Ask the Builder: Q: What does your warranty cover? A: Surprisingly, a lot of homeowners forget to ask this question. But it’s as important to examine the warranty when choosing a contractor as it is when buying a car. Of course, that’s only possible when the warranty is in writing. A homeowner should never accept a verbal […]
Ask the Builder: Q: My builder seems far removed from the construction process, and I deal mostly with the site superintendent. Is that normal? A: Builders understand they are responsible for every home their company builds. A successful builder is also a successful manager and business owner. When you buy from a professional builder, you […]
Ask the Builder: Q: What is “Tyvek” A: Tyvek is a brand name of housewrap (or air-moisture barrier sheathing) from DuPont, and has come to be, in many markets, the generic term for the product. Not all housewrap is made the same, however, or even performs the same exact functions. Your builder should specify the […]
The answer will have an impact on the selections you make and the final home cost. Potential clients often ask for our homes’ average cost per square foot. The question is understandable. Price per square foot is a metric the real estate industry uses to gauge the competitiveness of resale homes, and homebuyers have internalized […]
The low-bid, budget company may cost more in the long run. Here’s why. Does your builder have the size and—more importantly—the management systems needed to handle a custom home project? If not, the final cost in dollars and frustration may be more than you bargained for. There are innumerable ‘horror stories’ on the Internet about […]
How professional builders create a healthy indoor environment. If you have concerns about how healthy your new home will be, you’re not alone. In a 2021 survey of 551 American homeowners commissioned by York (a manufacturer of home heating and cooling systems) 62% of respondents said their home’s indoor air quality needed improvement. And in […]
You can get more for your money by not starting with that question Whether it’s a $7 million custom home or a $70,000 kitchen remodel, no one wants to pay more than they have to. So it’s no surprise that the first question many people have for their architect, interior designer or builder is about […]
The best custom builders understand that service is as important as product. When choosing someone to build your new custom home, there’s a truth that you ignore at your peril: your ultimate satisfaction has as much to do with your day-to-day experience of the project as with the final result. This is very different than […]
These important team members help create safe, comfortable spaces that are perfectly tailored to your needs Homeowners sometimes ask what, exactly, interior designers bring to the table. It’s a valid question. You’ve lived in homes all your life and know what you like, so choosing products, colors and layouts shouldn’t be complicated, right? The answer […]
Installed costs vary greatly from product to product, but the builder can help manage them Cost control is top-of-mind for anyone building a custom home these days. That includes keeping final product costs as close to the estimate as possible. With this in mind, some homeowners browse at design centers and box stores, then come […]