Blog Archives - Joseph Douglas Homes

Joseph Douglas Homes is pleased to announce their participation in the Washington County Home Builders Association (WCBA) 2019 Tour of Homes.

Owner Deron Butler would like to invite those in the Greater Milwaukee community who are interested in new home designs to come to view The Wakefield – their elegant 2-story custom home.

2019 Tour of Homes
For those who have been thinking about building their dream home or leaving the city and moving to a place with more land, take the time to attend the 2019 Tour of Homes. Hosted by the WCBA, the Tour is open to visitors beginning on Saturday, July 13, also on July 14, 17, 20 and ends on Sunday, July 21.

The Wakefield

Joseph Douglas Homes’ Wakefield model is an ideal family home with a brand new 2-story design. It has a luxurious first-floor master suite with a huge 2-head shower, a dual vanity, and large walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms, a full bath, and a bonus room over the garage occupy the second floor. 2019 Tour of Homes 2019 Tour of Homes WCBA 2019 Tour of homes wakefield model

With a covered entry, visitors will step into a lovely foyer and then turn to a grand living room with a stone gas fireplace. A wall of windows floods the space with natural sunlight. The open concept kitchen is roomy with a work island, staggered cabinets, and a walk-in pantry. The garage entry conveniently locates a powder room and mudroom. The fully exposed lower level overlooks a huge yard as well as stunning sunsets. Even better, this home is built next to a nature conservancy.

The Wakefield is located at W186 N8877 Duke Street, Menomonee Falls in the Christman Park subdivision.

Joseph Douglas Homes
Established in 1998, Joseph Douglas Homes has provided award-winning craftsmanship to every home they build or remodel in Southeast Wisconsin. They are proud to bring their clients’ dream homes to life through superior design and competitive pricing. Joseph Douglas Homes can build from their clients’ ideas, use one of their standard plans, or design a one-of-a-kind home. Additionally, Joseph Douglas Homes has an award-winning remodeling division and maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

For more information regarding Joseph Douglas Homes, the Washington County Home Builders Association, or the 2019 Tour of Homes, please contact Deron Butler or Mike Bauman of Joseph Douglas Homes.

home upgrades for pets

Most homeowners want everyone to feel comfortable and welcome, whether they’re neighbors, family members, or four-legged friends. They’re willing to make a few changes in their living area to accommodate everyone, especially their pets. Today, more than sixty million households in the US have a dog and many are making home upgrades for their pets.

If you have a beloved pet, tossing together a few blankets for a bed or making sure the water bowl is always in the same place is a nice start. But truly making your home pet-friendly takes a bit of planning. There are several simple ways to incorporate the needs of your pet into your décor. If you’re thinking of building or remodeling a dog-friendly home, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Feeding Areas

Courtesy Foxcarr.com

Feeding your pet every day without tripping over the bowls can be a snap. Place the pet dishes at the end of a run of cabinets and away from the work triangle. With the doors open and shelves removed, the food and water bowls can be placed inside on top of ceramic tiles or a waterproof pad to protect the cabinet floor. If you have drawers, there are inserts which will hold any size bowl. Close the drawer or the cabinet doors when not in use, keeping the kitchen tidy.

Pet Grooming

Because it’s easier than bathing their pet at home, most owners take their dogs to a groomer. However, having a dedicated space to clean them makes the task painless. Add an enclosed shower with a half wall so you can reach in to rinse the soap and keep the water inside the tub. Consider putting the bath station in the laundry room or mudroom. Wet towels can go right into the washing machine when you’re finished. Also, it’s a great way to spray off muddy boots (or dirty children) before entering the main part of the house.

Built-in Beds

courtesy, the owner builder network

Instead of a big cage or a loose bed cushion that gets tossed around, consider building your dog’s bed into existing cabinets, next to the bed as a nightstand, or in the nook under a staircase. Your pet gets a safe place to rest, and you get to minimize the space taken up by all his/her stuff.

