Just for you

Just for You: The Benefits of Custom Construction and Remodeling

By Katie Roiger | Submitted Photos

36 • • MAY 2020 • The Free Prese L et’s say you’re ready for one of the biggest life changes of all. Perhaps you’re tired of apartment life. It could be that you ready to commit to a big purchase with a significant other. Say you just don’t need the space you currently occupy. Or, maybe you, your kids, and your three basset hounds are bursting out of your duplex. This can only mean one thing. It’s time to move!

Searching for a new house can be one of life’s most exciting experiences. Of course, now that you are ready to change everything about where you are currently living and embrace a new adventure, you want your next home to be as close to perfection as possible. Unfortunately, what is currently available might not suit your needs. Some potential home buyers, after religiously following the local housing market, realize that none of the available properties strike them as the place they want to make their refuge from the world. None of

the multiple houses they tour evokes that special feeling of homecoming, of entering the space that will shelter, nourish, and support their personal and family life.

What to do? Sometimes the answer is to wait and see – that perfect house could be just about to go on the market. In some cases, though, the answer is that your dream house simply hasn’t been constructed yet.

“When you’re building a new home, you’re going to get exactly what you want,” said Max DeMars, owner of the Mankato-based DeMars Construction. A second-generation contractor, DeMars grew up in the construction industry while building side-by-side with his dad, and has been working on his own since his high school graduation. In his experience, building a home can have many hidden benefits.

“It might be challenging to find a house that’s in perfect condition, so you may have to factor in the cost of renovations,” DeMars said. Even if a home buyer finds a pre-made house he or she likes, in most cases the building will need some kind of upgrade such as new carpet, fresh paint, or possibly improved framework.

“Another perk is that it’s better for you,” DeMars continued. “Other homes may contain asbestos, lead paint, mold, or something like that. When you build a home, you can pick your materials.”

But wait: Isn’t building a home more expensive than buying premade? Jamie Sorenson, president of the Minnesota River Builders Association and Market Representative at Cambria, says that cost depends on a variety of factors.

“One of the first questions asked is, ‘How much will this cost me?’” Sorenson shared. “The answer isn’t always clear cut. When it comes to home construction, not only do we face the unforeseen, but the plan often changes during the process because, for example, the clients decide they prefer a higher-end product over the mid-range one we initially discussed.”

“The biggest risk of building a new home is higher cost and longer time frame,” said DeMars. Both he and Sorenson agree that there are many ways to keep home construction as costeffective as purchasing a premade home.

One simple solution is to have a solid budget set before breaking ground on the site.

“Often construction starts with many of the decisions deferred until later in the process,” explained Sorenson. If a home builder doesn’t know what

The Free Press • MAY 2020 • • 37 materials they want to use, frequently they put off the choice until they are already committed to the project and then are unpleasantly surprised by the cost. By creating a budget and researching each selection in the building process, they are more likely to have a beautiful, cost-effective end result.

“Include contingency,” said Sorenson. “Because some costs are unforeseen, it’s better to plan for extra costs, just in case. If you don’t need it, it means you come in under budget.”

If planning is the solution, some potential builders may be daunted by the idea of having to chart each expense, service, and vintage spray-painted faux-antique light fixture – especially if they have never commissioned a home before. Fortunately, they don’t have to forge their trail unaided. Top: A closeup view of the gallery workstation. Left: This kitchen highlights the contrasting texture of the rough brick backsplash, traditional white cabinetry and a black walnut butcher block countertop which adds visual texture and contrast. Jamie Sorenson

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“Utilize the MRBA as your local resource,” Sorenson advised. “If you have questions or concerns, reach out and we can point you in the right direction.” The Minnesota River Builders’ Association includes a plethora of builders, remodelers, subcontractors, and suppliers who support the building industry in the Blue Earth, Brown, Sibley, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Watonwan, Faribault, and Martin counties. No matter what question a client has, chances are they’ve dealt with it multiple times.

Once a home builder determines that he or she has the time and budget available to build a home, the real fun can begin.

“Everyone has a different vision for their house,” said Gretchen Maher, a local who has had five houses built and sold in the Mankato area. “Go with what makes you feel at home. What feels cozy to you? What feels welcoming?”

While planning a house, Maher collects pictures from books, magazines, and Internet articles of homes and spaces that appeal to her. When it’s time to make a floor plan, she refers to her pictures to decide what about them strike her fancy. She then tries to incorporate the overall themes into her vision for the house.

