Home remodeling doesn’t have to feel like a leap of faith. At least, that’s the belief driving Mixson Home Services. Within an industry where homeowners often expect unclear pricing, constant delays, and limited communication, the company has taken a deliberately different approach. Founded by longtime friends EJ Johnson and Grant Mixdorf, Mixson Home Services blends skilled craftsmanship with radical transparency, hands-on leadership, and a customer-first mindset. The result is a remodeling experience that feels less transactional and more like a true partnership.
The name “Mixson” itself is symbolic. A blend of Mixdorf and Johnson, it represents more than a clever portmanteau, it reflects the partnership at the heart of the company. Johnson and Mixdorf have been friends for over a decade, first meeting in the bar and restaurant industry, where long hours and constant customer interaction shaped their work ethic. That hospitality background, they say, still informs everything they do today.
“We spent the bulk of our lives in restaurants and bars,” Johnson explains. “That’s where we learned how important communication and customer service really are. You’re always dealing with people, expectations, and pressure, which translates directly into remodeling.”
Both founders also bring more than ten years of hands-on experience in painting and remodeling, along with time spent working for general contractors and specialty renovation companies. But it wasn’t until a casual conversation – half joke, half frustration – that the idea for Mixson Home Services took root. After Grant was laid off and both men felt increasingly burned out by their careers, encouragement from Grant’s wife helped push the idea from hypothetical to reality.
Mixson Home Services officially in 2024. In just two short years, the company has seen remarkable growth, tripling its gross revenue. Much of that success, they say, has come from referrals and word of mouth, a testament to satisfied clients rather than aggressive marketing.
Mixson offers full-service general contract work, specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, basement finishes, garages, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Their approach is intentional and measured. “We wanted to crawl before we walked, walk before we ran,” says Johnson. “Slow growth, done right.”
What truly sets Mixson apart, however, is its radical transparency. From day one, Johnson and Mixdorf agreed that they wanted to address one of the most common pain points in remodeling: surprise costs and unclear change orders. Mixson operates with an open-book policy, sharing margins, markups, and even receipts with clients who want to see them.
“There’s a huge lack of transparency in this industry,” Johnson says. “We wanted to do the opposite. Simple, straightforward, and honest. That’s our motto.”
That philosophy extends to how Mixson manages subcontractors and unexpected challenges, particularly in older homes. Rather than allowing delays or behind-the-scenes decisions, Mixson brings everyone into the conversation. If a plumber or electrician uncovers an issue, the team quickly organizes a call with the homeowner to explain the problem, the solution, and the cost – keeping the project moving and trust intact.
Their network of subcontractors mirrors their own values: smaller crews, highly skilled tradespeople, and a shared commitment to communication and respect. This collaborative approach allows Mixson to control costs, and avoid the “stacked jobs” that often lead to stretched timelines and stressed clients.
For new customers, the experience begins with an in-home consultation focused on goals, preferences, and – importantly – budget. Mixson then provides a ballpark estimate based on similar projects. If the fit feels right on both sides, the next step is a “contractor day,” where key subcontractors walk the space together, identify challenges, and provide accurate numbers. The result is a final estimate that’s typically 85–95% accurate before construction even begins.
Another point of pride for Mixson is the founders’ hands-on presence. Unlike companies where the homeowner never sees the contractors again, Johnson and Mixdorf are involved from the first meeting through the final walkthrough. “We’re on site day to day,” Johnson says. “We’re doing measurements, managing trades, and even finishing work ourselves. Clients know they’re going to see familiar faces from beginning to end.”
That personal investment extends beyond the work itself. Both founders value the work-life balance their business allows – something that was impossible in the restaurant world. For Grant, it means time with his young family. For EJ, it’s flexibility, relationships, and even the small joys – like spending the first 15 minutes of a workday playing with a client’s dog.
At its core, Mixson Home Services isn’t just about remodeling spaces. It’s about restoring confidence in an industry where trust is often hard-won. By blending craftsmanship with clear communication and genuine human connection, EJ Johnson and Grant Mixdorf are proving that remodeling doesn’t have to be a nightmare – it can be a partnership.
And judging by their growth and the smiles on clients’ faces when they see a finished space for the first time, it’s a partnership homeowners are eager to be part of.
To set up a consultation, visit /mixsonhomeservices.com.