Behind the business: Cardinal Crest creates Artisan home with the help of construction software (Part 5 of 5)

In this final installment of our “Behind the Business” series with Cardinal Crest Homes, you’ll get an exclusive walkthrough of a recent home they built with classic European design and modern elegance. Owner and founder Joe Christensen guides you through this home while exploring how his team contrasted soft touches with rough, raw moments and describing how it was all planned through Buildertrend.

Missed the last post? Check out part 4: Putting your client first to learn how to create an enjoyable build experience.

“We often forget homes are handcrafted and built with human hands,” Joe Christensen reminisces.

Through careful planning and organization, Joe and his team built a home showcasing craftsmanship. Pairing soft materials like white oak and metal window frames, these details emphasize the theme of the home – hand made.

Take a look inside the Artisan home with Joe as he walks us through each room and describes the why behind the design. He calls this home the Artisan because it’s meant to push the limits of artistry from their craftsmen and trade partners.

Some details required planning from the beginning stages – even before preconstruction. The benefit of a design-build firm is ensuring the builder and designer are collaborating at the start of the project. This unifies workflow while reducing risks, decreasing costs and minimizing mistakes.

As a design-build firm, Cardinal Crest Homes collaborates with clients from the start of the project. Unlike traditional methods of construction, the benefit of design-build firms allows more creativity and customization in the home. The designer and builder can include small details that are planned from the beginning and implemented during construction.

For example, Joe points out an outlet cover painted to blend into quartzite. “When this is done, you won’t be able to tell there is an outlet there until you need to get close,” he explains.

“That detail as small as it is, takes an immense amount of planning that has to be figured out at rough-in.”

We’ll discuss what design build is and how this approach allowed Joe to emphasize handcrafted elements throughout the home.

What is design build?

A construction business using the design build construction method has the builder and designer working on a project from the start. As the planning for the project moves forward, any changes or concerns can be addressed.

This means both parties are working together and can surface problems before the build even starts.

What design elements are in the Artisan home?

Throughout the tour, he calls attention to special moments in which the execution required planning before preconstruction.

Using Buildertrend’s construction management software allowed Joe and his crew to successfully pull off delicate features only possible with precise planning.

Handcrafted design

Inspired by older European design, the Artisan home features raw metal elements and rustic textures. For example, the handrail on the stairs shows off the welding marks with a natural patina instead of painting it black.

Exposing the handrail, instead of painting it, emphasizes the handcrafted nature of the material – adding to the whole theme. Although minimal in design, every aspect of the home brings together the space as one cohesive unit.

Stark and soft

Placing clean, glossy quartzite next to rough plaster calls attention to the inspiration of the home. Buildertrend’s Selections feature provided the perfect catalog to help clients make decisions and ensure this element of design was executed. Clients and designers are able to pick out materials on the platform knowing, with confidence, the builder will use the right items.

On the main level of the home, soft white oak is used for flooring and outlines the room. To offset the room and bring out more texture, Joe chose to use specific light switches with a satisfying click.

He knew purchasing these light switches would take time and adjusted the timeline for it. “That was part of our procurement schedule on Buildertrend,” explains Joe.

Every detail is intentional and required construction management software to make sure these elements were executed well.

All in the details

“One of my favorite things to do with homes is accentuate small spaces that will go unnoticed,” Joe says as he admires tile in a dining hutch.

To pull off a handcrafted design, Joe knew it was necessary to pay attention to the most overlooked areas. He hopes months after a homeowner moves in, they notice the special attention given to details of the home.

Joe wants owners to know how much care and thought went into every aspect of the project.

Add in the special touch with construction software

Throughout the build, Joe describes how it was necessary for him to use construction software to make sure all the details that were planned were executed well.

Features, such as Selections and Schedule, provided a system to make sure everything went according to plan. And if things didn’t go as expected, there was a method to bounce back quickly.

Behind the business with Cardinal Crest Homes

This is the final entry in the Behind the Business series with Cardinal Crest Homes. We’ll miss Joe’s stellar dance moves and his team’s magnetic personality!

If you missed out on any of the other entries, check them out below. Each blog features a video highlighting Joe’s business along with tips to improve your construction company.

Part 1: How construction reporting ensures future success

Part 2: How to get clients to make decisions faster with construction selections

Part 3: How to build a fun company culture in construction

Part 4: How to implement a client-first strategy