My wife and I noticed DJK because the houses are modern, creative, and well-designed. Our salesperson was Dan Kittilsen. As both a salesperson and the owner of the company, Dan is a walking contradiction as he struggles to balance the devil on one shoulder (the salesperson saying "Tell them whatever it takes to close the deal!") with the angel on the other shoulder (the owner saying "Do the right thing!"). Dan was extremely friendly and helpful during the sales process. However, you won't see much of Dan after you sign on the dotted line. Instead, you will be handed off to the selections coordinator and one of the project managers. At that point, the Dan that was your buddy during the sales process will be gone forever.

Our project manager was Mark Papa. Mark is a seasoned veteran and did a solid job. On the other hand, the selections coordinator, Annie Gehrke, was literally the worst thing about the homebuilding process. Annie exhibited a bitter demeanor while lacking focus, foresight, communication skills, and attention to detail.

DJK utilizes Buildertrend to manage selections and pricing. Unfortunately, Buildertrend is treated as a one-way contract. When customers sign off on selections, they are written in stone. However, when Annie makes inclusion and/or pricing errors, they mysteriously disappear from Buildertrend without any notification whatsoever. Not cool.

Vendors and tradesmen are a mixed bag. Some do great work and provide outstanding customer service, while others use their affiliation with DJK as a license to steal. Those providing excellent service include John Psyhos from Performers Flooring and Rick Amabile from Custom Home Electric. Those providing exceptionally poor service and business practices that border on crooked include Jonathan Alvarez from ALC Construction and Jim Hollendonner from In-Home Technologies.

Speaking of shady business practices, DJK enforces a ridiculous policy that requires vendors and tradesmen to charge markups as long as the customer lives in the house, potentially years after closing. Consequently, our landscaper, with whom we previously had an existing business relationship, was forced to start charging markups. If you think this policy sounds like a racketeering scam from a mob movie, you are definitely not wrong.

The build quality of the house is excellent. However, the relative value is mediocre at best. DJK informs customers that a 15% markup will be added to all upgrades. However, vendors and tradesmen confirmed that the actual percentages are much higher. It would be better if DJK just said "an additional markup" rather than blatantly lying to customers. The ideal DJK customer is a wealthy family that is looking for a high-quality house and does not care that they will be fleeced along the way.

At the end of the day, building our house with DJK was a long road fraught with drama, politics, and broken promises. The final product is fantastic but would we do it all again? I’m not so sure.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Quality of the final home is excellent

It has been a great experience with all the members of DJK Custom Homes. We recommend DJK to anyone looking for fantastic quality, beautiful design, and excellent customer service.

Use Comments

Use Comments - It has been a great experience with all the members of DJK Custom Homes. We recommend DJK to anyone looking for fantastic quality, beautiful design, and excellent customer service.

Recognized Excellence

Recognized Excellence - Annie was accommodating during the selections process, and Kevin went above and beyond when we he felt the project was getting behind and took it to the finish line.

The main reason why we didn’t give a 5 is because of frustrations in working with certain trades during the process.

Recognized Excellence

Recognized Excellence - The whole team was great, but Mark and Annie were the folks we interacted with the most, so they get the shoutout. Really enjoyed working with both of them.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The closing process and warranty work afterwards has been amazing. Kevin and Annie also solved a blinds problem that was far too stressful than it had any business being. The whole post build situation has made us both want to build another house with DJK. :)

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - Thank you for everything, guys. Can't wait to do it all over again when we finish the basement. :)

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The whole process was great, but I think once the house started Josh was awesome to work with.

I am satisfied with the house and the time they spent putting it together. I worked really well with Annie, Mark, and Karen, I am not too happy with Builder Trend, it is hard to keep up with credits in dealing with the contracted price.

Absolutely love DJK Custom Homes! Settled into our new home and couldn't be happier!

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - They were very responsive and knowledgeable. They did good work and adhered to our schedule.

I cannot thank DJK Custom Homes for the most outstanding job done in building my very beautiful and unique home. Their genuine interest in ones specific needs, coupled with their dedicated energetic attention to detail, perfection and professionalism is out of this world and totally admired. Thank you team, I have never been so happy.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - From the beginning to the end

Improvement Suggestion

Improvement Suggestion - You guys are simply perfection

I almost wish I could build a house every year with DJK Custom Homes. They are that good, they were very professional at every stage and they were prepared for any questions or concerns that we had. They were courteous and professional. They answered questions that we didn't even think to ask. They gave us all our options and possible outcomes. We felt well prepared to make any decision that we had to make and they were very minimal. Every aspect of it was spectacular from start to finish.

Expertise

Expertise - I would give them a 12.

Professional & Organized

Professional & Organized - I would score them a 48, they were extraordinary. They were organized and fantastic at every stage.

Schedule

Schedule - As a matter of fact they got done early, off the charts on this one.

Construction Quality

Construction Quality - Off the charts.

Communication

Communication - I would make this a triple digit, their communication was spectacular.

Change Order Process

Change Order Process - They were very clear on how changes worked. We didn't make a ton of changes but even when we had second thoughts on something we never had questions on how the process works. They were totally flexible with our scheduled also and worked with us on that.

Condition of Home

Condition of Home - I would give them an 8 or 9 on this one.

Innovation

Innovation - Absolutely.

Quality Of Workmanship

Quality Of Workmanship - Absolutely hands down.

Use Comments

Use Comments - Absolutely.

Improvement Suggestion

Improvement Suggestion - Nothing was less than perfect every step of the process.

Smooth Closing

Smooth Closing - Very smoothly.

