Identify Key Objectives
Start by asking yourself what you want the project to achieve or what problems you want it to solve. If you're planning an addition, you obviously need more living space. Maybe you also need to improve your home's traffic flow pattern or increase storage space. We carefully listen to our clients' goals. A good grasp of how you see the end result will help us advise you on design, materials, and costs.
Get Inspired
To bring your wants and needs into clearer focus, allow yourself plenty of "dream time." Fill a scrapbook with photos and plans clipped from your favorite home-design magazines or catalogs. Start paying attention to what it is about a certain home or cottage you've seen that appeals to you — color, use of space, window styles, roof lines, exterior details...
Getting Started
We can begin with plans from your architect or start the design process in-house preparing preliminary "concept" sketches based on ideas you may have already gathered. Beginning with an initial planning meeting we will discuss your ideas and cover issues such as overall square footage, exterior siding options, lighting, plumbing, heating, interior finishes, etc.. We like to visit your building site early on in the process. We can also recommend several local architects or building designers for you to consult with.
Budget
Budget always plays a roll of great importance in the building process. Many fundamental decisions are based upon the anticipated cost and your monetary expectations. Our goal is to create a project that offers the greatest return on your budget dollar. In some cases, we help clients' realize early in the design process that their program is too ambitious, and we encourage them to rethink some of their priorities. We find that establishing a cost "range" provides the most flexibility. This allows us to generate an estimate based on those items that are most important to you. Costs for items farther down on the list of priorities can be highlighted as options. Careful planning at this stage helps the project meet the specified budget goals.
Client Involvement during construction
We encourage you to be involved during the construction process and stress an open line of communication at all levels. Scheduled walk-thrus at the site to review progress and confirm prior decisions/choices are done on a regular basis. Keeping you informed well in advance of decisions that need to be made helps create a smooth transition from one phase to the next. We are always available to communicate by phone or e-mail as well.
Thank You
We look forward to a great working relationship and answering any further questions you may have.
Testimonials
My and husband and I shared a dream of living in northern Michigan and living on a lake. As we searched for the right locations we decided that a log home was to be a part of that dream. When we found the perfect wooded lot along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, we began the process of finding the right company or person to work with to build our home.
We wanted someone who would work with us to design a home that would "fit" our growing family. In addition, we wanted someone who was familiar with the area and local trades people.
Dick Darnton proved to be the right choice. Throughout the process of designing the home and each of the two phases of construction, both Dick and his wife Karen, worked with us as we made all of the important decisions. Karen offered professional direction and creativity in the design of our kitchen and baths. Dick provided many creative and artistic additions to the design.
We are now enjoying our home and the many complements we receive on its construction and beauty. We highly recommend them to anyone looking to build their dream home.
My wife and I are indeed very fortunate to be living in a Wisconsin Log Home built by Darnton Builders.
When we began our journey of thinking of building a log home we talked to several log home companies, looked at several house plans from many log home manufacturers and visited a number of log home offices and companies. We chose a Wisconsin Log Home for several reasons, one of which is because of the great energy saving construction package which they offer. From the very beginning we found that Wisconsin Log Homes had several ideas and visions for us to consider.
Another reason why is that we found there was a great attention to detail not only by Wisconsin Log Homes but also by Darnton Builders. We feel that our home is a one-of-a-kind, especially built for us. From the custom-made kitchen cabinets, to several built-ins, to everything on the outside of the house, it is all great. We love having company over and have received compliments from our friends and family of what a beautiful home we have.
It is warm and cozy and we always look forward to arriving home and walking into the most comfortable home of which we have ever lived.
Our building a new home with Darnton Builders proved a most positive experience. They were filled with immediate enthusiasm for our project. The help we received in the design process was most valuable and they helped us tremendously with budget concerns. All of the subcontractors were excellent, delivering quality work on schedule.
The pricing on our project was fair and reasonable in all aspects. If we should have any projects in the future, we would turn immediately to Darnton Builders.