What's the building process like?

When we first talk on the phone we will dicuss your needs and wants for your home or other building project. You may have already visited a lumber yard and drawn up a plan... if you have, that's great, if not, we can recommend a lumber yard to you.
Once we have a plan to work with, Andy goes to work gathering estimates and talking with other contractors to figure out prices and scheduling of the project.
After you have reviewed the estimate, arranged financing, and approved the estimate's costs we're ready to start building!
The sooner you can start talking with Andy about your upcoming project, the better. Popular building times like Spring and Fall need to be talked about in early winter and early summer, respectively.
We can build homes in the winter season as well. You will save money if the site is excavated before the ground freezes, but you can excavate for a home virtually any time of the year.

Do you juggle multiple builing projects?

Andy has always liked to keep things simple. You might think you want a builder that is in such high demand that they are building several new homes each year, but Andy knows he needs to be there working with and supervising his employees to make sure the job gets done on time and gets done right - the first time.
Another warning on builders that are working on several homes - they have the potential to leave your project, sometimes for weeks or months at a time. Andy almost always works on one project at a time, consistently from start to finish. Sure, as one project wraps up and he's waiting for painters to finish before the trim is installed, he will want to be getting things rolling on his next project - but he would never abandon a work site like some of the horror stories you might hear about builders.

What if I want to do some of the work myself?

Andy understands that we're not all millionaires - if we were... you can bet he'd be doing a lot more hunting and a lot less building :)
Anyhow, if you would like to do some of the work yourself, just let Andy know. Painting and staining are the main things we recommend home owners can do to save money. Also, many people leave the lower level/basement unfinished and then have Andy return a couple years later to frame and sheetrock it. It all depends on your wants and needs.
One thing we don't really recommend our customers attempt to do themselves is hanging and taping sheetrock. If you hang the sheetrock the wrong way, you just end up with more joints than you need or want and taping is a lot harder than it looks. Andy also has all the expensive tools that give the finished product the professional look you deserve.
With all that said, this is probably the most important, major investment you will ever make, be sure you spend enough money to do it right so you will enjoy it for the rest of your life.

How much do your homes cost?

Since Andy builds custom homes and every customer has different wants and needs, but a pretty nice modestly sized new home can be built for right around $200,000. Andy does everything he can to make quality homes affordable for today's hard working families.

Why build new instead of buying an existing home?

Well, everyone has different needs, but when you build a new home, you get to choose the floor plan that suits you and your family the best - you get to pick the colors and features that match your tastes and preferences. This is your biggest investment, why not have it just the way you like it?

How long will it take you to build my home?

Andy and his crew can usually complete a home in 4 months from footings to trimwork. But there are always variables that may effect the time frame like weather, change of work orders from you, or waiting for electricians, plumbers, or painting and staining.

Who can I talk to if I have questions/concerns during the building process?

Andy is always available to his customers, and only a cell phone call away. 507-383-5618

Where do be go to pick out cabinets, flooring, fixtures, etc.?

Andy has names of many reputable and cost-effective vendors that he feels comfortable working with. Feel free to ask him who he recommends. We don't recommend going to large home-improvement stores to purchase cabinets, doors or other expensive items. Often, you can find something much higher quality at a competitive price through one of our recommended lumber yards or other vendors.

How far will you travel to build our home?

Andy usually will travel up to 50 miles from the Northwood, IA / Glenville, MN area.
Anything further would be on a individual basis.

Do you have any kind of after-care?

If you move into your home and within the next year get any cracks in the sheetrock due to the house settling (a very normal thing), Andy will come and do some touch up work. He hasn't really had any other problems, but will be happy to deal with them if need be. The most important thing is that you're happy with your new home.