What is the Craftsman Series?

The Craftsman Series is a finish-it-yourself post-frame home program from Sherman Buildings. We build your home up to the mechanical rough-in — a weather-tight, fully framed structure with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-ins in place — and then hand it off so you can complete the interior finishing yourself. It is a flexible, cost-smart path to a custom home for hands-on owners across Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

What exactly does Sherman build, and what do I finish?

By default, Sherman builds the foundation, the engineered post-frame shell (posts, trusses, roof, exterior, windows), and the mechanical rough-ins for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. From there, you handle the finishing work: insulation, drywall, paint, flooring, interior trim, cabinetry, fixtures, and furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E). The split between what we build and what you finish is fully customizable.

Can I change where Sherman stops building?

Yes. The mechanical rough-in is our standard finish line, but it is not fixed. We can custom-pick the stopping point to match your skills, budget, and timeline. If you want us to stop earlier or carry the build further — even all the way to a turnkey finished home — we can accommodate that.

Can you live in a Craftsman Series home?

Yes. A Craftsman Series home is a permanent, code-built post-frame home designed for full-time living. Because the finishing work happens after Sherman completes the shell and rough-ins, you move in once your interior finishing is complete and the home passes its final inspections — the same standard as any new home.

How does financing work for a finish-it-yourself home?

Financing a partially finished home works differently than a turnkey build, since lenders evaluate the completed structure and your finishing plan. Sherman can walk you through the options and connect the conversation to our financing resources so you understand how a Craftsman Series project fits your budget. Start with our financing page or talk to our team early in the design phase.

Who is the Craftsman Series right for?

It is ideal for hands-on owners, DIYers, tradespeople, and anyone who wants to control finishing costs by doing the interior work themselves. You get Sherman’s 50 years of post-frame structural expertise on the part that matters most — the shell and rough-ins — while keeping the flexibility to finish on your own terms.

How long does a Craftsman Series build take?

Sherman’s portion — site prep, foundation, shell, and mechanical rough-in — typically moves faster than a full turnkey home because we hand off before interior finishing. Your overall move-in timeline then depends on how quickly you complete the finishing work. We coordinate our schedule with your finishing plan during design.

Where does Sherman build Craftsman Series homes?

Sherman Buildings serves Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin from our headquarters in Mora, MN. That includes the Twin Cities metro and east-central Minnesota, the Brainerd Lakes and Duluth regions, and the Wisconsin St. Croix Valley and Northwoods — Polk, Burnett, Barron, St. Croix, and surrounding counties. If you are searching for a finish-it-yourself or shell home builder near you in this region, the Craftsman Series is built for you.

Does the Craftsman Series cost less than a turnkey home?

For most owners, yes — because you supply the labor and source the materials for the finishing work, you control a large share of the project cost directly. Sherman focuses on the engineered shell and rough-ins, and you decide how much of the finishing you take on. Because every home, site, and finish level is different, we do not publish per-square-foot prices or cost ranges; instead, we scope each project individually with a free quote.

Can I get a Craftsman Series cabin instead of a full-time home?

Yes. The Craftsman Series works equally well for cabins, lake homes, and weekend retreats across Minnesota and the Wisconsin Northwoods. We build the weather-tight post-frame shell and rough-ins, and you finish the interior on your own timeline — a popular approach for seasonal and recreational properties.

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Craftsman Series blueprint transitioning into a finished post-frame home by Sherman Buildings

The Craftsman Series

We build the home. You finish it your way.

50 years building in the Upper Midwest (since 1976)
4.6★ across 209 Google reviews
Licensed MN contractor #BC004619
Serving MN & NW Wisconsin

We build the shell. You build the dream. — The Craftsman Series film.

A Custom Post-Frame Home, Finished on Your Terms

The Craftsman Series is built for hands-on owners. Sherman Buildings constructs your post-frame home up to the mechanical rough-in— a weather-tight, fully framed structure with the foundation poured and the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-ins in place. From there, the finishing is yours: drywall, paint, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, and everything down to the FF&E.

It is a cost-smart, flexible path to a custom home. You get Sherman’s 50 years of structural expertise on the part that matters most — the engineered shell and the rough-ins — while keeping control of the interior finish and its budget. And the finish line is not fixed: we can custom-pick the stopping point, stop earlier, or keep building all the way to a turnkey home if that is what you want.

Not sure where to start? Browse our floor-plan models for layout inspiration, then bring your favorite to us as the basis for a Craftsman Series build.

What We Build vs. What You Finish

A clear handoff: Sherman delivers a weather-tight, rough-in-ready shell — you take it from there.

Sherman builds

The shell, sealed & roughed in

Permitting coordination & site prep
Foundation
Engineered post-frame shell (posts, trusses, roof)
Exterior, siding & windows
Electrical, plumbing & HVAC rough-ins

You finish

Interior fit-out, your way

Insulation & drywall
Paint & interior trim
Flooring
Cabinetry & fixtures
Furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E)

Prefer a different split? The Craftsman finish line is customizable — tell us where you want Sherman to stop, and we will build to it.

How the Craftsman Series Build Works

A clear handoff from Sherman’s structural expertise to your finishing vision.

