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When Dan Benson headed to the Northwoods to
complete a small, three-month project with his brother and
some friends in the fall of 1975, he had no idea how it would
change his life. He had recently graduated from the University
of Illinois and was planning to attend Ohio State in veterinary
medicine. Dan had taken a year off of school after graduation
to earn money to pay for his upcoming education expenses.
During this time, he developed skills as a carpenter while
framing homes, and building decks and porches.
It wasn't long before Dan realized he was really a builder
at heart. He shelved his plans to go to vet school and convinced
his parents he could build their "dream cabin" just
across the border in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on Dinner
Lake. Dan and his "crew" lived in his uncle's small,
uninsulated cottage that first winter, with no electricity
or running water. It was the worst of times, and the best
of times. He rekindled a relationship with his sweetheart,
Barb, and in the spring of 1976, they were married. They moved
into the yet-unfinished cabin and worked together to complete
it for his parents. In the meantime, Dan began to work on
some small building projects in the Land O' Lakes area. As
Dan and Barb worked on his parents' place throughout that
first year, they developed a love for the Northwoods that
continues to grow stronger as time goes by.
In 1977, they began Daniel Benson Builders, Inc., building
decks, additions and garages. After putting up one spec home
and selling it immediately, they began a time of growth and
evolution into a custom residential design/build firm.
It was in the 1980's that Benson Builders first earned its
well known reputation for quality, integrity and service.
As Dan worked on honing his design skills, he and his talented
carpentry crew improved and refined their construction techniques.
Their efforts resulted in a growing list of satisfied customers
- see Customer Comments.
In the early 1990's, Dan was approached by several prospective
customers interested in log homes. Since then, log home construction
has represented nearly 50% of their ongoing projects. Benson
Builders has completed more than 25 log homes to date, with
more in the development stages. Six of these homes have been
featured in national magazines, including Log Home Living,
Log Homes Illustrated, Distinctive Wood Homes, Log Home Design
Ideas and Cabin Life. In fact, the magazine advertisement
for the web site for Log Homes Illustrated, www. LHIinfo.com,
uses a photo of the main entry to one of these homes.
Benson Builders was featured in a Wisconsin Public Television
program titled, "Focus Wisconsin - Up North," in
1998. This special discussed the emerging economy of the Northwoods,
as well as the pros and cons associated with this development.
Over the years, Benson Builders has developed a reputation
for creating high-quality, rustic detailed Northwoods cabins,
cottages and homes that reflect the personality and vision
of their customers. While log homes comprise a large part
of their work, they have continued to develop and expand the
mainstay of the business - the design and construction of
conventionally framed homes with distinctive "Up North"
detailing.
Dan's hand-drawn home plans have always been at the heart
of their design department. Recently, they have enhanced their
capabilities with the addition of computer-aided design, although
Dan still draws many of the plans by hand. Their staff includes
a talented team of craftsmen who share Dan's passion for building
and have the expertise to bring his home plans to life.
Dan and Barb feel fortunate to be in business in the Northwoods.
As Dan puts it, "It seems that everyone we work for is
excited about building up here." A key element of their
business philosophy is their commitment to personalized customer
service. "We've had the pleasure of working with wonderful
people over the years, and have maintained friendships with
many past customers as a result of the close relationship
that develops during the design and building process."
Daniel Benson Builders is a member of the Headwaters Builders
Association and is licensed as a general contractor in both
Wisconsin and Michigan.
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