MAK Construction — Local services in Grand Forks

In 2017 our daughter Emma was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. She had a tumor wrapping her thoracic spine that left her paralyzed from the chest down. She also ended up with an 18 month treatment protocol that included multiple surgeries, six rounds of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, 20 cycles of proton beam radiation, and six additional rounds of immunotherapy, all of these treatments and hospitals in Minneapolis and Rochester. At the end of this nasty treatment regimen, Emma’s end of treatment scans finally told us that she had no evidence of disease left in her body, allowing us to go back home and back to a normal life.

We quickly learned that our new normal was much different than before Emma was diagnosed with cancer. Our existing home was an old two story farm home that was not wheelchair accessible. Our doors and hallways were too narrow, entries had steps and no ramps, our bedrooms were up a narrow flight of stairs, our driveway was gravel and we had no wheelchair friendly sidewalks, and we did not have suitable space for her medical equipment.

This is when we were approached by Chelsie and Marc from MAK, who reviewed all of these challenges, and committed to making our accessible dream home a reality for us. In the summer of 2019 MAK Construction held a fundraiser golf tournament to raise money for this project and by August ground was being broken for our new addition. We worked with Zach on drawing up realistic accessible blueprints, and Mike and the entire team at MAK stayed in communication with us as changes were needed and the remodel moved forward.

Even into the pandemic, we instantly had access to all of MAK’s resources. It was more than their expert staff, but also their entire team of subcontractors that included excavation, concrete, framing, insulation, finishing, flooring, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, and even landscaping. Many of these subcontractors were able to donate their work and even find suppliers to donate or provide needed items at cost, which was integral to allowing us to get the job done.

We are now back into our home, Emma has a dedicated physical therapy room, an accessible bathroom with a roll in shower and wheelchair accessible sink, all of our halls are wide enough for Emma, she has an island sink in our kitchen at tabletop level, we have an attached heated garage for loading and unloading out of the elements, a concrete driveway that allows Emma to access her play area outside, new 36” doors, and wheelchair ramps into two entries of the home.

We cannot thank Marc Chelsie and the team at MAK, their group of subcontractors, and the community enough for your empathy, generosity, and outpouring of support for our family. We are truly humbled and are so happy that Emma’s paralysis will no longer limit her accessibility in...

Volunteers at the Myra Museum constructed a bell tower for its one room school house. The building of the tower went fine, but how do we get it on top of the roof? MAK Construction rescued us from our dilemma. Mike and Logan, using their forklift, skillfully lifted it into place and secured it to the building. They did the work as a community service project, saving us hundreds of dollars. MAK Construction doesn't just say they are community oriented, they prove it by their actions.

The Grand Forks County Historical Society (Myra Museum) hired MAK Construction to complete two projects. The first project involved building a garage for our antique automobiles and the second project involved replacing the soffit and fascia on the Myra Museum. Mike Nustad, and the crew of MAK Construction, were professional in every aspect of the project. Their workmanship was excellent, they stayed within budget, and they were open to our suggestions and ideas. I highly recommend MAK Construction and hope to work with them...

Mak Construction does very quality work and always on time. Have had and seen many projects done by them from a simple sidewalk to larger commercial projects. The bidding process went very smooth and they gave us a bid in a very timely manner. The work is always done when we expected to have it completed. The crew is very friendly and knowledgeable and always kept us informed on the progress of each project. We couldn't be happier with the speed, quality and timely manner projects are completed in. Their prices are within range of all other construction companies. Plus, these guys are local born and raised in Grand Forks. We believe in supporting local businesses. Highly recommend Mak Construction for any and...