History

Back in 1973 Dick Niggemann and Jerry Kelly decided to purchase a fire damaged duplex. "We had a lot of confidence we could fix up and manage the building." said Kelly. But confidence is no substitute for capital, so the two old childhood friends used a credit card and shopped around for plumbing, electrical and other equipment they needed. They renovated the building in 2½ weeks, found financing and paid off the charges. They repeated the pattern over and over in the following year: finding buildings scheduled to be razed, buying them at low cost and renovating them. In every case, they carried with them the same sense of urgency, usually finishing the renovation in four weeks or less. Dick and Jerry were working in their childhood neighborhoods, so there was also an emotional appeal to their work. "This is where we came from. It meant an awful lot to us." Other property owners saw what the two were doing, and soon Dick and Jerry were renovating buildings on a bid basis. While that element of their business is now behind them, it became the genesis of Kelmann Corporation. From buying and restoring neglected properties, to now operating an internationally recognized, award winning restoration firm, the partners started with nothing but a dream and a credit card. Working with local government agencies, Kelmann began to grow. Large scale renovations and even structure moving would follow. From fire damage work, the two expanded the business into repair of water damaged property as well as asbestos abatement. Larger project followed. Within insurance circles, Kelmann began developing a name as proficient in residential fire and water loss work. As the business grew, so did Kelmann's reputation. Dick and Jerry stand committed, since 1973, that their business treats both customers and insurers in a fair and ethical manner. Kelmann now stands, over 36 years young, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin as one of the leaders in the American restoration industry.