OUR BLOG

THE BUILD JOURNAL

The Build Journal is our space to share insights, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes looks at the projects we create. From design ideas and product highlights to construction tips and industry trends, it’s where we document the journey of building beautiful, lasting spaces. Along the way, we also share personal insights and stories from our team and clients—real experiences that highlight the challenges, victories, and lessons learned throughout the building process.

Everything I Needed to Know About Managing Subcontractors, I Learned as a Band Director

Before I was a contractor, I was a middle school band director. I earned a degree in Music Education from Florida State University back in the dark ages and fully expected to spend much of my career in the classroom. I organized concerts, led fundraisers, coached students, navigated parent expectations, and managed the daily unpredictability of “tweeners” — those 10–13-year-olds who are some of the most exciting creatures on the planet… including the animal known as the 7th-g

Jim Ryerson

Mar 3

Construction Haikus

This morning I found myself reflecting on how homeowners and contractors don’t always see eye-to-eye. As I was musing, I actually chuckled—remembering a customer from years ago who loved to say, “Let’s just use some common sense,” usually right before suggesting our company do something for free. Funny how that “common sense” always seemed to make sense… to him alone. Contractors, unfortunately, have earned a reputation over the years—for missed timelines, unanswered calls,

info115892

Dec 12, 2025

To Kitchen or not to Kitchen?!

It has been a while since I posted, and a discussion with a homeowner last week caused me to do some research to answer them correctly, and gave me an idea for my next blog! Many homeowners ask us, “Will I get back the money that I invest in remodeling my house?” It’s a fair question, and one we hear often—especially when conversations turn to kitchen and bathroom remodels. These two spaces are some of the most frequently used areas in any home, and they also tend to carry t

info115892

Dec 12, 2025

“We Don’t Trick”

In an industry where trust can be hard to come by, Ryerson Brothers Construction has always tried to keep things simple: do what we say we’ll do. Our “We Banners” are displayed as reminders of that— We Show Up, We Send The Estimate, We Return Calls, etc. Those might sound like small things, but anyone who’s dealt with unreliable contractors knows those small things make a big difference. They represent consistency, respect, and professionalism—values that shouldn’t be rare,

Jim Ryerson

Oct 27, 2025