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 your home against water damage and other moisture infiltration which can cause mold growth and offers excellent wind resistance and durability through heavy roof traffic and adverse weather conditions.
23. Water and Ice shield – two rows are applied to protect the roof against icy buildup in our Wisconsin winters.