For over a century, Carl M. Hansen Companies has been building custom homes in the Minneapolis and Edina area. Expert management of our workflow and a commitment to honesty allow us to deliver a high level of customer service, quality craftsmanship, and value that has defined our work and guided our vision.
Photo by Meghan Doll Photography
How did you get started in the building industry?
Homebuilding has been a part of my life from the beginning. I visited job sites with my grandfather as a child, and I grew up listening to conversations about homebuilding. After working outside the building industry for a few years, I moved back to Minnesota to work in the family business and continue my grandfather’s tradition of building fine homes and providing top client service.
How would you describe your build style?
We are truly partners in the process. From the initial design meetings to follow-up service, we are always there to provide insight and guidance. Knowing every aspect of the design, selections, and how everything fits together is not only valuable, but crucial to understanding the goals of the client and to better guide the project from start to finish. From cost control to quality control, you will not find a better partner than Carl M. Hansen Companies.
What are the most important elements of a successful build team?
Trust and communication are the most important elements of our team. It starts with honesty, managing expectations, and being there to answer a phone call or email. Having everyone that is on-site share the same vision and goals ensures a successful project.
What do you wish others knew about your company?
We are not a large company. On a typical day there are three of us working on two or three projects at a time. We turn down more projects than we take, ensuring our clients the proper attention and supervision they deserve. There are no new handoffs of projects to unfamiliar employees after the sale. We all sit in on design meetings, work on pricing, present proposals, and are on-site daily until the project is completed. Not to mention being accessible and available to help after you move in.
What are some of your favorite trends in new construction?
We believe that the future of homebuilding isn’t about new colors, countertops, and automation—it’s about health and energy. Understanding the building techniques and technology that support a healthy indoor environment is the future. Health and energy converge with insulation and ventilation advancements to provide the energy savings needed to sustain the environment. It’s not about adding solar panels or more inches of insulation, it’s about understanding the cost and benefits in tomorrow’s dollars, without breaking the bank today. Health and energy are not just a trend, it will be the most important aspect of homebuilding going forward.
What makes you most proud to be a builder?
Exceeding expectations is the best part of my job – from the initial meeting to handing over the keys. Magic happens in between, and I am proud to be a part of it. Building homes is a cool job. Creating something that will be around for years after I am gone gives me a sense of purpose. Being able to carry on a family legacy in the strongest, most exceptional way possible, gives me meaning and guides me to be the best builder possible. Seeing a client invite their friends and family over to their new home that I helped create is a very proud moment.
How do you define an Artisan home?
An Artisan home is not an ordinary home. It is the product of thoughtful design and execution. A home that will stand the test of time and combines art and science in a way that yields a thoughtful, beautiful result that stands out from today’s norm.
