Throughout that time, he has thrived in a highly competitive market due to his deep roots in the local community - some of his subcontractors have been working with him from that first house in Tualatin all the way up to the present day - and the close personal attention he pays to every job. Each year he works closely with a small number of clients to insure that they all move into homes that exceed their expectations, and continue to appreciate in value over the years.

Over the past twenty-five years, probably the biggest changes Don has faced have been the ever-evolving demands of technology, plus changing building codes and consumer tastes. Don has weathered these changes by working closely with clients to insure the highest possible value for the housing dollar spent, and by insuring that all subcontractors and suppliers perform at their peak efficiency.

Don-Hunt Construction is an active member of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland, and a participant in the Street of Dreams home show.

Your new home starts with a lot. If you haven't chosen one yet, we have access to some excellent realtors who can help you locate that perfect property in a neighborhood that meets your lifestyle. The lot you choose will generate the design of your new home. Is the lot flat, terraced, sloping? Your home will need to work well with the terrain.

Next you have the choice of hiring an architect to draft your plan (we'll be happy to recommend one) or choosing a stock design. These are even available on line, with a range of square footage options and special features. Your design plan can be customized in accord with your personal preference.

Now that you have chosen a lot and a design, we'll sit down and talk about the features of the home - from exterior roofing and siding to finished surfaces. Once we're on the same page, we'll discuss the estimated cost. You may arrange your own financing, allowing you a "one-time close" financing advantage - the bank disburses money during construction and then rolls it over to a permanent loan when the house is completed, or we can take the construction loan.

We can start your home immediately once your plan and permits are finalized. The biggest time requirement will be for you in getting your plan and arranging any site-specific engineering. The length of time it takes to obtain the necessary permits depends on the issuing jurisdiction. Weather permitting, your custom home should be completed in 7 to 8 months.

We arrange for all sub-contractors and work with the ecological requirements of your design. If you want special features involving custom pieces by local artists, be sure these are in your plan, and we will be happy to install them for you.

How involved you wish to be during building is your personal preference. If you wish to be deeply involved, we welcome your participation, and your availability can help us make timely decisions, when necessary. Whatever your involvement, we will contact you any time there are decisions that need to be made.

You can pick all your custom finishes - rock trim, paint style, flooring, tile. We have relationships with supply firms who have designers on staff who will work with you throughout the building process.

If you change your mind once the process begins (you just love that new wall texture you saw in a magazine!), we can work with you to implement your new ideas, as long as we are not past that stage and it is within budget. Otherwise, we will do a change order to determine the cost of the requested change.

Permit inspections occur at various stages of building. When construction is complete and prior to your moving in, there is a final inspection which results in an occupancy certificate. We will do a walk-through with you for your final approval, at which time you will sign off on the home. Your lender will probably have their own appraiser who will also go through your new home.

Don-Hunt Construction has been building homes a long time, and we know how to get things done the way the customer wants them done. We belong to the local home builders' association and have full bonding capability and liability insurance. References will be provided upon request.