You are interested in building a new home or adding an addition to your existing home… how do you select a design plan that’s right for you? Everyone has different tastes in home styles. Design needs will also vary based on where one is in life – single, newly married, starting a family or downsizing. Answering these 7 questions will help you in your home design selection.
Energy efficiency is almost always at the top of a homeowner’s list of desirable home features. It doesn’t matter if you are building a new home or renovating your current home, there are things you can do to make sure your house is utilizing solutions that are energy efficient. Not only will you be doing your part in preserving the environment, you’ll be saving money. We will outline some of the top things you can do to make your home more “green” when it comes to energy use.
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While the first quarter of 2018 saw some decrease in home values in certain areas of the state, median home values in Bergen County have been on the rise. In fact, according to Zillow, home values in Bergen County rose over 6.1% in the past year and are expected to go up another 6.6% the next year.
Are you someone who likes to follow trends? If so, you may have noticed that trends relating to residential home construction have changed very rapidly. Much of the flurry is related to today’s lifestyle preferences and are geared toward greater comfort and functionality. Here are some of the top trends we are seeing in the residential construction arena.
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I don’t want to disclose this to you, but designers don’t adhere to a confidential guideline book. There are no rigid laws representing what we do. We are imaginative sorts by nature and lean towards envision, dream and investigate taking to our instincts. Having said that, there are some rough concepts that guarantee an awesome result each time without fail. They are simply attempted and fact-based things that work and these aren’t tricks or expertise that take years to ace. Anybody can do them from the very first moment. Think about this as an establishment for building up your own particular peculiar, imaginative, guideline breaking instinct. Continue Reading
First questions we get when talking to clients about a new custom home or remodel is, “How much will it cost?” This is usually quickly followed by the second question, “How long will it take?” The answer to both is, “It depends.”
While we don’t want to be evasive, there are many variables that have to be factored in before we can adequately assess the time and cost of a project. One thing that most homeowners don’t see initially is that for a properly planned and designed project, the design and construction phases can last roughly the same amount of time. Continue Reading
You know what you want. But getting that sparkling new kitchen or expansive master closet isn’t as easy as making a wish and snapping your fingers. From the beginning, your project is set up for numerous pitfalls and missteps, and nowhere is this truer than in the permitting process. Skip a permit in hopes of a smoother project and you could be faced with very real consequences.
What follows is an introduction to a series about understanding and navigating the residential permit process. It’s an informative look at basic processes and guidelines that you should understand before beginning work. You won’t be able to snap your fingers and make things happen, but you might be able to sleep better at night knowing your project is in full compliance with local codes — and your family is safe. Continue Reading
Building your dream home is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do, but all that excitement comes with a lot of responsibility. Hiring the best general contractor for you and your project is an extremely important decision. That choice will determine the quality of craftsmanship and will minimize emotional stress and unexpected costs. Bringing in the right contractor early in the design process is one of the most important ingredients in staying on budget and on schedule during construction. Continue Reading
Not so fast! Before work begins, make sure you and your contractor are on the same page about how things will go. This often takes the form of a pre-construction meeting, which may be most useful when held at your home and at least one week ahead of construction — particularly if you have furniture or other belongings to move.
Working hours Most construction companies have standard work hours. These may vary depending on whether the home is vacant or occupied. Make sure you understand if the contractor or subcontractors intend to work into the evenings or on weekends. Having this conversation at the start will help set expectations. Continue Reading
Consumables like motor oil, and gas have clearly defined prices Even products that have negotiable prices, like cars and properties, can at least be seen, touched and inspected before you buy them.
But when you tackle a building or remodeling project, pricing is a lot harder to come by. It’s likely your project has never been built in exactly the same size, finishes, circumstances and location you have in mind. That makes your project entirely custom — and that means the price is, too.
Arriving at a cost for a project involves creating plans and specifications, and requires lots of time, thought and shopping. The more detailed the plans are, the more accurate the price.
So how do you get the accuracy you need when you ask about price? Start with an understanding of the process and the lingo. Continue Reading