Simplifying Home Automation
The trick is to choose the technologies you need, while ignoring those you don’t. For some people, a new custom home is a chance to get the latest digital bells and whistles. The problem is that home automation can feel like a daunting topic and the wrong choices can lead to frustration. Which technologies will […]
Keeping the Authorities Happy
Your home builder needs to navigate a maze of government regulations—homeowners can help make the process easier A successful new-home build is a predictable one, with no unpleasant surprises. Predictability comes from good planning, as well-planned projects tend to stay on budget and on schedule. Good planning includes making sure the home will meet all […]
Reducing the Cost of Regulation
Government rules take time, money and skill to navigate. That’s why you need a pro. Did the budget for your new home come in higher than you expected? Part of the reason may be that the fixed costs of building anything have gone up. By fixed costs we don’t mean building materials. While this year’s 170% lumber […]
Rethinking Home
COVID is causing changes in home designs and product choices Did you know that the half-bath became popular in the years following the 1918-1920 Spanish Flu pandemic? That’s because homeowners wanted to keep visitors’ germs out of the main bath. Did you also realize that Modern interior design first took hold in America during the […]
The Perfect Kitchen
This imaginative and fun exercise will get you a space that’s just right for your needs One of the many benefits of a new custom home is that the kitchen can be perfectly tailored to support how you cook and entertain. A first step to getting that result is to think through the space in […]
Considering the ‘New’ Home Office
Societal trends are making this a must-have for many homeowners, but careful planning is the key to getting a space where you can be truly productive. Remote work arrangements have been on the upswing for a long time. Research firm Global Workplace Analytics figured in 2019 that there were 4.3 million telecommuters in the US, […]
COVID19 – Health Concerns and Humidity Control?
Health concerns have turned homeowners’ attention to this question Health and wellness have seized center stage in the homebuilding world. This year’s coronavirus scare and lockdown made indoor air quality a top priority even among those who hadn’t thought much about it before, and most industry pros expect it will still be a priority after […]
Optimizing the Budget
The ability to ‘value engineer’ the project is one hallmark of an experienced pro. Stretching to get the most value for the dollar is a sport we all love to play. This certainly applies to building a home. It’s not unusual for the homeowners’ vision to be out of sync with the budget. Although this […]
Pretty Good Isn’t Excellent
Companies built for production work aren’t built for excellent work. On the surface, the difference between a production builder and a custom builder is simple. One builds the same basic house over and over, and the other builds a unique home for each customer. But the real differences go deeper. These two builder types are, […]
Working with a Professional Builder: Does it really matter?
How homeowners benefit from the established builder’s systems and relationships. Since the rebound of home building from the great recession, lots of new contractors have emerged as homebuilders. This has given home buyer more choices, tempting some to choose a contractor based strictly on price. Bad idea. It’s nearly impossible to compare apples to apples […]
The Resilient Home
The ability to weather storms is another advantage of hiring an experienced builder with up-to-date knowledge about building science One often overlooked benefit of a high-quality new custom home is that it will better handle severe weather events and power outages. These are a fact of life in all parts of the country. Atlantic hurricanes […]
No Sweat Cooling
Why choosing the right air conditioning equipment is more important than ever The health and comfort of a new home has a lot to do with its heating, cooling and ventilation equipment. High-quality equipment will do a better job, but only if the builder works with the mechanical engineer and contractor to choose the right […]