It’s Your Business Briarstone Building
Briarstone Building owner Drew Duhn stands in one of his kitchen remodeling projects in Northville.
Local builder creating dreams one project at a time D
rew Duhn likes to think he builds dreams into reality -one home at a time. Owner of the Northvillebased Briarstone Building, Inc., Duhn has been constructing new homes since founding the company in 1996, not too long after graduating from Purdue University with a construction management degree. Initially after college, Duhn worked as a project manager for a couple different construction firms, but then decided he wanted to form his own company where he could be free to build homes utilizing his experience, integrity and vision. While Briarstone specializes in constructing new, custom homes, the company’s services also include renovating existing homes, such as finishing basements, and remodeling kitchens and bathrooms. Duhn says what sets Briarstone apart from other builders is his attention to detail, and his ability to guide his clients through the construction process from
34 The ‘Ville
start to finish. The keys, he Michigan State University. says, are communication and Duhn prides himself on being a honesty, and making sure his hometown builder, having done clients understand -- and are many projects in Northville and comfortable surrounding -- every step communities of the way, including OWNER: Drew Duhn from design to Novi, SERVICES: New home construction; completion. Plymouth, remodeling; additions; bathrooms and “We are Canton, kitchens; and finished basements committed and Salem PHONE: (248) 535- 3838 to making Township – WEBSITE: www.briarstonebuilding.com the home just to name building a few. process as easy as possible for Briarstone also has a realty the homeowner,” Duhn said. arm. Duhn, a licensed real estate “With years of experience, broker in Michigan, works with we understand that some preferred realtors to find the homeowners will only build one perfect property, whether a or two homes in their lifetime home for Briarstone to renovate and therefore it can be a little or vacant land where his clients overwhelming. Our goal is to can build their dream home learn the client’s needs and from scratch. make the whole process easy Briarstone has a number and as stress-free as possible.” of custom home designs that Duhn lives in the Northville Duhn has developed with local Hills subdivision -- in a home he architects, but there are no built – with his wife Gabriella limits to what the company and son Enzo, who is a senior can do. It’s really up to the at Northville High School. His imagination and personal needs oldest son, Dominic, a NHS of his clients. grad, is currently attending “Depending on what the
BRIARSTONE BUILDING, INC.
client wants, we can make changes to our home plans, or we can start from scratch,” Duhn said. “They’ll sit down with an architect and me to come up with the home of their dreams. It’s really important that the builder is involved in every step of this process, because I’m very conscious of their budget and their needs.” By the end of the process, Duhn says he forms great relationships with his clients that extend far beyond the projects themselves. Some of his best friends, he says, are former clients. And it’s that personal relationship that leads many of his clients to hire him again, whether for remodeling projects or even to build another new home. “I love what I do, but I think my favorite part is after a project is done and I hear how much people enjoy their home. I love to go back and visit, and see them living in and enjoying what was once just an idea. That’s what it’s all about – making their dreams come true,” Duhn said.