From finding site to design and construction, builder and owners create dream home

This article was originally published by Jodi Schwan of SiouxFalls.Business

Dr. Chandler Jansen and her husband, Dan, were ready to move back to Sioux Falls – but first wanted to find a place to build their home.

The Jansens met at Augustana University, then moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and Iowa City for her medical training.

When she accepted a role at Avera Dermatology, it was time to find their next address.

“I started putting out some feelers to some builders to see if they had any lots available because we really wanted to be on the south side of town,” she said. “A lot of new construction is in the northeast, and I wanted to see what lots maybe hadn’t been advertised.”

That’s a strength for 1J Homes, which knew of an available property in a neighborhood the Jansens loved.

“We own some lots, but I spend a considerable amount of time with homeowners on what development, what school district or what areas they want to be in,” said Jamison Mutschelknaus, president of 1J Homes, a division of Journey Group.

“I will then reach out to Realtors or contacts I have to find available lots, or I start contacting people who own the lot to help source it. We’re not always successful – infill lots are hard to come by – but we’ve had luck helping people find the right place to build a dream home.”

The Jansens ended up securing the property in 2024 and building in 2025.

“I don’t think we would have gotten this lot without them,” Jansen said.

From the beginning, Jansen had a clear vision. She wanted a coastal-inspired home that reminded her of the couple’s time in Charleston: light, airy and timeless, with details that brought a bit of the South back to Sioux Falls.

“I definitely knew the style of house I wanted and what I was looking for,” she said. “I loved the look of a lot of the homes out there, and we loved our time in Charleston, but all our family was here, so it was a way to bring some of that with us.”

She met with the 1J Homes team the day she closed on the lot.

“I told Jamison what I was looking for and what we really wanted,” Jansen said.

One important request came from Dan, who is 6-foot-9 and wanted a golf simulator. After living in the South, where golf can be played year-round, it was one feature he hoped to bring into their Sioux Falls home.

But because of his height, the simulator could not be added into a standard space.

“With his height, you can’t put that in a normal house,” Jansen said.

Within days, Mutschelknaus had provided three floor plan options for feedback. Less than two weeks later, the Jansens had landed on a final layout.

“That part was very easy,” Jansen said. “I think partially because we knew what we wanted, and Jamison was very good about tweaking my thoughts and putting it out there. He made the drawing process very easy.”

That is how 1J Homes approaches each custom project, Mutschelknaus said.

“It’s sitting down with them trying to figure out what they’re looking for and then designing sketches until we land on a concept,” he said. “From there, we work through the final details on the home design.”

The team uses floor plans, 3D models and renderings to help clients understand what they are building before construction begins.

“A lot of our exterior renderings are photorealistic, so it gives a really good idea of what things will look like,” Mutschelknaus said. “The whole idea is to try and eliminate surprises.”

Process built around transparency

For many homeowners, building a custom home can feel overwhelming. There are countless decisions, from layout and exterior design to cabinets, lighting, tile, flooring and finishes.

1J Homes is designed to help guide clients through those choices without losing sight of budget or schedule.

“We want to make sure the experience is positive for a homeowner because it can be extremely stressful,” Mutschelknaus said. “We do everything we can to prepare and plan to eliminate the surprises.”

That includes reviewing numbers throughout the design and bidding process, involving the project manager and site manager, and maintaining one clear line of communication during construction.

The process also is shaped by 1J Homes’ connection to Journey Group, Mutschelknaus said.

“We’re open, we’re transparent, we show every line item as far as cost,” he said. “We’ve taken the normal process and enhanced it and gave it more of a Journey twist to make sure there are no surprises.”

For the Jansens, that transparency stood out.

Before breaking ground, they met with Mutschelknaus and the 1J team to talk through the scope of the home and the level of finishes they had in mind so the budget would be realistic from the start.

“They asked us in general for ideas about finishes, so when they bid, they could get accurate numbers,” Jansen said. “We hadn’t thought about some things.”

In the end, the allowances and final costs aligned closely with what had been discussed.

“We basically came in when it was all done almost exactly what they had allotted us,” Jansen said. “We were not one of those horror stories where you’re coming in significantly over. What they told us it was going to cost is what it cost.”

1J Homes also uses construction software that allows homeowners to track progress, budgets, selections and photos throughout the build.

“They had an app that tracked all the finances as you make your selections, and it gives a running tally of over or under,” Jansen said. “They were really good about uploading progress photos to that as well.”

That communication matters, Mutschelknaus said, because one of the biggest fears in homebuilding is uncertainty.

“We’ve heard horror stories of people going to closing and finding out the cost is $100,000 more than they thought,” he said. “We give them a price, and they have allowances in there for things like cabinets and other selections they make, which keeps the homeowners in charge of their own price changes.”

Design support from start to finish

The Jansens also worked closely with Taylor Even, interior designer for 1J Homes, who helped coordinate selections and appointments.

That was especially valuable because Jansen had a busy schedule — and had a baby in September while the home was underway.

“Taylor was very helpful,” Jansen said. “With my schedule, I don’t have a ton of flexibility, and she was very good about getting things organized, what we could handle while on maternity leave and giving me timelines for selections.”

Mutschelknaus said Even is highly involved in every project, even when clients bring in their own designer.

“We’re extremely flexible, so if someone wants to bring a designer, it’s fine,” he said. “But we try to close the gap. Sometimes not having our designer involved leaves gaps, and that’s where problems or errors or omissions come in.”

With 1J Homes’ designer involved, selections get communicated clearly to the project manager and site manager, reducing the chance of missed details.

For the Jansens, the combination of having a clear vision and a strong team to execute it made the process smooth.

“I think they did a great job,” Jansen said.

Moving in

The finished home reflects the coastal style Jansen had envisioned, while also being highly tailored to the way their family lives.

The home includes elevated ceilings, larger doors and custom spaces designed specifically for the couple, including the golf simulator built around Dan’s height.

“A lot of it was tailored to them,” Mutschelknaus said.

The golf simulator has been used often, especially after their baby goes to sleep or when summer heat makes it harder to get to the golf course.

Other favorite spaces include the kitchen, great room, fireplace, screened-in deck and workout room.

“I really love the kitchen. I love how the kitchen turned out, the great room and fireplace,” Jansen said. “Having a workout room in the house with a baby makes it really nice. I can work out while she’s still sleeping.”

Mutschelknaus said the project was enjoyable from the beginning because the Jansens had a distinct vision and the 1J Homes team was able to help bring it to life.

“They knew they wanted a coastal home, and working with them to pull that information out of their head was a lot of fun,” he said. “They felt like they were taking time with it, but for us, it was easy. That’s what we’re here for.”

For Jansen, the best part of the experience was that 1J Homes made a complicated process feel manageable.

“They made it really easy,” she said. “If there ever was a concern and I reached out, they were extremely good about being on top of things. They just made the process very easy.”

Ready to build?

1J Homes has availability to take on new builds, though homeowners considering construction are encouraged to start early.

The design process typically takes two to three months, followed by bidding and preparation before construction begins.

“I don’t like to rush people,” Mutschelknaus said. “It’s the perfect time to begin now for a spring construction start.”

Some clients come to 1J Homes with a site already secured, while others need help finding one. Either way, the process begins with understanding where they want to live, how they want the home to function and what details matter most.

For the Jansens, that approach helped turn a return to Sioux Falls into a custom home that reflects where they have been and how they want to live today.

“I love it,” Jansen said. “I think it turned out awesome. So far, there’s not really anything I wish I would have done differently. I absolutely love it.”

To learn more about working with 1J Homes, visit here.