The ribbon cutting was a moment. What’s happening inside our walls every day? That’s the real story.
2026 has been quite a year for us already, and we’re only halfway through it.
Earlier this month, we were presented with a community recognition plaque from the City of Hiawatha, marking 40 years of home remodeling excellence right here in our hometown. CEO Dave Wageman accepted it on behalf of our entire team (and yes, there were photos, handshakes, and more than a few proud smiles). It was a really special moment for all of us.
But honestly? The milestone we keep thinking about isn’t just the one on the plaque. It’s the one that came alongside it: we are now 100% employee-owned through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Two big things, one remarkable year.
We’ve already written about what an ESOP is and what it means for you as a homeowner. And we’ve shared the full story of how we got to 40 years. This article is about what employee ownership actually feels like from the inside, in the words of the people living it every day on your behalf.
A Moment Worth Celebrating
We’ve been in Hiawatha, just outside Cedar Rapids, since the beginning. Starting in a rented shop, building our showroom here in 1993, and planting roots that have only grown deeper over the decades. So when the City of Hiawatha showed up to recognize us for 40 years of community excellence, it meant a lot.
The plaque was presented to our CEO Dave Wageman at a ribbon cutting held right here at our showroom. It was the kind of moment that makes you stop and actually appreciate how far we’ve come as a business, and (more importantly) as a part of this community.
Forty years of keeping promises to Eastern Iowa homeowners. Forty years of showing up, providing great craftsmanship, and standing behind it.
Two Big Milestones. One Big Year.
Forty years in business is something we’re really proud of. Staying focused on one thing: residential home remodeling in Eastern Iowa, done right, by people who actually live here, has always been the goal and the plan.
And in the same year we hit that milestone, we completed a transition that our leadership had been working toward for a long time: we are now 100% employee-owned through an ESOP. As far as we know, we are the only employee-owned residential remodeler in Eastern Iowa.
An ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) is a structured retirement benefit that gives employees an ownership stake in the company over time. For us, it means 100% of the company is now held in a trust on behalf of our team. Every employee, from our installers to our administrative staff, has the opportunity to participate starting on day one.
Our service offerings continue: from windows and door installation, to full kitchen and bath remodels. Our processes are the same. Our commitment to quality is absolutely the same. What changed is where the long-term value of this company flows: directly to the people who build it every single day.
As our CEO Dave Wageman shared when we made the announcement:
“The ownership our team has always felt in their work is now formalized. It’s structured, it’s real, and it’s designed to reward the people who show up and do great work over the long haul.”
The 40th anniversary and our ESOP transition aren’t separate stories. One is the foundation we’ve built over four decades. The other is what we’re building on top of it. Together, they’re how we make sure the next 40 years are even better than the last.
In Our Team’s Own Words: What Employee Ownership Feels Like
Six months in, we asked members of our team: what does employee ownership actually feel like, day to day?
Their answers weren’t about stock plans or vesting schedules. They were about something more tangible, immediate, and customer-focused than that. It’s about purpose, pride, and what it really means to care about the work you do. We think you’ll see why that matters for Eastern Iowa homeowners, too.
On Shared Purpose
“Being employee-owned makes work feel different. It feels good knowing we’re all working toward the same goal and that our hard work actually matters.”
This is the shift that’s hard to put your finger on until you’re inside it. It’s not that the tasks or the services changed. It’s that the orientation toward them did. When your effort connects directly to something you have a genuine stake in, “getting it done” stops being the goal. “Getting it right” takes over.
For the homeowners we work with, that shift shows up in ways you can see and feel in your homes: in the quality of the finishing details for your new deck, in the care taken to perfect the handyman repair in your home, and in the follow-through that happens after the job is complete.
On Culture and Teamwork
“I like that everyone here genuinely cares. People are willing to jump in and help because we’re all on the same team.”
We love this one. It really tells you about where this culture came from. The truth is, this kind of teamwork didn’t start with the ESOP. It’s been part of who we are for years. Employee ownership didn’t build that culture. It just gave it a stronger name; one that’s now formally tied to everyone’s future together.
On Doing Things the Right Way
“I’ve definitely noticed the pride in the work we do. When you have ownership in the company, you want to do things the right way.”
This is the one that matters most for the homeowners. Pride in craft is visible and tangible. It’s in the way a window gets installed. It’s whether someone double-checks their work before walking off the job. It’s in how a timeline change gets communicated and how the team cleans up your home after a day’s work in dust and debris.
When ownership is real (not just a poster on the wall, but something tied to your financial future) the standard you hold yourself to goes up. That’s good for our team and it’s great for you.
On Having a Bigger Reason to Care
“The best part of being employee-owned is knowing that what we do every day helps the company and the people who work here.”
“Being employee-owned gives me a bigger reason to care about the work I do.”
Employee ownership doesn’t replace passion for your work. It adds something underneath it. A reason that goes beyond any single project or paycheck and ties individual effort to shared success.
In our industry, where attention to detail and follow-through make or break a homeowner’s experience, having a team full of people with that deeper reason to care is a really big deal.
So What Does This Mean for Eastern Iowa Homeowners?
In most ways, working with us looks the same as it always has. We schedule a consultation, we walk through options together, our craftsmen complete your project, and you end up with a house that feels even more like home. That part hasn’t changed.
What’s different is what’s underneath it.
When the people doing the work are also owners of the company. When the long-term success of the business is directly connected to their financial future, accountability isn’t something we have to enforce from the top. It’s built in.
We’ve always been known for being Friendly. Knowledgeable. Proven. For standing behind our products today and tomorrow. Employee ownership just locks these values in even more. It’s woven into the structure of the company itself, as well as the culture.
When you choose us for your home remodeling project, you’re working with a team of people who have a personal stake in your experience. For today, and for the long haul. And honestly, we think you can feel that from the very first conversation.
And We’re Just Getting Started — There’s a Lot More Fun Coming
Here’s the thing about celebrating 40 years and becoming employee-owned in the same year: we’re not keeping the party to ourselves.
We’ve got a big, exciting year ahead! One full of giveaways, community moments, and more than a few surprises we can’t wait to share. And we’re kicking it off in a pretty significant way.
To say thank you to the Eastern Iowa homeowners who made four decades possible, we’re giving away $30,000 this year through two Home Makeover Sweepstakes. Each sweepstakes awards one lucky winner a $15,000 gift certificate toward the remodeling project of their dreams. Think new windows, a kitchen refresh, a bathroom remodel, a sunroom, a deck, new doors, and more.
The best part? You only need to enter once to be eligible for both drawings. The first winner will be announced soon. Just after June 30. The second after December 30.
All year long, we’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes looks at what employee ownership looks like in real life, project spotlights from around Eastern Iowa, team features, community highlights, and more giveaway moments you won’t want to miss.
The best way to stay in the loop? Follow us. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and we promise it’s worth the follow.
This is shaping up to be a year to remember, and we want you right there with us for all of it.
Forty years in business. Six months employee owned. A whole lot of year still ahead of us.
We’re grateful you’re along for the ride, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next.
— The Hometown Restyling Team