The Business of Building
Lehman Construction Reaches 40 Years in Business
Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger
Photography Provided
However many ways there are to define what makes a house a home, there seems to always be one common thread. A home is a haven, a place in which those who are blessed to live there, and those who arrive as guests, will always feel welcome.
That sentiment carries 
over to the business realm as well. There is a sense of pride and ownership in being able to artfully present a gallery of goods and services. A well-executed design beckons prospective clients with a sense of wonder. Transitioning to the topic of customer service, it’s worth mentioning that not all suppliers go the extra mile. I’ve had the pleasure of working with a company where the staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to assist with any queries or concerns. This level of service, coupled with their high-quality products, makes choosing the right supplier an easy decision.
And wherever customers might fall on that spectrum of services, Lehman Construction of Shipshewana is at the ready, with decades of innovation and ingenuity to foster that reputation.
Lehman Construction is marking its 40th anniversary this year. Founded in 1983 by Orie Lehman, the company is a design-build construction business, and has become highly sought after by those who have a concept and a dream. If the idea dwells in the imagination, the artisans are there to build it to a reality.
Working in both residential and commercial sectors, Lehman Construction can take on projects that rise from the ground up, as well as remodeling and renovation. Our design theme is a rustic, modern blend, says Amzie Lehman, of the firms owners. The way we build our houses, toy barns and renovations is, we take that same theme of the timeless craftsman skills and blend it with todays most effective technology. We live Steve Jobss motto: Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
One of the most unique and aesthetically appealing construction methods that Lehman Construction uses is timber framing. The process involves using minimal beams and heavy timber to define a space with an open, airy feeling that simplifies the flow from one room to another. Rather than conceal the interlocking joints and pegs, they are instead incorporated as part of the design, working to emphasize time-honored construction methods.
The staff can always walk customers through every phase of the design and building process, Lehman says. We design the house, starting with the site, and we brought Rob Yoder on board to make the site planning and permitting a simple, easy process, he says. Lehmans role as a Certified Professional Building Designer allows him to, as he puts it, guide you through the design process, starting with the site and the existing house, modeling it, and showing you efficient design options where you can walk through it. We make simplicity out of complexity. Our primary focus is construction, and we are also happy to work with your designer and your general contractor.
Once the foundation and bones of the building are in place, one of the next steps is to consult with Elva Lehman, who brings more than 20 years of field construction experience to the table. He will take the house plans and designs, and work with our decorator to put together easy-to-select design examples, Lehman says. Then we schedule our trade partners. Having a trade partner and his crew show up and do
what they said they would do looks very easy and simple when it happens. But when it doesnt happen, it is complicated and difficult, and it looks like a genius when you do have it. Elva does that with ease of having a trade-partner team, from excavations to foundations, to our in-house framing crew, to our team of electricians, plumbing and heating people, to bring the house together and make it happen.
Lehman says one of the most rewarding aspects of the work that Lehman Construction does comes with the completion of the project. At the end we give you your keys, and you open the door and we celebrate, he says. If you want to live in your dream home, the first step is to schedule your no-obligation consultation meeting, to see you and learn if were a good fit for each other.
To do exactly that, call Lehman Construction at 260-768-7706, or submit a contact form at lehmanconstruction.com. Lehman Construction is located at 245 Morton Street, #204 in Shipshewana.
