The design phase typically takes 1–3 months, and construction spans 6–10 months. Total timeline from first conversation to move-in is generally 8–13 months. The exact timeline depends on the complexity of the home, material availability, and weather conditions.
Custom Home Builder · St. John, Indiana
Custom Home Builder in St. John & Northwest Indiana
Blackburn Builders is an award-winning custom home builder based in St. John, Indiana, serving families across Northwest Indiana. Owners Josh and Tiffany Blackburn personally guide every project from design through move-in, delivering handcrafted homes built to stand the test of time.
32+ Homes
Custom Built
Est. 2019
St. John, Indiana
10-Year
Limited Warranty
Direct Access
Josh & Tiffany — Always
Our Story
About Blackburn Builders
Josh and Tiffany Blackburn started Blackburn Builders with a simple belief: every family deserves a home with timeless beauty and the quality to last for generations. Based in St. John, Indiana, they build custom homes across Northwest Indiana — working directly with each client from first sketch to final walkthrough.
How It All Started
Before Blackburn Builders existed, Josh spent seven years as a lineman — work he was proud of, but work that kept him away from his family far too much. With roots in farming and construction, building was already in his blood. Tiffany was at home raising their four kids. In 2019, they made a decision: build a life where family comes first and quality is never compromised. The first home they built was their own.
Halfway through that first build, they listed their first spec home — right at the start of COVID. Interest rates dropped, a buying frenzy hit, and material shortages made every day unpredictable. Navigating all of that as a brand-new builder was an intense rollercoaster, but it forged the resilience and problem-solving mindset that defines Blackburn Builders today. What started as a leap of faith has grown into 32+ custom homes and counting.
Service Area & Studio
Blackburn Builders serves St. John, Crown Point, Schererville, Cedar Lake, Winfield, Dyer, and Munster. Their office and design studio is located at 8450 Wicker Ave., St. John, IN 46373 — stop by to browse finishes, review floor plans, or start a conversation about your build.
Meet Josh & Tiffany
Parents of four, dog parents of two, and the only people you’ll work with from start to finish.
Josh Blackburn
Owner & Builder
Originally from Bourbonnais, Illinois, Josh brings a hands-on, detail-driven approach to every project. His favorite part of any build is framing — watching a home take shape from the ground up. He’s on-site, accessible, and personally invested in each home from foundation to final walkthrough.
“My mission is to serve my clients the best way I possibly can. There will be bumps along the road, but I’ll be there every step of the way helping make their dreams come true.”
Mountain biking Coffee lover
Tiffany Blackburn
Owner & Designer
Originally from Crete, Illinois, Tiffany has lived in the NWI area most of her life. She has a natural eye for design with a focus on functionality — making sure every room works as well as it looks. From cabinet layouts to finish selections, she brings a straightforward, fun approach that makes the process enjoyable.
“I love helping clients see possibilities they didn’t know existed — and watching their faces when it all comes together.”
Avid reader Furniture rearranger
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Industry Involvement
Beyond building homes, Josh is actively involved in the Northwest Indiana building community, serving in leadership roles that shape the industry.
Best New Home
NWI Parade of Homes • Fall 2025
Best Kitchen & Bathroom
NWI Parade of Homes • Fall 2025
Hoosier Excellence Award
Best New Home $500K–$1M • 2023
Vice President
NWI Home Builders Association
Chairman, Parade of Homes
NWI Home Builders Association
Ready to Move In
View All HomesAvailable Homes
Browse our move-in ready homes in St. John, Indiana. Each home is thoughtfully designed and built to the Blackburn standard.
Available Now
75 Photos
The Staci
8350 W. 105th Ave, St. John, IN 46373
4-5 Beds
3.5 Baths
3,370 sq ft
3-Car Garage
Flex RoomDining RoomWalk-In PantryBonus Room
View Gallery & Details
Available Now
73 Photos
The Lydia
10511 Mahogany Terrace, St. John, IN 46373
4 Beds
3.5 Baths
2,827 sq ft
4-Car Garage
Walk-In PantryOffice4-Car Garage
View Gallery & Details
Available Now
55 Photos
The Alix
9353 Corydalis Ave, St. John, IN 46373
5 Beds
4.5 Baths
4,374 sq ft
3-Car Garage
Dining RoomOfficeWalk-In PantryBonus Room
View Gallery & DetailsPhotos Coming Soon
Coming Soon
The Allie
13042 Spirea Ave, St. John, IN 46373
5 Beds
4.5 Baths
4,173 sq ft
OfficeDining RoomWalk-In PantryBonus Room
Inquire About This HomeOur Work
Start Your BuildHomes Recognized for Excellence
Every Blackburn home is a reflection of its owners — thoughtfully designed, meticulously built, and finished to a standard that earns recognition.
