A family’s custom build journey with McDonald Construction Partners.
For many families, finding the perfect home means striking a balance between an ideal location and updated living spaces. Our featured homeowners faced this very dilemma. Colin and Lisa Peterson stumbled upon a house that “just seemed like home,” loving the area, the lot, and its convenience to their favorite places.
There was just one catch: it wasn’t for sale!
Original Edina, MN rambler
Undeterred, they took a leap of faith, writing a heartfelt letter to the owners about their family and their hope to live there. This extraordinary step led to them acquiring the 1950s rambler. Their initial thought was a remodel, but as they delved deeper, they realized the extent of work required was “cost prohibitive.”
So they paused, living in the home “as is” for a couple of years. This period solidified their love for the neighborhood, making them realize, “This is really where we wanted to be.” The decision was clear: they would build a new home, one that would perfectly fit their growing family’s needs while keeping them in their beloved location.
Trusting McDonald.
Lisa’s parents had built their home with McDonald eight years earlier, and after meeting the team, Colin and Lisa felt a strong sense of comfort and confidence. They knew McDonald could “bring our vision to life with this home.” This trust was crucial, as the homeowners had “a list of 50 different pretty specific ideas” for their new home.
Working with the design and architecture team was a highlight of the process. The Petersons were delighted that “the team was so wonderful and receptive to our ideas,” emphasizing that McDonald Construction truly gave us “the freedom to pursue our ideas about what we wanted in a home, but then also be realistic with us and tell us, ‘This might not work. Have you thought about this?’” This collaborative approach, combining client vision with expert guidance, is a hallmark of McDonald’s custom building process.
The thought of building a new home can be overwhelming, a feeling our homeowners initially shared. However, McDonald Construction’s clear communication and detailed planning quickly put them at ease.
They really did walk us through the process, the timeline, all those details so we could understand the different moving parts.
The clear timeline laid out from the beginning instilled confidence, making them feel that “although there are a lot of things that we need to tackle, there’s a plan and there are people to help us along the way.”
Positive deconstruction.
A significant aspect of this journey was the deconstruction of the existing Rambler. McDonald Construction introduced the homeowners to Better Futures MN, a program that meticulously deconstructs homes piece by piece for reuse. This “interesting idea” not only aligned with their values but also provided a “personal benefit and assurance” knowing materials would be repurposed.
The right financing team.
Financing a custom build, especially a teardown, can be complex. The homeowners were grateful for the responsive support from both Tradition Mortgage and the McDonald team. “It’s a lot of unknowns going through this process, and they were always there to hold our hand and guide us and give us the options so that we could become educated and choose the best route for us.”
An Artisan Home!
As their new home neared completion, the excitement was palpable. The family’s style choices were even recognized when their home was asked to be part of the Artisan Tour – a true compliment! Beyond the aesthetics, the new home means their kids’ friends are still in the neighborhood, and their daughter will start kindergarten with the convenience of a bus ride to school.
Their journey, while taking “a little longer than maybe we would have hoped,” was ultimately the “right amount of time for us.” Now, as they stand on the cusp of a new chapter, Petersons are “really happy to be coming back here. And this is a place that just feels like home to us.”