Collecting inspiration can be as simple as going to an open house event. The MRBA hosts an annual Tour of Homes where visitors can explore new home constructions and ask the contractors any questions they want.

“This is such a great way to view the talent that our local building industry has to offer,” said Sorenson. “Research and dive into what you like and don’t like. It’s kind of like speed dating for your new home.”

Chatting with an expert is a great way to kickstart new house plans. Maher is a firm believer in shopping around for contractors the way she would shop for materials. As a result, she has fond memories of working with local builders who helped her draw up a house plan that suited her style.

“Don’t just go with the original person who gives you a quote,” Maher said. “Look around a little bit, because there’s quite a difference in pricing.”

For those who may feel designchallenged, Sorenson suggests finding a dependable interior designer.

“Designers are highly-trained professionals, not just people with a good eye for color and a knack for picking furniture,” said Sorenson. “Think of them as the wedding

planners of the home building industry. Designers are able to assist in keeping your project on schedule and underbudget. The best deliver cost-effective value whenever they help build a home. This will ensure that your home has a well-rounded feel with no details left out.”

The beginning of 2020 marked several continued trends for home construction. JBeal Realty’s Katie and Kevin Regan, a husband-and-wife realtor duo, have noticed that the current most popular house designs among their clients are fluid and airy.

“A lot of people want open floor plans,” said Katie, who mentioned that the home-selling and the home-building markets draw inspiration from each other when it comes to what buyers want – and what buyers currently want is a house with multi-purpose spaces. “A lot of contractors are getting rid of the formal dining room.” Other soughtafter features include home offices and multiple first-floor bedrooms.

“Younger families don’t want to be too far away from their kids,” explained Kevin. He and his wife suggest keeping an eye on what is currently popular in the housing industry, especially if the home builder plans to sell his or her house someday.

When designing a house, making the kitchen a focal point is a good choice. In modern homes, kitchens are becoming less of a mere space to complete food prep and more of an area to have family time or even host parties.

“Home chefs have gone from the isolated to the center of attention in newer homes,” Sorenson said. “The large kitchen design brings everyone around the island and not the T.V. We are starting to see islands in a variety of different paint colors and wood stain colors.”

Garrick Rudolph, General Manager of custom cabinet business Cherry Creek Inc., has also noticed a trend toward showstopping yet lasting kitchens. He and his team specifically design products that are attractive and sturdy.

“We are focusing on building homes that are suited for people that are wanting to live in their home as long as possible,” Rudolph said. “We are designing them with things that are going to last a really long time and allow them to live there as long as they want.” This approach allows home builders to save money in the long run since the cost of future replacements or repairs is minimal. One particularly effective costsaver used by Cherry Creek is a special type of finish that requires processing in an oven in order to cure. The end result is a thicker stain that lasts longer than a standard finish.

With their materials’ quality assured, Rudolph’s clients are free to decide what overall look most appeals to them for their kitchen. Fortunately, when it comes to cabinets and fixtures, home builders have almost limitless options for combinations of stain and texture.

“We’re seeing a lot of more natural wood tones, combined with paint,” said Rudolph. “Matte black is popular with cabinets right now.” The white-painted woodwork of the last few years is still a widespread choice, but now home owners are branching out into greys and even richer colors.

“In addition to neutral shades, dark jewel tones are making their way back into the kitchen; black, navy, emerald green and even plum,” Sorenson explained. “It’s so much fun to see the drama this can create, giving the space a luxurious feel.”

Another lively 2020 trend is using contrasting textures and sheens. In combination with the popular naturalwood look, many cabinet makers are offering different distressing techniques. Cerused wood is making a comeback. During past centuries, craftsmen used a white, lead-based pigment to mute the overall color of a particular wood in order to highlight the simple beauty of the wood’s grain. Oak has always been a popular choice for this type of finish due to its stunningly visible grain patterns. Today’s craftsmen can implement the The entry way is the first impression your home makes on visitors. The two bottom photos show updated style and improved flow compared to the “before” photo above.

same technique, but with much more health-conscious and environmentallyfriendly products.

Once you determine the desired look of your custom kitchen, the next thing to do is to determine how the space will flow. According to Rudolph, kitchen design has changed significantly over the past few decades.

