Have you ever wondered who captures our client testimonials, develops the designs behind our projects, or works directly with vendors to secure premium materials for each build? If so, this brand-new blog post series is made just for you! As part of our Get to Know Us series, we want to offer new and existing clients an inside look at the talented individuals behind our organization, all of whom bring a massive amount of passion, dedication, and expertise to their roles.

In this first-ever employee feature, we’re spotlighting one of our long-standing team members and a driving force behind our exceptional design work: DC Lead Designer Casey Rogness. Over the years, Casey’s contributions have helped advance our company in countless ways and inspired those around him. Continue reading below to learn more about Casey’s experience, his favorite aspects of DC, and the advice he would give new clients just beginning the design process!

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Salem, Oregon.

Where are you currently located?

My family and I are currently living in Minot, North Dakota. It’s been about two years since we moved here from Sisters, Oregon, where we lived for about three years.

How long have you been with DC?

I’ve been with DC officially for over nine years, but before then, I spent a year freelancing in design for them and working on the framing crew.

How did you get started in this field?

After high school, I took a drafting class to fill some credits at the local community college and ended up really loving it. So after that course, I enrolled in their Computer Aided Drafting Program and graduated with a two-year degree in drafting. From there, I transferred to Oregon State University to complete my bachelor’s in interior design with a focus on housing studies, and once I graduated is when I started working for DC.

What are your favorite types of projects to work on?

My favorite projects to work on are typically homes or places that act as a home base for clients and their families. Adding a little modern timber look is always a plus too.

What is your favorite kit in the DCS collection?

The Thielsen Timber Home Kit is my favorite building package by far. The upcoming modern cabins with garages are also on my list.

In your opinion, what is the key to ensuring the success of a design?

I would say the key to success within design is working as a team, which includes first and foremost the owner, but also the contractor, any consultants, and the designer. Having everyone involved from the beginning tends to make projects go more smoothly, considering different people can provide their input and feedback early in the design process. It may take a few extra coordination meetings, but in the long run, it aids in creating a much easier and streamlined construction environment.

What are some aspects of our process that you believe set us apart from similar companies?

Well, there are a couple of aspects that set us apart. The first is utilizing design software that allows us to build 3D models in real time with our clients. We can make changes and adjustments live during meetings with them and provide a visualization tool to help make quick decisions. This process gives clients a first-hand look at how their structure will look and feel by the end and allows them to modify it as much as they want to fit their visions.

The second aspect is the sheer customization abilities of our baseline models for clients. We provide designs and material packages to clients across the country, and everyone lives in various climate types and has differing site development and family needs. Our ability to customize each model to fit their specific site characteristics, location requirements, and lifestyle needs makes it so that each client is really getting something unique, even if they’re starting with a standard kit.

What advice would you give to new clients just beginning the design process?

Hire a contractor early in the process who can be involved and give input on design, construction methods, and building department requirements. Doing so makes everything easier and gives you more peace of mind knowing your core team is working together from the jump.

And lastly, what’s something we wouldn’t know about you?

My wife and I have four boys. I love teaching the boys different sports, like golf and basketball, and fishing with them.

I also have a fish aquarium full of cichlids. I love taking care of them and having a unique setup!

Interested in joining Casey’s team or being a part of our growing organization? Be sure to check out our LinkedIn page for all open positions through DC Structures!

The beauty of beginning the home-building process lies in the abundance of options available, including the land you’ll be building upon. Depending on your plans for the property and flexibility with location, you may be interested to know there are places in the United States where you can purchase land for next to nothing — if not absolutely nothing! Though many of the cities that offer free or cheap land aren’t exactly giving it away out of the kindness of their hearts, there are plenty of benefits to glean from building in these hidden gem rural areas. If you’re the type that loves sprawling countryside, small towns, and great deals, continue reading below to see where you can acquire real estate that, quite literally, pays for itself. 

Lincoln, Kansas

Lincoln, Kansas, known as the “Post Rock Capital of Kansas,” isn’t just rich in limestone resources; this small town of about 2,900 people also offers plenty of desirable residential opportunities. In an effort to boost growth, the city has started offering free home sites in a fully developed subdivision by a local baseball field, the city park, and a new junior-senior high school.

Located at the east ends of Lost Street and School Street, these residential lots range from 14,000 to 35,000 sq. ft. and provide hookups to all necessary utilities, making them ready for you to put down your roots. Although their eligibility criteria is sparse, the city outlines that buyers must agree to build a home that meets their timeline and design requirements and submit proposed plans with proof of income or a loan pre-approval letter as part of their application. 

