Homeowner Feature: Meet the Gutridge Family

See How the Gutridge Family Went from Starter Home to Forever Home

Life on the family farm was something Hanna and Dakota Gutridge had always dreamed of. That dream was made a reality faster than they expected due to the rapidly growing family that made their starter home feel a bit tight. “Our family was growing so quickly, and so were our needs,” the Gutridges shared. As they put it, “We got a BOGO with our last set of kids.” The Gutridges welcomed a set of twins to their family, doubling their child count! With two more babies under their roof, their home started to feel small. “There was no storage. We were in a season of life that felt a bit transitional. Our careers were evolving. The kids were becoming more active. And we just realized that the home we were living in did not support the way our family lived.” The Gutridges needed a home that matched the stage of life they’re in. Enter Wayne Homes.

Why Wayne Homes?

A question we ask all our homeowners is, “Why did you choose Wayne for your new home?” The Gutridges said Wayne Homes was the obvious choice because they had seen our quality firsthand. “Wayne Homes has built three of my husband’s cousins’ homes, all on this family land,” Hanna shared. “We loved the quality; we loved the timeline. We heard nothing but positive experiences from all of them. And I’ll be honest–Wayne Homes offers an incredible value. You are one of the only home builders that doesn’t sacrifice quality. That was important to us.” Just to be sure, the Gutridges got a quote from a different builder, and it became crystal clear what to do. “We had a quote done by another builder. It was a 2,600 square foot ranch with a basement. And the quote we received back from the builder was significantly higher. With Wayne Homes, we were able to build a house double the size for less than their quote.” Sold!

Choosing the Right Plan

Now that they knew Wayne Homes would be their builder, the Gutridges had to pick a floor plan. There were some existing floor plans that they would have had to adjust, but none felt just right… until the Jackson plan was released. “The Jackson was released in the beginning of 2025, and it literally stopped us dead in our tracks. It was everything that we wanted. There were minimal changes that needed to be made to this floor plan to make it work for our family.” The Gutridges had struck gold!  The unique layout of the Jackson worked perfectly. “The five-level split was unlike anything we’d ever seen. It instantly felt like our family–like we were layered. We were connected; it was full of movement, and each level had a purpose. I feel like each space was carefully thought out and definitely designed for a family and supported real life,” Hanna said.

Customized for Your Vision, Not Ours

At Wayne Homes, we customize our floor plans to meet your needs, not what someone else thinks you need. We listen. And that made all the difference to the Gutridges. “Wayne listened to us. I don’t need fancy,” Hanna said. “I never felt pressured to get fancy granite countertops I didn’t need. I wanted space. I wanted the covered back porch. I wanted the covered front porch. The other things can be changed later. Wayne understood this when other builders pushed for us to upgrade.” We believe this, and the team that stands behind you, is what truly sets Wayne apart. “Our very first interaction with Wayne Homes was with Sue Crow in the Newark office. Every single person we interacted with made us feel like our home mattered. We weren’t just a sale.”

From Dig Day to the Details

One of the best parts of the Gutridges’ story is how they shared it. Following along on Instagram, you can see the house transform from a “muddy hole” into a stunning family home.

• The Beginning: It all started with Dig Day. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing the ground broken on your future home site. The family even posed for a celebratory photo in front of the dug-out foundation, capturing the raw excitement of day one.
• Taking Shape: Soon, the foundation was set, and the framing began. This is the stage where the house finally starts to look like a home, and the scale of the five-level split became apparent.
• The Details: As the seasons changed—beautifully captured in a photo of falling leaves against the home’s exterior—the interior progress moved fast. From drywall and siding to the installation of those kitchen cabinets and countertops, the Gutridges’ personal style began to shine through.

Design Choices That Feel Like Home

The Gutridges opted for a classic farmhouse aesthetic that perfectly complements the Jackson floor plan’s architecture. Some of our favorite design highlights from their build include:

• The Staircase: The railing and spindles at the stairs are a focal point in a multi-level home, and theirs add a touch of timeless elegance.
• The Kitchen: Heart of the home! Their choice of lighting and finishes creates a space that is both functional and beautiful.
• Cozy Finishes: The transition from flooring installation to plush carpet signaled that move-in day was just around the corner.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

The Gutridges’ story is a beautiful reminder that building a custom home works best with an amazing homeowner/builder partnership. Whether you’re interested in the Jackson or one of our other 50+ floor plans, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Explore the Jackson Floor Plan on our website, or follow @gutridgefarmhouse_thejackson on Instagram for even more inspiration!

If you’re ready to build your forever home, we’re here to help! Contact us today.

About Wayne Homes

Wayne Homes is a custom homebuilder in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia (see all Model Home Centers). We offer more than 50 fully customizable floorplans and a team dedicated to providing the best experience in the home building industry. For more information, Ask Julie by Live Chat or call us at (866) 253-6807.

Disclaimer: The details of this blog are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change.