Ark Construction LLC

4,000 sq ft commercial space interior demolition.

1,200 square feet of subfloor installation, red oak hardwood flooring installation, and quarter round installation.

Masonry and carpentry porch rebuild: The client requested removal and replacement of concrete steps with pressure treated lumber.

Front porch masonry repair in Hamtramck.

Exterior paint and a power wash made some transformative results.

Humble beginnings. I spent years working as an apprentice for a master carpenter and a knowledgeable general contractor on the complete rebuild of this historic Detroit home in brush park.

The first year was a painful learning process filled with long days, unclear directions that led to getting screamed at constantly, sore hands, stepping on rusty nails, constantly covered in filth, working in 100 degree heat and below zero temperatures. I had a lot of terrible days that I thought would never end.

I started as a laborer, my only job was to carry bricks, lumber, and tools up and down scaffolding.
I kept showing up to work 30 minutes early with the drive and ambition to learn. By the 2nd year of consistently showing up to work, I was able to erect scaffolding, tuck point walls, interpret blue prints, layout walls, frame walls, frame doorway rough openings, frame window rough openings, sheet walls, build concrete forms, cut and hang i joists, cut and install subfloor, hang doors, hang windows, cut and install trim, baseboard, and quarter round.

A lot of those days I thought would never end make sense now. Though while in the process of learning I didn’t think I was getting anywhere.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a historic rebuild and for my mentors teaching me the skills of carpentry and masonry which has led me to a healthier life style and better quality of life.

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) uses the Latin motto “Labor Omnia Vincit,” which translates to “Labor Conquers All Things”. Experiencing this process first hand I can say it’s true, that whatever unfair hand you believe life has dealt you, Work conquers all.