Blog

Over the years I've been asked countless questions about the things you need to know before building a custom home. To me, it's simple and straightforward because I've been in the residential home building business since I was ten years old. But if you've...

Archways are curved structural building elements that span to form a passage or an entrance and give necessary support. They are one of the oldest forms of engineering construction and continue to find new functions and applications in different fields as well as...

Should you buy a ready-made plan for constructing your new home? It depends. If you have a large lot that doesn’t have restrictive setbacks, then finding and buying a ready-made plan may work well for you. It’s important to know that most plans you find in...

There is an ancient proverb that says, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” I suppose it’s because I’m a builder, but I can relate to this bit of wisdom....

A cost-plus contract differs from a fixed-price contract in that it takes the actual cost of building the home and adds a fee for the builder’s overhead and management. This fee can be either a lump sum (flat fee) or a percentage of total costs. Of course,...

A fixed-price contract is one in which the plans, specifications, and all of the materials and finishes are fully determined (fixed) before you start construction on your new home. A cost-plus contract takes all the costs of the home and adds either a...

One of the best things a homeowner can do is to thoughtfully consider the difference between needs and wants. It’s more difficult than it sounds. For example, something that is considered a need to one family member may not be viewed that way by another....

When a couple buys or builds a home, they always seem to pay a lot of attention to the kitchen. With most couples, there’s usually one person who loves to cook; most often it’s the woman. But for everyone, male or female, young or old, the kitchen is one...

Building a home is probably one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, so you’ll want to know where to put your money to get the most value for your investment. Here are seven areas to consider: Location: You’ve heard the adage “location, location,...

Jim and Susan had six—count ‘em, six—separate flooring companies at their home in a three week period providing estimates to sand and refinish their hardwood floors. About a month later, an unusual sound came from Jim and Susan’s house, loud enough that everyone in...

So now you’ve selected a competent builder. But you may ask, “Do I have to like the guy? If he has a good reputation as a builder, does it really matter if I like him?” Yes, it matters. Don’t sign a contract with a builder you don’t like, trust, or...

Jim and Linda were the kind of people who refuse to give up. Sometimes persistence is a good thing, but there are times when pushing too hard is unwise. This couple, for instance, were unwilling to listen to sound, professional advice. They forced their...