The DW3 Construction Story: From Humble Beginnings to Building Dreams

At DW3 Construction, our story is one of perseverance, passion, and an unyielding commitment to quality. It’s a journey that started with a young boy working alongside his father in the construction industry and grew into a thriving business dedicated to building homes and strengthening communities.

The Early Years: A Foundation in Hard Work

I grew up in the construction world, working with my father at Wendt and Sons Construction in Crivitz, Wisconsin, from the age of 12. Through my teenage years and beyond, I continued to refine my skills by working with various construction companies, gaining invaluable experience in different trades.

In 2009, seeking better financial opportunities, I moved to Longmont, Colorado, to work in underground utility distribution. My girlfriend, Allison Croft, made the brave decision to leave her home and career behind to join me. While the work was financially rewarding, it never truly felt like home. Allison, a traveling CNA, cared for the elderly in Boulder County while I worked grueling hours.

Everything changed in 2010 when we discovered we were expecting our first child. Knowing we wanted to raise our family in Crivitz, we returned home, rented a place in Twin Bridge, and I picked up my tool belt once again. On July 22, 2010, our son, Jensen James Wendt, was born, marking the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.

Taking Root: The First Home and DW3’s Beginnings

While working construction locally, we found an opportunity to purchase five acres and a trailer house nearby. I promised Allison I would remodel it into a home for our family, and we made sacrifices to make it happen, even moving back in with her parents to save money. By 2011, we had transformed the house, pouring every spare dollar into renovations.

To support our growing family, I took a job with a utility company in Sheboygan, but the frequent travel and time away from home took a toll. I wanted more—I wanted to build. By the fall of 2012, I was laid off for the winter, and I knew I couldn’t sit idle. On February 14, 2013, I proposed to Allison, and one week later, on February 21, 2013, DW3 Construction LLC was officially born. With a second-hand pickup, a few essential tools, and a leap of faith, we began taking on subcontracting work, focusing heavily on roofing in the early days.

That same year, on October 5, 2013, we got married at Goodman Park, surrounded by loved ones, and celebrated with a simple yet meaningful honeymoon at the Wisconsin Dells with Jensen. By the end of our first year, DW3 had begun to establish a name for itself, earning trust and recognition in the community.

Growth, Sacrifices, and Building Dreams

In the spring of 2014, we made another leap, purchasing a 16-foot tool trailer—an enormous upgrade from working out of the back of my truck. We also sold our first home to buy six acres of family land, where we dreamed of building our forever home and shop.

The journey wasn’t easy. We moved multiple times, rented, saved, and worked tirelessly. In April 2015, as we prepared to welcome our second child, Jasper William Wendt, we broke ground on our new home. With a business to run, a baby on the way, and construction happening around the clock, it was a race against time. By September, we moved into our unfinished house—no doors, no trim, just a roof over our heads—but it was home.

DW3 was also expanding rapidly. By 2016, we hired our first employee, added a foreman, and acquired a second truck and trailer, officially stepping into the world of full-scale home building. Our philosophy was simple: take care of our team. I had worked for companies where raises only came when employees threatened to leave, and I vowed never to operate that way. We invested in our crew, and in return, they invested in our mission.

Building a Legacy: DW3’s Rise

From 2017 to 2019, DW3 took on larger, more ambitious projects. We expanded from building garages and additions to constructing full custom homes, including a 6,000+ sq. ft. log home on Lake Michigan in Sheboygan—one of our proudest projects. Our reputation for quality craftsmanship and attention to detail was solidified.

During this time, we also grew our family, welcoming our third son, Jonas Michael Wendt, on December 22, 2019. The winter of 2019/2020 brought record snowfall, and our team spent weeks clearing roofs to prevent collapses.

Then, 2020 arrived—the year no one could have predicted. The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, but we adapted, shifting our focus to remodels, storm-damaged homes, and local projects.

We also took a major step in the business by hiring our first full-time estimator/project manager, a crucial move that allowed me to step back from the overwhelming workload and focus on growing the company.

Giving Back to the Community

At DW3 Construction, we believe in more than just building homes—we believe in building communities. Our team is deeply involved in local initiatives, supporting the Twin Bridge Ski Team through donations and meat raffles, with Del serving as the vice president of the team.

We proudly sponsor local T-ball teams, construct benches for youth baseball fields, and have built concession stands at the local high school for the Crivitz Wolverines Sports Booster Club. Additionally, we support cheerleaders who compete at the state level, ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed.

Del also dedicates time to coaching youth baseball, fostering teamwork, and instilling valuable life skills in young athletes. Giving back to the community that has supported us from the beginning is an essential part of our mission.

The Future of DW3 Construction

In October 2021, we made a significant investment, purchasing land at County X and Boat Landing 3, with plans to build a future shop.

By May 2022, we found our permanent home, acquiring the old boat shop on County X in Crivitz. This space became our new shop and showroom, a symbol of how far we had come.

As of 2023, DW3 Construction continues to thrive, taking on major remodeling projects and new builds across the region. We proudly grew our fleet, added our second telehandler, expanded our crew, and were honored as the CBA Business of the Year.

Today, in 2024, we remain committed to our values: quality, dedication, and taking care of our team. We are grateful for the clients who have trusted us from the beginning and for the incredible support from our community.

The journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has made us stronger. We look forward to many more years of building homes, relationships, and a legacy that will last for generations to come.

Thank you for being part of our story.