Five Builder of the Year Awards
‘Builder of the Year’ is the most coveted distinction a member of Housing First MN can receive. This honor recognizes trust, communication, ethics, and customer satisfaction. John Kraemer & Sons is the only five-time winner of this award. We were named Builder of the Year in 2023, 2017, 2013, 2009 and 1999, and runner-up in 2008 and 1997.
In 2025, Housing First MN recognized us with an award for Excellence in Philanthropic Contribution. In 2021, they named our own Gary Kraemer as its 2021 Housing Industry Leader of the Year.
John Kraemer & Sons has been named Edina’s Best Builder by Edina Magazine for 14 years in a row (2012-2025). We have also won multiple Best Builder and Best Remodeler awards from Southwest Metro Magazine and Lake Minnetonka Magazine.
NARI MN CoTY Awards
In addition to our dozens of regional Contractor of the Year (CoTY) awards, John Kraemer & Sons has also earned National CoTY awards.
Region 3 North Central, Entire House over $1,000,000 – 2022- MN Gold, Entire House over $1,000,000 – 2021
- MN Silver, Residential Detached Structure – 2021
- Regional Residential Addition Over $250,000 – 2019.
See before/after photos here. - National Best in Show, Residential Interior – 2018
- MN Best in Show, Residential Interior – 2018
- Best Residential Detached Structure – 2018
- Best Historic Renovation – 2017
- Best Historic Renovation – 2016
- MN Best of Show, Historic Renovation – 2016
- Regional Best of Show, Historic Renovation – 2016
- National Best of Show, Historic Renovation – 2016
Region 3 North Central, Entire House over $1,000,000 – 2022
Best Historic Renovation – 2017
John, Gary, and Jeff Kraemer with their fifth Builder of the Year Award from Housing First MN in 2023.
ROMA Awards
Remodeler of Merit Awards (ROMA) are sponsored by Housing First Minnesota. John Kraemer & Son’s recent ROMA awards include:
- Best Secondary Structure – 2021
- Best Kitchen over $115,000 – 2019
- Best Lower Level over $125,000 – 2019
- Total House over $800,000 – 2019
- Best Kitchen over $100,000 – 2015
- Best Bathroom under $50,000 – 2015
Best Secondary Structure – 2021
July 2026: We are thrilled to announce we were named “Best Custom Home Builder” in reader polls by Edina Magazine.
We are humbled by the vast network of friends and clients who continue to vote for and support us, year after year. Thank you!
March 2026: Our ELEVEN Penthouse project won Midwest Design magazine’s top for “Apartment/Loft/Condo” in their Midwest Design Awards.
July 2025: John Kraemer & Sons was named “Best Custom Home Builder” in reader polls for both Lake Minnetonka Magazine and Edina Magazine.
July 2024: John Kraemer & Sons was named “best remodeler” by readers of Lake Minnetonka Magazine.
October 2023: Minnesota Monthly listed John Kraemer & Sons as one of their “Best of Minnesota 2023: Readers Choice” winners.
July 2023: John Kraemer & Sons was named both “best builder” and “best remodeler” in the Edina Magazine poll. Readers of Lake Minnetonka Magazine also voted John Kraemer & Sons “best builder” and we tied for “best remodeler” in their annual poll.
December 2022: Our Wayzata Bay Coastal project won the top award “Best in Show” at this year’s Midwest Home & Design Awards for the architects at the Alexander Design Group, Inc.
WI Builder License DC-082000843
FL Builder License CRC1331281