FAQs

Having several questions during the building process is normal. RPC encourages you to ask questions in order to make sure you get exactly what you want out of your custom home. Below are some typical questions we have been asked in our many years in the building industry. To view the answers click on the question and the answer will appear below it.

What does the average house cost to build?

This is a very tough question as there are many variables that go into building a house: the floor plan, materials used on the exterior, materials on the inside, windows, etc. Rosendahl Properties and Construction gives what we call a “hard” bid on every house. This “hard” bid is based on initial meetings with our clients, where they tell us what they want in the house and we put a together a turnkey price that fits the client's budget. We pride ourselves on achieving those budgets or coming in lower than expected and putting those dollars back in our client's pockets.

What makes Rosendahl Properties stand out from other homebuilders?

Rosendahl Properties and Construction has been an industry leader in the homebuilding business for over 16 years in the Chippewa Valley. Bob is a 5th-generation builder that employs experienced workers and quality subcontractors that take great pride in the craftsmanship, attention to detail and the overall satisfaction of constructing only the finest homes possible for our clients. RPC has built over 150 homes in the Chippewa Valley and has 100% success-satisfaction.

How long does it take to construct a new home?

The typical building process takes about 90-100 days. This can sometimes be delayed by the weather or unforeseen conditions once the excavating is done. We have never had a home take more than 120 days to complete; if so, we offer a timeframe guarantee: If it takes Rosendahl Properties and Construction longer than 120 days to complete your home from some fault of ours, we will make your house payment on the new house until it is complete. When Rosendahl Properties and Constructions signs a building contract, the timeframe is clearly spelled out in the contract so that there will be no ambiguity about this important detail. We pride ourselves on bringing the home to completion in a timely manner, under budget, and exceeding the client's expectations.

What energy efficiency standards does RPC follow?

RPC follows a highly detailed 120-point checklist that has been put together from over 16 years of building experience, the popular Focus on Energy program and the LEED (leadership in Energy and Environmental design) building program that is a nationally recognized building program.

How does RPC handle budgets and cost overages?

RPC takes this part of the building process very seriously. NOBODY likes to pay more for something than they need to or they were promised. Rosendahl Properties and Construction we have a PRICE Guarantee! We put our price in writing. We “hard” bid the project through our suppliers and subcontractors to establish a price for the home. We use nationally recognized allowances for all “customer” items and we pass ALL savings on to the clients.

If the client tells us what they want in the house for wood species, flooring types, windows, door styles and trim, the budget will be right on the money. If the client changes their mind when selecting those items, sometimes the price can go down or up depending on those selections.

What's different about financing a new home versus an existing home?

There is really no difference in this part of the home purchase; if you qualify for a home mortgage, it is just as easy to purchase a new home as it is to purchase an existing home. The lender will have an appraisal done on the blueprints and the specifications of the home; they will find comparable homes in the area with similar features and square footage and establish a value just as they would an existing home. Many times, the new home will appraise for more than the existing home because everything is in “new” condition.

Any advice on finding the right spot to build, or locating the new home on the property we have already picked out?

The perfect lot or location can sometimes be difficult to find; all locations have positives and negatives. The owner of Rosendahl Properties and Construction is a licensed real estate broker with well over 16 years of experience. As a part of the project planning, RPC employs a team of designers and excavators who meet you at the site to answer all the questions you may have. We give you our professional advice on the pros and cons of putting your house in a certain location. After the preferred site location is determined, we do a site survey that is recorded with your title insurance paperwork so there is never a potential for future property line disputes.

Can I do some of the work myself?

RPC is always interested in finding ways to save you money and be more involved in the building process. There are certain things that you as the homeowner can do, and there are certain things that need to be done by a licensed professional. Each scenario is different. We suggest you bring this up during the initial planning stage and we will be happy to give you a breakdown of what those items cost and see if it is advantageous and cost effective for you to do the work yourself.

We don’t know where to even start!

Rosendahl Properties and Construction is here to assist you from conception to completion. We have started many projects from an idea on a napkin! We have an extensive library of plans to choose from, many architectural references, and will be happy to meet with you at no charge to brainstorm your ideas and get the process underway.

Where does Rosendahl Properties and Construction build?

We typically build in St. Croix, Dunn, Barron, Eau Claire, and Chippewa Counties. We are more than willing to travel to others areas, but with travel times and our business being out of the Menomonie area, this is not always the most cost-effective approach for the client. We pride ourselves on honesty, so if it is cheaper and a better fit for you to have someone build for you in Hayward, for example, we are going to tell you this upfront.

Do you build all year long?

Yes we build all year long! We try not to put basements in during the winter months, because clients typically incur about a 10% upcharge on the concrete portion of the project. Otherwise, our employees and subcontractors work all year round.

How do we know everyone gets paid and there is no liens put on our house?

Rosendahl Properties and Construction pays all of its subcontractors through a third-party title company; they do the inspections based on your budget and specifications, they pay the contractors, and they collect all lien waivers on your behalf. If all lien waivers are not in place at completion, the final draw will not be paid until they are. We also put in writing in our building contract a clause the protects you from any subcontractors filing a lien against your property.