Established in August of 2011, Cleveland Hardwood Restoration was created out of a passion for woodworking, frustration with the low wages local companies were offering technicians for hardwood floor refinishing in Cleveland, and a desire to offer the community something “different.” In CHR’s infancy, the team consisted of Brandon doing the physical labor and Jessie handling administrative tasks. This dynamic continued until April of 2018, when Brandon + Jessie divorced and she absorbed full ownership of the company. 

Since 2018, CHR has evolved into a unique, special place to work and an equally lucrative operation. Scaling a trade related business into profitability without shifting into a corporate environment where the passion is lost, has proven to be a difficult but rewarding experience. We attribute consistent quality and customer experience as keys to success; our mission, contrary to the structure of other popular contracting businesses, has become to prioritize the following:

-financial literacy

-communication

-transparency

-company culture

-work/life balance

-personal growth

-employee morale

We invest in the finished product. We believe in owner and technicians collaboration. It is not the intention or “end goal” that this company grows into a franchise or a model in which the owner is not directly involved; we have no desire to expand if that means compromising the healthy, friendship forward environment that exists today. We believe that hands-on trade experience is just as valuable as traditional education and this entitles technicians to compensation proportional to their acquired skill level. In summary, you aren’t just paying for labor, you’re paying for experience. 

Have you ever done a labor intensive project at your home? Like cleaning out a basement or garage full of stuff? Sure, you might have been able to physically labor for an extended period of time, but imagine if you had to do that everyday. We subvert the mentality that tradespeople should work harder and longer than white collar people- our days start around 9am and end around 4pm. Overtime is always available but never mandatory. Lunches are paid, paid time off is provided, holidays are paid, chiropractic care and yoga classes are covered. Our recently-purchased warehouse in Detroit-Shoreway, affectionately called “The Shop,” boasts a halfpipe skate ramp topped with solid hickory flooring, a music room, a woodshop, and ample space for a plethora of hobbies and projects. The Shop is available to everyone that works here and people can always be found hanging out together there. Profit is important, but it’s not our sole motivator.  

Passionate, valued employees are more likely to invest. 

We have found that happy, passionate, empowered technicians strive to produce a product they are proud of instead of solely going through the motions.