“The old concept of kitchen design was that you were supposed to design in a work triangle,” Rudolph explained. The idea for a work triangle is simple: If you were to draw imaginary lines that connected your cooktop, your refrigerator, and your kitchen sink, the distance between each should be equal. While that concept is still in use, modern design is trending more toward creating a single area for meal prep. Frequently, this means a central island containing the sink, plenty of space for either cooking or entertaining, and potentially some seating space.

“It’s about creating a workstation so you don’t have to travel back and forth across the kitchen,” said Rudolph. “It’s very convenient; it’s comfortable; you’re not in people’s way when you’re cooking or entertaining.” Cherry Creek Cabinets sells a galley workstation that incorporates these principles and has been very popular in the Mankato area.

In both custom-built homes and recent remodels, the movement toward quartz or granite countertops is still going strong. Rather than the tile or laminate of previous decades, buyers are turning to more durable surfaces that are designed to make a statement. Local, family-owned quartz surface producer Cambria celebrated its 20th anniversary by releasing 20 new designs that range from neutral, earthy hues to vivid palettes with eye-catching color veins.

“Cambria is stain-resistant and won’t etch like a true marble, so life can happen,” said Sorenson. “No tiptoeing in a Cambria kitchen! With over 180 design options, there is something for everyone.”

If the timing is right, the location exists, and the budget is reasonable, custom construction can be a great choice for any individual or family. But what if some of these components are missing? Let’s say that perfect spot for building isn’t available, or it’s a little too pricy. Or, more commonly, perhaps you already love your current property and can’t imagine living anywhere else – but after years of use, it needs a major facelift.

In these cases, renovation might be a fantastic choice.

“Remodeling is going to become a really big thing,” predicted DeMars. “We’re taking houses and reworking the floor plan: Scrap the house and start over. We’ve done about three of those in the past five years.”

Maher’s current home is actually a remodel rather than a new construction. She and her husband decided that a renovation project would be an exciting new challenge and began looking for houses that had good bones. After scouring the market, they stumbled upon a home that suited them down to the ground. When designing a house, making the kitchen a focal point is a good choice. In modern homes, kitchens are becoming a popular area to have family time or host parties.

Besides replacing the trim and laying hardwood throughout the entire main level, Maher opted to nix the formal dining room. She said she loves the fresh open look.

“The minute I walked into it, compared to the other houses we looked at, I could totally see it being our house,” remembered Maher. The home was originally built in the late 1970s, however, and the Mahers could tell.

“In its day, I’m sure it was beautiful, but it was definitely time to be updated,” laughed Maher. In many ways, the home was the opposite of the open, neutral houses that are popular now. Wallpaper and paneling were everywhere, as was popcorn ceiling detail. In terms of floor plan, some rooms felt closed-off. The Mahers decided to view the project as a chance to create their dream home.

“When we moved in, we were basically sleeping in our living room because the bedrooms were all under repair,” Maher said. “The repairs were full-scale, involving new paint, flooring, fixtures, and a completely overhauled bathroom.”

“I went with more neutral colors and put in new carpeting,” said Maher. “The colors I chose were a soft gray and a kind of greige. We tore out all of the woodwork and replaced it because it was oak and thin. We put in new doors and went with a wider trim. We actually painted all the woodwork white. As soon as you walked upstairs, it was just like night and day. It made everything brighter, more open, and airier.”

With the upstairs completed, the couple’s next step was tackling the main floor. Besides replacing the trim and laying hardwood throughout the entire level, Maher opted to nix the formal dining room.

“We took out the opening between the kitchen and the dining room,” Maher said. “There was just a little doorway between the two, so we opened that up. That looks really nice and fresh.”

Another of Maher’s favorite changes was the upgrade she gave their living room. The room’s vaulted ceiling made one wall look too big and bare –certainly not cozy! Maher took her own advice and began collecting pictures of elements she thought would improve the space.

“I started drawing up what I wanted to see there,” said Maher. “I added windows, bookcases, and a fireplace and it totally made the room. It really brightened it up.” The result was a room that, like the rest of the house, reflected Maher’s personal style and

“Have fun!” is Sorenson’s biggest recommendation to potential builders. “This is your home. Make it perfect for you and your family.”

served as a beautifully livable area.

Although the process of moving is often stressful, finding a great new home doesn’t have to be. Whether starting from scratch or revamping an existing house, custom construction might just be a home buyer’s dream come true. Following the simple steps of budgeting, reaching out to professionals, and having a style plan will free you up to enjoy the ride.

“Have fun!” is Sorenson’s biggest recommendation to potential builders. “This is your home. Make it perfect for you and your family.”