Custom Home Builder in Richmond, IL | Jorndt Fahey
Richmond, IL sits right on the Illinois-Wisconsin state line, roughly ten miles southwest of Lake Geneva and about 60 miles from downtown Chicago. For buyers who want the resort lifestyle of the Lake Geneva corridor without crossing into Wisconsin, it’s one of the most compelling places to build in the entire region. Jorndt Fahey is a custom home builder serving Richmond, IL and the broader Lake Geneva area, bringing the same design standards, trade relationships, and build process to McHenry County that we’ve refined across years of work on the Wisconsin side of the border.
If you’re ready to build a primary residence, a vacation retreat, or a legacy property near Chain O’Lakes and Pistakee Lake, this page covers what working with Jorndt Fahey in Richmond actually looks like: the permitting environment, the features our clients request most, and how we manage every step from lot selection to move-in day.
Why Richmond, IL Is a Prime Location for a Custom Home Build
Richmond occupies a genuinely rare geographic position. The village borders Wisconsin to the north, sits within a short drive of Lake Geneva’s restaurants, shops, and waterfront, and offers direct access to the Chain O’Lakes State Park and Pistakee Lake to the south. Buyers get lake-area character without the premium that attaches to addresses directly on Geneva Lake.
Land costs in McHenry County have historically run below comparable parcels in Walworth County, Wisconsin. That gap can translate directly into more budget for the home itself: a better kitchen, a larger garage, or the outdoor living spaces that make a property feel complete. For Chicago-area buyers, the commute calculus also works well. Richmond is accessible via Route 12 and sits close to Metra’s Fox Lake station, making it a realistic base for professionals who split time between the city and the lake region.
The area’s natural setting adds practical value too. Wooded lots with mature tree lines, proximity to navigable waterways, and quieter roads than you’ll find closer to the Lake Geneva resort core all contribute to a building environment that’s hard to replicate at this price point. See why the broader Lake Geneva region continues to attract second-home buyers at every price point.
What to Expect From the Custom Home Building Process in Richmond
Building a custom home is a multi-stage process, and the sequence matters. Jorndt Fahey works with Richmond clients through every phase: initial consultation, lot evaluation, design development, permitting, construction, and final walkthrough.
The first conversation is about understanding your priorities. How many square feet do you actually need? Do you want a main-floor primary suite? How important is a three-car garage versus a finished lower level? These decisions shape the floor plan before a single drawing is produced. Common floor plan mistakes made early in the process are among the most expensive to fix later, so we spend real time here.
Once design intent is established, we move into permit documentation for McHenry County. Construction timelines for a custom home in the Richmond area typically run 10 to 14 months from permit approval, depending on scope and material lead times. Larger homes with more complex structural or mechanical systems can extend that range. We set realistic schedules at the start and communicate changes as they occur. For a broader look at what the process involves, the National Association of Home Builders outlines the standard phases of residential construction in detail.
Before you enter the design phase, it’s worth reviewing the key decisions every buyer should think through before breaking ground.
Luxury Custom Home Features We Build in Richmond and the Greater Lake Geneva Area
The buyers we work with in the Richmond area bring well-defined expectations. These aren’t buyers choosing from a catalog of pre-set packages. They want specific things, and they want them done right.
The requests we hear most often include:
- Open main-floor plans with great rooms that connect kitchen, dining, and living spaces to covered outdoor areas
- Gourmet kitchens with professional-grade appliances, large islands, and butler’s pantries
- Primary suites with spa-caliber bathrooms, heated tile floors, and walk-in closets designed as rooms
- Dedicated home offices built for real remote work, not converted bedrooms
- Three- and four-car garages, often with finished space above for guest suites or recreation rooms
- Outdoor living spaces that function as a second living room: covered porches, built-in grills, fire features, and in some cases, pool structures
- Energy performance packages including spray foam insulation, high-efficiency mechanicals, and whole-home generators
These features aren’t unusual for our portfolio. They’re standard for the clients we serve across the Lake Geneva region. The same design sensibility and trade partnerships that produce that work carry directly into every Richmond, IL project we take on. Building new with a custom builder is the clearest path to getting all of it under one roof without compromise.
Building Near the Illinois-Wisconsin Border: Permits, Zoning, and What You Need to Know
Richmond falls within McHenry County, Illinois. Permitting goes through the county’s building and zoning department, and the regulatory environment differs from Walworth County on the Wisconsin side in a few meaningful ways.
Illinois requires contractors to hold an active Illinois residential contractor license. Jorndt Fahey maintains licensure on both sides of the border, so clients don’t need to hire a separate Illinois-based builder to manage the county process. One team, one point of contact, one schedule.
McHenry County has its own setback requirements, lot coverage limits, and stormwater management rules. Parcels near Chain O’Lakes or other navigable waterways may trigger additional Illinois EPA or Army Corps review depending on proximity to the ordinary high water mark. We identify these factors during lot evaluation, before you’re under contract on a parcel that creates permitting complications.
For buyers considering this side of the state line for the first time, the Illinois building permits and construction overview is a useful starting reference for understanding state-level requirements. We handle the county-specific work directly.
Zoning in Richmond itself is governed by village ordinance, with some unincorporated parcels falling under county jurisdiction. We assess each lot individually and advise on what’s buildable at the density and scale you’re targeting.
