Journal
Notes on building a custom home in Chelan and North Central Washington: costs, design, timing and the life of a lake house.
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Buying a Lake Chelan Waterfront Lot: What to Know
Before buying a Lake Chelan waterfront lot, check shoreline buffers, dock rules, water and wastewater, slope and access. A buyer's guide.
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What Sets a Truly Great Custom Home Builder Apart — And Why It Matters in Lake Chelan
Six things that set a great custom home builder apart on Lake Chelan, from decades of experience and real awards to transparency and care after move-in.
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Why Fall is the Best Time to Start Building Your Dream Home in Lake Chelan
Why fall is a good time to start planning a Lake Chelan custom home: time for design and permits, and features suited to every season on the lake.
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Building Your Dream Home in Chelan, WA: A Comprehensive Guide by Parmenter Homes
A step-by-step guide to building in Chelan, WA, from choosing a lakeside, hillside or vineyard-adjacent lot through design and construction.
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Building Your Dream Home in North Central Washington with Parmenter Homes in 2025
Why build in Chelan, Leavenworth, Wenatchee or Suncadia in 2025, and what Parmenter Homes brings to a custom home in North Central Washington.
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From Lake to Mountain: Designing Homes for Chelan's Diverse Landscapes
How Parmenter Homes designs for Chelan's lakefront and mountain lots, from lake-level changes and snow loads to local materials like cedar and stone.
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The Ultimate Guide to Building Your Dream Home in Chelan, WA
A guide to building a custom home in Chelan, WA: why people build here, zoning, environmental and permit rules, and how to design for the setting.
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How Much Does It Cost to Build a Custom Home in Suncadia?
What does a custom home in Suncadia cost? How the Parmenter Homes flat percentage fee works, and how lot, design and site work affect the total.
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Building Your Dream Vacation Home in Suncadia: Luxury, Sustainability, and Investment Potential
Why Suncadia, near Cle Elum, suits a vacation home, second home or rental, and how Parmenter Homes designs for sustainability and long-term value.
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Fall in Chelan: The Perfect Time to Start Building Your Custom Home with Parmenter Homes
Why fall is a good season to start a custom home in Chelan: mild weather, shorter builder wait times and structural work done before winter.
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The Perfect Fall Getaway: Vacation Homes in Chelan and Suncadia
Why Chelan and Suncadia make good fall getaways: wineries and quiet lake days in Chelan, forest walks and golf in Suncadia's mountain setting.
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Embracing Indoor-Outdoor Connectivity in Custom Home Building
How Parmenter Homes connects indoor and outdoor living, with large sliding or folding glass doors, outdoor kitchens and open-air living areas.
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7 Trends in Luxury Home Design for Summer 2024
Seven home design trends for summer 2024, from seamless indoor-outdoor living and smart home systems to stone and wood inspired by Lake Chelan.
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Summer Living: Designing the Perfect Lake Chelan Custom Home with Parmenter Homes
Design your dream custom home in Lake Chelan with Parmenter Homes. Explore features for summer living, from outdoor spaces to energy-efficient designs.
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Considering Building a Custom Home in Chelan in 2024?
Building in Chelan in 2024? What the Parmenter Homes Experience offers: craftsmanship, personal design, smart technology and clear communication.
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Exciting News: Parmenter Homes Expanding to Suncadia and Tumble Creek, Washington!
Parmenter Homes expands to Suncadia and Tumble Creek, bringing early involvement, value engineering, Buildertrend access and a full-time team.
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Embarking on a New Chapter: Building Your Custom Home in the New Year with Parmenter Homes
Planning to build this year? Parmenter Homes on defining your lifestyle needs, setting a realistic budget, personalizing your space and construction.
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Tailoring Luxury: Collaborative Design with Parmenter Homes for Your Eastern Washington Dream Home
How Parmenter Homes designs collaboratively with you, architects and designers for homes in Chelan, Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere and Manson.
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Embracing FALL: Seasonal Design Tips for Your Custom Home
Fall design ideas for your Chelan custom home: a warm color palette, nature-inspired accents, cozy textures and the fireplace as a focal point.
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Harmonizing Home Design with Chelan's Natural Beauty: Architectural Trends in Custom Home Building
Design trends that tie a Chelan home to its setting: earthy palettes, glass walls and covered patios, and rustic beams and stone with modern lines.
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Chelan's Luxury Living: Interior Design Trends by Parmenter Homes
Five Chelan interior design trends: open-concept layouts, locally inspired decor, high-end finishes, indoor-outdoor living and full customization.
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Luxury Features Worth Considering for Your Custom Home in Chelan, Washington
Features worth considering for a Chelan custom home: floor-to-ceiling windows, an outdoor kitchen, a wine cellar and tasting room, and a spa-like suite.
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From Blueprint to Reality: Parmenter Homes' Approach to Custom Home Construction in Washington State
How Parmenter Homes takes a custom home from lot search and design through specifications, budget, scheduling, project management and construction.
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The Ultimate Guide to Preparing Your Chelan Vacation Home for Memorial Day Weekend
Get your Chelan vacation home ready for Memorial Day weekend: deep cleaning, restocking supplies and outdoor amenities, plus notes for future owners.
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Escape to Lake Chelan: Why Parmenter Homes is the Perfect Builder for Your Second Home
Building a second home on Lake Chelan? Why local expertise, custom design, quality craftsmanship and Home Services matter when you're often away.
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How to choose the right custom home builder for your lake chelan dream home
How to choose a custom home builder for Lake Chelan: experience, licensing and insurance, client reviews, and how Parmenter Homes measures up.
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Small Lot, Big Dreams: Building Your Dream Waterfront Home in Chelan and Manson
Tips for a custom home on a small waterfront lot in Chelan or Manson: design for the view, add outdoor living space and plan multi-functional rooms.
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Building for the Chelan Climate: Tips and Tricks
Tips for building a home that handles Chelan's hot summers and cold winters, from spray foam insulation and Low-E windows to the right HVAC system.
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More Than Just a Builder: A Look at our Home Maintenance Program
Inside the Parmenter Home Services program: tailored preventative maintenance, on-site oversight and service reports kept as part of your home's record.
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Designing for Life: The 2 to 20 Concept
The 2 to 20 concept from Parmenter Homes: designing a Lake Chelan home that feels right for two people and opens up to host a group of 20.
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Is A Custom Home Worth The Investment?
Is a custom home worth it? The case versus buying an existing or spec home: a better fit, energy efficiency, lower maintenance and long-term value.
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Happy New Year!
Parmenter Homes marks its 32nd year in business with thanks to the Chelan community and a look at its personal approach and quality materials.
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Cost of Custom home building in Chelan
What drives the cost of a custom home in Chelan: materials and scope, budget accuracy and fees, timeline, the project team and ongoing maintenance.
Let's talk about your home
Tell us about your land, your plans or simply the idea. An early conversation is where we add the most value.