As fathers to 12 children combined, Jonathan Clow and Scott Wilson understand the importance of home—a safe, dependable, and inspirational place that functions as well as it looks and is built to last for generations. As managing co-owners of Strong Roots Development, they guide clients through the entire building process with a mission to “inspire and develop beauty, resiliency, and independence in our local communities.”
To achieve this, they draw from their wide-ranging expertise in construction project management, real estate investment, and fine woodworking/cabinetry. Add to this their decades of finance, risk, and investment background, and you have a formidable team capable of enhancing the most vital aspects of your build: quality, efficiency, and accountability.
A common sentiment is that building a new home on raw, undeveloped land is both exciting and daunting. Technical aspects such as utilities, road planning, materials staging, environmental safety controls, or planning for future phases require a special attention to detail from the beginning. Strong Roots brings the key insights that impact planning, along with an eye for the practical considerations that empower owners to direct resources efficiently. Why not focus on pretty pictures? Once the honeymoon of “the why and the what” is conquered, “the how” persists and ultimately determines the outcome and longevity of your home.
Building your home presents a unique moment of opportunity. “During this small construction window, you have all the necessary equipment, expertise, and materials on site. This is the perfect time to think beyond the initial structure,” says Clow. “And when we engage, we often find that changes to water delivery, wastewater treatment, electrical power supply, and the like can be achieved simply and cost-effectively, allowing for unimpeded expansions in the future. Project savings can sometimes even be re-directed to accomplish the vision months or years sooner.”
“We consider these possibilities and impacts from the start, so clients can make informed decisions about what to include in the initial build and what can wait for later phases,” adds Wilson.
For many Strong Roots clients, this forethought is multi-faceted. For instance, in recent years, working from home has proliferated. “The pandemic reminded us how fragile our society is, and that our homes can serve as a separate, vibrant, and inspiring place to provide for the family, while enjoying the close proximity of our loved ones,” says Clow. These needs play out as new spaces with unique features. Whole-home backup generators have become a common add-on, and rainwater collection has surpassed drilled wells as the most common water source. Additionally, utilizing edible landscapes, greenhouses, and productive animal and livestock spaces provides an element of food independence. Strong Roots’ partnership with Food Forest Abundance, a permaculture-based landscaping co-operative, powers these initiatives.
This creativity and thoroughness does not end with the physical build. More recently, Strong Roots has leaned on its investing roots to explore unique “commissioned spec” opportunities for families that may struggle with the timing of the project, such as the impracticality of being displaced for several months, maximizing the sale of their current residence, or having flexibility in securing the most favorable new home financing rate. This could be the difference between securing a dream home with move-in equity or choosing to renovate an existing home with limited returns. Strong Roots wants the investment to yield both lifestyle and financial benefits long into the future.
Strong Roots Development is committed to being “all-in” on meeting the particular needs of the families it serves. Wilson shares, “We hope to lead efforts in a way where decision-making is transparent and proactive communication is the standard. We want each client to feel educated on the plan, practices, and future maintenance of what, to most, is the biggest single financial investment of their lives.”
For Clow and Wilson, this is the truly exciting part of building: solving the puzzle for independent, sustainable, abundant living while balancing the unique and varied set of needs presented by each new owner. While your property’s complete vision may unfold over time, Strong Roots plans strategically from day one, laying the groundwork for future possibilities while maximizing your initial investment.
“Our greatest responsibility is to manage clients’ resources because your home should provide a lifetime (or two, or three) of satisfaction and enjoyment.” That is a true legacy home.
BuildWithStrongRoots.com | @srd_builder
Our homes can serve as a separate, vibrant, and inspiring place to provide for the family, while enjoying the close proximity of our loved ones.