Why Chicago-Area Buyers Choose Jorndt Fahey for Their Richmond, IL Custom Home
Many of our Richmond clients come from the Chicago metropolitan area. They’ve been spending weekends in Lake Geneva for years. At some point, the rental math stops working and the idea of owning something purpose-built takes over.
Richmond is an attractive entry point for that move. It’s close enough to the Lake Geneva resort scene to enjoy everything the area offers, but an Illinois address can simplify tax filing for buyers who maintain a primary residence in Illinois and don’t want to establish Wisconsin domicile. For families with ties to suburban Chicago school districts, corporate headquarters, or extended family, keeping an Illinois address matters.
What buyers get with Jorndt Fahey is a builder whose portfolio is built in this specific region. We know the land. We know which lots have drainage challenges, which roads create access issues during construction, and which subs deliver consistent quality in McHenry and Walworth counties. That regional knowledge shortens the learning curve and reduces surprises.
If you’re weighing your options before committing to a builder, these 10 questions to ask any custom home builder are worth reviewing before your first meeting.
From Lot Selection to Move-In: Our Process for Richmond Clients
The process starts before you own a lot. Jorndt Fahey works with Richmond clients during the site selection phase because the lot determines a significant portion of what the home can be. Orientation, topography, soil conditions, utility availability, and access all shape design possibilities and construction costs.
Our approach for Richmond clients follows the same framework we use across the Lake Geneva area:
- Initial consultation: Define scope, budget range, and priorities
- Lot evaluation: Assess buildability, setbacks, utilities, and any environmental constraints
- Design development: Work with our design team to produce plans that fit the site and your program
- Permitting: Submit to McHenry County and the Village of Richmond as applicable
- Construction: Build to schedule with regular client communication throughout
- Final walkthrough and delivery: Review every system and finish before you take the keys
For buyers still thinking through site options, our lot selection guidance applies directly to the Richmond area as well. The same due diligence questions matter regardless of which side of the border the parcel sits on. Financing a custom build also works differently than a standard mortgage; our overview of custom home financing explains what to expect from construction loans and the draw process.
Frequently Asked Questions: Custom Home Building in Richmond, IL
Buyers new to the Richmond area often come to us with similar questions. Here are the ones we hear most.
Start Your Custom Home Journey in Richmond, IL
Richmond, IL offers a compelling combination: lake-area lifestyle, accessible land, an Illinois address, and a natural connection to everything the Lake Geneva region provides. If you’re ready to build, Jorndt Fahey is the regional custom home builder with the licensure, the trade network, and the design depth to deliver it.
Contact us to schedule an initial consultation. We’ll talk through your goals, discuss your site options if you haven’t selected a lot yet, and give you a clear picture of what a Richmond build involves at your scope and budget. Reach out by phone or use the contact form on our website to get started. We work with a limited number of clients at a time, so early conversations tend to produce better outcomes than waiting until you’re ready to break ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Jorndt Fahey build custom homes in Illinois as well as Wisconsin?
Yes. Jorndt Fahey holds contractor licensure in both Illinois and Wisconsin, and we actively build on both sides of the state line. Richmond, IL is a primary Illinois service area for us, given its proximity to our Lake Geneva-area portfolio and our existing trade network in the region.
How close is Richmond, IL to Lake Geneva, WI, and why does that matter for my build?
Richmond is approximately ten miles southwest of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. That proximity means Richmond-area homeowners have easy access to Lake Geneva’s dining, retail, and waterfront amenities while maintaining an Illinois address. For buyers, it also means Jorndt Fahey can apply the same regional expertise and subcontractor relationships to a Richmond build that we use on the Wisconsin side.
What is the typical timeline for building a custom home in the Richmond, IL area?
Most custom home builds in the Richmond area run 10 to 14 months from permit approval to move-in. Larger homes or projects with complex structural, mechanical, or site requirements can extend that range. We establish a realistic schedule during the design phase and communicate adjustments as the project progresses.
Do I need a separate Illinois contractor for a build in Richmond, or does Jorndt Fahey handle both sides of the border?
Jorndt Fahey is licensed in Illinois and handles permitting, construction management, and subcontractor coordination directly for Richmond projects. You don’t need to hire a separate Illinois-based builder. One team manages the entire process from McHenry County permitting through final delivery.
Can I build a vacation or second home in Richmond, IL through Jorndt Fahey?
Absolutely. A significant portion of our clients are Chicago-area buyers building vacation properties or second homes in the Lake Geneva region. Richmond is a popular choice for buyers who want proximity to the Lake Geneva resort scene with an Illinois address. We build to the same quality standards regardless of whether the home will be a primary or secondary residence.
What luxury features can I include in a custom home build near Richmond?
The full range of luxury features is available. Our Richmond clients regularly include gourmet kitchens with professional appliances, spa-style primary bathrooms, dedicated home offices, multi-car garages with finished upper levels, covered outdoor living spaces, in-ground pools, whole-home generators, and high-performance insulation and mechanical systems. We work from your priorities, not from a pre-set package.
Richmond, IL is more than a geographic footnote on the edge of the Lake Geneva area. It’s a genuine destination for buyers who want a purpose-built luxury home with lake-region access, an Illinois address, and land that still offers real value. Jorndt Fahey brings the design capability, the cross-border licensure, and the regional trade relationships to make that home a reality. Call us or fill out the contact form at jorndtfahey.com to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward building in Richmond.