Is the Customer Always Right?
The short answer is no, and here’s why that’s a good thing Some builders are what one might call ‘order takers.’ They do anything the homeowners want within the constraints of budget, timetable, and zoning or code regulations. That’s understandable: everyone wants happy customers and positive reviews. But the best builders understand that an anything-you-want […]
Future-Proofing Made Simple
A few key devices and some basic wiring will make your home ready for just about anything Homebuilders are sometimes accused of resistance to digital home technologies. That’s not quite the case, but we have seen many high-tech devices hit the market with great hype, only to quietly disappear two years later. The best service […]
Internet Reality Check
Avoid the most common mistakes when searching for ideas on the web We all love the internet. It’s a bottomless source of ideas and inspiration for any project, and most people wouldn’t think of starting a new custom home before spending some serious time online. The internet is also a valuable resource for builders: it’s […]
Solving the Price Puzzle
Have you ever called a car dealership to ask how much cars cost per pound? Do you say that’s a ridiculous question? We agree. In fact, we expect the dealership’s sales staff would wonder what you had been smoking. The serious answer is that it depends. Are you asking about a Toyota Camry or a […]
Answering the Current Building Products Challenge
If you’re ready to start a new custom home, you may need to deal with the ongoing fallout from the coronavirus-related economic shutdown. That means working with your builder to mitigate its impact. The problem, as we all know, started in March and April. Some states and localities halted all construction, and homebuyers in other […]
Why Budget Poker Is a Bad Bet
Transparency about what you can afford is the only way to get the most house for your money Your new custom home is likely one of your biggest-ever investments, so you obviously need a builder you can trust. Ways to confirm trustworthiness include reading online reviews, calling references and noting the builder’s professional certifications. As […]
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 […]
Pretty Good Isn’t Excellent
Companies built for production work aren’t built for perfect 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, […]
