Some homeowners are very interested in the homebuilding process, while others are more content to follow the lead of the builder and be available only when needed. Most clients fall somewhere in between. Regardless of their approach or comfort level with new home construction, clients play a vital role in its success. The ideal homeowner
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Builders hear this question a lot. The answer, as with most such questions, is “It depends.” But on what? People who haven’t built before often have an unrealistic concept of how long it can take to plan, budget, and build a home. Many variables can affect the timetable. Three that stand out are design, permitting,
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Why did Castle Homes choose LP to partner for the Southern Living Showcase Home at Dorset Park? Superior engineered wood floor components that build straight and stable floors. “We’re a big believer in using an engineered floor system,” said Brett Wright, project manager for Castle Homes. “All of the pieces of LP’s floor system worked
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Even small changes made after work begins can have surprising effects on the budget. Here’s why. Minimizing change orders is one of the most effective things homeowners can do to control costs. The reason is that seemingly small changes can have cost impacts beyond the builder’s control—costs that ultimately are borne by the customer. We’re
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A well-defined process can make bidding more accurate and productive. Homeowners see the competitive bidding process as a way to get the most value for their money. But it doesn’t always work that way. Bids are only useful if they come from comparable companies, and if they are structured so that they can be accurately
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New homes won’t be any more affordable in a year or two. Potential homebuyers who are waiting for costs to come down before building might want to reconsider. The fact is that the past year’s rise in new home prices will most likely continue. While higher interest rates and a weak dollar could play a
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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’
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The best idea house ever is what Southern Living magazine is calling this year’s home at beautiful Fontanel in Nashville built by Castle Homes and featured on the August cover of the magazine. With an incredible overview of the exciting building and inspiring design ideas of the farmhouse style home, the two-story living room is featured
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Creating a backyard gathering space that works hard and looks great. Outdoor kitchens are hot. In a 2012 survey by Professional Builder magazine, a fourth of the respondents named outdoor kitchens as one of their top selling features. There’s no shortage of ideas for these spaces, as a simple online search will show, but the
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Building a new home is one of the most important investments a family will make. In many cases it represents the single largest financial investment. The home is designed and built to provide years of pleasure, comfort, and security. It is the physical manifestation of “family” and the place where celebration and joy are expressed
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Without a successful take-off, a safe landing is impossible. All homebuyers want their new home to turn out just as they envisioned, built on schedule, and for the agreed upon price. As a Professional Builder, we want exactly the same thing. That’s what makes the preconstruction meeting so important. This is a time for builder
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It wasn’t that long ago that a window was a window … was a window. Basically, a hole in the wall fitted with a wood-framed pane of glass that allowed a view to the outside and provided a little bit of daylight into a house. Over the past 25 years, windows have changed dramatically. Not
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A home’s exterior finish is literally its face to the world. The right combination of material, color, and texture deliver a lasting impression, evoke pride and create value. The right exterior finishes for a given climate and their proper installation reduce ongoing maintenance chores and repair costs. In our experience, there are several factors that
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A roof is a primary factor in any home’s curb appeal. But more important, it serves a critical role in maintaining or improving energy efficiency, managing water and moisture, and guarding against damage caused by high winds and fire. Recent upgrades to national building and energy codes place even more responsibility on builders and contractors
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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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Builders buy their materials from suppliers that offer benefits to them and the homebuyer. Some customers express curiosity about the places different suppliers occupy in the building supply chain. With that in mind, we thought it worth explaining why we buy our materials and products where we do. The basic choice is between the “big
Wireless lighting controls are likely in your future. Here’s why. Mention home lighting trends and what comes to mind is the growth of LEDs. But the incandescent bulb isn’t the only thing about to disappear—the wall switch may be going the same way. That’s because more homeowners are opting for “smart” lighting controls that replace conventional
Top Tier Interior Designers From Across the U.S. Including Barclay, Butera, Vern Yip, Among Others Will Contribute to the Concept House Debuting in October 2019
Understanding the variables that affect the schedule Many clients approach a builder with an idea about how long it should take to finish their new home. Some underestimate the time the project will require, while others expect it to take a lot longer. Every builder loves being able to deliver a quality home on budget
A lot of people don’t understand the sheer complexity of the builder’s job and the systems required to build a house from scratch. Many analogies have been used to describe the professional builder: the conductor of an orchestra, the captain of a ship, even a general executing a military campaign. The point is that the