Lori K Bath serves, supports, and grows within the community

Most people begin and end their days in the bathroom. It’s one of the most frequently used spaces in a home, serving both practical and personal purposes. Every space has room for improvement – that’s where Lori K Bath comes in.

Founded in 2018 by Ron Knoche and Dan O’Callaghan, Lori K Bath is a Valparaiso-based bathroom remodeling company that promises to uphold the spirit of its namesake while serving the community with quality service and years of experience.

Knoche began his work in construction and home improvement related companies at just 17 years old. After building 28 years of experience in different firms, rising from entry level to management, Knoche began considering creating his own company. However, his skillset was only part of his decision to start a company.

The namesake herself, his wife Lori Knoche, spurred the decision after her cancer diagnosis in late 2017.

“I wasn’t in a position where I wanted to be in order to take care of her financially and meet her needs,” Knoche said. “It was a pretty hectic time that I chose to start a business.”

Looking to get the business off the ground with the strongest foot forward, Knoche reached out to O’Callaghan to join him as a co-founder. The pair had met during Knoche’s previous employment, where he was a client of O’Callaghan’s marketing firm in Chicago. The two of them quickly hit it off as friends.

Knoche and O’Callaghan would spend time discussing the future and what they wanted to accomplish in their careers. The co-founders saw their visions aligned and formed a team. With O’Callaghan’s background in marketing and Knoche’s in operations, the dynamic duo helped bring Lori K Bath forward over the past eight years.

More than 70 employees have been brought in to put systems into place, but recently, they came to feel they needed more expertise to remain organized if they want to continue plans to expand to other locations. Bringing a chief executive officer (CEO) into play looked to be the smartest move.

Jim McCall was Knoche and O’Callaghan’s first and only choice.

“I’ve known Jim personally for a while, and it was a really easy choice,” Knoche said. “I trust him with my life, so I certainly trust him with my business.”

McCall has been an incredible addition to the team. With his help, the co-founders feel that Lori K Bath has continued its explosive success. Keeping focus with what Knoche feels he’s best at is not only part of the company’s growth, but a personal strong suit.  The team has begun considering growth into other regions in the near future, and they are always ready to pick up the phone.

The team handles everything in house. From the permitting process and products supplied to consultations and the crew, everyone involved is part of the Lori K Bath team, all while standing behind their installations and the products they use.

“We carefully select our manufacturers who we partner with. This is a big investment for people,” Knoche said. “We want them to feel protected that they’ve made a good choice and that they’re safe with their investment.”

Any home renovation project comes with risks, and Knoche stresses that the team takes great care in the work they do. No job is left unfinished with the Lori K Bath team — when you welcome the crew into your home, they pull everything down to the studs to complete a full inspection. If there are any issues, such as mold or water damage, it’s cleared up before the construction continues.

Bathroom remodels are one of the most common projects the Lori K Bath team sees, as clients look to update fixtures. The work typically includes updating the space, repairing damage, and optimizing the space for storage and comfort. Clients can even begin with small sections of the bathroom at a time using the one-day shower offering.

The crew drops in once the consultation is complete and the materials have arrived, then focus on where water touches. The one-day process leaves no stone unturned despite its quick turnaround time, as the crew is able to zero in on one area specifically and bring it to perfection. A new shower base, for example, comes with a new wall, a new door or curtain rod, as well as fixtures and shelving.

Another service the team sees are clients seeking to convert their homes into a safer space. Replacing a walk-in shower fitted with safety bars and a seat that are both functional and appealing to the eye is a remodeling project the team gladly undertakes.

The team sticks solely to bathroom remodeling, which Knoche and O’Callaghan feel has led to their success as the company continues growing.

“The big factor in us growing the way we are is because we’re locked in. Remodeling is what we’re choosing to do, what we want to do, and we’re going to do it in the best ways we can,” Knoche said.

Further growth would aid Lori K Bath’s ability to serve the community through quality remodels, and potentially expand the reach of the community support the company takes part in.

Giving back is the very foundation of the company. Lori Knoche was a devoted respiratory therapist, active member of the community, and loving mother. Giving back in her name has been a fantastic way to celebrate her memory, and the team does so with donations, fundraisers, and programs such as Lori K Cares.

Lori K Cares is a cost-free service provided through fundraising and donations. Each year, two individuals fighting cancer will receive the remodeling service that overhauls their shower, opening the space and adding accessibility features that can be critical to restoring a recipient’s independence. The program removes barriers for those fighting and gives them the perfect space to relax, unwind, and have one less thing to worry about.

Knoche and O’Callaghan take great pride in continuing to give back through their community support. Through its efforts, Lori K Bath has been able to donate to different organizations such as the St. Jude House, an emergency shelter that provides assistance to those in need of help out of family violence.

The remodeling company has also donated money to Valparaiso High School, Lakeshore Paws, and even helped fund part of the Porter County Fair this year, hoping to bring families together to get out of the house and have fun. The team also arranges outings to gather funds for indispensable groups in the area.

Each member of the team upholds premium values, quality service, and the desire to give back. A life well-lived begins with the start of your day, but it also extends outside of the home too.

To learn more about Lori K Bath, visit its website at lorikbath.com. To donate or learn more about Lori K Cares, visit the website at lorikcares.com.