Gander Builders Reviews

Monica Blocker 2025.08.18

     

We just had our beautiful custom home completed in Frankfort, Illinois by Gander Builders, and the experience was nothing short of amazing. The entire process was smooth from start to finish—a refreshing surprise considering all the horror stories you hear about builders going over budget or missing deadlines. Gander delivered our home ahead of schedule to get our kids in ahead of the school year start. Their team was incredibly responsive, attentive, and accommodating to our wants and needs. Even when we had some “out there” ideas, they guided us thoughtfully while still making sure our vision came to life. Now that we’re moved in, I can confidently say they exceeded every expectation. The craftsmanship and quality are top-notch—no corners were cut, and every detail was handled with care. If you’re looking for a family-owned business that provides true white-glove service and uncompromising quality, Gander Builders is the one. We not only ended up with a dream home, but also gained friends in the process. We’re so excited to now call them neighbors and to be part of the wonderful Frankfort community. Highly, highly recommend!

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Mike Markett 2025.07.28

     

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Dustin Oltman 2024.03.16

     

We thoroughly enjoyed our interactions with Gander, being Jarrett, Sue and Steve throughout the process. From the design phase and bringing new and fresh ideas, to pushing us to consider features we may not have contemplated, to providing constructive feedback to the process, it could not have gone better. Jarrett did an outstanding job keeping our timeline on track and navigating the inevitable items that come up during any construction. Sue did great work in helping us choose selections that make our home feel like our home and Steve was there to help us whenever we needed him to step in or had a question. Thanks again to them for helping us build our dream home!

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Reply from Gander Builders 2024.03.16

Dustin we really appreciate the 5 star review but more importantly we really enjoyed getting to build a relationship and enjoyed the entire process with you and your wife.

Drake Miller 2023.09.05

     

If you are looking to build a new home, or renovate existing home, there’s no need to look any further than Gander Builders. Not only are they great to work with, but their craftsmanship and attention to the smallest of details is incredible as well. My wife and I came across Gander Builders simply by riding around town and looking at houses. We noticed all the houses that we thought were absolutely beautiful turned out to be built by the same construction company! When Steve and his team came in to finish our renovation project, we immediately clicked. Their level of communication were refreshing to say the least. The expertise and ideas they brought to the table. We’re also game changing for us. We love quality higher end finishes, and after showing Steve a few examples of what we are looking to accomplish, they took that and turned the final product into something beautiful. We have a much bigger plans for our home over the next few years and we look forward to working with Gander, Steve and his team again!

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Reply from Gander Builders 2023.09.06

Drake, Thank you so much for the kind words and what a pleasure to work with the both of you. I have really enjoyed getting to know you both on a personal level and being part of making your house a home.

Max Agrad 2023.07.25

     

Jarret and the team are super professional. They are the best homebuilders in Frankfort. They are very patient, professional, and problem-solvers. I highly recommend.

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Reply from Gander Builders 2023.07.25

Thank you Max it was fantastic working alongside you and please stay in touch. We really enjoyed working with you and Mina. Please tell all your friends about us!

Andy Schwerha 2022.06.27

     

We had the good fortune to work with Steve, Sue and Jarrett and came away beyond impressed. They helped us take a sketch and turn it into the home of our dreams. They're upfront, ethical, honest, creative and go above and beyond to exceed expectations. By going with Gander we got far more than a General Contractor - we got a family we could trust that was dedicated to what they do and a true partnership throughout the process - and in our case we feel we walked away with a lasting friendship! Our project was On Time, On Budget and couldn't be happier with the finished product.

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Payton Ruediger 2021.03.06

     

Beautiful, excellent homes! They do a great job!

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Jeff Earll 2021.02.08

     

Working with Steve, Sue and Jarrett was an absolute joy. From design to conception, the process was just great and while a lot of people think the process of building is stressful, we truly enjoyed it! Their ideas and vision were just remarkable and if you just trust the process, the outcome will blow you away! I would never go with anyone else and would never entertain the thought. The best part about the process is developing a friendship with the Lecas family that will last a lifetime!