Doggy Doors

Pet doors are nothing new, but they’re usually a plastic flap over a hole in the back door. Not very attractive. But you can upgrade the doggy door with an option that integrates it into your home’s architecture. Make your pet’s entrance elegant instead of an eyesore.

Interior Dog Gates

Do you have rooms in your home you want to protect and keep out your furry friend? Many homeowners use baby gates to control where their dog can go. Sadly, the dog can usually figure out how to jump over them. Plus, the gates are functional but ugly! Often called a Dutch Door, these built-in gates can be customized to match your home’s interior décor. They’ll keep the animals out by closing the bottom half, while still allowing air flow and light during the day through the open upper half.

Are you a dog lover who’s also thinking about remodeling or building your dream home? Don’t forget to think about ways to make your pet feel at home as well. Talk to the professionals at Joseph Douglas Homes about your ideas. They can integrate them into your home design so that everyone is happy. Call today to make an appointment!

Home Office

Home offices have a variety of uses: paying bills, telecommuting for work, or even running your own business. Depending on what you need, a home office should always have enough space for good storage for files and supplies, have a comfortable chair and workspace, and offer inspiration. Don’t let your office be dreary like an old cubicle! Create your ultimate home office in just a few simple steps.

Separate Yourself

To give yourself a quiet place to work, set up your office away from your main living area. A room with a door is best, so you can close yourself off and focus on work with minimal interruptions.

Desks and Chairs

Invest in a well-made chair and desk. They can be both practical and something that fits your style. First, determine what size desk you need. Desk sizes range from imposing executive types to slim writing surfaces. Many are adjustable in height, which also offers health benefits. Choose a chair that has lumbar support if you’ll be sitting at your desk most of the day. When seated, your feet should be flat on the floor with 90-degree angles at your hips and knees. Leave enough area in the office for storage and a chair or two for clients or visitors.

Lighting

This is another area that should not be skimped on. Poor lighting can cause headaches and eye strain and make you feel claustrophobic. Place your desk near a window for natural light. It works wonders for productivity and adjusting to the cycles of the day. You should have three types of lighting in your office: natural light from windows, ambient light from ceiling and standing lamps, and direct light from a desk lamp to illuminate your workspace.

Wall Colors

It’s no fun to stare at plain white walls all day long. Consider adding some color with paint. Blue is calming but will get your ideas flowing because it’s also considered an intellectual hue. Green is soothing and will help to balance your thoughts and ideas. Yellow is a warm color – perfect for a north facing room – and can help you feel positive, awake, and inspired.

Organization

In order to keep everything neat and tidy, create a system to organize your office. It will help you to find everything when you need it, avoid distractions, and stay on track. No more wasted time as you rifle through files and desk drawers.

Filing cabinets are not always the most attractive, but you still need a place for paperwork. If you don’t want a file cabinet, try other types of storage: an antique dresser, pretty baskets or boxes, or a large bookshelf. Find smaller containers for paperclips, pens, stamps, etc. for your desktop. If your office also has a closet, use that space for storage. Add a shelving system or small file cabinets, and you won’t need to use up important office floorspace.

Personal Design

Having a home office means you can make it your own. Adding plants around the room can clean the air and make space feel more inviting. The scent of lavender plants is relaxing, and succulents are easy to maintain. To inspire you, hang favorite photos or paintings of places you’d love to visit. Hang the awards you’ve won. Put a thick, soft rug under the desk to nestle your feet in. Keep computer wires under control with zip ties. Add an inspiration board nearby with all your amazing ideas on it.

Joseph Douglas Homes is the Greater Milwaukee area’s award-winning home builder and remodeling, contractor. If you’re looking to build brand new or remodel your existing home, contact Joseph Doulas Homes today and have your dream home become a reality!

In the past, basements were used for doing laundry, storage, a workshop, or as a place for kids to play on rainy days. Basements were mostly ignored because they were considered damp and dark or unlikely to offer any return if homeowners finished them.

