For over 30 years, the Wilcocks have trusted only a single contractor to work on their many home renovations – and we’re proud to say that it’s Menno S. Martin!

We first worked for the Wilcocks in the 1990’s, when we were contacted to build an office in their home. In the years since, we have worked on just about every square foot of their home (about 90%!), renovated their rental properties, and built a close relationship with the family along the way.

This is a dream scenario for us, where the clients are so lovely to deal with and the projects are interesting and unique! It has been a great journey, particularly for Trent and Larry, who have both worked with the Wilcocks for over 20 years.

One of their projects was a first for us at Menno S. Martin: the Wilcocks bought the neighbouring property, and we were contracted to join the two houses together to make one big home. The City of Guelph hadn’t ever had a request for permits to turn two houses into one, so it was also a first for them. 

The Wilcock’s vision was to connect the buildings with an indoor swimming pool – also an uncommon renovation – so we worked closely with our trusted partners to ensure the heating, cooling, and humidity control were successfully installed based on complex project specifications. On cold winter days, we are all a bit jealous of this incredible addition!

As the Wilcocks spent many years working from home, they needed it to be customized to meet both their work and living needs. Over the years, we have renovated their kitchen, bathrooms, basement, bedrooms, sun room, and family room, turning their home into their own private oasis room by room.

In our latest renovation at this property, we were invited back to update the kitchen and sunroom, which we had renovated many years ago. It’s not often we get the chance to revisit one of our past projects to bring a new vision to life, but we’re always happy to return to this beautiful home and ensure it suits the owner’s current needs. 

The former layout wasn’t working as well for them any longer, and although they had a quality kitchen which was still in solid condition, for our homeowners, it was feeling dated. 

We played with a few design ideas, but the main item on the ‘must include’ list was to take advantage of the sun room and all the light that it brings into the space. We accomplished this by completely removing the wall that separated the two rooms, ensuring an unobstructed view of their impressive back garden and optimizing the natural light.

Like many other rooms in this home, this project included a very interesting feature: adding a fireplace to the kitchen island.

Unique features create unique challenges and rewards. There was some problem solving to do with clearances, venting through the roof, and how to integrate it with the countertops, but with those challenges overcome, the end result is a stunning feature that ties both the kitchen and the sun room area together.

Another personal feature in this renovation is the stunning custom forged light fixture that the homeowners ordered from Hubbardton Forge in Vermont. It’s an incredible piece that fits perfectly in the new open space between the kitchen and the sun room. And, of course, our conscientious team took extra care to ensure the fixture was reinforced due to its weight.

We partnered with Chervin Kitchen and Bath to design custom cabinetry that flows from the kitchen into the adjacent laundry room, with a consistent style and flooring uniting both spaces.

We are honoured that the Wilcocks chose to put their trust in us for over three decades throughout so many renovations. Together, we have been able to create an incredible transformation that changed their home to meet them wherever they were in life – and that has been really special for us at Menno S. Martin.

Is this the last we’ll hear from the Wilcocks? 

Trent doesn’t think so! “I thought we were done a few years ago, but then they bought the neighbouring house and wanted us to renovate it into a rental property. What their projects would be in the future, I don’t know, but with the Wilcock’s it is sure to be something new and exciting!” 

If you’re looking for a renovation company you can trust to deliver high-quality results, and who value relationships over transactions, please reach out. We’re always happy to meet our next long-term clients.