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Studio Rebus Inc/Rebus Design Group
Acoustic Ceiling Tiles - Install, Carpentry Framing - Install, Carpentry Framing - Repair,
About us
Studio Rebus is a design-build contractor. We provide budgeting, design and building services. We use an alliance model to deliver services. Each project puts together an unique team of one and two person shops. Our Minnesota Contractor's license is 8700. Kel Heyl's Professional Building Designer Certification is 24-102. Visit the home page of our website to learn more about our budgeting process.
Business highlights
27 years of experience
Services we offer
Remodeling-general, additions, basements, baths, decks, design-build, enhancing fuel efficiency, getting homes ready for their loved ones retirement, kitchens, porches, sunrooms
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
Reviews
4.213 Reviews
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 69% | ||
| 15% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 15% |
Showing 1-13 of 13 reviews
Audrey J.
Jan 2014
Studio Rebus had the attic insulation done before the main roof was torn off and replaced, causing insulation to fly out as the new roof was being replaced, significantly lowering the insulation in certain areas on the roof, as evidenced by melting snow at those points during the winter. Studio Rebus also had the contractor doing the attic insulation blow 18 inches of insulation on top the ceiling of a nearly 100 year old home, instead of putting a substrate down on the rafters to hold the insulation above the ceiling, which has caused cracking on the interior ceilings of the rooms upstairs under the attic. The Shaker porch roof that Studio Rebus re-built over the back porch has leaked rain into the back porch since it was built. The facia along the foundation that was replaced covered up rot that Studio Rebus was paid to remove. On the main roof replacement Studio Rebus was paid to over see the work and to check it, yet, the homeowner had to crawl onto the roof and call back the roofing contractor to fix flashing that had not been done properly. Basement windows were also replaced by Studio Rebus, yet, only foam insulation was sprayed along the bottom gaps between the new windows and the concrete foundation, which has allowed ants and dirt to migrate into the basement. Please note that the contractors chosen to do the insulation, the chimney repair and the main roof replacement are not part of this complaint and were all excellent. This complaint is solely relating to Studio Rebus/Rebus Design Group and the work they did.
Response from Studio Rebus Inc/Rebus Design Group
"This project was completed in 2008. I was in sporadic contact with the homeowner until January 1, 2011. During those conversations there was no mention of any roof leaks. I don’t understand why she and her mother waited six years to complain. If there were issues during the one year warranty period I would dealt with them. The homeowner was told there was a yearly maintenance item for the shaker porch. Given the way it was originally built there’s a joint right at the bottom of the door threshold. The homeowner was shown where to inspect and where to apply sealant if any fissures appeared. While I was on site there were no leaks. The attic was insulated during the winter before the reroofing, so the homeowner could enjoy the benefits of a more comfortable home and lower heating bills. There were some isolated bits of insulation that were released during the roofing tearoff. She expressed no concerns at that time. Any areas that ghost through the snow or frost are where the roof rafters are. The wood isn’t as good an insulator as cellulose. Areas that ghost through near the eaves have the least amount of insulation given the height of the rafters where they bear on the double plate. That will always be an area of lower performance in an older home. A substrate is not laid on the rafters during an insulation retrofit. It adds too much weight and causes cracking. The old plaster ceilings had cracks, fissures and crazing before the project began. The scope of work was not to replace the roof and foundation structure. It was to replace some of the fascia and repair the skirt boards. The house has a long history of water intrusion. I can’t speak to what’s happened since I worked on it. The old basement windows and frames were removed. New pressure treated bucks were fabricated and installed. The bucks were attached to the foundation using powder actuated fasteners. The windows were installed in the bucks. The exteriors were pointed in using sand mix. Given its excellent insulation and adhesive qualities foam was installed to fill the gaps between the stone foundation and the bucks. Trim was installed on the interior to complete the work. Can’t to speak to why there are ants. Curious the homeowner didn’t mention me installing four window security grilles for no charge. . . I was not hired to do a “comprehensive house remodeling”. I was hired to do the repairs from the Inspector’s report and the Truth In Housing Report. I thought it was the policy of Angie’s List not to use family reviews. The homeowner and I purchased this house in 1994 and lived there together until February of 2008. The work was done after I moved out and the homeowner bought the house from me with the help of her mother. Her mother who lives in Washington, D.C. filed the other negative report concerning this project."
Seldon T.
Oct 2013
A new roof was put on, but it was not properly flashed. As a result, the roof is still leaking. The insulation was put in the attic before the roof was replaced. When the roof was replaced some of the insulation flew off and was lost. The exterior pillars were also rotted. Rather than being replaced, the exterior corners were just deliberately covered up.
Response from Studio Rebus Inc/Rebus Design Group
"I did work for [member name removed]in 1989 on a farm house in West Virginia and a rental property in Washington, D.C. This roofing project was done by ANOTHER company. This review is NOT applicable to Studio Rebus. I'll be contacting [member name removed]to have this review removed."
SIMMIE P.
Sep 2012
I hired Kel because he had done an excellent job on previous work and because he's creative and meticulous. The Shoji screens, which he hand build are exquisite. They roll well in the tracks. They are the focal point of the room. He also did a meticulous job on the alcove and on the skylight installation. The job did take longer than anticipated. Fortunately we were both patient. Kel is easy to have around the house, minimizes the homeowner's inconvenience and cleans up after every day of work.
ALISON G.
Sep 2012
Fine - Kel is careful, thorough and applies all of his myriad skills, whatever the job is. The roof looks great!
Jennifer M.
