The Ultimate Guide to Amish Construction

Amish communities possess an enduring commitment to tradition and share an intense passion for excellent craftsmanship. From preparing delicious foods to constructing beautiful buildings, their work remains a stellar example of handcrafted mastery. 

When Bay to Beach Builders first opened for business, we knew we had to involve local Amish craftsmen in our operations. Homes built by Amish contractors are among the finest quality and longest-enduring structures in the world. Partnering with them allows us to combine our contemporary design principles with their time-tested building methods to create a finished product that our customers can keep in their families for generations. 

If you are looking for the custom-built Amish home of your dreams, we hope this post will help you understand everything you need to know about their construction methods. 

What Makes Amish Construction Unique? 

Amish construction practices date back far prior to the invention of the modern electrical grid. Before we had power tools to build faster and the internet to watch videos about construction techniques, they were erecting many buildings that still stand today. 

During our construction projects, our craftsmen work to create a unique living space for the buyer. Each home is constructed by hand. We don’t just drop a cookie-cutter prefab onto your land and call it “done.” Instead, each piece of wood is fixed in its rightful place by hand from the lumber pile to the finished project. 

Over countless generations, the Amish have perfected their construction methods. Each project they complete is inspected to the strictest quality standards. This results in beautiful buildings that have earned their community a remarkable reputation for craftsmanship. 

Though the Amish typically avoid using electricity, that does not mean they do not use power tools. Most will use battery-operated or air-powered (pneumatic) alternatives during construction projects alongside traditional hand tools like hammers and mallets, hatchets, chisels, saws, and many more. 

Because most Amish do not drive vehicles, they also do their work completely by hand. This means no heavy construction equipment crowding your plot of land while they work. However, if construction vehicles are needed, our team does include non-Amish members as well, and they can use them if the job requires. 

Will My Amish Built Home Have Electricity? 

Absolutely! Our Amish-constructed homes are connected to standard public utility grids like any other building. The Amish choose to eschew these modern conveniences in their own communities out of personal choice, and they do not impose these values on others. 

How Amish and Non-Amish Construction Teams Work Together

Using our team of both Amish and non-Amish members as an example, we merge our modern insights with their timeless construction methods. This allows us to showcase their work through our digital channels and provide working opportunities to skilled craftsmen in an increasingly more digital economy, of which they do not participate in. 

During a construction project, we typically begin in the early morning when most Amish workers are beginning their day. One of our non-Amish team members will pick up the Amish crewmen from their residences and drive them to the project site. There, everyone works on the project together with our non-Amish crew providing support where electrical power tools and heavy machinery are needed. 

At various stages of the project, the custom home is inspected by both an Amish leader and one of our non-Amish supervisors. Each round of inspections ensures that the building meets both their traditional construction standards and modern building safety codes and regulations. 

Can I Put an Addition Onto My Amish Home in the Future? 

Of course! Amish craftsmen are just as skilled at renovations and additions as new constructions. If you decide that you would like to add extra space to your home in the future, you can just contact us with your project needs. The same team that originally built your home by hand will return to construct your new addition. 

Ready for Your Own Amish Construction Project? Let’s Get to Work! 

Merging enduring Amish construction methods with modern best practices results in breathtaking finished products that homebuyers are sure to love. Each one is uniquely handcrafted to perfection and built to last through generations. 

If you are interested in commissioning your own custom Amish-built home in Kent and Sussex County Delaware or portions of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, look no further! Our crew is ready to help you bring your vision to life. For more information, contact us anytime to speak with one of our team members.