Why Are So Many Florida Homes Built With Concrete Block?

Indian Rocks Beach Townhomes Under Construction
These five duplexes we are building on Indian Rocks Beach consist of a foundation and first floor made of concrete and masonry, with the second and third stories constructed with wood framing. This is common building practice in Florida.

 

In most parts of the country, structures are built primarily with wood framing from the foundation to the roof.  In Florida, however, it is very common to see homes built with concrete block.  It is done minimally on the first floor, but sometimes the entire structure is built out of concrete masonry units (CMU).  We are asked often why it is done that way down here.  Is it required by law?  Do Florida contractors just like to go the extra mile?  Is there simply an over-abundance of masons?

The answer is, none of the above.  Building code allows for both concrete block and engineered wood framing down here in Florida, as long as they comply with hurricane codes.  However, there are many reasons why concrete block is the more popular building choice.  We’ll discuss a few of the main ones here.

 

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How Design Trends Have Changed in 2020

Craftsman home clearwater florida

A lot of things have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and construction and design are no exception.  Here are three ways that design trends have changed in 2020.

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Spring Show Stopping Kitchen Inspiration for 2020

An award-winning show stopping kitchen.

Show-stopping kitchens are the top amenity asked for by homeowners.

Designing a stunning kitchen is more than just updating an old counter-top and appliances and putting on a fresh coat of paint. To truly create a show-stopping kitchen you need to consider all the details that will help bring everything together to make an aesthetic space both you and your loved ones can enjoy together.

And what are “all the details” that you should consider when wanting to create a show-stopping kitchen?  To answer this question, here is a list of some of the top details you can consider adding to your kitchen design.Continue reading

Tips and Pitfalls of Buying Land to Build Your Dream Home

Land for sale
Beachfront Property

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

“Can You Actually DO That?” Tales of Wonder in Construction

From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the cathedrals of Europe, construction over the ages has been a source of wonder and amazement.  Whether dealing with plumb-bobs and rugged stone or lasers and steel, builders and tradespeople are viewed with a sort of awe, as they carry a wisdom and courage about the material universe that seems several notches above the average person.  

Although we are not building cathedrals or pyramids, today’s builder or remodeler is still accomplishing feats that often go un-acknowledged, because all people see is the finished product.  Until one experiences or hears the tale of the barriers one had to overcome (and there are many), it seems that building or remodeling is routine and mundane, as if one need only stack up some lumber and slop on some mortar to build a house.  The truth is, no one construction project is the same, especially when it comes to custom home building and remodeling, and we’re here to share some stories (and Before and After photos) of construction projects we’ve done that were, each one, an adventure in itself.

Historic Home Restoration Clearwater
2017 © Nickolas Sargent Photography

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How Design-Build Helps You Save Money

Ne;son Construction Design Build

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. 

What is 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.

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The Wonders of Natural Stone Flooring

Marble Tile in Historic Home Restoration Project provides elegance adding to the luxury of the home.
Elegant Marble Tile in This Historic Home Restoration Project

Finding the Right Stone Flooring

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. 

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The Custom Home Price Confusion

Custom Home Build Island Estates

Custom Home Build Island EstatesAward-Winning Custom Home

How 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?

Custom KithenAward-Winning Custom Kitchen

We 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.

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Four Reasons You Should Not Always Go With the Lowest Price With Your Next Remodel

Dream home
A home addition and remodel we completed in Brandon, Florida in 2017.

Whether a new build or remodel, going high-end luxury or minimalist, budget is important to you. However, it is important to look at all the factors when deciding on the right Design-Build Contractor to create your dream home. Here are four reasons you should not always go with the lowest price.

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Our Favorite Kitchen Trends

For most homeowners, the kitchen is the heart of the home. When it comes to your remodel, home addition or custom new home, it is likely the first interior element you will be designing. So where do you start? Here are some current kitchen trends that we LOVE, to help you get started with some inspiration.

This black-and-white kitchen was part of a whole home remodel and home addition we completed last year.

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