58
The Charlotte
On West 99th
View Gallery →
The Charlotte
On West 99th
75
The Claire
On West 105th
View Gallery →
The Claire
On West 105th
76
The Tori
On West 105th
View Gallery →
The Tori
On West 105th
43
The Alix
On Brookhaven
View Gallery →
The Alix
On Brookhaven
41
The Ellie
On West 100th
View Gallery →
The Ellie
On West 100th
32
The Ellie
On West 105th
View Gallery →
The Ellie
On West 105th
45
The Zoey
On Linden Cove
View Gallery →
The Zoey
On Linden Cove
116
The Lydia
On Mahogany Terrace
View Gallery →
The Lydia
On Mahogany Terrace
48
The Staci
On Waterleaf
View Gallery →
The Staci
On Waterleaf
40
The Josie
On Mahogany Terrace
View Gallery →
The Josie
On Mahogany Terrace
18
The Josie
On West 105th
View Gallery →
The Josie
On West 105th
97
The Staci
On Mahogany Terrace
View Gallery →
The Staci
On Mahogany Terrace
45
The Lydia
On West 105th
View Gallery →
The Lydia
On West 105th
43
The Ella
On Switch Grass
View Gallery →
The Ella
On Switch Grass
How We Build Custom Homes
Our 5-Step Custom Home Building Process
Blackburn Builders guides you through five clear steps to build your custom home in Northwest Indiana: Discovery, Detail, Design, Construction, and Move-In. The entire process typically takes 8 to 13 months from initial consultation to handing you the keys.
Step 01
Discovery
We sit down with you to understand your vision, lifestyle, budget, and timeline. This free initial consultation is where your custom home journey begins — no commitment required.
Step 02
Detail
After a $10,000 design deposit, we refine your floor plan, finalize lot selection, and provide a detailed cost estimate with a purchase agreement — so there are no surprises down the road.
Step 03
Design
Tiffany Blackburn personally guides you through every selection — from countertops and cabinetry to lighting and flooring — creating a cohesive design that reflects your personality.
Step 04
Construction
Josh Blackburn manages every detail on-site with a hands-on approach, keeping you informed with regular updates and walkthroughs throughout the 6- to 10-month construction phase.
Step 05
Move-In
After a thorough final walkthrough and any last touches, we hand you the keys to your new custom home — backed by a comprehensive 10-year limited warranty with an online homeowner portal.
Client Stories
What Our Homeowners Say
5.0on Google
“Blackburn built our new custom home in North Gate…love the design and the home. But more so that Josh is a man of his word and dealt with the few issues we had with professionalism and integrity. If you are looking for a great spec home or custom home builder in Northwest Indiana...look no further. I highly recommend this builder — he does not cut any corners and his service after the sale is second to none.”
Danny O.
Google Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom Home Building FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about building a custom home with Blackburn Builders in St. John and Northwest Indiana.
Blackburn Builders primarily builds custom homes in St. John, Indiana and throughout Northwest Indiana. Their service area includes Crown Point, Schererville, Cedar Lake, Winfield, Dyer, and Munster. All homes are built in Lake and Porter County communities.
Custom home pricing varies based on square footage, lot selection, design complexity, and finish selections. Blackburn Builders requires a $10,000 design deposit to begin the Design Phase, during which the floor plan, lot, finishes, and purchase agreement are finalized with a detailed cost estimate — so there are no surprises.
Yes. Every home built by Blackburn Builders comes with a comprehensive 10-year limited warranty. Homeowners also receive access to a dedicated online portal for submitting warranty claims and tracking service requests.
Absolutely. Each of Blackburn Builders' named floor plans — including The Ellie, The Charlotte, The Staci, The Lydia, The Zoey, The Josie, The Tori, The Alix, and The Ella — carries Tiffany Blackburn's design signature and can be fully customized to reflect your unique lifestyle, preferences, and needs.
When you work with Blackburn Builders, you work directly with owners Josh and Tiffany Blackburn — not a sales team or project manager. Josh manages construction hands-on, while Tiffany guides all design selections. Their personal, transparent approach has earned them the 2024 NWI Builder of the Year award, multiple Parade of Homes awards, and a 5.0 Google rating.
Blackburn Builders follows a 5-step process: (1) Discovery — an initial meeting to discuss your vision, budget, and timeline; (2) Detail — refining the floor plan, selecting a lot, and providing a detailed cost estimate; (3) Design — Tiffany guides you through all finish selections; (4) Construction — Josh manages the build with regular updates and walkthroughs; (5) Move-In — a thorough final walkthrough before handing you the keys, backed by a 10-year warranty.
Blackburn Builders is owned and operated by Josh and Tiffany Blackburn. Josh is the builder who manages all construction, and Tiffany is the designer who handles interior design and finish selections. They founded the company in 2019 in St. John, Indiana, and are personally involved in every home they build.
Let's Build Together
Ready to Start Your Dream Home?
The first step is a conversation. Tell us about your vision, your budget, and your timeline — and we'll take it from there.
Get In Touch
Contact Us
Ready to start building your dream home? Reach out to us and let's begin the conversation.
Let's Talk
Phone
815.370.9537
Office & Design Studio
8450 Wicker Ave.
St. John, IN 46373
By Appointment
Schedule a visit to our design studio
Visit Our Office & Design Studio
8450 Wicker Ave., St. John, IN 46373