We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Costello recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

Honestly, in the business of home remodeling, the best way to show clients you appreciate them is by making sure they feel truly listened to. Remodeling can be one of the most stressful experiences a homeowner goes through—not just because of the financial investment, but also because of the disruption to their daily lives, especially if they’re living in the space while work is happening.

That’s why I make it a priority to be responsive—answering calls, texts, and questions, even if it’s after hours or on weekends. It may seem simple, but being present and available goes a long way in helping clients feel seen, heard, and cared for throughout the process.

And at the end of every project, we love to finish on a personal note. We always leave a small “welcome home” gift as a thank-you for trusting us with their space. It’s our way of saying that while the remodel may be complete, the relationship doesn’t end there. Clients tell us it makes the experience feel not just transactional, but personal and that’s exactly how we want them to feel.

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got started in real estate back in 2019, shortly after buying my first home in Ferndale. From the very beginning, my goal was to turn that property into a rental. At the time, I was working a corporate job and—like so many people—was looking for a way to supplement my income with the long-term goal of financial freedom.

Not long after, I discovered BiggerPockets, which completely shifted my mindset and gave me the confidence to go deeper into real estate. In my first year, I purchased 1–3 properties. In year two, another 3–5. By year three, I was scaling aggressively, acquiring 5–10 more properties. That growth gave me the ability to leave my W-2 job and go full-time into real estate investing.

Along the way, I started flipping houses in addition to renovating my own rental portfolio. Flipping taught me valuable lessons about budgeting, managing timelines, and running projects with efficiency. But after a couple of years, I found myself burnt out and craving a deeper connection to the work.

Around that time, someone asked me to renovate their bathroom. I had never worked directly for a homeowner, but I figured: What’s the worst that can happen? I’ve already renovated 50+ bathrooms. I took on the project—and immediately realized what I’d been missing. Collaborating on the design, guiding decisions, and seeing a client’s vision come to life was deeply rewarding.

That was the spark for Costello & Co, a company built on craftsmanship, collaboration, and connection. In 2023, we officially pivoted and began building Costello & Co with a mission to create spaces that are not only beautiful, but deeply personal to the people who live in them.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

For a while, I was running everything on my own. It was scrappy, messy, and exhausting. I was juggling contractors, managing jobs, designing spaces, sourcing materials, and wearing all the hats. As things grew busier, the cracks started to show, and I realized I couldn’t sustain it alone.

At the start of 2025, Lauren, my wife and now business partner, stepped in to help. She took on the administrative and operational side of the business and helped us build more sustainable systems. It freed me up to focus on what I do best: designing and managing projects.

A lot of people wonder if working with your spouse could be a challenge, but for us, it just works. It clicked right away. We realized that not only are we great partners in life—we’re also a really strong team in business.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m most proud of the work we do and the relationships we’ve built in this community. Costello & Co really began before it had a name. What started as a way to invest in real estate gradually turned into something bigger. As we renovated homes, people began asking us to bring that same vision into their own spaces. That’s when it clicked: this wasn’t just about flipping houses—it was about helping families reimagine the places they lived every day.

In 2023, when the real estate market shifted and interest rates began to rise, I knew I had to pivot. But it didn’t feel forced—it felt natural, like the next step was already waiting for me. I scaled back on flipping and began focusing more on client remodels. That’s where our mission really took shape.

From the start, we were clear about what set us apart:

That great design should be accessible, not exclusive.

That contractors should call you back, show up, and listen.

That quality work starts with quality relationships.

That thoughtful remodeling belongs to every family, not just a few.

That pivot turned out to be the best decision we could have made—and it’s the foundation Costello & Co continues to grow on today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.costelloandco.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costelloandcoconstruction/

Image Credits

Shelby Dubin Photography