What are the latest trends in custom home building?

In the past 25 years, architectural styles have evolved. Although architecture reflecting Palm Beach, traditional and contemporary styles continues to thrive. The contemporary era of design is becoming more open and minimalistic in approach. Many of the finishes are becoming 'lighter" in weight - making way for innovative tension cables, glass, and industrial materials. Using neutral tones of brown, grey, and blacks and whites for flooring, furnishings, lighting fixtures and textiles. Products such as double pane low-E windows, spray foam insulation, on-demand water heaters and efficient mechanical systems provide substantial energy savings over earlier built homes.

How does your aerospace engineering background apply to home building?

My college education and experience in Industrial Engineering is a perfect fit. It deals with process oriented actions which involve decisions with material and labor to produce a high quality product. Good selections and efficiency provide great cost savings and value for the end customer. We are always looking to integrate the latest in technology and automation into our homes..

You operate Brierhill Homes with your wife Terri. How is that a benefit for your customers?

That's an easy one. She is the most efficient and reliable person that I know. Terri handles the office operations and I do the construction management in the field. We enjoy the responsibility of securing the investment and dreams of home ownership. Our customers work directly with us. There are no employees hired to inspect the job, and no silent partners to influence decisions or redirect priorities. This simple and low cost approach explains how we have produced over 300 custom homes.

Where are you currently building, and in what range of price?

We have built custom homes in all regions of Central Florida, from St. Cloud to Sanford. Our main base of operation is in southwest Orange County, in and around the Windermere area. Over the past 4 years, we built 16 luxury custom homes and lakefront estates in Lake Butler Sound, Bay Hill and surrounding private home sites ranging in price from $900,000 to over $4.5 million. In the past 13 years Brierhill Homes has built 40 homes in and around Waterstone, a beautiful, gated Windermere community on the shore of Lake Butler and Lake Cypress.

Dave Rauh with Brierhill Homes was named MCBC Builder of the Year. The 2008 winner was chosen by 35 of the top custom homebuilders in Central Florida who are members of the prestigious Master Custom Builder Council. “It is such a privilege to be chosen for this honor because all of the members of our organization have exhibited tremendous talent, integrity, and success in the home building industry, and I feel honored to be chosen as their builder of the year for 2008,” said Dave Rauh.

Dave not only meets the strict criteria required to be the MCBC Builder of the Year, but he also sets an example for following the strict code of ethics set forth by the MCBC.

According to Dave, “I want to build the best quality home for my customers at the best possible price and I stand behind every project that I have done. I treat my customers and employees with the respect I would want for myself. I also try to reach out to my fellow MCBC builders to help them in any way I can.” David’s continued drive for excellence and quality can be traced to his background as an industrial engineer for industry giants Texas Instruments and Martin Marietta; where precision, cost savings and efficiency were paramount. At Martin Marietta, David was involved in the production of the Patriot Missile and Launcher. As an engineer, David was nominated to Martin’s “Top 100” honor roll for outstanding achievement and contribution.

Dave Rauh feels his membership in the Master Custom Builder Council and his designation as a Master Custom Builder reflects on his years of specialized instruction, his high construction standards and his pledge to provide quality craftsmanship and professional service.

Dave has served on the MCBC Steering Committee as Chairman of the Education Committee. He has also been an active participant in all of the activities of the MCBC including the MCBC annual Golf Tournament, the MCBC Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon, and the MCBC Special Realtor Event. He also participated in the construction of 21 new villas at Give Kids The World during the past expansion at the Village in Kissimmee and has volunteered to assist with the new expansion plans to build 49 new villas at the Village. Dave was involved with the new kitchen addition at the Children’s Home Crisis Nursery and many other special MCBC community service projects including the Clothing Drive for the Crisis Nursery and the annual MCBC Toy Drive. As a member of the MCBC, Dave Rauh has taken a pledge to live and work to meet the standards set by the organization and remains committed to making the promises that will ensure a better building industry, a better community, and a better country.

“The MCBC is extremely proud to have a builder and person of Dave Rauh’s caliber on our Council,” said Dixie Goolsby, Executive Director.

When choosing your new home, the floor plan may be the most important element in deciding what features you would enjoy in your new home. From spacious Great Rooms, to Media Rooms and Home Theatres, at Brierhill Homes, we have become known for our creatively designed floor plans, lavish interiors, and overall well-planned spaces. With custom touches throughout, our homes are crafted of the finest materials, employing artisans in all aspects of construction.

In viewing our select floor plans, keep in mind that most of our homes feature elements such as stucco exteriors, parapets, spiral staircases, wrought iron accents, archways, custom ceiling treatments, and intricately carved wood details.