Our History

Cook Bros. has evolved from a small handyman business started in the early 1980’s by Rob Cook to help pay the bills during his college education. Much of Rob’s early remodeling experience came from working alongside his father renovating investment properties while a high school student (Yorktown HS Class of 1977) and later as a college student. In 1983 Rob graduated from Rice University in Houston, Texas and after graduation, he served as a construction manager for a major regional home builder in Houston – personally responsible for the management of the construction of hundreds of houses from the ground up. In 1986, Rob returned to his Northern Virginia roots, then with a growing family of his own. Rob, with his wife, Ande, and first son, AJ made their home in Arlington. Cook Bros. was formally established as a Virginia Corporation and began growing rapidly from a small painting and handyman company at inception in 1985 to the well-known Arlington Design/Build firm in operation today.

Instrumental in this growth has been Steven Tinter (Steve). After earning his degree at George Washington University, Steve worked as a carpenter before joining Cook Bros. His talent and potential were immediately evident, and Steve worked his way to the top of the company in less than 10 years. Now, with over 20 years of service in Cook Bros. , Steve is President and General Manager, working closely with Rob to together lead Cook Bros. to an ever-higher level of accomplishment.  Now with over 30 years in business, Cook Bros. is just getting started!

The Firm began its construction orientation with smaller remodeling jobs in Arlington such as porch enclosures, entries, and room remodels, growing into a full-service, design/build remodeling firm. But like all companies who have been around and successful for decades, it all had to start somewhere, with one igniting moment in time.

Introduction of Steven Tinter and Cook Bros Remodeling

In this short video, Steven Tinter, President and General Manager of Cook Bros. introduces himself and his background.

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Our Team

Rob Cook

Owner

An Arlington resident since 1972, Rob graduated from Yorktown HS in 1977. After obtaining his undergraduate degree in Energy Management from Rice University Rob worked as a Construction Manager for a major regional home builder in Houston, Texas eventually overseeing 14 subdivisions. Returning to Arlington in 1986, Rob, with his wife Andrea, founded Cook Bros., which has grown into the well-regarded and recognized Arlington Residential Remodeling firm that it is today. Along the way, Rob earned his Juris Doctorate degree at George Mason University School of Law in Arlington. Rob's role is as owner and strategic planner for Cook Bros.

Steven Tinter

General Manager

Originally from Long Island, NY, Steve moved to this area to attend college at The George Washington University. While earning his degree in Speech Communications, Steve worked as a freelance Production Carpenter throughout the Washington DC metro area, constructing sets for television, theater, and local area events. After graduation, Steve took a position as a carpenter with another Arlington-based custom builder, constructing new, custom town homes throughout Arlington. Joining the Cook Bros. team in 1995, Steve worked as a Lead Carpenter, then as the Production Manager for 6 years, helping to build a solid base of satisfied Cook Bros. customers. In 1999, Steve was promoted to the position of General Manager of Cook Bros., where he was able to blend his “hands-on” experience in the field, with his education, to oversee all of the day-to-day operations of Cook Bros. Steve 's contribution is, in all ways, on a “managing partner” level. Steve's specialty is the technical solution of complex residential construction designs and coordination of all Cook Bros. resources.

Ande Cook

Owner

Raised south of Houston , Texas , Ande graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville , Texas in 1982 and has been a Northern Virginia resident since 1986 when she co-founded Cook Bros. with her husband Rob. Ande soon took on the position of Project Designer. Integrating a then brand new CAD modeling software package into the Cook Bros. design program in 1992, Ande became a Beta test user of Chief Architect, which has since become one of the leading CAD software packages for residential design professionals today. Ande was Cook Bros.' chief in-house Designer since 1987, and today still assists with design as needed.