Category Archives: Designer Builders

Ask the Builder Q: What is SEER? A: SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, or the cooling energy output of an air conditioner divided by the electrical energy it burns. The higher the number, the more efficient the equipment. For example, a new 15 SEER unit uses 33 percent less energy than an older […]

Ask the Builder Q: How do draw schedules work? A: The typical construction loan has a draw schedule that protects the homeowner and lender from paying for work that hasn’t been done yet. To request a draw, borrowers may need to submit invoices, progress photos and inspection reports. And the payment for each phase (such […]

Q: What’s the paper-like wrapping I see on new homes before the exterior siding goes on? A: Increasingly, quality-conscious builders add an extra layer of weather protection around the outside of the house called an air barrier or “housewrap.” Installed as a continuous material just behind the siding, stucco, or brick finish, the barrier blocks […]

Ask the Builder Q: What is a cool roof? A: A cool roof is just what it sounds like: a roof that stays cooler than a typical roof on a sunny summer day. This, in turn, keeps the attic from overheating and eases the burden on the air conditioner. Although most people think that a […]

Ask the Builder Q: How will zoning, deed and other restrictions affect the project? A: They can cause major headaches if not planned for. Restrictions can be imposed by local government agencies or homeowner associations. They can include how far the home must be from the property line, how high the roof can be, and […]

Ask the Builder Q: Can you cut costs without cutting amenities? A: If you’re flexible, there are creative ways to save money without sacrificing what’s important to you. For instance, you can trim the kitchen cabinet budget by building a pantry closet. Or you can build a simpler, less costly roof without taking away from […]

Ask the Builder Q: How do draw schedules work? A: Lenders don’t want to pay for work that isn’t done yet. If it’s a big job and the contractor can’t complete it for some reason, the lending company will want to protect itself. Most lenders require that construction loans include a draw schedule that ensures […]

Ask the Builder Q: What is the difference between pre- and post-consumer recycled content? A: An increasing number of building materials, such as flooring, contain some amount of recycled (instead of “virgin”) content. Pre-consumer content is material that is recovered from a manufacturing process, such as sawdust from a lumber mill; post-consumer content is material […]

Ask the Builder Q: What is an escalation clause? A: This is where the customer agrees to pay for product price increases that happen between contract signing and the start of construction. Escalation clauses tend to appear when there’s high price volatility for a given building material (such as lumber). The decision to sign or […]

Ask the Builder: Q: What does housewrap do? A: The housewrap, or weather-resistant barrier (WRB), is applied to the wall sheathing before the doors, windows, and siding are installed. It acts as a secondary line of defense if any water gets behind the siding, while also keeping unwanted drafts out of the home. But while […]