Warranty Explanation

Warranty Explanation - Absolutely.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - As a home buying experience I can think of any major purchases I have ever made and I can't think of any that went as smoothy and perfectly as working with DJK Custom Homes, especially building a home from scratch. I thought there would be endless details. They made it really easy to go through every step. They helped us with every step and every color. They were super flexible working with our schedule also. They wanted to make it as painless as possible for us. It was spectacular.

My wife and I and our three girls would like to personally thank everyone at DJK CUSTOM HOMES for making our dream come true. We feel that it is necessary to mention each caring person that gave their heart and soul in making this happen and getting us to the end prize, our beautiful home. Sincerely, many thank you’s to the Owner, Dan Kittilsen; his Son, Kevin Kittilsen; Project Manager, Mark Papa, Selections Coordinator, Annie Gehrke; Employee, Matt; Employee, Caryn; and everyone involved in making our dream home come true. The DJK CUSTOM HOMES Owner and his employees, really and truly care about each family and their goal is to build each family the best and the most beautiful home to make lasting memories with their spouses and their children. It is a long, happy, fun, and at times, stressful journey to the end prize, “Your Dream Home” , but it is well worth it. Plus, the journey just does not end when you your family moves in, DJK CUSTOM HOMES stands behind their work and their warranty. Most importantly, these caring people mentioned above are now are friends for life. They all believe in the most important aspects of life, SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS; MAKING LASTING MEMORIES, in their custom homes that they build for their customers. Once again, a BIG THANK YOU, from The Nicastro Family. WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The owner Dan Kittilsen and his entire staff and employees were always very professional, courteous, kind, and respectful.In addition, Dan is so knowledgeable about every aspect of building your home, that his experience and input will result in the house of your dreams coming to true.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - My wife and I and our three girls would like to personally thank everyone at DJK CUSTOM HOMES for making our dream come true. We feel that it is necessary to mention each caring person that gave their heart and soul in making this happen and getting us to the end prize, our beautiful home. Sincerely, many thank you’s to the Owner, Dan Kittilsen; his Son, Kevin Kittilsen; Project Manager, Mark Papa, Selections Coordinator, Annie Gehrke; Employee, Matt; Employee, Caryn; and everyone involved in making our dream home come true. The DJK CUSTOM HOMES Owner and his employees, really and truly care about each family and their goal is to build each family the best and the most beautiful home to make lasting memories with their spouses and their children. It is a long, happy, fun, and at times, stressful journey to the end prize, “Your Dream Home” , but it is well worth it. Plus, the journey just does not end when you your family moves in, DJK CUSTOM HOMES stands behind their work and their warranty. Most importantly, these caring people mentioned above are now are friends for life. They all believe in the most important aspects of life, SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS; MAKING LASTING MEMORIES, in their custom homes that they build for their customers. Once again, a BIG THANK YOU, from The Nicastro Family. WE LOVE YOU ALL!

We had a very positive experience with DJK. Dan was able to design the house to our specifications, Mark was professional at managing the construction project, and Annie was a joy to work with during the selections process. Overall, we are very happy with our home and would recommend DJK to anyone looking to design and build a new home!

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - We are looking forward to maintaining a relationship with DJK for future upgrades to our home.thank you!Kris and Corey Gass

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - I was most satisfied with the overall quality of the structure.

DJK Custom Homes provided quality that is above and beyond my expectations. The home is highly efficient with utility costs. The costs for this home is far less compared to my first home and it was a smaller home. The bills come in and it makes my wife and I happy the bills are much less than our previous home.

Warranty Explanation

Warranty Explanation - They are addressed right away.

Communication

Communication - They communicate with email or phone so they can replay information. They are good at that.

Recognized Excellence

Recognized Excellence - There is no certain person to recognize because everyone at DJK Custom Homes worked as a team. I would like to thank all of them for making my home beautiful and just the way I wanted it and more. They are all knowledgeable when it comes to the project and very well coordinated in what they do. That's why I am happy because of the satisfaction I received when my home was delivered. I would strongly recommend them to anyone in the market of buying a new home.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - We are so happy with everything they have done for us. We love our new beautiful home. I love them and would recommend to anyone who wants a beautiful quality home.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The quality of the home

I suggest that as a customer you request having everything in writing up front and all of the details and potential charges explained to you upfront as well.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - I was most satisfied with the end product, overall they built me a great home.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Workmanship

Recognized Excellence

Recognized Excellence - The construction Supervisor Mark is outstanding; a true asset to DJK. Annie is also a wonderful support member during the building process.

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - Wonderful company to work with and very happy with our new home!

Additional Comments

Additional Comments - We're really happy in our new home! Besides the great work along the way, I am really happy with the continual communication regarding our needs after our move in. Thanks, DJK!

Recognized Excellence

Recognized Excellence - Dan, Kyle, and Mark are always good

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - We are very happy with the quality of work. We came in with a vision of what the house should look like, and it met that expectation. This house looks like a house you would expect a custom home builder to complete.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - The look of the home and the home itself is a very high quality.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - I was most satisfied with the overall quality.

Lead Source

Lead Source - We heard about DJK Custom Homes from our Realtor.

Areas For Improvement

Areas For Improvement - None

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - After completion, any and all problems were resolved in an effecient and timely manner.

Lead Source

Lead Source - We drove by the model home.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - I like how DJK uses good materials. Also, I had a lot of water on my lot and they knew how to combat that.

Lead Source

Lead Source - I had see a house that DJK had built years ago.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Love Dan, Mark and Kyle. They are really good at their jobs!

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Feel that the home was quality built.

Lead Source

Lead Source - Internet and drive-by.

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - They were committed to me as a customer, even after it was done.

Lead Source

Lead Source - I heard about them through a referral.

Areas For Improvement

Areas For Improvement - None

Areas Of Satisfaction

Areas Of Satisfaction - Quality workmanship and creative expertise

Lead Source

Lead Source - We saw the model home while driving around.