View from the Top
Todd Menard Construction LLC Bringing Families Together
By Angella A. Arndt
With the real estate market as hot as it is right now, many people are considering new construction. If you’re in the market for a new home, make it a custom home! Custom homes are built to your specifications and reflect your personal style. The Todd Menard Construction team would like to make your dream home a reality. Todd Menard attended Metropolitan Community College and the University of Nebraska Omaha, earning a degree in architectural drafting and design and focusing on residential construction. He began his career in 1992 as a framer. He worked for a custom home builder for years before venturing out on his own to start Todd Menard Construction in 2004. Believing and sharing in Todd’s vision, gloria (with a lower case “g”) and Doug Osborn, Todd’s parents, invested in the business, became partners, and remain an integral part of the team. “Todd has always had an eye for design,” gloria shares. “He understands all components of home building, which is vital in ensuring quality within a home.” Todd, a licensed contractor, personally oversees construction projects from start to finish. He drafts and designs construction plans and manages job sites. gloria works with realtors and clients on the initial sale, assists with plan specifications, and coordinates suppliers and subcontractors. Doug handles the finances and manages banking relationships. The firm builds five to 10 homes a year in the $500,000+ price range. “We want to stay small so that we can control the construction process and quality of our homes,” gloria explains. “All of our contractors are local, mostly family owned, which means that we are working directly with owners to ensure consistency and quality.” Todd Menard Construction builds homes according to a homeowner’s specifications, needs, location, and budget. “Every home is completely different, whether we use one of our floor plans or design a custom plan,” gloria says. Demand for multi-generational homes is growing, and Todd Menard Construction offers a wide array of options. The reasons for multi-generational living are as varied as the floor plans. Financial considerations, cultural background, educational debt, or elder care are some of the reasons for this housing trend. “Every family is different and has different expectations,” gloria points out. “We focus on how we can serve them. Building a home is about the family, not the house.” Floor plans include homes with private second suites, ranch-style homes with the main floor split into two separate living spaces, and homes in which the main floor and lower level are set up as independent living spaces. These homes also offer individual, private entries and garage space. “Families want to have closeness with their loved 62
May 2021
ones but still want their own space,” gloria says. A multi-generational floor plan is also ideal for those who need a separate, dedicated Todd Menard, Builder-Owner space for other reasons. With more people working from home, individual office spaces are growing in popularity. As families spend more time at home, there is an increased demand for a separate studio, gym, man cave, or she-shed. “These homes are built in single-family neighborhoods. A person would not know that it is a multi-generational home from the exterior,” gloria elaborates. “We believe the Omaha market is ready to support this.” If you are looking to build a home now that will meet your future needs, the firm offers a “Future-Ready Design” for your life today and into tomorrow. Conditions change as you age, and thoughtful planning will ensure that you can live in your home for decades to come. Wider doorways and hallways, no-step entries, low thresholds, showers with seats and handles, door levers instead of knobs, and pre-wired security alerts are examples of design features to help you plan for aging in place. “Working with a custom builder is like being in a relationship,” gloria continues. “You need to feel comfortable and know who you will be working with at the firm. Our clients work directly with Todd—not a project manager or third party.” As in any good relationship, good communication is critical to meet expectations. The financial security and stability of a builder are also essential considerations. Look for a builder with experience in custom homes, gloria advises, who understands the complexity of this type of project. “We care about our clients and want them to have a good home-building experience,” gloria concludes. “We build every home like we’re going to live in it. It’s gratifying to see families in homes they are proud of and in which they can create memories. It’s an honor to help them build their dream home.” Todd Menard Construction is located in Omaha. Call 402-991-5506 for more information or to make an appointment. You can find them online at toddmenard.com.
