Not a week goes by that we don’t get calls from people looking for property to buy so they can build their dream home. They are hungry for information and want to know what is involved and the process to get their custom home built.
When looking for a vacant lot or land for sale, the following tips will help you make your buying decision. Considering these before you buy can save a lot of unwanted surprises later and make for a happier experience building your new home.Continue reading
Did you know Design-Build can actually save you money? You have probably heard that if you want to build a custom home, the first place to start is with an architect. Even Contractors will refer you to an architect if you don’t have blueprints done, because they need plans in order to give you a proper estimate. The trouble with this is that most architects are going to draw you whatever you want and will not give you much guidance on what things cost. So if you have a budget, you will likely experience sticker-shock when you bring your completed blueprints to your Contractor and find out it will cost you far more than you expected to build what you want.
At our company, we saw many tears and much frustration in our conference room when homeowners discovered that they could not afford to build what their architect had drawn them. Since our purpose is to make the building and renovating process less stressful and more enjoyable for homeowners, we decided there had to be a better way to help our clients create their dream homes within their budgets. Because, let’s face it, not everyone has the cash flow of Warren Buffett – and even Warren runs a tight budget. That is when we discovered Design-Build.
Design-Build is a project delivery system in the construction industry in which one entity handles both the design and the build aspects of a construction project. This means that one company (in our case, the Contractor) runs the design and planning portion of the project in addition to the construction. Not only does this give both the Contractor and the homeowner more control, it saves the homeowner a ton of money.
Natural Stone flooring is a wonderful choice for Florida homes. Not only is its cool temperature perfect for withstanding the heat and humidity, it also adds a feeling of luxury that’s hard to find in other materials. It is eco-friendly, as it is mined from the earth in various locations around the globe, and today’s selection offers fantastic variations in color and quality. But with so much variety, how do you choose? Where do you even start?
We thought we’d simplify it for you. Read on to learn more about stone flooring and which kind might be right for your home.
We love cabinets. Aside from their practical use (they store things, organize our spaces, hide items that might otherwise be clutter), they can be the most beautiful part of a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom. But not all cabinets are created equal, and stock cabinets can sometimes have a negative effect on a room, making it look cheap and cluttered. That’s why we prefer semi-custom or custom cabinets. Not only can the layout be designed to best fit your life, you can choose every detail from the style to the finish.
But so many choices can make you dizzy trying to decide which ones are right for you. Where do you even start? Let’s break it down. Read on to learn the basic types of cabinets and how to choose the style that’s right for you.
Award-Winning Custom HomeHow Much Will it Cost to Build My Home from the Ground Up?
Your dream home is in sight! You have worked out the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you want. You have ideas for the kitchen, living room, fireplace, floors, fixtures and furnishings. Oh yes, you also want a pool with a custom deck, landscaping and a 3-car garage.
So how much will it cost to build your dream home?
Reported Price Per Square Foot
Surprisingly, it can seem there is no exact cost figure that can be given in response to this question. And at this point a lot of confusion can enter the budget equation.
A Google search about the cost of building a home in Hillsborough or Pinellas County, Florida, gives results suggesting custom homes cost between $100 and $400 per square foot. That’s a staggering difference. On a 4000 square-foot home, that means your project could cost anywhere from $400,000 to $1.6 million. How can you properly budget on that?
Award-Winning Custom KitchenWe receive calls from prospective clients wanting to build a custom home for $100 to $150 per square foot. The high-end custom homes we build start at $200 per square foot on the lower-end and go up from there. This can result in more confusion as it’s not what was seen on Google. So why the discrepancy? What affects the square-foot cost? Read on to find out.
We LOVE the current trend toward open-plan living. Who doesn’t want wonderful large gathering spaces in their home? The only downside is that spaces with an open floor plan can typically feel cold and empty. One way to fix this is by adding texture to bring a little interest – and a lot of personality – to the room.
Texture can be added to floors, ceilings, walls, doors and windows. A wide range of materials can be used including reclaimed wood, natural wood, stone, brick, paint, metal, molding and more. Here are a few ways you can add texture to your home.
In the world of home design, trends ebb and flow almost as fluidly as the fashion industry. They may come and go and come back again, but they always return with a new vibe, as cultural changes ripple through homes, businesses, restaurants and cafes, bringing new inspiration to homeowners, designers, architects and contractors alike. Recently the tides have begun to turn again, and – as controversial as it may seem – beige is making a comeback. Don’t worry, this is not the old-fashioned obsession with shades of brown and orange. Beige is returning with a subtle warmth and elegance that is giving the ever-popular gray palette some stiff competition. Read on for some cutting edge advice on incorporating beige into your home design.
It isn’t always easy selecting finishes for your home. For many homeowners, one of the most difficult items to choose is the flooring. There are so many options on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? How do you ensure you make the right choice for your budget, your design, and your own personal comfort? We’ve helped select and install many different types of flooring over the years, and we’ve learned a lot of the pros and cons of each. Here are a few key things you need to know about how to choose the right flooring for your home.
If you live in Florida even a few weeks out of the year, you know what a paradise it is – endless sunny days, breathtaking sunsets, and soft sandy beaches. And while that beautiful sugar sand feels amazing between your toes, it can become a real liability when it starts to give way under the foundation of a home. Hence, a Floridian’s (and insurance adjuster’s) worst nightmare: Sinkholes.Before you start shuddering at the thought of your home being swallowed up by the earth, know this: there is an exact reason that a sinkhole occurs. Additionally, if you know how to spot the signs, you will be able to catch it before it becomes a serious problem. We recently completed a major sinkhole repair project in Largo, and we learned a lot! Here are a few things you should know about sinkholes.
Are you a fan of the hearth? Do you love the idea of curling up next to a fireplace with your family, telling stories or playing games? Or perhaps a quiet evening warming your toes, watching the sun set? The idea of a fireplace in a sub-tropical climate may seem contradictory, but it’s very common to see both wood-burning and gas fireplaces in Florida homes. But how do you get started? What if you have an existing fireplace that doesn’t fit your style? Read on for some design and construction advice on installing the right fireplace for your home.