While teaching at West High, a colleague, Kerm, and I both undertook home improvement projects—he added a room to his house, and I built a family room addition to ours. Through frequent conversations with our spouses and friends, we discussed using our summers to work together in construction.
In 1974, I left my summer radio job to work full-time with Kerm. That first summer we focused primarily on concrete projects such as sidewalks, patios, decks, and driveways, relying entirely on word-of-mouth referrals. While the work was steady, we wanted to do more carpentry. The following year, we expanded into building a family room, a garage, and completing porch repairs.
I purchased a used ¾‑ton Chevrolet pickup from a junkyard, repaired it with sheet metal, and painted it myself. Though far from attractive, it was reliable and served our needs well. During this period, we hired Kerm’s son Kevin and his friend John. The four of us worked summers building additions, decks, and even adding a second story to a home. We paid ourselves hourly and retained a portion of earnings for company expenses, which allowed us to purchase tools and eventually upgrade to another used truck.
In 1980, Kerm, our friend Lee, and I purchased a lot in Middleton and built a duplex. We rented it for several years before selling it as condominiums. When I joined the Madison Police Department, I stopped outside construction work, except for building our own home.
The experience gained from these projects gave me the confidence to build a house for my wife, Marcia, and me. In 1987, we purchased a lot for $34,900. Construction began in April 1989. The design was based on a friend’s home, with significant modifications including an expanded master bedroom, pantry, three-season porch, workshop, and lower garage.
I prepared the blueprints, obtained permits, secured the construction loan, and coordinated subcontractors. We subcontracted excavation, concrete, plumbing, insulation, drywall, cabinetry, the pool, and HVAC. Electrical work was completed with the assistance of our friend Dick, a licensed electrician, who advised on design and safety while performing final connections with his son. Marcia assisted with HVAC duct assembly.
The house was completed at a construction cost of $148,000, excluding the lot.
Including post-construction improvements and later replacements, our total investment was $222,900.
As of 2025, the home’s fair market value is estimated at $630,000.
Marcia and I completed approximately 80 percent of the labor, with substantial help from our daughter Sue, as well as friends, neighbors, and family. Lumber was delivered on May 1, 1989, and framing progressed rapidly despite early snow. Trusses were installed by mid-June, the roof was completed by mid-July, and interior work followed. Siding and finish work were completed by November, and we moved in before Christmas 1989. Marcia and Ryan enjoyed the new pool.
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