Dovetail MN

The company was founded in 1998 by Doug Tanner and Nathan Christenson to serve homeowners who value flawless construction as much as exceptional design. Over more than 25 years, Dovetail has focused on creating one-of-a-kind homes through close collaboration with clients and design partners.

Dovetail's leadership team includes:

• Doug Tanner – Founder

Aligns project details to client expectations on every job.

• Nathan Christenson – Founder

Oversees jobsites across the Twin Cities metro and coordinates with clients, suppliers, and subcontractors.

• Dylan Bryant – Partner

Oversees onsite project supervision, subcontractor and vendor management, and business development.

Mission

Dovetail is committed to enhancing the lives of its clients by joining exceptional design with meticulous craftsmanship to construct one-of-a-kind homes.

The company emphasizes:

• Flawless construction quality
• Strong partnerships with architects, designers, and tradespeople
• Consistent communication and service throughout each project

Core values

• Personal – Building strong, trust-based relationships with homeowners and design partners.
• Professional – Maintaining clear expectations, transparent communication, and reliable follow-through.
• Exceptional – Delivering high-quality construction and carefully crafted details in every project.

Dovetail partners closely with architects, designers, and homeowners to build and remodel:

• Custom single-family homes
• Whole-home remodels
• Additions and expansions
• Historic home remodels and restorations
• Condominiums, lofts, and penthouse residences
• Specialty spaces such as carriage houses, studios, and accessory structures

These service areas are reflected in Dovetail's portfolio of completed work across the Twin Cities metro area.

Typical project types (examples from the portfolio)

Representative project categories include:

• New home construction

Examples include new custom homes in neighborhoods such as Edina and other Twin Cities communities.

• Whole-home remodels

Extensive renovations that reconfigure and update entire homes, including historic properties and lake homes.

• Additions and outdoor-focused living spaces

Projects such as additions with integrated outdoor areas, pool houses, and spaces that create strong indoor–outdoor connections.

• Historic and character home updates

Sensitive remodels and additions for Tudor, Arts and Crafts, Mediterranean, and other architecturally significant homes.

• Urban and multi-unit renovations

Work on condos, lofts, and adaptive reuse projects, as reflected in select portfolio projects.

What is not published

• Dovetail does not publish standardized pricing, rate sheets, or packaged offerings on its website.
• Project budgets, scopes, and timelines are developed individually through discussions with homeowners and design partners.

For details on whether a specific type of project is a good fit, homeowners should contact Dovetail directly using the published phone number, email address, or contact form.

Leadership and project supervisors regularly visit jobsites across the metro to coordinate with clients, suppliers, and subcontractors.

Contact details

Office address 1307 2nd Ave N Minneapolis, MN 55405

Telephone 612-377-3071

Email [inquiries@dovetailmn.com](mailto:inquiries@dovetailmn.com)

How to get in touch

Homeowners can reach Dovetail by:

• Calling the main office phone number listed above
• Emailing the published inquiries address
• Using the contact form on the website's Contact page to share basic project information

Office hours and appointments

The website does not publish specific office hours. Homeowners should contact Dovetail by phone or email to discuss availability, set up a consultation, or schedule a meeting.

Lists David, Laurel, and Murphy as a location. Names David, Laurel, and Murphy as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

The company emphasizes:

• Clear, open communication about scope, cost, and timelines
• Realistic, "real-world" planning and estimating
• Ongoing quality control and follow-through after construction

The principles behind Dovetail's practices

The following principles, drawn from Dovetail's own descriptions, guide how projects are run:

Total customer satisfaction experience

• Transparent cost and change-order structure
• Responsive and proactive communication
• Commitment to high-quality work and customer satisfaction

Real-world preconstruction planning

• Real-world estimating that is openly communicated
• Discussion of site impact and planning to minimize disruption
• Realistic project timelines

Commitment to exceptional execution

• Clear and consistent communication during construction
• Accurate updates to the overall financial picture as the project progresses
• Ongoing and scheduled quality-inspection milestones

After the project is complete

• End-of-project follow-through
• Project review and walk-through
• Post-project check-ins to help ensure lasting satisfaction

Coordination with architects and designers

Dovetail works closely with architects, interior designers, and other design professionals. The company highlights a finely honed, collaborative process that aims to deliver:

• Accurate cost and schedule management
• Seamless communication among the homeowner, Dovetail, and design partners
• Construction quality aligned with the design team's vision

Examples of architectural partners featured on the Dovetail website include:

• Rehkamp Larson Architects
• David Heide Design Studio
• Murphy and Co
• PKA Architecture
• Christopher Strom
• Lee Meyer Architects
• Swan Architecture
• Laurel Ulland Architecture
• Knelson Architects
• LNA Design
• Christian Dean Architecture
• Tea2 Architects
• David Charlez Designs

Designers

Examples of interior design partners featured on the Dovetail website include:

• Martha Dayton Design
• David Heide Design Studio
• Prospect Refuge
• Brooke Voss Design
• Alicia Stevens Interiors
• InUnison
• Twist Interior
• Engler Studio
• Jennie Korsbon and Co.
• Kate Grussing
• Conlin Rudd Interiors
• Renae Keller Design
• Carol Belz and Associates
• Redpath Constable Interior Design

These lists reflect design firms named on the Partners page of the website and may evolve over time as collaborations change.

• Custom new home construction
• Whole-home remodels
• Additions and exterior transformations
• Historic restorations and updates to character homes
• Condos, lofts, and other distinctive residential spaces

These projects emphasize architectural detail, high-quality finishes, and strong integration between interior and exterior spaces.

Examples of project types

Project titles on the website illustrate the range of Dovetail's work, including:

• River Bluff Modern – Contemporary home with strong architectural lines.
• St. Paul Arts and Crafts – Remodel of an Arts and Crafts–style home.
• Lakeside and lake-area homes – Such as Lakeside Scandinavian Contemporary and lake-area remodels and additions.
• Edina and other suburban homes – New homes and whole-home remodels in established neighborhoods.
• Historic restorations – Including work on historic and architecturally significant properties.
• Urban and adaptive reuse projects – Such as lofts, studios, and multi-unit spaces featured in the portfolio.

How to use the portfolio

Homeowners can browse the online portfolio to:

• See examples of Dovetail's construction quality and craftsmanship
• Explore different architectural and interior styles
• Get ideas for their own new home or remodeling project

For information about a specific project or to discuss a similar idea, homeowners should contact Dovetail directly via phone, email, or the website contact form.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.