When you step into the Habitat ReStore, you’re not just browsing cabinets, doors, or flooring—you’re stepping into opportunity. Here, families stretch their budgets, small contractors grow their businesses, and entire communities build futures.
See how one ReStore customer found and used quality materials to create a dream home for his family. 
Igor shows the Habitat team plans used to renovate his historic home in the avenues.
Igor’s Story
Igor came to Utah from Kazakhstan with a dream: to provide for his family and use his skills as a builder. Starting a new business in a new country was tough. Competing with big companies seemed impossible.
That changed when Igor discovered the affordable building materials at Habitat ReStore. With support from the ReStore team and his new company—Unique Assets—he could take on projects, deliver high-quality results, and start building a reputation.
Then came the biggest project of all: building his own family home. 
Igor and his wife, Rebecca, show the tile, cabinetry, and mirrors purchased from the ReStore.
From Renovation Roots to Building Unique Assets
In February 2024, Igor purchased his historic home, a milestone that marked the culmination of years of hands-on experience gained through prior renovation projects. His passion for building and design crystallized into a business venture after the success of his Parade of Homes project, where community recognition and constructive partnerships motivated him to establish Unique Assets—a company grounded in values of people-centered service, quality craftsmanship, and collaboration with contractors and suppliers.
His relationship with Restore began serendipitously while adding a small extension to his house: a visit to a different location introduced him to the store’s resources, later expanded by discovering the downtown Salt Lake City store. Over time, ReStore became integral to his workflow, offering affordable, sustainable materials that not only supported his projects but also embodied his ethos of building thoughtfully and responsibly.
Rebecca shows photos of the property before renovation, which had severe flood damage.
Confronting the Home’s Hidden Challenges
When Igor and his team started the renovation on the property, which was built in 1906, there were some challenges:
- Severe water damage along one side of the house, especially affecting the upper floor and windows.
- Rotted stone, soffits, and other structural elements due to water exposure and a sprinkler being left on.
- Damaged and non-repairable windows, particularly on the upper floor.
- The basement was very short and not livable, requiring excavation and finishing.
- The house’s original configuration was outdated, with small rooms and a layout that needed to be opened up for modern living.
- Additional repairs included replacing or adding structural beams, moving and replacing windows, updating bathrooms, and addressing general wear and tear throughout the property.
Overall, the renovation required extensive repairs to water-damaged areas, structural updates, and modernizing the layout and finishes.
A House Renovation with ReStore Finds
Igor’s home is more than a house—it’s a showcase of what’s possible when you combine creativity, sustainability, and community resources. Nearly every room tells a story of reclaimed materials turned into something beautiful.
Inside the Home:
- Bathrooms: stylish floor and wall tiles, vanities, tubs, mirrors, towel holders, heated floors, and custom glass shower enclosures.
- Kitchen & Living Room: hardwood floors, custom cabinets, baseboards, blinds, and even extra fridges for family gatherings.
- Entryways: modern entry doors, benches, mirrors, and custom wardrobes built from ReStore panels.
- Basement: practical vinyl floors, custom shelves and desks, decorative wood panels, and a ping pong table for family fun.
Exterior:
- Striking facade stone and custom garage doors.
- Planters, LED exterior lighting, and safety handrails.
- Ornamental tiles that add beauty and durability to the parking area.
The Essentials:
- Nails, glue, insulation, lumber, primer paint, and other building basics—often overlooked but essential to success.
With every ReStore find, Igor and his team created a home that is both stunning and sustainable.
Kitchen cabinets, tile backsplash, flooring, and lighting—all found at the ReStore.
Building Community
Igor’s project is about more than one family’s home. It shows what’s possible when neighbors, small businesses, and nonprofits partner together.
- For Unique Assets construction company, the ReStore was more than a supplier—it was a true partner, helping with loading, sharing what was coming in, and supporting them from the very start.
- For the community, it means saving money, reducing waste, and making the dream of homeownership more achievable.
- For Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area, it means every purchase helps fund affordable homeownership and critical home repairs across Salt Lake, Davis, and Tooele counties.
Igor’s journey is a great example of the power of affordable materials, sustainable building, and the community partnerships that bring dreams to life. Because here in Utah, together, we build homes, hope, and futures.
Follow Unique Assets
📷 Explore more photos of Igor’s home build: Photo Gallery
🌐 Visit Unique Assets: uniqueassets.net
📱 Follow on Instagram: @unique.assets