Today, finished basements add not only livable square footage but also increase a home’s value. Many potential buyers won’t consider purchasing unless the basement is finished.

Staying Put

Housing sales fluctuate, pushing many homeowners to stay in place rather than move. To get the necessary extra square footage, homeowners often finish their lower level. Since basements already have walls, a ceiling, foundation, electricity, and sewer hookups, it is frequently less expensive to finish the basement compared to adding a second story or more rooms to the main floor.

Finishing the basement can be as simple as putting down an old rug and painting the cement block walls; or as complex as installing a bathroom, adding new flooring, drywall, larger windows, etc. However, professionals suggest not spending more than 10% to 15% of your home’s total value on your basement remodel. That means, if your home is worth $200,000, your top budget should be between $20,000 and $30,000.

Basement

How Will the Area Be Used?

What do you need? A casual space for watching television and playing board games? A workout room? Another bathroom? More bedrooms? A home office? Think through the area and talk with an engineer, architect, or home builder to help you design the best use of the space. Be aware that to use the basement as a living area, you will need another egress – or a way to exit the house. For a window to be an egress, it must be large enough for a fully equipped firefighter to fit through.

Before You Begin

Before starting any projects, check the basement thoroughly to be sure you don’t have any moisture issues. Are there cracks in the floor or walls? Get them repaired first. How tall are the ceilings? You’ll want to keep them feeling as high as possible, so consider using recessed fixtures to keep the height and add lots of light.

Don’t Split the Space

Just as most people like an open floor plan in the main living area, leave it open downstairs too. Try to keep the number of walls to a minimum, but don’t take any walls down until you talk to an engineer. They may be loadbearing.

Add a Bathroom

If your family intends to use the space daily, consider installing a full bathroom. It’s more expensive than just putting up some drywall, but another bathroom is not only convenient, it will add more to your home’s value. Hire a professional plumber, get good fixtures, and tile the floor and inside the shower stall. The initial cost is more but will make all the difference when you decide to sell.

Experts state that finished basements offer a 70% payback. That means if you spend $25,000, your home’s value will increase by at least $17,500. And that’s a great return on investment.

Thinking of finishing your basement? Contact an Award Winning Building & Remodeling Company Joseph Douglas Homes. Their architects can help make sure the end result is exactly what you hope for at a cost you can afford. Call today!

MBA Spring Tour

Menomonee Falls, WI March 4, 2019

Love looking at new houses? Thinking of building your dream home? Is a move in your future? Come to the Metropolitan Builders Association (MBA) Spring Tour. The public is invited to view condos, single family homes, subdivisions, and single lots throughout the greater Milwaukee area.

While you’re taking the tour, be sure to stop at the Joseph Douglas Homes’ award-winning model home, “The Bristol.” This gorgeous 3,809 sq. ft. French country split ranch is a show-stopper.

Unmatched Curb Appeal

Visitors are greeted by an impressive roof line and lovely porch. As you step inside the front door, the open foyer leads you to a great room perfect for entertaining. You’ll be surprised by the expansive chef’s kitchen with a large island and plenty of counter space and cabinets. Just a few steps away is a convenient work-in pantry with a desk for meal planning, a second food prep area, and outdoor access.

A bonus room is hidden behind French doors and can be designed as a guest room, home office, or formal dining room. Separated from the other areas is the master suite. This private chamber boasts two walk-in closets, sitting nook, and plenty of space for a king-sized bed. A private master bath offers a shower big enough for two, a dual vanity, and separate water closet.

On the other side of the first floor is yet another bedroom suite with private bath. Nearby is a convenient mudroom, a spacious laundry room, and a powder room for guests. The finished lower level is the perfect place for a teenage hangout or entertaining. It includes a bar, billiards room, and theatre. An exercise room and third bedroom suite with adjoining full bath complete this level.

Want to spend some time outdoors? You’re in luck. Outback, The Bristol showcases a beautiful screened porch, deck, and patio. Put your feet up and toast the sunset. What could be better?

