IL License Number: 104.017181
IL License Number: 104.017181
CASE STUDY
Location: Concord Ln, Barrington, IL 60010
Project Type: Full siding replacement, gutter replacement, attic insulation, soffit, fascia, and trim upgrade on a two-story home.
Investment: $70,000
Project Duration: 3 Weeks
As Mike put it later, as the couple caught up with us from the car on the way to their 10th anniversary retreat: “Every time we make a hole in something, we have to take something else down.”
Every attempt at a small fix just exposed more issues behind it. They knew they were past the point where another coat of paint or a handyman repair would be enough. What they didn’t know yet was how deep the problems went—or who they could trust to solve them properly.
“He called back immediately Saturday or Sunday morning,” Mike recalled.
From there, the first interactions were all about education:
Once the family saw the numbers and risks, they understood that “band-aid” repairs were going to approach the cost of replacement without solving the underlying issues. With:
“Nice guys doesn’t mean [they] will do the work well.”
For this project, they wanted both: people they liked and detailed, careful work that would hold up for decades.
“He’s so good, so conscientious. No ventilation in that section, and maybe that will fix the problem.”
As Mike said about the old system: “The gutters were failing, water poured down in sheets.”
During demo and reconstruction, we moved carefully and verified each step, knowing the family was sensitive to odors and worried about hidden damage and signs of mice activity. As we opened walls, we documented everything with photos and videos, then walked the owners through what we saw.
At each stage, the agreement was simple from the homeowners’ side: “If you uncover something, please let us know.”
Our commitment in return: written change orders priced at Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), with minimal or no added margin—no back-door upsells, no gotcha invoices.
The family appreciated knowing exactly how proposal, invoice, and change orders fit together—before any work started.
Most of the investment went into rebuilding the exterior envelope—siding, sheathing repairs, weather barrier, trim, and gutters—with a meaningful portion dedicated to professional attic cleaning, air sealing, and bringing insulation and ventilation up to a high-performance level. Interior finishing tied to the hallway fan removal was handled by a partner at contractor pricing and paid directly by the family, with Holda coordinating the sequencing so those pieces fit neatly into the larger project.
After the project, the house didn’t just look new—it functioned like a new build.
The attic is now clean, sealed, properly insulated, and breathing the way it should. Spaces that used to feel stuffy or unstable now feel consistent. The persistent smells near the bathroom vanity and front window—the ones that sparked the first phone call—are gone.
They can use their home like a home again—without wondering what’s hiding above the ceiling or behind the walls.
Their kids came away with surprisingly positive memories too. When Mariusz brought out a drone to diagnose a gutter issue from above, their seven-year-old son was fascinated; soon all three children knew him by name and would ask, “Is Mariusz coming!?”
It’s not a typical reaction to a major exterior and attic project—and that’s exactly why it stands out.
Their extended family noticed the details, too. At one visit, Julianna’s dad stood outside, pointed to a particular detail, and said simply, “See this? This is attention to detail.”
It wasn’t a grand feature—just the kind of small, thoughtful execution that tells you someone planned for how you really live in and touch the house.
Julianna’s summary is the one that matters most: “It feels like a brand-new house—but even more importantly, we know it’s protected and safe for our kids long-term.”
One favorite line from Mike captures their trust level going forward. He jokes that Mariusz “isn’t allowed to retire” before they need a new roof in 10–12 years.
Over time, the relationship has shifted as well. The family and the Holda team still cross paths in the community, including at church, and there’s an easy familiarity that comes from having gone through a complex, personal project together. What began as a call about a smell has become an ongoing connection with a contractor they now think of as a trusted neighbor.
Mike’s own advice to other homeowners: “If I care about the details, then I need to ask the questions. Make sure you communicate.”
They also pointed out something they wish more people knew: internal plumbing issues often aren’t covered by insurance, so having a clear, documented scope and photo record matters when you’re investing your own dollars. And they love the idea that, when you see beautiful project photos online, there should be: “A list of people who would let you come to their house and see the work.”
That mindset lines up exactly with how they now talk about this project.
Start with a photo review + consultation.
In the end, this project is less about siding and gutters and more about what happens when a house finally starts working with a family instead of against them. A problem that once felt murky and never-ending got pulled into the light, mapped out, and resolved in a way that will quietly pay off every time it storms, every time a window is opened, and every time someone walks up to the front door.
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847.847.2883
If you’re in Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs and want clean installs, modern lines, and transparent communication inside a real‑world budget, we are a right for you. Start by contacting us with a quick photo; we’ll send clear, informed options and a plan you can say yes to.
Guides project planning and key homeowner decisions. Sets standards and approves final deliverables.
Coordinates scheduling, materials, permits, and day-to-day communications.
Leads the crew on site; directs daily work; manages walkthroughs and quality control.
Siding installations.
Siding installations.
Gutter and downspout installations.
Gutter and downspout installations.
Full roof replacements.
With over twenty years in business and hundreds of satisfied customers, we know what it takes to properly maintain a home. Join the family of satisfied homeowners who trust Holda Construction Roofing and Siding for all their roofing and siding needs.
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Address
317 W Colfax St. Suite 102
Palatine, IL 60067
