Willmar Wood Shop Shaped Limitless Remodeler
By Tom Sweeney
Matt Wagoner laid the foundation for his construction career back in high school and college in the small town of Willmar, about 100 miles west of the Twin Cities. It’s a path that eventually enabled him to build a successful remodeling business around what he has always loved: working with his hands, solving problems, and creating things that are built well.
“What drew me to remodeling was the free access to the woodworking classes in high school,” Matt recalled. “I’d get my homework done and ask my social studies teacher if I could go work on some projects. I don’t know why, but they made some exceptions for me.”
Most students were limited to three or four shop classes. Matt’s teachers saw his potential as a craftsman and ultimately let him take 10 or 11.
From high school, Matt went straight to Ridgewater College, where he studied carpentry and woodworking and developed an appreciation for the kind of details that would eventually become a hallmark of his remodeling work.
After college, Matt continued to hone his design and construction skills working for another contractor.
“I learned how to use tools in carpentry and woodworking classes, but a lot of what I know about remodeling is self-taught,” Matt said. “I worked with another contractor before I started Limitless Construction who allowed you to pick it up as you went. That suited me just fine.”
A General Contractor Who Still Likes to Build
One thing that sets Matt apart as a general contractor is that he has never been particularly interested in stepping away from the actual craft.
Being a GC gives him the ability to decide which parts of a project he wants to take on himself. Over the years, that has included intricate tile work, one-of-a-kind trim carpentry, and finding creative ways to squeeze more function and beauty out of challenging spaces.
“To become a better general contractor, it’s good to do some of the things yourself,” Matt said. “I like to focus on the details.”
That attention to detail extends to things clients may never consciously notice—but that make a finished room feel right.
“Anybody can do the general scope of a project,” he said. “What defines a finish carpenter and the finished product are the little things. Everything from knob placement to hand-shaped marble baseboard returns.”
Built Around Craftsmanship
That hands-on background continues to shape the way Limitless approaches remodeling today.
Matt works closely with a trusted team of architects, tradespeople, and longtime custom cabinetmaker Joe Bernau. Together, they take on projects throughout the Twin Cities, with much of their work concentrated in the western metro and South Minneapolis.
Older homes are a particular strength. Years of remodeling houses with small kitchens, compact bathrooms, unusual layouts, and generations of previous construction have taught Matt how to see possibilities that aren't always obvious at first glance.
“We’ve remodeled a number of St. Louis Park homes because we know how to do a lot with little kitchens and bathrooms,” Matt said. “There’s only so much you can do with four designs, but we push the limit.”
For Matt, that combination of problem-solving and craftsmanship is still one of the best parts of the job.
And despite turning his love of woodworking into a career, he hasn't wandered very far from his Willmar roots.
“If I do have time off,” he said, “you’ll probably find me in the wood shop.”
Originally published in 2018; updated for the Limitless Construction website.
