In today’s world, listening to your customers and valuing their wishes and expectations is more important than ever before. For over 30 years, father and son, Greg and Dane Perkins, have prided themselves on working with clients to anticipate their present and future home renovation and remodeling needs.
Owners of Pewaukee, Wisconsin-based GMH Construction, the Perkinses have seen their share of changes in the market over the decades. A remodeler since high school, Greg founded the company in 1994 and was later joined by Dane. With a team of dedicated industry design, build, and remodeling professionals, GMH Construction works alongside its customers, making their projects a pleasant experience. The company’s expertise includes kitchens, bathrooms, basements, sunrooms, home additions, and even whole-home projects.
“My background as a carpenter has led me to use a phrase,” explains Greg. “There are a lot of people who call themselves, as we do, design-build. I add to that, saying, ‘We design to build.’” GMH’s goal isn’t to design a project that can’t be done, but to do it the way clients want it to be done.”
“Our endeavor isn’t to design something that just looks striking on paper, but a design that fits the customer’s budget, lifestyle, needs, and wants,” adds Dane. The approach accommodates budgets and expectations while planning for future goals. “Sometimes, customers may not have the time or budget for a full renovation, but we can still accomplish a large portion of their vision by leaving some areas to be renovated later. That’s where thoughtful planning makes all the difference,” says Dane. “We try to be accommodating for every client to make sure in the long run they are happy. We want them calling us back for more projects!”
Certainly, GMH Construction has seen big changes in trends based on lifestyle needs. During and after COVID-19—with so many suddenly needing work-from-home spaces—demand grew, and renovation requirements shifted. Instead of just renovating a single room, such as the kitchen, customers also wanted a home office, a theater room, and other expanded home projects. Years after the pandemic, the company is still seeing increased demand for entertainment and sports rooms and work-at-home areas.
“A lot of entertaining happens around the kitchen, so [this shift is] about family, people wanting to enjoy what they’re doing,” Greg says. “Basements are also a big deal for us in the Midwest since everybody’s got one, and it’s a very affordable improvement to be made. Adding a bar, kitchenette, workout room, golf simulator, theatre room, or entertainment room really adds to the excitement of a finished lower level.”
Over the decades, GMH Construction has formed long-term relationships with repeat customers and trade partners. This includes working with in-house crews, who do much of the carpentry work, and experienced plumbers, electricians, tilers, and other contractors. “There are a lot of specialty trades, and we want to make sure our clients get the best person on their project,” says Dane.
When looking for trades, Greg and Dane ensure they can do the work to GMH’s standards, understand the company’s vision for each project, and communicate well with clients. “Our trade partners and our employees have been with us for a long time. A key trait in those who work with us is the need to respect that clients are welcoming us into their home to do this work,” says Dane. “Not only do we want our clients to feel comfortable with our trade partners, but we also need to be confident in their expertise, and assured the work will be done right and on time.” When in a client’s home, GMH’s contractors do all they can to keep disruption to a minimum.
Trade partners often tell Greg and Dane how much they enjoy working with GMH, stating that it is one of the best-organized companies in the area. “That means so much to me, because it shows we’re honoring our promises—staying on time, on budget, and doing our best to deliver what we’ve committed to the homeowners,” says Greg. “Our trade partners love that, because they come in, do their job, and move on to the next project, rather than having to deal with disarray in their schedules. Having trade partners that respect and appreciate our organization—and respect homeowners—is great, because they go above and beyond to make sure that our clients are happy.”
Pleased with the quality of GMH’s work, clients will often plan their next home project while one is still underway. “We like to know what their big dreams are and plan accordingly for the next successive step,” says Greg, adding that the company proudly provides two-year warranties after project completion. Truly listening to customers, giving them the best work possible, and appreciating their short and long-term visions continues to earn GMH plenty of satisfied, repeat customers.
Focused on southeast Wisconsin, GMH Construction works within about a half-hour drive of its office in Pewaukee. “That service area is quite large, actually,” says Greg. The company is sometimes asked to take on jobs outside its area but prefers to remain closer to home to serve clients the best it can. “The focus is to make sure we are satisfying our clients the best way possible,” he says.
As a further assurance of quality, both Greg and Dane are certified NARI professionals. Members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. According to NARI, “members are committed to integrity, high standards, ethics, and continual professional education. NARI Milwaukee members are local, proven, and trusted.”
Although the company has received plenty of awards and recognition for its outstanding work—including being a 2024 Milwaukee Magazine Home + Design Awards Finalist—the Perkinses say their real award comes from customers who keep coming back to GMH and refer their friends and families to the company. “My biggest award is when a client calls me to say they really appreciate our work, have us come back and do something else, or refer others to us because of how we took care of them,” says Greg. “We’re not chasing glamour—it’s about designing spaces that bring joy, comfort, and connection to those we work with, as well as for ourselves and our employees.”
