Building in Central Illinois requires experience!
➡️Expansive soils.
➡️Freeze-thaw cycles.
➡️Heavy spring rain.
Every region builds differently and homes here need to be designed for Midwest conditions. That’s why local, long term experience matters. That's what you get with our team at Drake Homes!
It also requires dedication and loyalty.
The best parts of a home aren’t always visible.
Proper grading.
Drainage.
Structural framing.
Moisture protection.
These are the things that determine whether a home lasts 10 years… or 50.
At Drake Homes, we focus just as much on what you can’t see as what you can.
This house plan looks familiar!
Rainy mornings have a way of slowing everything down.
The perfect time to scroll through design ideas, save inspiration, and imagine what your future home could look like.
Warm textures, calming neutrals, and spaces that feel like home. Those are the design trends we’re loving heading into 2026.
What room would you design first? COMMENT BELOW!
Out door living & spa
Rain isn't the only thing that can damage homes, poor planning does. In Central Illinois, we design and build with rain in mind from day one.
Here’s how we protect your investment:
✔️ Proper site grading to move water away from the foundation
✔️ Engineered foundation drainage systems
✔️ Damp-proofing / waterproofing foundation walls
✔️ Sump systems and water backup systems
✔️ Correct window flashing & house wrap installation
✔️ Roof overhangs designed to protect siding
✔️ Quality exterior materials installed the right way
✔️ Thoughtful crawlspace moisture control
A beautiful home means nothing if water gets where it shouldn’t. At Drake Homes, what you don’t see matters just as much as what you do.
📍Built for Illinois weather
🏗 Built to last
According to all of the phone calls we've gotten in the past two days, you all are READY to start building! We start new homes every 7-10 days. We can fit yours in!
Call us to start talking about SHELL PACKAGES or TURN KEY BUILDS today.
📲Office: 217-345-6302
🤳Avery's Cell: 217-549-9680
🌟Bill's Cell: 217-259-7262
When your content guy turns a sweet small town into an opening scene of a horror movie. 😂 WE LOVE YOU, HERRICK!
SALEM, IL - - Wondering what we’re bringing to your town? CHECK IT OUT! Home info in this video!
Keep going down! Don’t stop here! What a nice headline to start the day with today.
Mortgage rates fall below 6 percent for first time in over 3 years
www.wcia.com
Mortgage rates fell below 6 percent on Thursday for the first time in over three years, marking an opening for home buyers as inflation cools.Foundation is in. Block is next.
Salem, IL 📍
This crawlspace home is about to rise — and trust us… it has it ALL.
✔️ Modern exterior
✔️ Oversized street-side garage
✔️ 3 bedrooms
✔️ Tall ceilings throughout
✔️ A true water room in the master bath (yes — shower + soaking space + toilet, all encompassed 🙌🏼)
The best homes start with strong foundations.
We’re just getting started.
#DrakeHomes #SalemIL #FoundationStage #ModernBuild #CrawlspaceHome
EVERYTHING about this staircase feels like a FAIRYTALE. EVERYTHING.
Building in Central Illinois requires experience!
➡️Expansive soils.
➡️Freeze-thaw cycles.
➡️Heavy spring rain.
Every region builds differently and homes here need to be designed for Midwest conditions. That’s why local, long term experience matters. That`s what you get with our team at Drake Homes!
The best parts of a home aren’t always visible.
Proper grading.
Drainage.
Structural framing.
Moisture protection.
These are the things that determine whether a home lasts 10 years… or 50.
At Drake Homes, we focus just as much on what you can’t see as what you can.
Rainy mornings have a way of slowing everything down.
The perfect time to scroll through design ideas, save inspiration, and imagine what your future home could look like.
Warm textures, calming neutrals, and spaces that feel like home. Those are the design trends we’re loving heading into 2026.
What room would you design first? COMMENT BELOW!
Rain isn`t the only thing that can damage homes, poor planning does. In Central Illinois, we design and build with rain in mind from day one.
Here’s how we protect your investment:
✔️ Proper site grading to move water away from the foundation
✔️ Engineered foundation drainage systems
✔️ Damp-proofing / waterproofing foundation walls
✔️ Sump systems and water backup systems
✔️ Correct window flashing & house wrap installation
✔️ Roof overhangs designed to protect siding
✔️ Quality exterior materials installed the right way
✔️ Thoughtful crawlspace moisture control
A beautiful home means nothing if water gets where it shouldn’t. At Drake Homes, what you don’t see matters just as much as what you do.
