When Katie Dascanio, President of Ward Home Improvements, looks back on the company’s expansion into renovations, the timing still stands out. In 2020, as much of the world slowed down, Ward leaned into a new direction, one that ultimately strengthened its connection to homeowners across Harford County.
“We have been a home builder for over 40 years, and we wanted to tap into a different market in 2020 when everything was shut down,” Dascanio said. “We expanded into home improvement.”
That shift allowed Ward to meet homeowners where they were. Many were spending more time at home, reassessing how their spaces functioned, and looking for trusted professionals to help them adapt. What emerged was a full-service home improvement division grounded in the same experience and craftsmanship that had defined Ward’s building business for decades.
Today, Ward Home Improvements offers a wide-ranging scope of services designed to support both interior and exterior transformations. “All exterior hardscape, landscape, siding, roofing, windows, doors, and interiors like kitchens, baths, flooring, moulding, trim, lighting, and more,” Dascanio said. “Everything except for outdoor pools.”
Ward approaches renovations as thoughtfully planned projects, designed, coordinated, and executed by an in-house team. It’s a model that emphasizes consistency, accountability, and ease for the homeowner.
For Lisa Bennett, Marketing & Design Coordinator, that approach begins with partnership. “I think when clients come in, we envision ourselves as being their partner in the project, and an extension of them,” Bennett said. From the first conversation, the team works to understand not just what a space could look like, but how it should feel and function.
Design decisions are made with intention and continuity. “We offer recommendations for colors, so there’s a flow within the entire updated space,” Bennett explained. Often, the process begins with one room and naturally expands. “Start with the kitchen, then look into other things like cabinetry or a wet bar, to help them envision their space.”
At the core of the company’s work is a straightforward philosophy. “We want to have fun, take care of customers, and make money, in that order,” Dascanio said. It’s a mindset shaped by decades of experience, and by an understanding that trust is earned, especially in an industry where homeowners can feel vulnerable. “It’s hard sometimes to trust contractors you don’t know,” she added. “With our 40 years of experience, we guide our customers to have trust and feel that the quality is there as well.”
That trust is reinforced by Ward’s deep local roots. “It’s a local company. Our core strength is in Harford County,” Bennett said. “Our name has been in the area for so long. We’re here for the community, and in terms of opening up the renovation side, we’re even more of a resource.”
One of the most defining features of Ward Home Improvements is its new design studio and showroom, created to simplify the renovation process and spark inspiration. “We have a studio. Most do not,” Dascanio said. “It’s a one-stop shop.” Rather than sending clients to multiple vendors, Ward brings materials, design expertise, and craftsmanship together under one roof.
“We have designers in-house, workers in-house, we’re not subbing out the work,” she explained. “It makes it so much easier for the client to come to one location and see it all together.”
The showroom itself is immersive and built to inspire. “You see vignettes of different parts of homes,” Bennett said. “People come and start to look around, and it gives them ideas.” From kitchens and mudrooms to wine rooms, offices, outdoor living spaces, and garage organization, the space is designed to feel actionable. “We’re happy to have that because we’ve shown a lot of unique things you can do in a home.”
Viewing widespread options often sparks new ideas. “Just seeing everything all together... you’re in a beautiful space which offers inspiration for what your space could look like as well,” Dascanio said. The showroom’s myriad designs frequently jog memories or uncover projects homeowners may not have initially considered or had forgotten about, rounding out their ideas for upgrades.
Technology plays a major role in helping clients visualize their renovations. “With all clients, we have tech to show 3D renderings,” Dascanio said. “Every single client gets that experience.” Bennett added, “They can feel like they’re actually in the space before it’s done.”
Once a project is underway, communication remains a priority. “We have a whiteboard in their home with everything that’s getting accomplished today and this week,” Dascanio explained. Alongside phone calls and group texts, the system keeps everyone aligned. “Whiteboards -- people love them,” Bennett said. “It’s right there, they can see the whole week and who is coming.”
Community involvement is woven into the company’s identity. “We donate to several different charities within Harford County,” Dascanio said, supporting families, shelters, and recovery efforts after fires or floods. Sustainability also plays a role. “For every home that’s built, 100 trees are planted,” Bennett shared.
As trends evolve, from the return of wood tones to green palettes and wallpaper, Ward adapts while staying grounded in purpose. “The most important thing is functionality,” Dascanio said. “We ask: What’s not working in this space, and then what would you like for it to be?”
As Ward moves forward, more growth is the natural next step. The team has expanded steadily, and new services are on the horizon. But the ultimate goal remains unchanged. “That [clients] are extremely happy that they chose us,” Dascanio said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”
I think when clients come in, we envision ourselves as being their partner in the project, and an extension of them.
Our name has been in the area for so long. We’re here for the community, and in terms of opening up the renovation side, we’re even more of a resource.