“The Bristol has many amazing features, but you’ll be stunned by the beautiful finishes and quality craftsmanship,” said Deron Butler, founder, and principal architect. He added, “We would love the opportunity to show you this custom home or create a home to meet your specifications.”

Join friends and neighbors for the 2019 MBA Spring Tour. It runs every weekend from noon to 4 p.m. from April 27 through May 12, 2019. Remodeling projects will be featured on the first weekend of May.

The MBA Spring Tour features projects in a wide variety of communities, built or developed by MBA member builders. Best of all – admission is free!

With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, Joseph Douglas Homes has been voted as one of the finest custom home builders in Southeastern Wisconsin. In business since 1998, Joseph Douglas Homes will simplify the often-complicated process of home building by providing complete base pricing, custom floor plans, and one-stop shopping for selections and finishes.
Contact Joseph Douglas Homes for more information.

Custom Home Builder Waukesha WI by Joseph Douglas Homes

Do you live in the Waukesha area and thinking of building your dream home in Waukesha County? That’s awesome! Waukesha is a great place to live. Best of all, some of the the best rated home builders build in Waukesha County thus, hiring a home builder from the area is the way to go.

Local businesses make Waukesha County different from every other place in the US

“Buy Locally” has become a rallying cry of a nationwide movement. It means purchasing goods and services from local businesses instead of national corporations. It first began with food sourcing, but now means buying as many products as possible from local companies – even brand new homes. Many of the reasons we want locally grown food (higher quality, better service) can be applied to hiring a local home builder. If you’re planning on building a home in Waukesha County, here are some excellent reasons to find someone local.

Excellent Customer Service
Have you ever tried to reach someone at a big corporation like the phone company? It’s a nightmare. You’re on hold forever and probably transferred several times before finally talking to a real person (who may or may not be able to help). On the other hand, when you call a home builder near you, they are genuinely interested in hearing your issues and finding ways to fix them. Their company reputation is on the line.

Supporting Your Community
When you hire a local builder, your money stays local. It creates jobs and helps the area’s economy. Independent businesses impact the community significantly more than a national chain. Buying locally is especially true for builders, who hire local staff and subcontractors and use materials from area stores and suppliers.

Reputation and Reliability
Local businesses have a connection to their community, and that fosters integrity and honesty. A successful business reflects an active community and vice versa. When a builder has been around for many years, they generally have a great reputation and are reliable – otherwise, they wouldn’t still be in business.

Local builders are also interested in helping their community. They often serve on nonprofit Boards, support local causes, and encourage their staff to volunteer in county schools, animal shelters, or fundraising walks. Locally owned businesses help to create prosperity, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance in their communities. They won’t let you down.

Expertise and Knowledge
Most importantly, custom home builders in Waukesha County will have a much broader understanding of the community’s zoning regulations, building codes, economic standards, and the entitlement process. They recognize the weather, soil, and economic conditions of Waukesha, and know the prices, sizes, and locations of high demand lots.

Also, a Waukesha builder knows people. They know whom to talk to when filing building permits, getting an inspector, and knowing what commercial buildings will be built in the neighborhood. They also understand buyers and what kind of home they need – whether the clients are empty nesters, first-time buyers, or somewhere in between. By knowing the county, a local builder has the advantage of recognizing where and what the client should build. Your local builder can help bring your dream home to life.

With an A+ grade from the BBB, Joseph Douglas Homes has been voted a top home builder in southeastern Wisconsin.

Founded in 1998, founder and principal architect Deron Butler sets the standard for making the sometimes-complicated process of building a home easier. Joseph Douglas provides an in-house designer, custom floor plans, complete base pricing, and so much more. They always put their clients’ needs first.
Local businesses make Waukesha County different from every other place in the US. By supporting a local home builder instead of a national chain, you can be certain that individuality is preserved, and you are building the best home for yourself and your community.