📍Built for Illinois weather
🏗 Built to last
According to all of the phone calls we`ve gotten in the past two days, you all are READY to start building! We start new homes every 7-10 days. We can fit yours in!
Call us to start talking about SHELL PACKAGES or TURN KEY BUILDS today.
📲Office: 217-345-6302
🤳Avery`s Cell: 217-549-9680
🌟Bill`s Cell: 217-259-7262
Foundation is in. Block is next.
Salem, IL 📍
This crawlspace home is about to rise — and trust us… it has it ALL.
✔️ Modern exterior
✔️ Oversized street-side garage
✔️ 3 bedrooms
✔️ Tall ceilings throughout
✔️ A true water room in the master bath (yes — shower + soaking space + toilet, all encompassed 🙌🏼)
The best homes start with strong foundations.
We’re just getting started.
#DrakeHomes #SalemIL #FoundationStage #ModernBuild #CrawlspaceHome
EVERYTHING about this staircase feels like a FAIRYTALE. EVERYTHING.
Client texts like this never get old 🧡
From dream → to dirt → to structure standing. SHELL PACKAGE complete and ready for their finish journey.
This is why we do what we do.
#DrakeHomes #CustomBuild #CharlestonIL
Want to save serious money building?
Start with a shell.
We handle the structure, roof, wrap, windows & doors (installed next phase) —
you handle the finishes.
It’s the DIYer’s dream and the budget-conscious couple’s power move.
Drake Homes builds it right.
You make it yours.
Let’s talk numbers. 💰💸💲
Where people overspend in custom builds:
• Cabinet upgrades
• Trim details
• Flooring choices
• Tile selections
• Lighting packages
• Finish labor markups
With a Shell Package:
We get you through the expensive structural phase correctly.
Then you:
• Shop your own finishes
• Install at your own pace
• Manage interior trades
• Control upgrades
You’re not cutting corners on structure. You’re choosing where to invest on finishes. BIG DIFFERENCE.
Ladies…
If your husband has ever said
“Don’t worry, I can finish it.”
This is your sign.
We build the shell.
He takes it from there.
Windows and doors included and installed during our next phase.
DIY confidence.
Budget flexibility.
And a solid start from Drake Homes.
A Shell Package isn’t for everyone.
But it’s PERFECT if you:
✔️ Have construction knowledge
✔️ Have family/friends in trades
✔️ Want to control interior finish costs
✔️ Don’t mind sweat equity
✔️ Want to spread cash flow over time
You still get:
• Our custom design expertise
• Structural guidance
• A properly engineered foundation + structure
• A home built to Drake standards
You take over after the home is dried in. Instead of paying builder markup on finishes, you control that portion. It’s one of the SMARTEST ways to build if you’re willing to work.
Curious if you’re a good candidate?
Message us or call to set up a meeting - 217-345-6302.
WHAT IS A SHELL PACKAGE? (... and most people don’t even know this is an option ... ) 👇
A Shell Package means we build your home to the point that it is:
✔️ Fully framed
✔️ Windows + exterior doors installed
✔️ Roof complete
✔️ Wrapped + sealed
✔️ Air tight + lockable
AND we handle:
• Foundation (crawlspace, slab, or basement)
• All interior concrete (garage floor, basement floor, porch caps)
• Structural engineering
• Custom floor plan design
You get Drake Homes quality, brains, and ingenuity, but you can finish the interior yourself.
For the right family?
It’s a serious money saver.
DIY-ers… this is your dream.
#DrakeHomes #BuildSmart #ShellPackage
Here’s your first little sneak of this stunning lake home. This half bath is ONLY accessible from the outside. WHY? Safety, security and hospitality. These home owners wanted their friends to have a bathroom accessible (with a code) if they weren’t home and someone needed to potty! 🚽
So thoughtful.
After 46 years of building dream homes for their customers, today we celebrate the completion of the home they have built for themselves. Seeing their own vision come to life feels like the perfect reward for a lifetime of hard work. There is no one more deserving. We love you both so much, Mom and Dad. Here’s to your incredible dedication and this well earned joy.
Stay tuned for the FULL TOUR
Prepping a custom dream home in Salem, IL! 🌟 First up: hunting property pins, then laying out the house with our @trimble_official total station. When the sun’s shining and the tech cooperates… We tend to have more fun with it! Who’s ready for the build? #CustomHome #ConstructionLife