DF Maher and Associates Architects

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• By Andy B.

  January 2, 2017

  My wife Jenny and I finished construction of our new home in April 2016. It is an ICF house designed and built by David F. Maher of Appleton, WI. This is our dream home that is the culmination of years of ideas and lots of questions we each had about what we both ultimately wanted in a house. It’s a very unique house that combines the advantages of ICF construction – strength, energy-efficiency, and sound insulation – with many style features of storybook or Tudor-style houses. We have received many compliments from our neighbors and passersby on the “castle-like” appearance of our home, plus we did win the “Wisconsin ICF Home of the Year” award from the Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association. This award means a lot to us since it is a validation of all the choices we made, and the time and energy put into the design and construction of our house.
  To anyone thinking about building their own house we offer two simple pieces of advice: Do your homework and pay attention to details as you will be making many choices. We did some research on ICF construction and decided early on that it was the way that we wanted to proceed. We also decided on hiring David F. Maher since he designed and built ICF homes in Wisconsin; he is both a licensed architect and builder in Wisconsin which offers considerable advantages. David is very professional, honest, and fair as he took our ideas and ultimately put them into reality. Both Jenny and I are in our 50’s so we did have our particular opinions and tastes, plus we’re very “hands on” and “detail-oriented” individuals. Admittedly, we had some heated conversations with David and between ourselves. However, heated conversations can produce excellent designs and ideas since everyone contributes and compromises. In the end we did get an award-winning house that would make Frank Sinatra proud since “we did it our way.” We love our new home and will not sell since its design and construction are an integral part of our lives.
  Lastly, we would also strongly recommend that anyone interested in going through the house building process watch an old black and white movie titled “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. The film shows how building a house can be a rollercoaster ride, and it is something that everyone experiences. The only differences between the movie and current home construction are the construction techniques and current building costs. Expect a lot of ups and downs since we did have our fair share. In retrospect, there are a few things that we would have done differently but you cannot anticipate everything and in the end we do have a beautiful and wonderful home.

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• By Paul F.

  July 30, 2016

  Design-Build

  270 days

  In 2000 I hired David Maher, of D.F. Maher Architects-Builders as the architect Construction Manager. He was excellent to work with as we built. I was the main builder and general contractor. I worked alongside David throughout the project and I found him to be an upstanding man, honest, competent, reliable and professional. He was very detailed about the costs and what was needed to do the project. It turned out excellent and I would hire David again. Since that time, I have flipped houses and I call David periodically with questions and calculations. He is very easy to work with and always clear about what I need to do. He is the best architect and builder I know. I would recommend him to anyone looking to build and ICF house.

• By Julie F.

  July 15, 2016

  I’ve known David Maher for over 16 years after my husband hired him as our architect on a major building project. We have also consulted him over the years regarding other projects on which we’ve worked. I’ve known David, to be honest, he's very knowledgeable. I highly recommend D. F. Maher to anyone who is looking to build. I would have given him 5 stars, but nobody's perfect.

• By Dan C.

  July 14, 2016

  Home design and Construction

  $380,000

  217 days

  A change in our work caused us to move to the Madison area and we were happy to find that D.F. Maher Architects-Builders designs and builds there as well as the Valley.
  We chose a type of design they call a ”Little Big House”. It provided us with more space at a lower price per square foot than traditional building.
  The home is an Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) type of construction. It is highly energy efficient , wind and fire resistant and with geothermal heating and cooling our energy costs are only forty percent of our last home.
  The home was designed right with us and in three dimensions on Mr. Maher’s computers. We were given animated walk-through before we even started construction.
  The finished home is exactly as it was shown in that walk through.
  We are very happy to be living in our dream. The radiant floor heating is great in the winter and the home is the quietest home we have ever lived in.
  And finally, no small thing, the home came in within twelve dollars of the bid cost.
  We are happy to give David and D.F. Maher Architect-Builders our five-star happy face rating.
  Dan & Carol C.

• By Roger

  July 14, 2016

  DESIGN-BUILD AND ICF HOME

  $400,000

  210 days

  We had a home designed and built for us by D.F. Maher Architects-Builders in 2008.
  It is an insulated Concrete Form (ICF) home.
  Mr. Maher has recently asked us to write a review for the process and the home and we were happy to do so.
  The design process took a long time (six months) but we wanted to get it right, and we did.
  We love the home and hope to never leave it, except, you know, the final exit.
  The ICF home is very energy efficient and quiet. We have radiant floor heating and having your feet and legs warm in February in Wisconsin is wonderful. We will never again be without it.
  We definitely pushed our budget to the max to build this place. But we got most of what we wanted.
  The cathedral ceilings and interior rooms are exactly as we wanted, and they should be, because we helped design them on Mr. Maher’s computers. The designing process, though long, was a great and empowering experience. “We helped design this!”
  All the sub-contractors, but one, were very good and helpful with suggestions and changes. One sub had some kind of attitudinal problem and was gone before the end of the project. His replacement was great, though.
  These are great houses and we don’t understand why anyone would build a wood frame home when they can have an ICF house. It’s a mystery to me, especially along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Why would anyone build with wood there in hurricane central, when ICF is highly wind and water resistant? I can’t figure that one out.
  I would recommend that you at least talk to Mr. Maher and see if his style of design and Construction Management is a good fit for you.
  Roger and Terri M

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