He’s essentially been plying his beloved trade since he was 12-years old, so Jeff Priebe is delighted to know that the odds are, if you’ve heard the name Priebe’s Creative Woodworking, you are aware that his team has a reputation for immaculate woodworking, crafting kitchens and baths that are exceptional works of art. As one of the longest standing cabinetry firms in Michigan’s Great Southwest, the entire Priebe’s team is proud to have earned that reputation thanks to the trust and word of mouth from thousands of clients as they celebrate 25 years in business.
As owners Jeff, and his wife Lillian, Priebe tell me that they are incredibly grateful to do what they love day after day, and they feel honored when a client chooses them to be a part of their home. Jeff says, “We do our best to go above and beyond to make sure projects last for generations, and we really do feel that’s what brings clients and their friends and family back to us for multiple projects. They see our passion, they see our craftsmanship, and we feel so blessed that our hard work has earned their trust, and that they continue to give us the types of opportunities that have led to our longevity in the industry.”
Actually, while Priebe’s has been in business for 25 years, Jeff himself has been woodworking for most of his life, beginning his career at a cabinet company when he was just 12 years old – sanding, staining, and absorbing every bit of information he could about the trade. Eventually, he began working with this company on high-end projects, which led to a lifelong career and a love for making visions come to life with his impeccable woodworking skills acquired from great experience from a young age. While in college at Western Michigan University, Jeff continued to hone his skills by fabricating cabinetry while in the technology program.
Soon after graduating, Jeff decided it was time to start his own company, Priebe’s Creative Woodworking, with just a small facility and a few employees in the same location where they currently reside on Plaza Drive in Benton Harbor. Now 25 years later, Priebe’s has a team of long-term employees, a larger woodworking facility, and they are the only vertically integrated cabinetry firm in Southwest Michigan, with the ability to design, craft, deliver, and install projects entirely in-house with the same Priebe’s team.
Jeff says, “Every day I wake up, and I feel blessed – We have the best craftsmen, engineering, installers, and everyone on our team is passionate about getting the details right. We know a lot of companies can do 90-percent of a job, but it’s really paying attention to the final 10-percent of the smaller details that makes a difference. Perfecting the mitering, adjusting doors and drawers so the alignment is pristine, and just making sure the end result is perfect for every client, exceeding their expectations.”
With a reputation for crafting custom kitchens and baths that have been nationally and regionally recognized in various publications, Jeff and Lillian tell me the only misconception about their business is that they only do high-end custom projects. However, they want potential clients to know that they can craft semi-custom projects within a variety of budgets, and not just major remodeling jobs, but also smaller projects like entertainment centers, wine cabinets, bookshelves, home office desks and filing cabinets, and a whole lot more.
Naturally, Jeff and Lillian recognize that without their clients they wouldn’t still be here. As Jeff tells me, “We really owe our success to our clients and feel honored every time we are given an opportunity. Thank you to all the clients who have trusted us the past 25 years. We look forward to continuing to serve our past and new clients for years to come!”
Congratulations to Priebe’s Creative Woodworking on their 25th Anniversary, and cheers to continued success helping clients fall in love with their homes again…”or maybe for the first time!”
