. So, not only is there an emphasis on kitchen islands with seating; there is also demand for more space where people can sit around a table, and the kitchen area can be more multi-purpose. And, of course, they want the finest in appliances.

A. We have turned this problem into an advantage for our customers and ourselves. We work on the basis of virtual meetings to keep customers up to date. We regularly use 3-D home tours, so customers can see actual progress on a job as it progresses. Constant updates with this new technology have made us more efficient and more responsive, and our customers have told us they appreciate the technology.

To learn more about MK Construction & Builders, go to mkconstructioninc.net, or dial 773-817-1861.

Pictures are from recent custom remodeling project in Chicago.