Built by Family — Home Specialists

For brothers who grew up building things together, turning that passion into a family business has been a rewarding journey.

Some childhood interests come and go, but for the founder of Home Specialists, a love of building started early and never really went away. At just five years old, Kevin was already spending his birthday money on tools. With a father who taught shop class, he and his brother, Trent, spent countless afternoons in the shop and summers helping their dad tackle projects.

What began as two brothers learning their way around tools eventually grew into a successful West Michigan remodeling business that has been serving homeowners for 27 years.

Their interest in construction continued throughout high school, when both brothers worked alongside builders and various trades to gain experience. They even started a roofing company during high school and college to help pay their way through business school.

After graduating from college in 1999, the founder decided to combine his hands-on construction experience with his business education and launched Home Specialists. Trent joined him a couple of years later, and the brothers have been working together ever since.

Twenty-seven years later, they’re still doing what they love, helping homeowners bring new life to their spaces.

Today, Home Specialists is a family-owned design-build remodeling company specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and whole-home renovations. While the projects have grown over the years, the company’s approach has remained centered on helping people make good decisions about their homes.

One of the philosophies that guides the business is something they call, “Starting with the Home.”

Rather than focusing only on the room or space a homeowner wants to change, the team takes time to understand the bigger picture. How does the family use the home today? What might their needs look like five or ten years from now? Could a renovation today create opportunities or limitations for future projects?

These are the kinds of conversations the Home Specialists team believes are worth having before construction ever begins.

The company also recognizes that remodeling can feel overwhelming. Between design decisions, budgets, timelines, and the inevitable surprises that come with working on an existing home, there’s a lot for homeowners to navigate.

That’s why the team places such a strong emphasis on planning, honest advice, realistic pricing, and clear communication. Their goal is to make the experience as rewarding as the finished project.

For the brothers, it’s not simply about delivering a beautiful kitchen or bathroom. It’s about making sure the people living in those spaces feel confident about the decisions they’ve made.

After nearly three decades in remodeling, the team has encountered its share of unusual requests. One project in particular still brings a laugh.

A former client, for whom the company had previously built a home, approached them with an interesting idea. He had purchased the house next door and wanted to connect the two houses, making them look like one home.

There was just one problem – the houses were different in almost every way.

When the founder questioned how he was supposed to make that happen, the client’s response was simple.

“That’s not my problem, it’s yours!”

The two shared a laugh, but the challenge was real. The Home Specialists team went to work figuring out how to bring two very different houses together into one cohesive home.

In the end, they pulled it off, exceeding the client’s expectations.

It’s the kind of project that reminds the brothers why they enjoy the work so much. Every home is different, every homeowner brings a new perspective, and there’s always another problem to solve.

Of course, working alongside family makes the experience even more meaningful. The same two brothers who spent their childhood afternoons in their dad’s shop are still building things together today, only on a much larger scale.

Although construction has been a lifelong passion, the founder says some of his greatest satisfaction comes from the people he gets to work with.

Whether it’s helping a homeowner navigate a difficult decision, collaborating with a trade partner on a challenging project, or watching a team member develop new skills, he enjoys the problem-solving and relationships that come with running the business.

Over time, his perspective on success has grown beyond the number of projects completed. He’s equally proud of the team they’ve built and the relationships they’ve developed along the way.

Outside of work, family remains a priority. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Sue, their two children, and three grandchildren. He also enjoys staying active, exercising, boating on Michigan’s lakes during the summer, and skiing in the winter.

Faith and family have always been important parts of his life, and he’s grateful to have built both his family and his business here in West Michigan.

Trent also has a lifelong passion for construction. He enjoys working together with the team in the field, helping them navigate through challenges each day and encouraging them to push through on the difficult projects. He also enjoys the relationship that he forms with each employee the longer they are a part of the company.

Outside of work, faith and family are the most important things and he is very thankful for all the blessings he has received. He enjoys the time he spends with his wife Virginia and two daughters.  He also enjoys running, exercise, and going on vacations with his family.  

Even after 27 years, the brothers aren’t interested in standing still. Home Specialists continues to refine its design-build process, looking for ways to make remodeling more organized, transparent, and enjoyable for homeowners.

Their advice to anyone considering a renovation is to take the time to plan, ask plenty of questions, and surround yourself with people who are willing to provide honest guidance.

A successful remodel isn’t just about choosing the right countertops, cabinets, or finishes. It’s about understanding how those decisions fit into the home as a whole and making an investment that will continue to serve the family for years to come.

For Home Specialists, the privilege of being invited into someone’s home is something they don’t take lightly. They’re grateful for the trust West Michigan homeowners have placed in their team over the years.

And for two brothers who grew up building things together, there’s something pretty special about still getting to do just that, nearly three decades later.