For more information on their free residential lots, process, and criteria, visit their Housing Opportunities page here.  

Elwood, Nebraska

Elwood is a quaint small town located two-and-a-half hours west of Lincoln, Nebraska. The city offers free lots through its homeownership program to both in-state and out-of-state newcomers who wish to make Elwood their home. Again, the catch is that you need to start construction within a particular timeframe — that being one year — and occupy the residence within two years of the purchase date. However, Elwood offers a unique down payment assistance program that makes it especially attractive as a prospect. With this program, the Village of Elwood will pay up to 10% of the construction cost for a home costing $25,000 or more, at least until after construction has wrapped. 

For more information, you can visit the city of Elwood’s housing criteria here or call them at (308) 785-2480. 

Mankato, Kansas

Last but not least is the town of Mankato, Kansas — a city of about 900 people in the heart of Jewell County. This small town community offers free land for residential development, with these lots located in the Johnson addition on a horseshoe shaped cul-de-sac. As with Lincoln and Elwood, the city requires you to start construction within a designated period, ensuring that these projects contribute to community growth. That said, those willing to move to Mankato have the opportunity of a lifetime to make something special of their investments and add value to this small but promising town. 

For more information, please visit Mankato’s Free Land resource page here. 

Before getting too excited, remember to do your due diligence in researching zoning restrictions, sewage, water options, and construction access for each of these lots. Though these locations have taken significant strides to make their construction processes streamlined and less intimidating, it never hurts to understand the fine print behind your future land purchase. 

And while you may be thinking these opportunities sound too good to be true, remember that these cities are actively looking to grow and offer incredible incentives like free land to make that happen. Of course, building a house involves much more than simply finding a plot to build on. However, with the financial relief of acquiring land for free, you’ll find you have even more resources available for your dream home and can allocate any leftover money to making your new town even more alluring for you, your family, and other future residents.

Building a new residential or commercial structure is an exciting venture, especially if you’re doing so for the first time! While it’s natural to feel somewhat intimidated by the process, it always helps to take everything in small, actionable steps — the first and foremost being purchasing land for your building. Aside from location and financing, there are several factors you’ll want to consider when buying your first piece of land, including zoning restrictions, water and sewage options, and sufficient access for construction equipment, to name a few. If you’re wondering where to get started, don’t worry! In this blog post, we’ll break down some of the essential considerations for your property and how you can ensure total satisfaction and efficiency with your final decision.

Work with the Right Real Estate Agent 

Finding an experienced land real estate agent or real estate agent who specializes in land transactions is a must for any first-time property buyer, and finding one who specializes in your specific site needs is even more crucial! For example, many specialized land real estate agents only buy and sell horse-friendly properties or waterfront lots like those in Malibu, Carmel, or Miami, making them a wise choice for clients with property requirements beyond the standard must-haves. However, even if you don’t have any specific site needs, working with a local land agent is still incredibly beneficial, as they will have more in-depth knowledge about your area and local regulations.

While clients can hypothetically utilize a regular real estate agent or go it alone, the reality is that using a land agent or broker makes the entire purchasing process that much easier, better, and more cost-effective in the long run. With a trusted land specialist helping you identify suitable properties, navigate municipal regulations, and negotiate transactions, you can enjoy the experience of finding your perfect property and feel more confident in your resulting purchase.

Assess Land with Existing Infrastructure 

It never hurts to purchase an existing home with a few extra perks on its lot, like a detached garage, shop, or pavilion area, and the same goes for vacant properties. You may find that a site with additional assets, such as irrigation pumps or fenced pastures, could help cut building costs and make it more affordable to maintain the land over time. Before deciding to invest in a property with existing infrastructure, be sure to perform your due diligence to determine if the systems or structures in place are, in fact, operable or in satisfactory condition, especially since they could lead to additional expenses for repairs or replacement if not. Your land agent can help you with this process by obtaining the appropriate information from the seller or seller’s agent or helping you set up a site inspection.

Perform a Site Evaluation

Conducting a site evaluation is a necessary part of the land purchasing process, as this will help you better determine the suitability of your site and what issues, if any, you can anticipate with your property. For first-time buyers, we recommend visiting your chosen site several times during escrow to evaluate its unique characteristics and how they might impact the building process. For instance, some aspects that could increase the cost and time of construction include:

• Slopes, which may require extra foundational work
• Vegetation removal
• Well and septic hookups
• Unstable soils
• And any environmental concerns, such as wetlands, endangered species habitats, or flood zones

By assessing the land and any resources provided on it ahead of time, you can make a more informed decision with your land purchase. For more information on what to look for during your site evaluation, check out this in-depth land-buying checklist through BuildingAdvisor.com! 

