By Lisa Pickell, President, Orren Pickell Building Group The questions to ask a home builder before you sign fall into four groups: proof of licensing and insurance, exactly what the quote covers, who manages the schedule, and what the warranty protects after you move in. Get every answer in writing, then call past clients to…
DetailsA custom builder designs and builds one home at a time to your specifications, on land you already own or select. A production builder puts up many houses from a fixed set of plans inside a subdivision it controls. That single structural difference decides who draws your plans, how long the build runs, and how…
DetailsWondering how to design a luxury bathroom that truly feels like a spa? It comes down to sequence. Settle the layout first, then materials, then light, then fixtures. Rooms that feel restorative were planned that way from the first sketch. The ten principles below follow the order our team uses on every bathroom remodeling project,…
DetailsThe custom home building process moves through four phases: concept, preliminary planning, construction, and ongoing maintenance. Most homes on Chicago’s North Shore take 18 to 36 months from first meeting to move-in day. Knowing what happens in each phase, and which choices lock in when, is what keeps a build calm instead of chaotic. We…
DetailsWhat makes a vacation home luxury-grade comes down to five things done right: siting, structure, materials, amenities that actually function, and service that never slips. Square footage and a marble backsplash will not get you there. After nearly 50 years of custom home design and construction across Chicago, the North Shore, and Harbor Country, Michigan,…
DetailsWhen you build a luxury home, you’re shaping every square foot around how you actually want to live, not choosing from a builder’s pre-set inventory. Getting it right starts with the right custom home design and build team from day one. This guide walks through defining your vision, planning your finances, and avoiding the mistakes…
DetailsSix months at minimum. Depending on scope, a whole-house remodel takes anywhere from 6 to 18 or more months, and knowing why means understanding every phase, every variable, and every decision point along the way. If you’re planning a renovation in the Chicagoland area, our whole house remodeling services lay out exactly what that process…
DetailsMost bathroom renovation projects don’t go wrong during construction. They go wrong before it starts, when homeowners choose a contractor without fully understanding what they’re hiring for. Knowing how to choose a bathroom renovation contractor is less about finding the lowest bid and more about finding the right match for your specific scope, timeline, and…
DetailsMost homeowners assume a premium price tag guarantees premium care, but knowing what to expect from luxury home care providers reveals a significant gap between what many services offer and what the best actually deliver. The in-house home maintenance professionals at Orren Pickell Building Group are a rare example of genuine full-service care: specialists who…
DetailsWhen homeowners start imagining their “forever home,” one of the first—and most important—questions is whether to build new or transform what they already have. Both paths can result in a stunning, highly personalized residence. The right choice depends less on trends and more on how you live, what you value, and what your property allows.…
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