Testimonials
"People said we were crazy to build a house in northern Michigan while we spent the winter in Florida. We had never built a house before, but our experience with VPN could not have been more satisfying. Every person we dealt with was extremely professional and responsible.
We made several trips to Bellaire in the fall of 2005 to check out the progress and we were always met by Mike Heslip, our building supervisor. Mike helped us through the whole building process which included many measurements of ceiling heights for lights, locating future book cases, locating faucets, medicine cabinets and bathroom lights. We had hired Liz Firebaugh as our kitchen designer and Mike worked closely with her. This was important to us.
We left for Florida in mid-November and trusted that Mike would take care of the rest of the building process. We were in touch with him and he was in touch with us throughout the winter, but basically he was the boss. Our trust was not misplaced. Mike was a source of inspiration and confidence throughout the building process.
We returned from Florida in late April of 2006 and found that the house of our dreams was finished in the exact time frame that appealed to our schedule. The house was perfect. Mike had worked hard to make sure that the house was extremely clean and in move-in condition. There were a few minor imperfections but Mike continued to intervene for us for as long as it took to make our house perfect.
We would like to recommend VPN Builders and Mike Heslip in particular, to anyone considering building anywhere in the northern Michigan area. We couldn't have been happier!"
Dennis and Jari Poll
Hi Troy,
"We cannot possibly tell you how happy we are with the work that has been done on our cabin. We absolutely love it! Every time we pull into the driveway it is still a shock to us how different it looks. We appreciate the professional work that has been done by everyone involved. No rush on completion. Some day spring will arrive and it will make it so much easier on the guys working outside.
Thank you so much Troy. It has been a real pleasure doing business with you. We hope you don't mind if we pass you name around!"
Robin and Dale
"How many people can say "We built a new home and had the greatest experience doing it?" With the unbelievable guidance, knowledge and patience of Troy Martin and Mike Heslip, we have a beautiful new home. My husband and I are both Finance professionals and were very nervous about the challenge of designing a new home from scratch. We knew we needed a lot of help in the design, architecture, coordination of cabinets, colors etc. The amazing part of the process was we provided Troy and Mike a picture of how we wanted something to look and it became a reality. For example, I desperately wanted our fireplace and mantle to look "just like the one in a picture" and when it was completed, I almost cried because it was so beautiful and exactly like the picture!
We were "managed" with the utmost respect, professionalism and patience by Troy. He provided the guidance necessary for us to feel comfortable in all our decisions. Whenever we talk to our friends and family we continue to comment on how impressed we were with the overall experience of this project – from the collaboration of turning our dream into a reality to the lasting relationships we will have with all the people involved in the project.
Thank you Northwoods Homes."
Sincerely,
Louise and John Wenzel
"Sandy and I are very happy with the work performed at our home. Your crew(s) did everything expected and then some. I was not looking forward to doing this build long distance but I now know I had nothing to worry about. The sub-contractors you recommended worked out well also, if we have any problems in the future I can call on them.
Your company came highly recommended to us, now I will pass the recommendation on.
Thanks Again!"
Regards
Arthur and Sandra Thompson
"During a family visit to the Bellaire area in the Spring of 2005, Marcel Dijkstra of Vacation Properties Network showed us a beautiful wooded lot on a ridgeline overlooking Intermediate Lake and the valley surrounding it. We fell in love with the lot and signed a purchase agreement that weekend, intending to hold the property for investment.
Soon afterward we met Troy Martin, who showed us many of the fine homes that VPN has created in the surrounding area. It didn't take long to reach our next decision: we would sell our California investment property and let Troy and his team create a Northern Michigan retreat at Spring Ridge. Before long the design team of Troy Martin and Anne Robinson had pen to paper, capturing all of our wild ideas and turning them into a cohesive, workable design.
We received Troy and Anne's undivided attention. Let's just say they were both on "speed dial". Even those who have never been through the design / build process will appreciate that it can be a stressful experience. Ideas constantly drift in and out of the picture, and concepts we originally believed to be sound had to be sacrificed to achieve the home we envisioned. Troy and Anne were patient and supportive throughout the entire process suggesting fantastic ideas, encouraging us to reject concepts that just didn't fit our goals or our budget, and ultimately guiding us to a design that we are thrilled with.
Exchanges of investment properties involve difficult tax and legal issues. The design and construction processes themselves also require attention to legal details such as the negotiation of fair contracts and compliance with lien laws. VPN did not view any of these issues as obstacles or annoyances. To the contrary, VPN handled these details in a manner that only reinforced our confidence. As an attorney, I was singularly impressed with VPN's common-sense approach to the legal details. In particular, it was a pleasure working with David Rowe of your legal staff in navigating some of the more complex matters.
Breaking ground was an exciting time. The thrill of the construction phase was short-lived, however - because VPN had the house built in less than six months. Ken Kowatch (also on "speed dial") choreographed a group of seasoned subcontractors from excavation through drywall, without a hitch. From our perspective, this could only have been possible in an environment of mutual trust and respect between builder and subcontractor. As we all know, it is a pleasure to practice your trade with people who trust and appreciate you. We would be remiss if we did not also thank the many subs and material suppliers whose contributions were invaluable - please see the enclosed list.
With VPN, we didn't just hire a builder. We met new and trusted friends who just happen to build beautiful homes. You should be proud of your entire team."
Thank you and best regards,
Fred & Mindy Herrmann
"After many years of enjoying time both in the winter and summer at Shanty Creek, we decided it was time to build our own place. Once we acquired our lot, we had to decide on a builder. We felt this to be a very important decision because it was a long distance project.
We visited many finished and unfinished homes by various builders in the area and ultimately decided we like the work of VPN the best. Once we met Troy, we knew the right decision had been made. From our very first meeting with the people of VPN, we felt confident the project was going to be successful. Both my wife and I are in professions that require close interactions with people and we have to gain people's trust through good communication skills on a daily basis. We experienced from the beginning that VPN was able to exhibit these same skills. Troy displayed patience with us from the first meeting, right through the working and reworking of the house plans, and along the way he made many helpful suggestions as the construction phase of the project progressed. The professionalism and dedication Troy and the staff at VPN showed us, turned our building experience into our dream vacation home.
Now that we have been able to enjoy the house for two years, we still compliment VPN to our friends and family when they come to visit on a job that was well done. Everyone that visits us compliments us on how beautiful and well built the house is."
Sincerely,
Teri & Carl Shermetaro
Dear Troy:
"It has been several weeks since Pam and I moved into our new home on Clam Lake and it has taken time since then to find the right words expressing our excitement and joy at the great job done by you and your project manager, Ken Kowatch.
From the earliest design stage, you expressed a sincere interest in building our "dream" home. Your understanding of my attention to detail, schedule, budget and the overall expression that the design was meant to achieve, became your mission, not just mine. As with any dream, proper "reality checks" need to be brought to the forefront from time to time and I applaud your perseverance in keeping us not only on track, but, more importantly, within budget.
Pam and I value your professionalism and your friendship. We sincerely thank you for the special attention to detail given to this project to achieve not just a beautiful building, but a true home."
Sincerely,
Bob Mack
President Architectural Building Products, Inc.