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Reply from Gander Builders 2021.02.09

Thank you Jeff and Diane and I can assure you that your house was one of the biggest transformations ever done by Gander. Thank you for giving us latitude to create ideas and I agree it has been a bonus to all grow as freinds! Thank you for taking the time out for a review!

Robert Keblusek 2020.12.28

     

For years I had been thinking about build a garage that looked more like a carriage house. After almost two years of research and talking to a few builders, I finally met Steve and was instantly comfortable that he would bring my vision to life. Not only was Steve able to bring it to life, but his own vision and guidance helped me to build a beautiful garage that very much took on the personality of a carriage house , just as I had imagined it and even better. Many of my neighbors have commented on how beautiful it is, and some even asking what it was since it very much looks like a small premium home versus a garage. This is exactly how I had imagined it and I am confident all other builders I had spoken with would not have been able to deliver the way Gander did. Steve and Jarrett took on the project just as the COVID lock downs started and while that offered unique challenges in labor, materials and coordination, Steve and Jarrett managed the project and never compromised the quality of the final product. I am confident most other builders would have let me down, not Gander, I am very pleased with the outcome and how they handled the project from start to finish. I would recommend them to anyone building a garage, home or other dwelling if you want a quality job at a fair and honest price. These guys are great!

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Reply from Gander Builders 2020.12.29

Thank u so much Bob. It was a pleasure to work for you and you always had great input which helped make it that much better. Its great working for someone that makes it fun and appreciates what we do! COVID STINKS!!! I appreciated your patience when products started getting delayed. I feel we both agree the place is a show stopper!!!!!

Tammy Allegretti 2020.05.22

     

I built a house with Gander Builders and moved in a little over a year ago. Now I am sheltering at home in my new house!! All I can say is that I love my house!! I love every single detail and I love it more every day and I owe it all to Steve and Sue who helped me through every single phase and every single day of this project. Steve is one of the hardest working people I know. He is extremely talented, has phenomenal subs, is there every second and is available at all times. He listens and then responds with exactly what u want. He is exceptionally creative and I’ve never met someone who took that kind of pride in his work. Not once during the 2 year project did I get angry, frustrated or upset. The entire project was a blast. They just make it so easy for you - and never in my wildest dreams did I think this house would turn out as beautiful as it did. Sue is the designer and she comes with the deal which was truly a godsend. She was with me as I picked out every single doorknob, cabinet and tile. I didn’t have to choose anything without her guidance and Sue has the ability to understand your taste and guide you in your own direction. She also understands your budget and is incredibly helpful in staying within that budget. Finally, Sue is a sweetheart and we had so much fun becoming friends while we worked together. In conclusion, whomever is lucky enough to get Gander Builders to build your house has hit the jackpot. It’s impossible to explain all the intangibles that come with using their company but trust me that it was a fantastic decision!!

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Reply from Gander Builders 2020.12.29

Thank you so much Tammy! It was an absolute blast working with you and building a Timber Frame Home. I treasure the effort we put into the place but more so the friendship that came about. Thank you for taking the time out to do a review!

Andrius Paulius 2020.05.15

     

Gander constructed our home and we were pleased with the process and results. The owner let us customize like we wanted and was always responsive even years after the build was finished. Excited to work with him again.

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Pete Vlamis 2020.05.13

     

It was a great experience working with Gander Builders, we wouldn't change anything if we could do it all over again. We have been in our new home for 5 plus years now, tearing down our old home and re-building with Gander was the best thing we have ever done. We still have people come by and take pictures of our home and inquire about it.

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Reply from Gander Builders 2020.05.14

Thank you Pete! You were such a enjoyable expierence to build for. Your home is timeless and a testament to the Historic District of downtown Frankfort!

Summer Lecas 2020.05.12

     

Excellent homes! Beautiful!

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Reply from Gander Builders 2020.05.12

Thanks!

Anthony Cassata 2020.05.11

     

My family trusted Gander Builders with our first ever build. We couldn't be happier. They put the focus on the customer and was quick to respond to any changes/concerns we had. To this day we still pick Gander's brain on home improvement/decorating ideas.

