Something for Our Friends
For CNC Custom Homes it’s not just about the home, but the people who live in them.
“We really do think of our homeowners as family and friends. We have them over to barbeques and other get-togethers. Many of them become lifelong friends.”
–Jason Huddleston
As you make your way up the driveway, you see an inviting structure tucked in between the cottonwoods. Double check the map app. Yes, this is the right address, but it doesn’t exactly feel like the office of a custom home builder. That is exactly the way the founders of CNC Homes Custom Builders wanted it. At the very core of their approach is the belief that building a custom home is every bit as much about building a relationship as it is about building a structure.
So, when Candice Danison, Jason Huddleston, and Conone Davis joined forces to create CNC Homes, they immediately looked at ways to make the entire experience better for the the people involved. One way was to rethink the space where they would welcome their clients. “It initially started as a way to keep our overhead costs down—instead of renting a big office somewhere, we converted this rabbit hutch on Conone’s property into our offices,” explains Candice. “It’s welcoming and warm. It fits us perfectly.”
“We really do think of our homeowners as family and friends. We have them over to barbeques and other get-togethers. Many of them become lifelong friends,” says Jason. The same focus on people and relationships extends to those who do the work at CNC. Everyone from the employees to the subcontractors are embraced as family and treated as friends.
That’s not entirely unusual in Bend. It’s a small town and relationships matter, but it’s just one of the things that makes CNC tick. Born out of the honest belief that the process of building a home can go more smoothly than it typically does, Candice, Jason, and Conone have always looked for ways to improve both the process and the outcome.
“Ultimately, we want the client to have not only the house of their dreams, but an experience where the reality is just as dream-worthy.”
–Candice Danison
Some of those things, the homeowner may never even see. Such as the level of cleaning that takes place throughout the build. Before a wall is sealed with drywall, it is thoroughly cleaned of construction debris, dust, and anything else that doesn’t belong.
There’s also the education and guidance that serves as a foundational element of the CNC way. When a homeowner’s request bears unforeseen implications, they make sure the final decision is informed and understood. Again, it comes from developing a genuine relationship with the client. “Right now, flat roofs are trendy. Everyone loves the clean, modern lines. But flat roofs can have some issues with the heavy snow loads we experience in Central Oregon,” Jason explains.
“No two homes are identical and it’s something that makes it that much more interesting for us. We don’t specialize in one particular style because we like doing it all. Again, it comes down to working with the client to find the best solution, not just the solution that fits our way of working,” Jason continues.
“We’ve been very cognizant of not becoming known for building one particular style of home. We enjoy the challenges that come from building different types. It’s why we have several different architects we work with here in Bend,” adds Candice.
Keeping an open mind to design styles has also translated into a very forward-thinking approach to incorporating technology. “We think a lot about the technology we would like in our own homes,” says Jason. “There is so much and it’s changing so fast. Wireless chargers built into countertops so you simply put your phone down on the counter and it charges. Water systems that detect water leaking and shut the system down automatically. Our clients count on us to know what’s out there.”
As CNC continues to push the leading edge of technology in building custom homes, one thing they have found to be very popular with homeowners is 3D shooting. Essentially taking the client into the home throughout various stages of the build and bringing the project to life electronically. Images are captured of everything from the wiring and plumbing before the walls are finished to actually creating what the finished room will look like with your furniture in it. “We can even walk clients through examples of what they might want right here in the office,” Candice points out. “Ultimately, we want the client to have not only the house of their dreams, but an experience where the reality is just as dream-worthy.”