Jan 2011
Again from previous experience and the work performed with Studio Rebus, when my wife and I decided to sell our house and purchase a new home we enlisted the assistance of Studio Rebus. Kel Heyl (Studio Rebus). We asked Kel to review our current home and give us advice on what needed to be done before selling it. We located our new home and again asked Kel to give us advice and some basic ideas on the cost to make the improvements we talked about. Again Kel was helpful and was able to help us narrow down the options, work on a priority list and offer a 3rd party insight into the new home. When we are ready to do the improvements to the new house Studio Rebus is at the top of the list.
Jennifer M.
Jan 2011
The work was amazing and the attention to detail was refreshing. Studio Rebus performed the work on budget and schedule. The fact that Studio Rebus was able to repair/replace the sill rather then the other options that were presented by other contractors (replace the whole window / replace all of the windows in the house / etc) shows that they care
Jennifer M.
Jan 2011
Studio Rebus again did wonderful work. The mail slot/opening on our house lead right into the front porch and was allowing the cold air to rush in in the winter. Studio Rebus again suggested a simple solution for a potentially expensive problem. A small wooden box that was sealed and would hold the mail. On time, budget and the care Studio Rebus shows on small items like this tells me that any larger projects would be done with as much care and attention to detail as this.
ALISON G.
Jan 2011
Although the work took a bit longer than estimated, it was professionally done, and the time was undoubtedly extended by careful adherence to the new lead abatement rules.
SIMMIE P.
Nov 2008
The person who was in charge of the job was very responsive and a perfectionist. The work was good and he was very creative. I would highly recommend them.
JENNIFER A.
Jun 2006
This was a great experience. Kel's design work was exceptional. The basement was cleaned up each night after work was completed. The dust was mostly contained to the basement. He recommended product selections for lighting and bath fixtures but did not push anything on us. He listened to our requests and ideas throughout the design process. After the job was completed he followed up to ensure all construction and finishing work was completed to our satisfaction and responded promptly to post construction requests.
ALISON G.
Jun 2004
AT THE OUTSET, I HAD NO REAL VISION OF WHAT I WANTED BEYOND A SCREENED PORCH. KEL'S DESIGN IDEAS WERE INTERESTING AND OUT OF THE ORDINARY. THE VARIETY OF MATERIALS HE PROPOSED GAVE ME LOTS OF OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM. I WAS ENORMOUSLY IMPRESSED BY HOW HARD-WORKING REBUS WAS. THEY WERE ALWAYS AVAILABLE IF I HAD AN IDEA OR A QUESTION, AND THEY WORKED THROUGH ALL KINDS OF WEATHER. THEY KEPT ME UP TO DATE THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, WHICH WAS IMPORTANT TO ME, AND (A BIG PLUS), THEY ARE REMARKABLY PLEASANT PEOPLE TO WORK WITH. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THEY LOVE WHAT THEY DO. THE PORCH'S LINES AND PROPORTIONS ARE JUST RIGHT FOR THE HOUSE. PEOPLE PASSING BY COMMENT ON HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS. IT'S NOT MERELY FUNCTIONAL AND STURDILY BUILT, BUT THANKS TO KEL'S DESIGN AND AARON'S CREATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION, I GOT MORE THAN A PORCH - I GOT A WORK OF ART.
ALEXANDER R.
Jan 2004
THE FINISHED FLOOR EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS. IT'S PERFECT! KEL & AARON DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF KEEPING ALL DUST OUT OF THE UPPER FLOORS WHILE BRINGING THE BASEMENT BACK TO A 'NEW' CONDITION. REBUS DESIGN OFFERED TOP QUALITY, COMPETITIVELY PRICED WORK AND EXCELLENT SERVICE. I HOPE TO USE THEM TO DO MORE WORK IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
CHERYL S.
Oct 2001
REBUS DESIGN GROUP DESIGNED AND BUILT A COMPLETE FINNISH SAUNA IN THE BASEMENT. KEL TOOK MY CONCEPT AND DESIGNED A COMPLETE SAUNA INCLUDING A SHOWER INSIDE THE SAUNA SPACE AND A SMALL DRESSING ROOM. THE CARPENTRY WAS DONE WITH CLEAR CEDAR, HAS MANY EXTRA DESIGN FEATURES INCLUDING CUSTOMIZED HAND RAILS AND DOOR, AND WAS BEAUTIFULLY COMPLETED. WHILE THE PROJECT TOOK SOMEWHAT LONGER THAN PLANNED, KEL KEPT ME UP TO DATE ON EVERY STEP OF THE PROGRESS - I ALWAYS KNEW WHEN ANY SUBCONTRACTOR WOULD BE WORKING OR WHEN KEL WOULD BE THERE. THE CONTRACT WAS VERY COMPLETE AND CLEAR SO THERE WERE NO DISPUTES. OVERALL, I''M VERY IMPRESSED WITH REBUS DESIGN GROUP AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM FOR ANY REMODELING PROJECT. (IN FACT, I PLAN TO USE THEM WHEN I REDO MY KITCHEN.)
Licensing
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FAQ
Studio Rebus Inc/Rebus Design Group is currently rated 4.2 overall out of 5.
Studio Rebus Inc/Rebus Design Group accepts the following forms of payment: CreditCard
No, Studio Rebus Inc/Rebus Design Group does not offer free project estimates.
No, Studio Rebus Inc/Rebus Design Group does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Studio Rebus Inc/Rebus Design Group does not offer a senior discount.
No, Studio Rebus Inc/Rebus Design Group does not offer emergency services.
No, Studio Rebus Inc/Rebus Design Group does not offer warranties.