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Reply from Gander Builders 2020.05.14

Anthony it was such a great time working with you and creating something so unique. It was great that you were open to new ideas and you brought some great ones to the table. The bonus was getting to know you and your wife on a personal level.

Charles Riemma 2020.05.09

     

If you want the top of the line home, choose Gander Builders. They have a reputation that far exceeds any other construction company in the state of Illinois. I believe the web page speaks for itself in terms of the quality of work and the finishes given to each home. After building four other homes, our new town home is the best investment we have ever made. It far exceeds any previous home from other builders. The material, craftmanship and design are exception. The entire crew is top notch!! They take pride in delivering the ultimate home that you deserve to live in.

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Reply from Gander Builders 2020.05.14

Thank you Chuck for the kind words. We have really enjoyed seeing you all the time while walking around our Historic District of Frankfort. We appreciate all the support you have given our company.

Mark Baker 2020.05.09

     

We built a new home with Steve and Gander builders in 2016. Steve is an absolute professional with an eye for quality and design. He offered design suggestions and listen to our input to create some key features of our home. He kept us up to date on the project and meet a tight timeline. Most of all Steve has kept his word, he is honest and trustworthy and someone I would do business with again.

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Reply from Gander Builders 2020.05.14

Thank you so much Mark. Your house is a fantastic addition to the Historic District of Frankfort. Its been a bonus to watch your family grow and getting to know you all outside of the building arena.

Laurel Poole 2020.04.18

     

Gander builders were amazing to work with. The entire process was fluid, and the design expertise and support that is included is an absolutely invaluable part of the process. When we did have questions or wanted to make changes throughout the build, they were willing to take the time to listen and readjust the plans to fit our needs and wants. For that we were so grateful, because this was our first time building a home. Gander builders saw our vision and then exceeded our expectations. They really are an unmatched, experienced, friendly, family-oriented team that delivered our dream home and more! We are so grateful we chose to work with Gander, and they chose to work with us!

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Beth Rapcan 2020.04.07

     

We built our home with Steve and Sue in 2017, I don’t think we could have had a better experience. Pretty much from the start, they listened to our wants in this home. We built before, but never had the experience of doing so from the architectural drawings all the way thru. We were under a tight timeframe and Steve always did his best while still maintaining the quality of our home. Sue was pretty much right there beside us as we made decorative decisions, always hearing what we we’re comfortable with while still giving us guidance. Great team, great people!! Thanks guys!

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Elaine Galvin 2020.04.07

     

We were in the process of talking with another builder and things were not going well. We contacted Steve and Sue Lecas of Gander Builders and never regretted our decision. Their ideas for the house that would end up being perfect for our lot in the Frankfort Historic District were incredible. With red brick, stone porches, and black paned windows, it is a brand new house fitting beautifully into a neighborhood of century old homes. Sue Lecas is so easy to work with and I really enjoyed the time we spent working together on the house. She made it very easy to sort through all the selections that give the house it’s unique look. Make a suggestion about something you would like, and Sue will make it better. Her suggestions and designs are outstanding! Not to be left out of the process of course is Steve Lecas! His energy and enthusiasm for his work - actually his art - is contagious. So many good ideas, and they come rapid fire. He is a builder, a designer, an engineer, an artist. And that’s what it takes to build a Gander home. We could not be happier with our new home. If you have the opportunity to build a Gander home, grab it! You will never regret your decision. UPDATE: We have now lived in our Gander home for almost one year and could not be more pleased with our decision to build our home with Steve and Sue Lecas. My only regret is that we didn’t do it sooner. Any question we had about the house, or anything that needed adjustments was taken care of very quickly by Steve. He does not build your home and then disappear. Steve has as much interest in our home being perfect for us as we do. As I said a year ago, if you have the opportunity to build a Gander home, grab it!

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Seana Ozinga 2020.04.07

     

We built our house with Steve and Sue and we could not have been happier with the results. All of the tradesmen he used showed up when they were supposed to and were respectful and professional. Six years later he still is helpful with occasion questions, troubleshooting, and getting me the right tradesmen over if the need arises. My home is beautiful and they made the process easy and fun!

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