About
The Same Carpenter Who Measures Your Windows Installs Them
At most companies, a salesperson gives you the quote and a different crew shows up to do the work. At Meat and Potatoes Carpentry, Dan Cleveland does both. 27 years of experience, one point of contact, start to finish.
27 Years of Solving Problems Other Contractors Walk Away From
Dan has been in construction since 1999. He started in framing, building custom homes and multi-family apartment complexes from the ground up. After the structure was complete, his crew would come back for the finish work: cabinetry, interior trim, and baseboards.
That combination of structural and finish experience is rare. Most window installers know windows. Dan knows how your entire home was built. When there is an unexpected issue behind the drywall, rotted framing beneath a windowsill, or a wall that is not quite plumb, he has the background to diagnose it and fix it correctly the first time.
The volume built consistency, too. Installing cabinets in 175 units across an apartment complex develops a level of precision that only comes from repetition at scale. That same precision goes into every window, door, and trim detail in your home.
Dan started Meat and Potatoes Carpentry 18 years ago. Before that, he briefly worked in tech, building computers. He liked working with his hands but not being stuck indoors. With a stepfather in the trades, the move to construction was a natural fit.
Why “Meat and Potatoes”?
Before settling back in Wisconsin, Dan spent four years working as a carpenter in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. One evening at a beach bonfire, a friend asked what he planned to call his new business. The answer came naturally:
“I do the meat and potatoes of carpentry.”
The name was never meant to be permanent, but it turned out to be the kind of name that people remember. 18 years later, it still says exactly what the company is about: the essential work, done right.
What That Means for Your Project
No Surprises Behind the Walls
Dan spent years framing homes before he ever installed a window. So when your old windowsill has rotted framing or your wall is not quite square, he knows exactly what he is looking at and how to fix it properly.
One Person, Start to Finish
The person who measures your windows is the same person who installs them. No handoffs between a sales team and a subcontracted crew. If you have a question at any point, Dan is the one who answers it.
Clear Options, Fair Pricing
Dan will walk you through what is available, explain the differences, and help you choose what fits your home and your budget. One of the first things he asks is what you are looking to spend, so nobody wastes time on options that are not a fit.
What Our Customers Say
Read our reviews directly on Google:
See All 9 Five-Star ReviewsCredentials & Certifications
Serving SE Wisconsin
Based in Wind Lake, Dan serves a 40-mile radius across southeastern Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, Muskego, Waukesha, Racine, and the surrounding communities.
Get an Honest Quote for Your Project
Tell us what you are working on. Dan will come out, take a look, walk you through your options, and give you a fair price. No obligation, no high-pressure sales pitch.
Request a Free Estimate