Quality Process

At Kerstiens Custom Builders, We Do More than Build Your House, We Build Your Dream Home

What separates Kerstiens Custom Builders from other home building companies? Our longstanding integrity combined with unwavering attention to detail. And that includes our focused adherence to your budget. Beginning with our initial contact, Kerstiens Custom Builders will help you determine the budget for your new home construction project. Whether you choose to build on your land or in one of our communities, we can offer you numerous home plans to choose from. And you can be confident that with Kerstiens as your builder, youโ€™ll never end up with an uninspired โ€œcookie cutterโ€ houseโ€”with your input, we can transform any of our existing house plans into the home thatโ€™s uniquely yours.

Kerstiens Custom Builders Creates Custom Home Designs to Suit Your Style

In addition to our many model plans, the experienced team members at Kerstiens have the expertise to be your custom home builders. Examples of our outstanding custom home designs are featured throughout the Dubois and Spencer County area. Talk to our house building design experts about our capabilities for constructing custom homes to suit a range of budgetsโ€”whether we build on your lot or in one of our existing communities. We welcome your ideas and take immense pride in being known as the home construction company that transforms your concepts into living spaces you love.

Beautiful New Construction with No Ugly Surprises

When you choose Kerstiens to build a home, you have the freedom to express your creativity by making key selections through our preferred, certified, and trusted partners. Choosing among pre-priced items ensures adherence to accurate allowances for beautiful floor covering, cabinetry, lighting, appliances, and moreโ€”all with no unexpected cost overruns. Weโ€™re proud of our reputation as one of the regionโ€™s best home builders, and with each new house construction project, we provide a pre-construction contract to assure your budget is maintained.

Construction Specifications for Kerstiens Custom Builders

Many of our clients tell us their process for choosing a home builder begins with internet searches. They use phrases such as, house builders near me, or contractor Jasper, IN, as well as new build homes near me, or new build houses, plus other logical words, including new build homes. Although they each used various phrases to FIND specialized house building companies, clients often say it was our commitment to using quality processes and materials that helped them choose Kerstiens as their house builder.

When it Comes to Residential Construction, You KNOW We Mean Business

Our Construction Specifications Specifically Define WHY the Kerstiens Custom Builders Team Stands Out Among Home Builders:

Foundation

  • Concrete floor slab homes: Min 2 rows of 10 inch concrete block with one top row 6 inch concrete block. Foundation wall footings are minimum 24 inches wide by 10 inches thick with two number 4 rebars continuous and are set a minimum of 24 inches below grade. Min 1 ยฝโ€ foundation insulation, crushed limestone fill compacted in place. Interior floor slabs are min 4 inches thick with fiber reinforcement poured on 4 mil poly vapor barrier. Termite pretreatment is applied prior to poly vapor barrier.
  • Basement homes: 9 feet tall by 10 inches thick poured concrete walls with rebar reinforcing, brick like pattern on interior surfaces, waterproofing (transferable ten warranty) to original buyer on all exterior surfaces below finished grade.

Framing

  • Exterior walls of living area are 2โ€ x 6โ€ Studs at 16โ€ on center. Interior walls are 2โ€ x 4โ€ studs at 16โ€ on center. All walls are nominal 8 feet tall (9 feet and taller are optional).
  • Ceiling joists and roof rafters are 2โ€x 6โ€ spruce at 16โ€ on center (lengths vary depending on plan).
  • Sheathing; roof deck is 7/16โ€ OSB, wall sheathing is 7/16โ€ OSB with house wrap.
  • Floors are framed with (Pre-Engineered I-Joist) at 16โ€ on center on steel beams. Sub flooring is ยพโ€ thick tongue & grooved OSB glued and screwed to floor joists.

Windows and Doors

  • “ProVia” all vinyl double hung windows with full size screen and internal grilles
  • โ€œAtriumโ€ all vinyl sliding patio doors with screen.
  • โ€œMasoniteโ€ pre-hung insulated steel clad entry doors.
  • โ€œChamberlainโ€ ยฝ HP screw drive electric door openers.

Roofing

  • โ€œGAFโ€ 40 year dimensional composite roof shingles over 15 lb felt is standard.
  • Continuous 5โ€ aluminum gutters, downspouts, fascia.
  • Soffit panels are vented vinyl along eaves and solid vinyl on gables.
  • Continuous vented roof ridges.

Plumbing

  • 40 gal natural gas or 50 gal electric water heaters
  • Three frost resistance hose hydrants.
  • โ€œViega Fostapexโ€ water tubing
  • Recessed laundry washer boxes, ice maker connection boxes, dishwasher connections are all standard.
  • Basements include rough-in for full future bath and storm water sump pump

Heating and Air Conditioning

  • โ€œRheemโ€ 95% efficient natural gas forced air furnaces complete with 13 SEER air conditioning or โ€œRheemโ€ electric heat pump (Optional Geothermal systems)
  • Insulated ductwork
  • User friendly digital thermostats

Electrical

  • Light fixtures selected by the owner; standard allowance included
  • Exterior GFCI receptacles front and back
  • Smoke alarms per building code
  • Bathroom exhaust fans
  • Front entry door chime
  • Customers walk thru with electricians and plumbers prior to drywall installation

Insulation

  • Blown cellulose in all exterior walls and attics: R-21 exterior 6โ€ walls, R-40 living area and attics, R-21 garage ceilings

Drywall

  • ยฝโ€ thick painted drywall; smooth finish on all walls and textured ceilings
  • Drywall is liquid nailed and screwed to studs
  • Drywall options include rounded corners and orange peel texture

Exterior

  • Concrete patio, driveway and sidewalks
  • Brick, vinyl siding and stone facades
  • Raised panel shutters
  • Optional covered or screened porches and sun rooms

Appliances

  • Standard refrigerator, electric range, microwave and dishwasher are included

Floorcovering

  • Generous allowance is included

Interior Trim

  • Standard trim is painted MDF 4 ยผโ€ baseboards and 2 ยพโ€ casings
  • Masonite 6 or 2-panel arch top pre-hung doors are standard

Cabinetry

  • Masterbrand Aristokraft cabinetry with plastic laminated countertops are standard
  • Generous allowance is included

Closet Shelving

  • Painted wire shelving in all closets

Customer Service

  • Professional custom home design
  • Customer walk thru finished home prior to closing
  • Full time service technician on staff
  • 2 year warranty to the original home buyer