It’s easy to take concrete for granted. Most of us think of concrete as something stable, enduring, and strong. We believe that once concrete is set as a foundation slab, patio, driveway, or path, it’s there to stay. While it’s true that concrete is arguably one of the most stable building materials available, it nevertheless
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The word “foundation” evokes thoughts of strength, permanence, and solidity — the basis for everything that follows. A home’s foundation is simply the most important part of its construction and overall performance, if not top of mind among homebuyers and owners. The reason there are different types of residential foundations has to do with the
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In the pursuit of excellence, we coach our homebuyers about the building process so that their expectations are high but realistic. We want our homebuyers to push and challenge us to always do better, but it is also our job to define excellence … and point out the difference between it and perfection.
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You just left an impressive presentation with a professional homebuilder, one among the few you’re considering for your new home project. In addition to a brochure about his business and highlights of his recent work and the communities in which he builds, he provided you with a list of recent homebuyers for you to call
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Universal Design, or UD, is an architectural practice that allows occupants of all ages and capabilities to live independently and comfortably over a long period of time in the same house.
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Building for almost two decades, Castle Homes has seen an increase in the requests for storm shelters in new home building and renovation according to Castle Homes President Alan Looney.
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There’s no getting around it: construction can be a hazardous job. We say “can be” because professional builders respect those hazards and equip and train their workers and subcontractors to mitigate safety issues as much as possible. By doing so, professional builders protect their businesses and clients from liability. The federal Occupational Safety & Health
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You’ve finally decided to build that dream house and have invited us into your living room or have cornered us in our sales center. Now what? As a professional homebuilder, we are prepared to answer any questions you have as you make a purchasing decision, arguably one of the most important financial choices in your
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In the current housing economy, it’s tempting to buy a “short sale” or recently foreclosed home, especially one that was built during the recent housing boom and is being offered at a bargain-basement price. But that strategy is full of pitfalls and potholes. It’s well-documented that owners of homes in foreclosure tend to neglect their
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Choosing a builder based on the lowest cost per square foot or the lowest sales price is likely not getting the best value. It’s buying the cheapest home. No doubt about it, there is some cheap housing out there right now, but is “cheap” the best way to go? Common sense tells us that there
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How to keep your new home on track amid COVID-related price spikes and shortages 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
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
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
Societal trends are making the home office a must-have for many homeowners. 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
by Brianna Goebel, StyleBlueprint As many of us start to dream about summer days and much-anticipated vacations (perhaps more so than usual), we often look outside our home’s four walls for some peace and relaxation. However, you don’t need to travel far away for the getaway of your dreams. Local builders, architects and interior designers