Design & Plan Your Home

We work with you to choose a floor plan and customize the layout, footprint, and exterior of your post-frame home. This is where we define your finish line — the exact point you want Sherman to build to.

Site Prep & Foundation

Sherman handles permitting coordination, grading, and the foundation so your build starts on solid footing.

Shell & Structure

We erect the engineered post-frame structure — posts, trusses, roof, windows, and exterior — creating a weather-tight, fully framed home.

Mechanical Rough-In

Our standard Craftsman finish line: we bring the home to the mechanical rough-in — electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-ins in place — ready for insulation and interior finishing.

You Take It From Here

From the rough-in forward, you own the finishing: insulation, drywall, paint, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, and FF&E. Do it yourself or hire your own trades on your own timeline and budget.

Or Let Us Go Further

Prefer a different stopping point? We can custom-pick where the Craftsman build ends — or keep going through finishing if you want a turnkey home. Your call.

Craftsman Series Gallery

Post-frame homes and cabins built by Sherman Buildings — structures ready for owners to make their own.

Get the Craftsman Series Guide

A free walkthrough of how the build works, what we hand off and when, the four pillars of the program, and the real-world factors that shape your finishing scope — plus who the Craftsman Series is built for.

Download the Guide (PDF)

Where We Build the Craftsman Series

Sherman Buildings has built post-frame homes across the Upper Midwest since 1976 from our headquarters in Mora, Minnesota. Wherever you are in our service area, we bring the same engineered shell and rough-in quality to your Craftsman Series build.

Minnesota

Built from our Mora, MN headquarters since 1976.

Twin Cities metro & east-central Minnesota
Kanabec, Pine, Isanti & Chisago Counties
Mille Lacs, Sherburne & Benton Counties
Aitkin, Crow Wing & the Brainerd Lakes area
St. Louis County & the greater Duluth region

Northwest Wisconsin

Serving the St. Croix Valley and the Northwoods.

Polk, Burnett & Barron Counties
St. Croix & Pierce Counties
Washburn, Sawyer & Rusk Counties
The Hayward & Spooner lakes region

Searching for a finish-it-yourself or shell home builder near you in Minnesota or northwest Wisconsin? Reach out and we will confirm coverage for your build site.

Craftsman Series FAQ

: The Craftsman Series is a finish-it-yourself post-frame home program from Sherman Buildings. We build your home up to the mechanical rough-in — a weather-tight, fully framed structure with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-ins in place — and then hand it off so you can complete the interior finishing yourself. It is a flexible, cost-smart path to a custom home for hands-on owners across Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.
: By default, Sherman builds the foundation, the engineered post-frame shell (posts, trusses, roof, exterior, windows), and the mechanical rough-ins for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. From there, you handle the finishing work: insulation, drywall, paint, flooring, interior trim, cabinetry, fixtures, and furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E). The split between what we build and what you finish is fully customizable.
: Yes. The mechanical rough-in is our standard finish line, but it is not fixed. We can custom-pick the stopping point to match your skills, budget, and timeline. If you want us to stop earlier or carry the build further — even all the way to a turnkey finished home — we can accommodate that.
: Yes. A Craftsman Series home is a permanent, code-built post-frame home designed for full-time living. Because the finishing work happens after Sherman completes the shell and rough-ins, you move in once your interior finishing is complete and the home passes its final inspections — the same standard as any new home.
: Financing a partially finished home works differently than a turnkey build, since lenders evaluate the completed structure and your finishing plan. Sherman can walk you through the options and connect the conversation to our financing resources so you understand how a Craftsman Series project fits your budget. Start with our financing page or talk to our team early in the design phase.
: It is ideal for hands-on owners, DIYers, tradespeople, and anyone who wants to control finishing costs by doing the interior work themselves. You get Sherman’s 50 years of post-frame structural expertise on the part that matters most — the shell and rough-ins — while keeping the flexibility to finish on your own terms.
: Sherman’s portion — site prep, foundation, shell, and mechanical rough-in — typically moves faster than a full turnkey home because we hand off before interior finishing. Your overall move-in timeline then depends on how quickly you complete the finishing work. We coordinate our schedule with your finishing plan during design.
: Sherman Buildings serves Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin from our headquarters in Mora, MN. That includes the Twin Cities metro and east-central Minnesota, the Brainerd Lakes and Duluth regions, and the Wisconsin St. Croix Valley and Northwoods — Polk, Burnett, Barron, St. Croix, and surrounding counties. If you are searching for a finish-it-yourself or shell home builder near you in this region, the Craftsman Series is built for you.
: For most owners, yes — because you supply the labor and source the materials for the finishing work, you control a large share of the project cost directly. Sherman focuses on the engineered shell and rough-ins, and you decide how much of the finishing you take on. Because every home, site, and finish level is different, we do not publish per-square-foot prices or cost ranges; instead, we scope each project individually with a free quote.
: Yes. The Craftsman Series works equally well for cabins, lake homes, and weekend retreats across Minnesota and the Wisconsin Northwoods. We build the weather-tight post-frame shell and rough-ins, and you finish the interior on your own timeline — a popular approach for seasonal and recreational properties.

Build the Shell with Sherman. Finish It Your Way.

Tell us where you want the build to stop. We will handle the structure and rough-ins so you can take it from there. Start with a free, no-obligation quote.

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