From Entry-Level Builder to Successful Remodeling Contractor: Jake Gerl's Journey in the Trades

When Jake Gerl graduated from Lakeville South High School, he thought his future was in law enforcement. Today, at just 25 years old, he runs Gerl Construction, a thriving remodeling company serving the Twin Cities area with a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and customer service.

His unconventional path offers valuable lessons for anyone considering a career in the trades—and challenges common assumptions about what it takes to build a successful business.

The Unexpected Turn: From College Rejection to Trade School

After not getting accepted into his intended college for criminal justice, Jake made a pivotal decision. He noticed Chippewa Valley Technical College was right across the street and decided to apply for their residential construction program.

"That degree basically just built a house for a year," Jake explains. "I learned a lot there just from the aspects of planning, estimating, putting everything together before the project starts, and then going through all the trades and learning how to build the actual house from everything from the foundation to doing all the finishing touches."

This intensive, one-year program proved to be an invaluable foundation—far more practical and cost-effective than a traditional four-year degree, and directly applicable to real-world work.

Building Skills Through Hands-On Experience

Jake's education didn't stop at trade school. His career trajectory demonstrates the power of incremental learning:

1. Framing Experience: Right after high school, he worked for Moderno Construction as a framer on high-end custom homes
2. Weekend Trim Work: While framing during the week, he spent weekends learning trim carpentry
3. Military Service: He served in the Minnesota National Guard, deploying to Kenya, Africa
4. Side Jobs: Upon returning, he began taking on small weekend projects while deciding his next move

"It started off basically mainly family and friends," Jake recalls about his early side work. "Everyone starts talking about you, that this kid is willing to come over on the weekend and he'll give you a great deal because he wants to get his name out there."

The Lean Startup Approach to Contracting

What sets Gerl Construction apart is Jake's intentionally lean operation. When you work with Gerl Construction, you work directly with Jake from initial estimate through project completion.

"It's a very personal process," he explains. "Getting together from design selections, going through getting everything picked out for the job, and then usually every morning you see me at the job welcoming the subcontractors."

This approach allows Jake to maintain quality control while building genuine relationships with clients. Currently handling about two projects per month—ranging from bathrooms and kitchens to basement finishes and additions—he's growing thoughtfully rather than recklessly.

Learning from Mistakes: The Stairway Story

Not every project went smoothly in the early days. Jake shares a humbling experience where he took on a complicated stairway project that exceeded his trim carpentry skills at the time.

"I got it all demoed, got all the product there, started it, and at that point I had to call my old boss and ask him if he could come over on the weekend and give me a hand to finish that job up," Jake admits.

His former boss helped—but made sure Jake learned the lesson by taking all the profit from that job. "That's your insurance premium," as interviewer Rob notes. "That's tuition."

This willingness to acknowledge limits and seek help when needed is crucial for contractors building their reputation.

The Design-Build Advantage

Gerl Construction operates as a design-build firm, meaning they guide clients through the entire process—from initial vision to material selections to final execution.

"The designer can really help us in making sure that you're getting good selections that are in your budget, that are products that are gonna last," Jake explains. "If we just send you out to Home Depot to pick some, there's a good chance that you select something that may not last."

This approach protects both the homeowner and the contractor. Jake emphasizes working with proven brands like Delta and Kohler rather than trendy but untested products found online.

Fair Payment Structure

Gerl Construction uses a payment schedule designed to maintain balance between contractor and homeowner:

• 20% upfront
• 30% the day work starts (50% total before starting)
• Progress payments tied to completion milestones (rough-in inspections, cabinet install, etc.)
• Final 5% held until customer approval of completed work

"The contractor wants to be ahead on payments. The homeowner wants to be ahead," Jake notes. "The way that we do our payments, it's very fair for what is being completed on a job."

The Importance of Strategic Partnerships

Jake credits much of his success to key partnerships, particularly with Dakota County Lumber, where he's worked with the same salesman since he was 15 years old.

"If you know Dakota County Lumber, you know the perfect delivery. They deliver on time, every time," he says. The lumber yard provides not just materials but also financing terms that help manage cash flow—a critical factor for growing contractors.

The Role of Family and Marriage

Perhaps most remarkably, Jake has been with his wife Taylor since age 15. Now married for two years and expecting their first child, their relationship has been a stabilizing force through his career development.

Taylor, a registered nurse, helps with marketing and video content for the business. "You have to work as a team," Jake says. "Be honest if you're gonna be working a ton of hours... In the end, it'll all work out and we'll be able to spend a ton of time together."

The influence of his father-in-law, who owned his own general contracting firm, was pivotal. "He always told me that being an employee is fine, you're just not gonna get ahead in life. You want to be the owner and have your own company."

Lifestyle Trade-offs and Motivation

Building a business while young required significant sacrifices. Jake describes long days: "In the morning before you'd go work for your normal job, you'd be getting material, loading up your truck with all your tools, getting prepared for that night to go work on a job till eight, nine o'clock."

What kept him motivated? "I wanted to go on my own. I just wanted to make sure that I knew what I was doing before I went on my own. So I knew that every job that I was doing was further getting me towards being able to go on my own."

His father's career as a police officer for 30+ years instilled a service mindset. "I've always wanted to serve other people. That's why I wanted to be a police officer. That's why I knew I was gonna go into the military from a super young age."

That service orientation translates to his work today: "I want people, the projects that I'm doing for however many years down the road, to be proud of it and be showing it off."

Looking Ahead: Vision for the Future

Jake's goals include expanding into new home construction while maintaining his remodeling work. "I really enjoyed when I was framing, just being involved in new construction," he reflects.

His plan is to hire a few more carpenters and keep carpentry work in-house rather than subcontracting it out. "We wanna keep growing, keep providing excellent service to the customer, doing cooler, bigger projects that really make us that we have fun on."

Advice for Young People Considering the Trades

Jake's journey offers a compelling alternative to the traditional college path:

1. Get hands-on experience early – Work as a laborer or in entry-level positions to learn the fundamentals
2. Consider trade school – One year of focused, practical education can be more valuable than four years of general studies
3. Build incrementally – Start with small projects and grow your skills and reputation gradually
4. Develop relationships – With suppliers, subcontractors, and mentors who can support your growth
5. Maintain service mindset – Pride in craftsmanship and genuine care for clients creates lasting success
6. Work hard but strategically – Long hours are necessary, but always with purpose toward a larger goal

The Bottom Line

At a time when fewer than 10% of 30-year-olds own their own homes and are married, Jake Gerl represents an outlier. Through hard work, strategic learning, quality partnerships, and a commitment to excellence, he's built not just a business but a sustainable career path that many young people would be wise to consider.

For homeowners in the Twin Cities area—including Lakeville, Rosemount, Apple Valley, Farmington, Burnsville, and Edina—looking for a remodeling contractor who combines technical skill with genuine care for the customer experience, Gerl Construction offers the personal touch of working directly with an owner-operator who's invested in delivering exceptional results.

Whether you're considering a bathroom remodel, kitchen renovation, basement finish, or home addition, Jake's approach demonstrates that the best contractors aren't necessarily the biggest—they're the ones who care most about the quality of their work and the satisfaction of their clients.

‍