Real Estate Office

Building Type:

Commercial

From Back Porch to Beautiful Office: Real Estate Agent’s New Building is “Exactly the Way” She Wanted It

Real estate agent Diana B. had outgrown the makeshift office on her daughter’s back porch. What she really needed was a quiet, professional space where clients could comfortably discuss big decisions. Find out how a simple sketch turned into a custom 1,500-square-foot office—one that fits her style and business needs perfectly.

Project Details

What the owner wanted

As a real estate agent, Diana B. works with people facing major life transitions—like buying their first home or parting with one filled with cherished memories. That’s why she wanted a private, welcoming space where clients could feel at ease during those often emotional conversations.

“So I needed them to be able to come in here and sit down and just kind of listen and talk and not feel encumbered by the worries and stresses of what’s coming up,” she says.

What was special about the project

While modern construction often begins with CAD files and design software, Diana’s office started with something simpler: a conversation, a pencil, and a vision.

Working side by side with her Wick builder (more on him below), they sketched out ideas the old-fashioned way—on a yellow notepad. That collaborative, back-to-basics approach resulted in a space that feels as good as it functions.

“When people first walk in here, they are shocked. They can’t believe the space feels so open. I’ve had people say, ‘When can I move in?’”

At 1,500 square feet, the finished office offers the kind of comfort and layout that puts clients at ease, and gives Diana exactly what she needs to do her best work.

“I think it came together beautifully. I love the layout of this property. I just love this building,” she says.

Who helped build it

Diana worked with Greg Drechsler, owner of Drechsler Construction. As an authorized Wick builder, Greg has developed an impressive reputation over his more than 25 years in business.

“I’ve seen some buildings that Greg has built … and he does a beautiful job,” Diana says.

That reputation held true in her case as well. Greg brought the technical knowledge to meet code requirements and the practical insight to help create a space that, in Diana’s words, was “finished exactly the way I wanted it done.”

Why a pole barn from Wick Buildings was the right choice

Diana’s new office doesn’t just meet her needs; it gives her a place where comfort, professionalism, and performance all come together. And because it’s a Wick building, she has also gained long-term advantages built into the materials and construction:

Superior lumber. To make our buildings stronger and last longer, we use only lumber that meets or exceeds machine-graded specs for all structural components, from trusses and columns to girts and purlins. In addition to the visual benefits of this cleaner lumber, it’s at least 15% stronger than regular lumber.

Durable steel. All Wick pole barns include full-hard exterior steel, with 80,000 PSI hardness or better, resulting in fewer dents. That steel is also G-90 galvanized for better corrosion protection.

High-performance paint. Our paint coating is warrantied not to chip or crack for 40 years and comes in a spectrum of colors. Color details for Diana’s building include charcoal gray for the exterior steel walls and smoke gray for the trim and wainscotting.

Exceptional quality. Wick buildings are low maintenance and therefore incredibly reliable. That also means Diana can focus on running her real estate business, not tending to building problems.

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You understand that barndominium/shouse pricing is comparable to studwall home construction, particularly those with traditional 2-3 car garages and basements. Interior finishes are the same in either building type, and the advantages of a barndominium/shouse largely go away when the garage/shop space is modest and a basement is required. In many cases, you can expect to pay the same as studwall construction (i.e., somewhere between $175 - $250 per square foot depending on your market).
You want an attached garage and/or shop space > standard 2-3 car garage (i.e., > 1,200 square feet). Using post-frame building design, a barndominium/shouse is able to create large usable spaces cost-effectively in ways that traditional studwall construction cannot.
You like the aesthetic of steel (for the roof and sidewalls) typically used in a barndominium/shouse. Alternate materials may be used on the exterior, but they add cost.
You are comfortable using a concrete floating slab (or equivalent) to meet your foundation needs. A barndominium/shouse can be built on nearly any concrete foundation, including traditional basements. However, traditional basements are not necessary with a barndominium/shouse and having one increases cost.
You want to do some of the interior work yourself (such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fixtures), or you want to be the general contractor for that scope of work. While some builders will do full turnkey projects, most prefer to perform work through completion of the building shell.

	Yes	No
You understand that barndominium/shouse pricing is comparable to studwall home construction, particularly those with traditional 2-3 car garages and basements. Interior finishes are the same in either building type, and the advantages of a barndominium/shouse largely go away when the garage/shop space is modest and a basement is required. In many cases, you can expect to pay the same as studwall construction (i.e., somewhere between $175 - $250 per square foot depending on your market).
You want an attached garage and/or shop space > standard 2-3 car garage (i.e., > 1,200 square feet). Using post-frame building design, a barndominium/shouse is able to create large usable spaces cost-effectively in ways that traditional studwall construction cannot.
You like the aesthetic of steel (for the roof and sidewalls) typically used in a barndominium/shouse. Alternate materials may be used on the exterior, but they add cost.
You are comfortable using a concrete floating slab (or equivalent) to meet your foundation needs. A barndominium/shouse can be built on nearly any concrete foundation, including traditional basements. However, traditional basements are not necessary with a barndominium/shouse and having one increases cost.
You want to do some of the interior work yourself (such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fixtures), or you want to be the general contractor for that scope of work. While some builders will do full turnkey projects, most prefer to perform work through completion of the building shell.

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