Never underestimate the importance of building the right house for you and for your site. Many times, homeowners and builders alike select “tried and true” stock plans, believing them to be a safe investment. However, if using those plans results in an unintentional view of the neighbor’s HVAC unit from the family room, or a…
Thirty years ago when Tim Anderson broke ground on an A-Frame at the county line, he had no way of knowing that the sportsman’s hideaway he envisioned would become an entirely different adventure. Tim met his wife Kim, and in time they became parents. The bachelor pad, turned family home was cozy and private, but…
The crawl space is not an area where many homeowners dare to venture. It is often dark, damp and cold—uninviting, to say the least. Unfortunately, this seldom-visited underbelly of the home can reduce the indoor air quality of the living areas above, causing moisture-related problems to the structure of the home and increase utility costs.
“We are retired and would like to remodel our home to make it comfortable for us in our retirement years. What should we look for?” This is an interesting question and one that many will be considering soon. By 2020, the number of Americans age 50+ is expected to reach nearly 120 million, according to…
Ask builders what causes most construction delays and the answer will likely be a toss-up between weather and homeowner selections. While no builder has control of the weather, the best professionals have a tried-and-true selection process that they’ve spent countless hours perfecting. I know what you’re thinking… Selections? How hard can that be? Why spend…
“We have recently noticed a green board on the exterior of some homes under construction. Would you explain the purpose of this new product?” Most likely, you have seen a type of WRG (water-resistive barrier). But before I put my building geek hat on, allow me to back up and explain what a WRB is…
Kitchen lighting is an often-misunderstood part of the building or remodeling experience. While there’s no doubt that kitchens have evolved into central entertainment and gathering centers, we sometimes forget that kitchens still have very specific functional purposes. Given that we are often slicing and dicing or working with hot cooking vessels, proper lighting is essential…
Newly completed homes seemingly all look the same. The fresh paint and sparkling finishes are remarkably attractive. While they may all look the same in the beginning, homes – just like people – can have beauty that is only skin deep. Poor construction methods can cause homes to begin a rot/decay process far too soon,…
“We have heard that changes made after the construction project begins can be costly, but we don’t understand why. Would you help us better understand the costs associated with change orders?” Even small changes made after work begins can have surprising effects on the budget. Here’s why. Minimizing change orders is one of the most…
There is more to the exterior design of a home than just a pretty façade. In resilient, comfortable, high-performance residential projects, design of the building envelope is the homes – and its occupants- primary defense against unnecessary moisture and comfort related failures. Given the issues of building resilience, durability, design, and client comfort, some builders…