Building Buzz: Tips for Keeping the Peace During a Renovation
- Brie Genovese
- Jan 11
- 1 min read
What happens when two seasoned builders trade roles—from guiding clients through complex renovations to navigating one of their own?
In 2015, Jake Taylor and Tim Ernst—partners in both life and business—purchased Doylestown’s historic Moose Lodge and transformed it into two modern condominiums, one of which became their own home. As featured in this week’s Philadelphia Inquirer, their journey wasn’t without challenges: water intrusion, boundary disputes, budget tradeoffs, and all the design decisions that test even the strongest of partnerships.
Despite years of industry experience, Jake and Tim faced the same joys and stressors their clients do—tough calls, unforeseen setbacks, and the emotional stakes of crafting a space that feels truly personal. But what set their experience apart was the shared trust, communication, and the support of a professional design team that helped them stay grounded through it all.
Their story is a reminder of what Ernst brings to every project: deep expertise, yes—but also lived empathy. We know how overwhelming a renovation can feel, and we believe the right team can make all the difference.
📖 Read the full feature in The Philadelphia Inquirer to learn how they did it—and what lessons they brought back to the clients they serve.
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Great advice, especially the part about setting clear expectations with your contractors! Noise and dust are one thing, but a major disruption we didn't anticipate during our last reno was the temperature swings once the walls were open. A huge help was getting our insulation sorted quickly. We used a local crew called Aurora Insulation Pros and they were fast and really minimized the extra chaos. Keeping the peace is definitely about managing all the little surprises!