“Relationships with homeowners are very important to me because I don’t want to be this stranger in your home that’s swinging a hammer and making noise.”

Even though he’s a carpenter, brick homes have a special place in Jacob’s heart – it’s all about symmetry. 

After going to culinary school and working as an EMT, Jacob traveled around the country building climbing walls – which is how he landed at Ben Quie & Sons. Some of his favorite clients are the pets he meets on the job, especially cats.  He is looking forward to buying and working on a home of his own.

Favorite tool: 5-in-1 Painter’s Tool, a very simple hand tool with a plethora of uses that I use every day.

“A good day at work is when I can get in the groove of building something and at the end of the day see it accomplished.”

Matt wasn’t looking for a new job, but the opportunity to work on old houses every day was too good to pass up.

After working as a solo remodeler for over a decade, he is excited about learning new techniques from his colleagues. When it’s called for, he’s not afraid to play therapist with a client. Remodeling can be scary, sometimes people just need to talk it out and know that they are in good hands.

Favorite tool: Festool Domino, a specialized tool for creating mortise and tenon joints to fuse two pieces of wood together. It only does one job, but it does it well and saves a ton of time.

“A good day for me is when I get to learn something new about the construction process that helps me to be a better designer.”

Amanda knew from a really young age that she wanted to be a designer. Then in 2018, she and her husband bought a turn-of-the-century home in Minneapolis. It inspired her to transition to design as a career. She spent years planning and executing remodeling projects in her own home and decided that she’d really love to help other people do the same.

Most of her career has been in Customer Experience. She’s learned over the years that the client’s experience is just as important as providing quality work. From the color palette to the trim profiles to the way a client feels at the end of a meeting, every detail matters.

Favorite Tool: An orbital sander – quality is all about the prep work, and it’s saved me the most hours of work by far!

“After two years working in pre-construction, I decided to follow my passion and get back to building beautiful, high-quality residential projects.”

Tom worked his way through carpenter, lead carpenter, and project manager positions at Ben Quie & Sons and other residential remodeling companies.  After seven years, he completed a BS in Construction Management.  After two years of working in pre-construction, he decided to follow his passion and get back to building beautiful, high-quality residential projects.  

“It’s the details that go into it, and it is those challenging details that make the end product so much more rewarding.”

With his dad being a General Contractor, Matt is no stranger to the construction field. In 2014, he got his official start in the industry. About eight years later, Matt joined Ben Quie and Sons as Lead Carpenter and earned the nickname “Fast Eddy.”

At work, he sees stair work as being the most satisfying. It’s the details that go into it, and it is those challenging details that make the end product so much more rewarding. Matt loves to make conversation with clients and prides himself on being easy-going and friendly.

Favorite Tool: Although detailed work is rewarding, life’s all about balance. That’s why a Sawzall is Matt’s favorite tool.

“Working outside on a beautiful day, that is a moment where I think to myself: this is a really special job.”

Leaf comes from a family of people who fix things – from his grandparents on the farm who had to keep up all their own equipment, to his father tackling projects around the house.

He carries on that tradition at Ben Quie & Sons, using his ingenuity to solve whatever carpentry problems come his way. His favorite days are when he can work outside, whether it’s on a warm autumn day or in the sub-zero winter.

Favorite Tool: Oscillating Multi Tool, it was first created to remove casts, but it’s very functional and can do jobs that other tools just can’t accomplish.

“No matter what, you are just a handshake away from the person who is actually doing the work, putting the trim on the wall.”

When Paul and Ben first met, it was kismet. They shared so many connections and values, it makes perfect sense that they work together today.

Paul has worn every hat in the building game – from being a “one-man band,” to managing multimillion-dollar new-construction projects. He brings a problem-solving mindset to his work and strives to constantly improve the level of service and quality in everything we do. As a watchdog for the client, he will look out for your best interest every step of the way.

Favorite Tool: A jointer. It makes things square and that’s something I can count on.

“I usually listen before I talk.”

Like the craftsman homes he works on, Wayne isn’t very loud or flashy. For more than 30 years he’s been quietly “learning on the job” and acquiring over 60,000 hours of experience that have made him an exceptional carpenter.

A south Minneapolis native, he started working summers “hauling trash and stuff.” He enjoys solitude and spending time at the family cabin. For him, a good day is when things go mostly as planned and he doesn’t find anything “odd.” Wayne plans to do more traveling in the future. Maybe he’ll take a plane but he’ll probably just drive his truck.

Favorite Tool:  Cordless drill. It’s super versatile.

“I enjoy working behind the scenes, making a difference by helping someone else be successful.”

Jeff is the glue behind the scenes, keeping the office running smoothly, and that’s just the way he likes it. In the winter, you can find him driving his trusty Toyota Avalon through the snow, harkening back to his first job as a school bus driver.

Favorite Tool:   Quickbooks, it was a difficult process to make the transition from our old software, but everything works much smoother now.

“I decided to join the family business and start coordinating some of the fun employee activities”

Stacey started off working and volunteering at a non-profit, hosting gallery openings in the heart of South Minneapolis for artists. From there, she learned and started teaching metalworking and jewelry classes for kids and adults and started creating and designing my own metal jewelry.

Afterward, she decided to stay home with her two kids (and balance occasional part-time work and designing wooden jewelry on the side.)  In 2022, she decided to join the family business and coordinate some of the fun employee activities for Ben Quie & Sons. I love people and hospitality, so it’s been a great fit.

Favorite Tool:  A laser cutter – it’s how she cuts out and engraves the jewelry pieces that I design for the wooden earrings that I sell locally.