Client Raves

McCanse Builders created and built my dream house in 2003. I found house plans that I liked but it needed several revisions to fit my needs. Rick and Tony were extremely helpful in creating the final blueprints. The building process went quickly with very few hitches. I lived next door to the building site so was able to watch the process very closely. All of the builders and subcontractors were very friendly and helpful if I had questions. Tony was always a phone call away and came to the site anytime that I needed him. I love the house and am extremely happy with the finished project. McCanse Builders did a great job and I would highly recommend them to anyone thinking of taking on the major task of building a dream home.

Gig Bellows
Oregon IL

Custom River Deck

To fully appreciate our beautiful deck – we have only to recall our first two years at 401 Fair Street. Dennis and I were so proud to show everyone our waterfront property. We would walk across Hwy 2, then grandly encourage our guests to bravely walk straight down 42 shabby and deterriorating steps @ a steep 45 degree angle, to the very gritty and grubby narrow shore of the Rock River. There was no room for a chair or space to walk past each other. The view was compromised – our guests would say, unimpressively, wow, turn and walk back up the 42 steps!
Many times we sat on the steps dreaming of what it would feel – to have a level deck for the awesome scenery. We took to sitting on a roadside swing, just to appreciate the wonderful valley view with a massive and mighty river changing with every season. 

Rick and Seth McCanse changed all that musing and wonder. Their mantra, “fanatical to detail” is exactly positioned for our project.

+ spending extra thought and time to envisioning the possiblities – (only the designers will know exactly how much time!)
+ calculating the exact potential given the angle, the existing vintage stair, & keeping the mature trees
+ ensuring the necessary permits for water’s edge on a state highway, in a village and on the waterfront
+ writing a proposal that would meet our budget, and keep within McCanse expenditure
+ circumventing the unknowns ……with a challenging project
+ utilizing the vintage stairs, then flowing that wrought iron material into the cedar railing
+ designing the railing to match and compliment the gazebo styling
+ implementing Pamela’s vision to plop a 14′ cedar gazebo on that 20′ deck
+ creating space for flowers, leaving & protecting shade and decorative trees
+ staying patient with Haug’s antsy delay of gratification
+ recommending the composite material that will survive the test of time
+ Completion is charming, gracious and spacious for every entertaining event, special enough for family commemorative cermonies. We feel this deck is an inspiration to others; that the rivers’ edge is more than worthy of being appreciated and enjoyed — tree-mendously more so than just at the roadside!

Amazingly, for the deck’s grand height and size, drivers on Hwy 2 cannot see it driving by. But it is a pretty impressive sight! Now we invite the neighbors to stop by just to see what McCanse “manifested” from the deep river’s edge and up!

Finally, as we cheer up the neighbors during winter’s length, waiting for spring, every conversation turns to the advent of using our new deck. The question always comes around to, “did you build it above the flood stage?” We grandly answer, Rick McCanse perfectly planned the turn of the stairs to land just above the 100 year mark!!

From each framed window of the gazebo, when we look in every direction, the view is perfect.
Boaters and curious lookers from the east side cannot help but marvel at the classy addition to the Rock River valley,
Thank you Thank you, Rick and Seth McCanse you did create a marvelous river deck for us!!

Dennis and Pamela Haug

“Fanatical Attention to Details” is more than a slogan for McCanse Builders, it is the approach they took in the building of our house. We are extremely pleased with the quality construction of our new home and would certainly recommend them to others.

– Tim & Penny O’Rourke

Molly and I found Rick and his crew to be very easy to work with throughout the building process.

We liked the cost-plus arrangement because there is no incentive for the builder to cut corners, yet Rick works hard to get you the best home for your money. There are many people that can build houses, but Rick is a true craftsman. He brings great design ideas to each project.

When we have guests to our home, we get many compliments about the many unique touches.

Building a house is a major undertaking. Rick made the entire process as painless as possible.

We made several modifications to our home mid-stream. It was as easy as a phone call. There were no written change orders, and no hassles.

We shook hands when we signed the contract and shook hands after the final draw. That is how Rick does business.