Read the Fine Print

 Are there any *encumbrances or easements on the land? Before purchasing your property, carefully read all attachments and the complete title report for your site and discuss any incongruities with a title officer. Easements, such as power, road, and irrigation easements, may require the attention of a lawyer. By taking steps to learn more about easements, you can better understand who can come onto a property and reduce the potential for unwanted surprises later on.

*An encumbrance is a claim made by a person or party who is not the owner against a property. This claim is something to look for, as it can affect the transferability of the property and make it harder to do as you please with your land until lifted. An easement, on the other hand, is a type of encumbrance that outlines a party’s right to use or improve the property. It can also restrict the title owner from using or developing certain portions of the job site. 

Know Local Zoning Laws & Special Programs

What a buyer plans to do with a purchased property might make them eligible for special programs, which may reduce the accompanying property tax! For example, in some cases, land purchased exclusively for farm use may be eligible for unique tax assessment programs. To determine the applicability of these programs to you and your site, speak with a county tax assessor to learn more about your options and any limitations for use or development as it applies to your zoning status.

It’s also worth mentioning that zoning laws are subject to change, making it essential to understand how this may impact your use of the land in the future. As a current buyer, it’s always a good idea to research local zoning laws in addition to any proposed changes that could alter them later.

Make Your Dream a Reality

Finally, once you’ve taken the proper steps to evaluate and research suitable properties, it’s time to purchase your preferred site and start designing your dream structure! With the help of our team, you can either build off one of our pre-engineered building models or create a fully custom design based on your unique design ideas. No matter the complexities involved with your design or land, we’re here to help you make the most of both investments.

Have any questions or concerns? Feel free to call us at (888) 975-2057 to speak with an experienced representative. We’re always just a click or call away and can help you get your project off to a great start.

When brainstorming designs for new kits, our team always begins by looking for improvements to our existing collection. While our line of cabin kits continues to evolve with enhancements like modern alternatives and A-frames, we also noticed a growing need for cabins with built-in vehicle storage for greater functionality, safety, and value. Today, we’re proud to announce our brand-new line of cabin kits with garages that fulfill that need while boasting efficient, family-friendly floor plans that offer dozens of possibilities for your space.

With our cabins with garages, you can easily create the ideal family home, vacation rental, backyard ADU, or anything else you envision for your property. Learn more about our all-new cabin models below! 

The Wildwood Cabin Kit

Our Wildwood Cabin Kit is the largest pre-engineered model in our line of cabins with garages, with this design boasting a three-bedroom, three-bathroom floor plan across two stories. With 2,104 square feet of conditioned living space, plus a 494 sq. ft. covered porch and 523 sq. ft. garage, you can configure this layout to serve as a cozy cabin-style home or a beautiful Airbnb that offers short-term and long-term hosting capabilities. 

The Sherwood Cabin Kit

The Sherwood is a striking L-shaped design with 1,885 square feet of conditioned living space, a 368 sq. ft. covered patio, and a 495 sq. ft. garage for efficient vehicle and equipment storage. A large window wall outside the great room adds character and improved natural lighting, while a stone fireplace gives the living space that authentic cabin feel. With this cabin kit, clients can enjoy a spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom floor plan. Clients can also utilize a 440 sq. ft. loft area for additional storage or as an adorable lofted bedroom. 

The Cottonwood Cabin Kit

The Cottonwood may be our most compact cabin kit with a garage, but what it lacks in square footage, it certainly makes up for in charm and curb appeal! Like our Wildwood and Sherwood, we designed this model with stick-framing methods and timber rafters to create an expansive interior with beautiful exposed wood members and minimal structural posts. Our Cottonwood offers a 1,480 sq. ft. floor plan with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an inviting open-concept living space. A 484 sq. ft. garage and a charming 180 sq. ft. covered porch also contribute to this model’s desirability, making it a perfect primary home or vacation rental that will surely increase the value of your property. 

Want to learn more about our cabins with garages? Give us a call at (888) 975-2057 or request a quote for your preferred model here! 

High desert regions like Joshua Tree, California, and Bend, Oregon, have experienced substantial growth over the last decade — and once you’ve visited areas like it, you can understand why. With their wide-open landscapes, expansive sky views, and a vast array of plant and animal life, these high desert regions offer an alluring contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life. Not to mention these growing towns often feature the best hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and off-roading activities of any region, making them highly desirable to outdoor enthusiasts who crave adventure within a natural setting.

