how we build
Focus on Energy
Every new C&M home is FOCUS ON ENERGY® tested and certified to meet the highest standards in the state. Our customers have confidence in knowing their home is more energy-efficient, more comfortable and more durable than other new homes in Wisconsin.
Building a FOCUS ON ENERGY® certified new home also gives owners peace of mind knowing their home is at least 30% more energy efficient than a typical new home built in Wisconsin.
In addition to saving energy, owners enjoy premium indoor air quality, consistent temperatures, lower utility bills and superior ventilation.
our STANDARd FEATURES:
1. 3rd party Testing - Every house is Focus on Energy Certified, creating efficient homes that save you money on monthly utility bills and have lower maintenance costs.
2. Spray Foam – We spray all attic penetrations and box sills with insulation foam to prevent your condensed air (heated or cooled) from escaping.
3. Rigid Foam – We add 2” rigid foam on all exterior walls to keep the concrete much warmer and provide a far better system than the standard interior walls.
4. Sub slab / Radon vent– We build houses to be as tight as possible, so it’s extremely important to ventilate the dirty air with radon/moisture vents.
5. Scheduling Software – Our user-friendly BuilderTrend software makes it possible for you to check on the latest developments on your build.
6. Sump Pumps – We install a sump pump in every home to send water away from your basement to a place where it is no longer problematic.
7. Sand Filters – We install sand filters on every well we create to keep your system running well.
8. Duct Cleaning – We offer duct cleaning to eliminate any construction dust on all our new construction to make sure the air is clean when you move in your home.
9. Carbon Monoxide Detectors – We put hardwired carbon monoxide detectors in every home for your safety.
10. Bath Fans – We use high efficiency bath fans with extra venting in every house to help control the moisture levels.
11. Conduit – We install a conduit pipe from the utility room to the attic in every house for future solar power or satellite dish.
MORE EFFICIENT Options:
Geothermal – We build some homes using Geothermal heating and can tell you about the benefits and show you the future cost savings.
Solar Panels – We help homeowners source reputable solar contractors and prepare your home to be solar-ready at the time of the build.
EV Charger – Many homeowners are choosing to have an EV charger installed by our electricians at the time of construction.
12. Trim Coil – We wrap all of the 2” exterior foam with trim coil to match the siding so there is no exposed concrete on your house.
13. Nails – We used an upgraded nailing system on our floors that is like a screw and will not squeak.
14. Heat Pump Water Heater – 3x more efficient than standard electric water heaters.
15. Drain Tiles – This system ensures the foundation walls do not deteriorate from water seeping through.
16. R-50 Attic insulation – Higher R-value for less wasted energy.
17. Rafter Baffles – Insulated baffles added to truss cavities allowing for improved attic ventilation.
18. Waterproofing system – Tremco Watchdog waterproofing added to prevent leaks in foundation walls.
19. Home wrap - Applied to all exterior walls, it acts as a rain coat keeping the water out, and reduces drafts.
20. Insulated Headers – Added insulation over windows increases the R-value and reduces thermal bridging.
21. Ridge Vent – Allows for air flow along the length of the roof for even ventilation.
22. Roofing Underlayment – Protects home against water damage and other moisture infiltration.
23. Water and Ice shield – 2 rows of waterproof membrane installed under roofing near edges to prevent leaks from ice dams. This is Wisconsin.