We broke ground on this gorgeous custom home in March 2012. After 19 months, this modern craftsman has turned out beautifully and has been one of the most intricate and fulfilling homes I have completed in the past 10 years. The design of the home introduced me to some totally new building concepts: Exposed Steel I-Beams throughout the interior of the home Steel hand railings and open cabling for the staircase Polished concrete interior flooring with oak plank grid system Silica sand sheetrock texture with fry reglet edge detail Barn wood exterior and interior wrapped ce ..read more

Energy Efficient “Insulated Concrete Forms” (ICF) I took this funny photo today of one of my concrete guys from Bear Creek Construction. I call him The Warrior. Energy Efficient, Polystyrene Foundation Blocks I figured I’d describe the green technique/material they’re using which I use on almost all my custom homes in Bend. Polystyrene foundation blocks, also called ICF block (Insulated Concrete Forms) are really energy efficient and add lots of insulation value to a home. It’s more expensive than normal concrete foundation walls but is quicker. The foam blocks are 24 inches long, 16 inche ..read more

Frequently Asked Questions: Building a Custom Home in Central Oregon Q&A with Steve Bennett, Owner of Steve Bennett Builders Steve Bennett is a native Oregonian and 3rd generation Bend resident. He has been building high-end custom homes in Central Oregon since 1995 and previously in Palm Springs, California since 1981. With nearly 40 years of experience, Steve has a wealth of knowledge to share. Q: What does it cost to build a custom home in Central Oregon? A: This is almost always the first question and it is also the most difficult to answer. Depending on finishes, complexity, an ..read more

COVID-19 Impact on Home Construction in Central Oregon Cascade Business News – COVID Q&A Q: Have Oregon and Deschutes County social distancing rules hindered progress on existing projects? A: No. Fortunately, our business is strictly high-end custom home building where social distancing is inherent on the job site. Many of our subs wear masks and gloves on the job by default, regardless of the new rules. We rarely have more than 2 or 3 subs on the job at one time and they are often separated by hundreds of feet. As a result of COVID, some of our subs are taking extra precautions by working ..read more

Choosing a Custom Home Builder: You need a guide. Choose wisely. Planning and building a custom home is an adventure and a commitment. If you want to rest easy knowing you have an experienced guide to help you navigate the Central Oregon building process, let’s talk. We would be very happy to setup a consultation and discuss your vision. In the meantime, below are some helpful tips for choosing a custom home builder. What are good questions to ask a home builder? For starters, we recommend you ask the following questions: Do you have experience building a home in the size and style we ..read more

Choosing a Lot to Build On Below is a guide to help you when choosing a good lot to build on. Summary: Know the development’s design review guidelines and CC&Rs before you buy Walk the lot, ideally with a builder or architect to envision views, sun exposure and potential setbacks Don’t over-think it: a great architect can make almost any lot work well This is where it all begins: the lot. There is a moment that happens in the building process when you pull-up in your car to the lot that will ultimately be the spot where you will build your dream home. It’s exciting. Don’t let over-a ..read more

Hiring a Custom Home Designer in Bend: Table of Contents: Frequently Asked Questions The Design Process Recommended Designers / Architects Hiring a Custom Home Designer – Frequently Asked Questions: (Click the + icons below to expand the section and read more details.) Do I need an architect or a designer? What's the difference? For all intents and purposes, when it comes to designing a new custom home or a remodel for a single family residence in Central Oregon, there is very little difference, if any, between hiring a designer or an architect. The designers liste ..read more

How to Prepare for the First Meeting with a Custom Home Designer: Below is a guide to help you prepare for the first meeting with a custom home designer or architect. Checklist: Compile a list of standard questions you want to ask Prepare your thoughts – review our “Client Onboarding” FAQs Organize your ideas – review our Home Design Questionnaire Know your budget and desired timeline Focus on the relationship aspect more than anything First of all, there’s no need to stress. The design firms we recommend have conducted “the first meeting” hundreds of times and they know very well how ..read more

We were recently featured in Cascade Business News. Read the full story below. Building Relationships with Steve Bennett Builders Steve Bennett is a custom home builder, which in his mind means he’s a relationship builder. While collaborating with clients for the 14 to 16 months required to build high-end custom homes, Steve nurtures relationships that thrive well after the owner receives the keys to the home. To Steve, building a home and building a rapport with a client go together like hammer and nail. “The relationship I have with my clients, that’s what really motivates me,” Steve sa ..read more

What Does it Mean to Be a “Green Home Builder”? Written by: Steve Bennett, Owner Sustainable Building Practices I am a born-and-raised, native Oregonian and understand the value of sustainable, “green” building practices. But building a sustainable home is not for accolades or recognition, it’s a gratifying by-product of emphasizing quality and homeowner satisfaction. I am always on the forefront of employing the use of cutting-edge materials and Green Building techniques that stress efficiency and safety. These range from the newest form of low-energy insulation, radiant floor heating, solar ..read more