That said, building a home in a high desert area can pose several challenges for homeowners, with considerations like extreme temperatures, water availability, and fire risks playing a significant role in the final design and selection of your materials. If you plan to build in a high desert region, here are some of our recommended do’s and don’ts for your upcoming residential project:

Do: Use Appropriate Wood

High-quality timbers like ours are incredibly durable and dense building materials that perform outstandingly in various climates. However, that doesn’t mean these materials are necessarily impervious to the extremes of high desert regions. While our Douglas fir lumber makes a solid and beautiful siding material, this wood type can be susceptible to damage caused by UV degradation. Because of this, we recommend applying a UV-resistant finish to your wood, especially if you plan to include this siding material as part of your exterior. Western red cedar and redwood are also great options for your siding, as these wood species are naturally suited to handle the desert’s dry and harsh weather conditions.

Our team offers an exclusive pre-staining service that helps save you time on the job site and ensure long-lasting results for your siding. Our pre-stain machine evenly coats all six sides of your framing lumber, providing complete protection and coverage for your investment. We offer Timber Pro UV natural wood stains and finishes as part of this industry-leading service. To learn more about their available stains and the benefits of using Timber Pro UV, visit their site here!

Do: Plan for Thermal Insulation

Given the extreme temperature shifts of high desert regions, you’ll want to take the proper precautions to ensure your home is well-insulated and equipped to keep you safe and comfortable in any season. By selecting high-quality insulation materials and techniques for your home, you can help drive heat and humidity out during the summer and keep your place warm on chilly winter nights. When deciding on insulation for your high desert home, you’ll want to look for options that yield a high R-value, like spray foam insulation and structural insulated panels. However, clients should always consult their contractor or a local expert to ensure their insulation choice meets the requirements of their specific location and build.

Do: Install Quality HVAC Systems

Installing an efficient and effective heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is a must for any high desert homeowner, especially if temperatures reach up to 115°F or higher in their region. According to Architectural Digest, some of the best HVAC systems you can invest in for your home are through Lennox and Carrier. Lennox partners with Energy Star to offer some of the most energy-efficient air conditioning systems on the market, including units with high seasonal energy efficiency ratios (SEER). Carrier also offers top-tier HVAC options known for their quiet operation and energy efficiency, with most systems boasting high SEER ratings.

Do: Protect Against the Sun

High desert regions are notorious for their scorching summers. To protect your wood home against high heat and constant sun exposure, consider how your design and materials can help preserve the naturally durable qualities of your structure. For instance, and as mentioned earlier, clients should consider applying a UV-resistant stain to their siding for maximum protection, especially heavily pigmented options like semi-solid and solid color stains. The color of your roof can also play an important role in repelling heat and boosting your home’s energy efficiency, with lighter colors providing a “cooler” surface that helps direct heat away from your home.

Don’t: Ignore Fire Risks

Fire safety is one of the most important considerations involved in the design of a high desert home. As wildfires continue to intensify across the globe, homeowners need to consider how they can best protect their structures and families if a wildfire starts to spread in their area. At DC Structures, we offer several fire-safe building materials for our clients, including non-combustible cladding material through James Hardie and dual- and triple-pane glass windows through Andersen and Pella. To learn more about our available fire-safe materials and commitment to protecting your structure, visit our Fire Safety page here.

Don’t: Overlook Ventilation

Good airflow is essential in any desert environment, considering there’s nothing worse than dealing with unwanted heat and humidity inside your home. When crafting your high desert abode, don’t forget to plan for plenty of ventilation options like windows and doors. Our vented and windowed cupolas are also a fantastic addition for clients planning to build in the desert, as these gable-roof structures help improve the overall ventilation and airflow inside your space.

Don’t: Neglect Water Efficiency

Water scarcity can be a big concern for homeowners in remote high desert areas, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be top of mind for those in more developed desert regions. By incorporating water-efficient appliances and fixtures in your home, you can significantly reduce your water and energy consumption while conserving the critical water supply of your town. Clients can also help minimize water use by xeriscaping their backyards, which includes slow-growing drought-tolerant plants like perennials and cacti.

Don’t: Skip Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance and upkeep are critical for any home, let alone a wood-clad structure in the desert. To ensure your home remains strong and beautiful long past installation, you should plan to re-stain your siding every year or so for the first few years after construction wraps. While maintenance requirements vary by location, the extreme weather and temperature conditions of high desert regions make consistent cleaning and upkeep necessary for peak performance and longevity.

Interested in learning more? Call us today at (888) 975-2057 to speak to one of our representatives or request a quote here if you’re ready to get started on your high-desert design.